Subaru: Leaf Peeping's Go-To Auto Brand
 |
This article was submitted and written by an external contributor. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of iBerkshires.com.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Autumn has arrived with its expected bounty of richly colored foliage, and there's nothing like a long drive through the Berkshires to take in the seasonal glory. While some folks prefer to do their leaf peeping through an organized bus tour, there's far more freedom in taking to the country roads in your own vehicle. And there's no brandthe Haddad Auto Group recommends more highly for this quintessential New England activity than Subaru.
As the region's favorite automotive brand, Subaru has earned its accolades as the ideal vehicle for driving over steep foothills, dusty unpaved roads, and winding scenic two- lanes – not to mention snowy roadways when fall gives way to winter. You can fit up to eight in the full-sized Ascent SUV, in stock now at Haddad Subaru. It has three rows of comfortable seating as well as abundant cup holders for everyone's water bottles and pumpkin-spice café beverages. If you have fewer people in your leaf-peeping party, you might prefer to take to the twisty rural roads in a fun-to-drive WRX or BRZ. But the most frequently spotted Subaru models around the Berkshires this fall will be the Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback. If you're in the market to replace your vehicle, Haddad Subaru has plenty of new, pre owned, and Certified Pre-Owned inventory for these stable and comfortable five-seat crossovers as well as the brand's growing lineup of EVs.
AWD: A New England Necessity
The surefootedness of all-wheel drive (AWD) makes it all the more enjoyable when you're cruising around western Massachusetts on a scenic fall drive. Subaru's sophisticated and well-regarded Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system maximizes each wheel's traction individually, using sensors to detect which wheels are slipping and then redirecting torque to the wheels with good road contact. It's a full-time AWD setup, as opposed to part-time/on-demand systems that only power two wheels until slippage is detected. The driver can feel the confidence of Symmetrical AWD not just when the road is slippery, but during normal cornering as well as unexpected maneuvering around obstacles.
Symmetrical AWD has been a standard feature on all Subaru models sold in the United States since the 1990s except the sporty BRZ coupe. The "Symmetrical" part of this proprietary AWD system applies to the physical balance throughout the drivetrain: the power is sent in a straight line from the transmission to the differentials, keeping power
transfer smooth and torque distribution even. All gas-burning Subaru models use a horizontally opposed four-cylinder Boxer engine. This balanced setup results in more stability thanks to a lower center of gravity and is especially important in sport-utility
vehicles with their higher ground clearance.
The leaf-peeping season is short, and so the roads are likely to be crowded on peak foliage days, so take extra care to operate your vehicle safely. Keep your speed down when you see puddles or wet leaves on the roadways, and remember to allow plenty of distance from the car ahead of you. It's also critical to take your car to Haddad Subaru's service department regularly to ensure that your vehicle's brakes, tires, and steering components are properly maintained. For example, properly inflated tires with a good amount of tread will do much more to direct water away from the rubber and keep a vehicle in control. Haddad Subaru Service is open Monday through Saturday, with no appointment needed for certain express maintenance tasks.
