Recall Alert: 2012 Subaru Legacy, Outback

Subaru is recalling 381 Legacy and Outback vehicles from the 2012 model year because the side curtain airbags may not inflate, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected vehicles, which were built from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23, 2011, the airbags contain the incorrect propellant mixture. As a result, there may be an insufficient output of compressed gas, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Subaru will notify owners in early April, and dealers will replace one or both side curtain airbag modules for free. Owners can call Subaru at 800-782-2783 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

2012 Subaru Impreza Video

The fully redesigned 2012 Subaru Impreza is a marked improvement over the car it replaces, according to Cars.com Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder. The new Impreza has a grown-up feel to it and improves its visibility at a time when other redesigned compacts are harder to see out of.

2013 Subaru BRZ: Photo Gallery

The Subaru BRZ is a departure from other Subarus; its coupe body styling and rear-wheel drive format set it apart.

More 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

All current U.S. Subarus use all-wheel drive, but, like all other Subarus there's a horizontally opposed, boxer engine residing at the core of the BRZ.

2013 Subaru BRZ and 2013 Scion FR-S Video

Pretty soon, Scion and Subaru will have something neither brand had previously: a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe. Both vehicles look remarkably similar because Toyota (parent of Scion) and Subaru worked closely on the vehicles. There are subtle differences, though, as Cars.com editor Joe Bruzek points out in the video above.

2013 Subaru BRZ: Up Close

Subaru's long-awaited BRZ sports car made an appearance at the 2012 Detroit auto show, and despite its small exterior size, there's room inside for taller folks — as long as they steer clear of the rear seats.

More 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

Subaru's cars lack a consistent face, and the BRZ introduces yet another look featuring a large front intake with black plastic trim on the upper edge. The hood is extremely low — lower than the top of the front fenders at some points — and the wedge headlights lend a dose of aggressiveness.

Year-End Deal Reality Check: Subaru

Many major retailers are parading their best deals to boost year-end sales, and automakers are no exception. This means the year’s end can be one of the best times to buy a new car, and if it’s a Subaru, donate to charity as well.

Subaru’s offer includes a good deal for buyers and a chance to do a little good for others. Its "Share the Love" event means qualified buyers can get zero-percent financing, pay no money down on most 2012 Subaru vehicles and the automaker will make a charitable donation in the buyer’s name.

After making your new-car purchase, Subaru will donate $250 to your choice of four charities. The organizations include American Forests, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Meals on Wheels and the Special Olympics. So far, Subaru has given almost $15 million to the charities during the last three years.

The zero-percent offer is good on all Subaru vehicles except the redesigned Impreza, though WRX models qualify for zero-percent financing. Instead, qualified Impreza shoppers can take advantage of a 1.9% financing deal. The 2012 Impreza starts at $17,495, excluding a $750 destination charge. Share the Love cannot be combined with any other offers and ends Jan. 3, 2012.

Cars.com Announces Best of 2012 Award Nominees

Last year, the 2011 Kia Optima won Cars.com's Best of 2011 award for its outstanding combination of performance, practicality, style and value. This year, six new nominees will fight it out for our ultimate prize that will be revealed during the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Our highest honor will go to one of the following vehicles:

2013 Subaru BRZ: First Look

• Competes with: Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Nissan 370Z
• Looks like: A Bizarro World Subaru
• Drivetrain: 200-hp, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine; six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Mid-2012

Less than two weeks separate the unveiling of the Subaru BRZ-STI concept at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show and the release of the production-ready 2013 Subaru BRZ, which debuted today at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. Almost makes you wonder what the point of the concept was at all.

For those reading about the BRZ for the first time, this is Subaru’s new lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe, the result of a partnership between Subaru and Toyota. Toyota will market its counterpart as the Scion FR-S in the U.S.

Subaru BRZ-STI Concept: Photo Gallery

Subaru's BRZ-STI sports car concept is a departure from other new Subarus. For one, it's a coupe. Secondly, it's rear-wheel drive instead of using Subaru's famous all-wheel drive.

More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

The lightweight BRZ coupe is a partnership between Subaru and Toyota. Toyota will market its counterpart as the Scion FR-S. Both use a horizontally opposed, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine to send power to the rear wheels. But how does it look in person?

Subaru BRZ-STI Concept at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show

• Looks like: A little Subaru influence, a lot of Toyota
• Defining characteristics: A rear-wheel-drive Subaru, carbon fiber roof, boxer engine
• Ridiculous features: STI model with no turbocharged engine; massive rear wing outdoes even the Impreza STI's monstrosity
• Chances of being mass-produced: Very likely; the regular BRZ starts production in spring 2012

Subaru is showing off a higher-performance STI concept version of its upcoming BRZ coupe at the L.A. Auto Show before the non-STI production version is viewed by the public eye. The BRZ is Subaru's new four-seat, lightweight sports car — co-developed with Toyota — that ditches Subaru's famed all-wheel drive in favor of rear-wheel drive. This concept finally gives us a look at the long-awaited Subaru coupe and should give a good indication of what actually goes on sale next year.

More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

This STI-enhanced concept gets numerous performance upgrades in the same STI philosophy that inspires the Impreza STI, for the most part. A front spoiler, rear diffuser and massive rear wing help out the car's aerodynamics. The car rides on an STI-tuned suspension and 18-inch wheels that house Brembo brakes.