In an annual survey of over 900 vehicles, Insure.com has put together a list of 2012 models least and most expensive to insure.  Insurance costs are just one of the many factors for new car buyers to consider when shopping.

Based on the results of this year’s survey the least expensive vehicle to insure is the four-cylinder Toyota Sienna LE minivan.  On the other end of the road, the most expensive car to insure is the 2012 Audi R8 Spyder Quattro convertible.

Below are Insure.com’s top 20 least and most expensive cars to insure.  The results are based on a specific driver profile and actual rates will vary from driver to driver.  You can also visit Insure.com online and check out the average insurance rates for your region and specific vehicle.

In support of the all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza, Subaru has launched its First Car Story campaign.  This campaign features a groundbreaking animation generator that allows users to recreate their first car, tell their story, and see it turned into an animated video – all at their campaign hub FirstCarStory.com. Users can set their story to music and narrate it with their own voice. Then through Facebook, Twitter, or email users can share their video with family and friends throughout their social network.

“Everyone loved their first car, no matter how bad, beat up, or borrowed, That first car became a new chapter in life or a ticket to freedom and first car stories are often the most memorable stories we have,” said Alan Bethke, director, marketing communications, Subaru of America. “The First Car Story campaign provides a creative outlet for reliving those unique, funny, unforgettable car experiences anyone who had a first car can relate to.”

Tell us your First Car Story in the comment section below or share your First Car Story from Subaru with our Facebook page!

Lighting plays a critical role in relaying information to a driver, and Ford researchers took this into account when developing the interior lighting for the new Ford Fusion. Lighting works with design to create a balance of illumination that reduces eye strain and optimizes driver-vehicle interaction.

“Lighting gives you a sense of orientation,” said Mahendra Dassanayake, Ford technical leader for Design. “It’s a unique combination of functionality and comfort.  Lights, graphics, and displays are critical to drivers; we need to make sure that information is presented to the customer in an effective way.”

Ford researchers have tested how the lighting affects the vehicle’s interior from the driver’s perspective, checking the textures and materials under a multitude of lighting conditions to make sure that glare and reflection are limited on smooth surfaces and that eye strain would be minimized.

Color can affect how you feel. In fact, it affects everything from your buying choices to your blood pressure.  For example:

- There are shades of yellow that stimulates parts of the brain, bringing clear-headed, decisive action

- Green affects the nervous system – causing us to breathe slowly and deeply, helping the heart to relax by slowing the production of stress hormones

- Red likely will evoke the strongest emotions, be that passion or anger.

On the Ford Fusion, the palette is ice blue, purple, blue, orange, red, white, and green.  The palette allows the customer to set and change each color, depending on wants and needs.

“We’re opening this up to let the customer decide,” Dassanayake said.  “It’s offering them a choice.”