Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

The 2013 Toyota RAV4, which spent the first three months of 2013 atop our most-read reviews list, is once again at No. 1, overtaking the also-popular 2014 Subaru Forester. Following its long reign, the RAV4 relinquished its throne to the Forster to hold the No. 2 spot for a month before returning to the top spot for a week – before losing it again to the Forester last week only to reclaim it this week … whew! The other significant change this week is at No. 10, where the 2013 Nissan Altima returns to the list.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2014 Subaru Forester
3. 2014 Chevrolet Impala
4. 2013 BMW 3 Series
5. 2013 Ford Escape
6. 2013 Buick Encore
7. 2013 Toyota Avalon
8. 2013 Honda Accord
9. 2013 Dodge Dart
10. 2013 Nissan Altima

Several Compact Crossovers Fail IIHS' Small Overlap Test

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's newest test — frontal small overlap — is pretty tough to ace. The agency recently performed the test, meant to simulate a crash of a vehicle's front corner into another vehicle, a tree or a pole, on 13 compact SUVs; 11 scored Marginal or Poor.

The new-for-2014 Subaru Forester came out ahead of the pack, earning a Good score and the agency's highest overall safety rating, Top Safety Pick+. Behind it is the slow-selling 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport; it pulled an Acceptable score. The test group included 2014, 2013 and 2012 models.

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

After relinquishing the No. 1 spot for a week to former longtime champ the 2013 Toyota RAV4, the 2014 Subaru Forester reclaimed its position this week atop our list of most-read reviews. Farther down the roster, this week’s order might be a little different, but the names are all the same.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2014 Subaru Forester
2. 2013 Toyota RAV4
3. 2014 Chevrolet Impala
4. 2013 Toyota Avalon
5. 2013 BMW 3 Series
6. 2013 Ford Escape
7. 2013 Buick Encore
8. 2013 Dodge Dart
9. 2013 Honda Accord
10. 2014 Mazda CX-5

Most-Watched Videos of the Week

A fleet of newcomers elbowed their way into the top five this week, leaving only one holdover on our list of most-watched videos. The 2013 BMW 135is bumped previous No. 1, the 2014 Acura MDX, down to third place. In the video, Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley says that with the less-is-more attitude of the small, light 135is, BMW harks back to the days before large and luxurious gained favor over a fun driving experience. Check out what else was popular:

1. 2013 BMW 135is
2. 2014 Chevrolet Silverado
3. 2014 Acura MDX
4. 2014 Subaru Forester (MotorWeek)
5. 2013 Honda Civic

2014 Subaru Forester: Family Checklist

At first glance, the redesigned Subaru Forester doesn't look that different from its predecessor, but the 2014 model has added cargo room and even more family appeal.

This five-seat crossover also gets some serious retooling under the hood. I tested Forester 2.0XT Premium trim that zipped along with a 250-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. A majority of families will opt for the standard 170-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder, however.

The all-wheel-drive Forester was thoroughly confident and capable in all driving conditions. It handled like a champ with little body roll despite its height and had good road feel. There was considerable wind and road noise with this new Forester, which left me a little down in the dumps. Typically I would be cheered by its turbo four-cylinder boxer engine. And I was, but it was loud and I had to adjust to some turbo lag.

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Just when we thought it was out, readers pull it back in. The godfather of persistently read reviews — the 2013 Toyota RAV4 — muscled its way back to the head of the family this week after being relegated to the No. 2 spot on our list of most-read reviews for a month by the 2014 Subaru Forester. Before that, the RAV4 enjoyed a three-month reign at No. 1 that we were beginning to think might never end. Ousted by a measly 109 page views, the Forester had to settle back into second place. Meanwhile, the 2014 Mazda CX-5 returns at No. 8 after a brief absence, while the 2013 Dodge Dart comes in at No. 10 after a long one.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2014 Subaru Forester
3. 2014 Chevrolet Impala
4. 2013 BMW 3 Series
5. 2013 Ford Escape
6. 2013 Buick Encore
7. 2013 Toyota Avalon
8. 2014 Mazda CX-5
9. 2013 Honda Accord
10. 2013 Dodge Dart

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Last week's top four most-read reviews stayed put this week, with the 2014 Subaru Forester and 2013 Toyota RAV4 once again occupying Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, and the 2014 Chevrolet Impala and 2013 Ford Escape holding fast in fourth and fifth. Meanwhile, at No. 7, our 2013 Mazda CX-9 review makes its debut roughly two months after first appearing on Kicking Tires, and the 2013 Ford Explorer returns at No. 10. Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2014 Subaru Forester
2. 2013 Toyota RAV4
3. 2014 Chevrolet Impala
4. 2013 Ford Escape
5. 2013 BMW 3 Series
6. 2013 Honda Accord
7. 2013 Mazda CX-9
8. 2013 Buick Encore
9. 2013 Toyota Avalon
10. 2013 Ford Explorer

Most-Watched Videos of the Week

The 2014 Acura MDX and 2014 Subaru Forester remained at Nos. 1 and 2 respectively this week on our list of most-watched videos. The list continues to be SUV-and-crossover heavy, as the 2014 Toyota Highlander moved up to third place, and the 2013 Land Rover Range Rover bowed in at fourth. Rounding out the Top 5 was the debut of the 2013 Lexus LS 600h L, the only non-SUV entry. Check out what else was popular:

1. 2014 Acura MDX
2. 2014 Subaru Forester
3. 2014 Toyota Highlander
4. 2013 Land Rover Range Rover
5. 2013 Lexus LS 600h L

Recall Alert: 2014 Subaru Forester

Well that didn't take very long. The redesigned-for-2014 Forester has been on sale for only a few weeks, but it's already being recalled. Subaru is recalling 10,137 units of the compact crossover due to problems with the floormats, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The affected vehicles were manufactured from January through March 2013 (check your vehicle's build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb) and use floormats that weren't properly manufactured. According to NHTSA, they could curl if exposed to heat and could interfere with brake and accelerator pedal operation, increasing the risk of a crash.

Subaru will notify affected owners before the month's end, and dealers will replace all four floormats for free. Owners can call Subaru at 800-782-2783 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Related
Research the 2014 Subaru Forester
More Safety News
Check out Other Recalls

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

There was no movement this week atop our list of most-read reviews, as the 2014 Subaru Forester maintained its commanding lead in the top spot and the 2013 Toyota RAV4 hung tough in second. Further down the ranks, however, the list hosted an encore appearance from one car and the debuts of two others. The 2014 Chevrolet Impala returned this week with a vengeance, rocketing straight up to No. 3, while newcomers the 2013 BMW 3 Series and 2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI bowed at Nos. 6 and 9, respectively.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2014 Subaru Forester
2. 2013 Toyota RAV4
3. 2014 Chevrolet Impala
4. 2013 Ford Escape
5. 2013 Buick Encore
6. 2013 BMW 3 Series
7. 2013 Honda Accord
8. 2014 Mazda CX-5
9. 2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI
10. 2013 Toyota Avalon