The 2014 Acura MDX held its ground at No. 1 this week on our list of most-watched videos. Acura's redesigned SUV fended off a challenge from the 2014 Subaru Forester, which climbed three places from No. 5 last week to No. 2 this week. Meanwhile, the 2014 Toyota Highlander rejoined the roster at No. 5. Check out what else what popular:
1. 2014 Acura MDXAlthough there was no movement in this week's top two spots, the 2014 Subaru Forester substantially increased its lead after toppling longtime champ the 2013 Toyota RAV4 last week. The new Forester saw nearly double the RAV4's traffic in its second week atop our most-read reviews list. Meanwhile, the 2013 Buick Encore compact crossover — which Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays said stuffs a whole lot of refinement and features into a tiny package — debuted big at No. 3.
Check out what was popular this week:
1. 2014 Subaru ForesterCars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays' critique of the 2014 Acura MDX during the 2013 New York International Auto Show rose to No. 1 this week on our list of most-watched videos. Acura's redesigned SUV, which Mays calls "forgettable," knocked former champ the 2014 Jeep Cherokee down to No. 3. New to the list at No. 2 is our video in which Mays familiarizes viewers with the features of competitors in our $46,000 Sports Sedan Challenge, and at No. 5 is the 2014 Subaru Forester. Check out what else what popular:
Its looks aren't what our editors raved about when the redesigned 2014 Subaru Forester XT was recently in our fleet. Editor David Thomas also didn't call them out when he originally reviewed the popular compact crossover. The Forester instead gets kudos for its visibility and cargo space.
The most recent tests and this photo gallery are of a 2014 Subaru Forester XT Premium, which has a more powerful turbo engine. It's as-tested price was $28,820, including $825 in destination charges.
The volume leader is the 2.5i Premium, which starts at $24,320 including destination.
We wanted to present another gallery of the Forester because the XT is unique; the 2014 version sheds a hoodscoop and doesn't stand out as much from the base model except for the slightly more aggressive front and rear bumper design. Plus, the one we tested is black. It's rare to find plentiful photos of mainstream cars in black despite it being one of the most popular car colors in the industry.
Read the full review of the 2014 Subaru Forester
Recently a black XT model arrived in our fleet for two weeks of testing by the rest of the Cars.com staff. While most agreed with the review overall there was one area that had everyone singing the Forester's praises, and one other that had more than one detractor.
It's like when Rocky made Ivan Drago bleed in "Rocky IV," proving the Soviet boxer was not a machine and could, indeed, be defeated. Although far from symbolizing the fall of Cold War-era communism, the 2013 Toyota RAV4's defeat after a three-month reign atop our most-read reviews list is, nonetheless, a glorious victory for our new champ, the 2014 Subaru Forester. Meanwhile, the 2013 Toyota Avalon returns to the top 10 this week at No. 9, and the 2013 Honda Civic debuts in the bottom spot.
Check out what was popular this week:
1. 2014 Subaru Forester
March was a decent month for the auto industry. New-car sales improved 3.4%, riding a trend that began in late 2012. Since last November, auto sales have reached annualized rates not seen since early 2008, according to Automotive News data. Still, car sales fell 1.2% as popular nameplates — the Nissan Altima, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata — saw double-digit drops. In fact, sales for seven of the top 15 best-selling cars fell.
What propped up the industry in March? SUVs.
Light-duty trucks — a group that includes SUVs, pickups and minivans — gained 9%. If you drill it down to just SUVs, including car-based crossovers, sales grew a significant 11.2%. March opened with gas prices nearing a five-month high but colder temperatures than 2012's unseasonably warm March — dueling factors for SUV sales, it would seem. But a renewed consumer advance toward SUVs, especially small crossovers, drove overall gains.
Subaru redesigned its Forester crossover for the 2014 model year. The Forester’s interior remains roomy, with a backseat that can easily accommodate rear-facing child-safety seats.
For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.
In Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays' critique of the 2014 Lexus IS 250, he says the new model's practical improvements are what make it stand out among competing sport sedans, but in a field where being fun to drive is the key concept, it stands little chance of leading the pack. The same goes for its chances on our list of most-read reviews, where the IS 250 — the lone newcomer to this week's list — finished sixth. Still at No. 1, where it has now spent a full three months, is the seemingly unstoppable 2013 Toyota RAV4 — though it's worth noting that the 2014 Subaru Forester came within about 400 page views this week, closer than any review in recent memory.
Check out what was popular this week:
1. 2013 Toyota RAV4In Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley's critique of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala, he describes the sedan’s triumphant return to a form worthy of its flagship status. That triumph was validated by the review rocketing straight up to No. 2 in its debut on our list of most-read reviews. It still wasn't enough to interrupt the 2013 Toyota RAV4's nearly three-month reign at No. 1.
Check out what was popular this week:
1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
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