Subaru seems well positioned to benefit from the latest trend toward all-wheel-drive cars. As Americans trade out of their mega-utes and into wagons and sedans, the company stands ready with a competent and pleasing range of all-wheel-drive options. And though many new sedans find their way to market equipped with all-wheel drive - putting them in the same competitive set as Subaru - Subaru's edge in this segment is two-fold. First, 250 horsepower in GT and GT Limited models is a power ante that few AWD models in its price range can match. Second, all-wheel-drive technology is not new technology to Subaru.

This one-two combination ought to help the company gain traction in a slippery sales climate.

Photos: © Dan Lyons 2005