April 2008
Subaru Forester: First Drive
Redesigned crossover vehicle is bigger and better
A pioneering crossover vehicle, the original 1997 Subaru Forester grafted an SUV-type design on the compact Impreza platform,
joining the original Toyota RAV4 in the growing wave of versatile car-based vehicles. Its small size, fuel efficiency, and
all-weather traction helped the boxy Forester establish a loyal following, appealing to adventure-minded suburbanites and
especially to winter-braving drivers in mountainous regions and New England. The Forester went through continuous, relatively
minor updates over the last decade, solidifying its reputation as a reliable, safe SUV alternative. It wasn’t until the 2009
model year that the Forester was truly redesigned.
This new Forester remains true to the original car-based formula. As the Impreza has grown in its latest iteration, so too has the Forester. The new Forester comes in five trim lines: 2.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5 L.L. Bean Edition, 2.5XT, and 2.5XT Limited. Features such as moon roof, leather upholstery, audio system, and standard automatic transmission are primary differentiators, with the uplevel XT models featuring a turbocharged engine.
To evaluate the redesign, we bought two Foresters: a base 2.5X ($22,040) and the top-of-the-line XT Limited ($28,860).
Initial impressions. Subaru sized the new Forester right so it strikes an appealing balance of roomy enough and not overly bulky. Its predecessor’s primary shortcomings, such as a tight back seat and lack of advanced safety equipment, have been rectified in this slightly larger model.
Despite its overall size increase, the new Forester uses essentially the same 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine as before, in 170-hp and 224-hp configurations. The base engine performs adequately, with acceleration and fuel economy hampered by a relatively outdated four-speed automatic transmission. The shifts aren’t always the smoothest and the base Forester’s transmission can be a bit slow to downshift. On the other hand, the turbocharged XT delivers effortless acceleration with performance that rivals V6-powered competitors. We measured 22 mpg overall with the base Forester and 20 mpg with the XT. The XT, unfortunately, requires premium fuel.
The Forester is impressively compliant, with a controlled ride that is absorbent and effectively limits body motions. Handling is commendable too, with responsive and communicative steering. Lacking in the old model, stability control is now standard across all trims. Side-curtain air bags have also finally come to the Forester. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awards the Forester a Top Safety Pick for its impressive front, side, and rear crash test results, and standard stability control.
Inside, noise levels are reduced, particularly road noise, but the characteristic engine thrum is still there—more so in the
base model. Rear seat room shows a big improvement. Thanks to a significantly longer wheelbase, the second-row seat now easily
accommodates adults, whereas before even teenagers found it tight. The windows are now fully framed and contribute to a more
solid door closing feel and sound. Getting in and out is extremely easy. Visibility is excellent.
The controls are easy and simple to use, as long as you don’t choose the navigation system, which complicates matters by incorporating the audio system. Low-mounted dash vents tend to cool the driver’s elbows, rather than circulate air evenly throughout the cabin. Interior fit and finish is improved somewhat. Hard, albeit grained, plastics detract from the cabin.
CR’s take: The new Forester is a very appealing, sensible, and unpretentious vehicle. It rides very comfortably, yet handles with agility. And at $22,000 the base model is an attractive value. Right now, the Forester looks likely to rejoin the top of the class with the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. We will see how it fares against some new competition such as the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan Rogue in our August issue, online in July.
Discuss Subaru in the Cars forum.
This new Forester remains true to the original car-based formula. As the Impreza has grown in its latest iteration, so too has the Forester. The new Forester comes in five trim lines: 2.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5 L.L. Bean Edition, 2.5XT, and 2.5XT Limited. Features such as moon roof, leather upholstery, audio system, and standard automatic transmission are primary differentiators, with the uplevel XT models featuring a turbocharged engine.
To evaluate the redesign, we bought two Foresters: a base 2.5X ($22,040) and the top-of-the-line XT Limited ($28,860).
Initial impressions. Subaru sized the new Forester right so it strikes an appealing balance of roomy enough and not overly bulky. Its predecessor’s primary shortcomings, such as a tight back seat and lack of advanced safety equipment, have been rectified in this slightly larger model.
Despite its overall size increase, the new Forester uses essentially the same 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine as before, in 170-hp and 224-hp configurations. The base engine performs adequately, with acceleration and fuel economy hampered by a relatively outdated four-speed automatic transmission. The shifts aren’t always the smoothest and the base Forester’s transmission can be a bit slow to downshift. On the other hand, the turbocharged XT delivers effortless acceleration with performance that rivals V6-powered competitors. We measured 22 mpg overall with the base Forester and 20 mpg with the XT. The XT, unfortunately, requires premium fuel.
The Forester is impressively compliant, with a controlled ride that is absorbent and effectively limits body motions. Handling is commendable too, with responsive and communicative steering. Lacking in the old model, stability control is now standard across all trims. Side-curtain air bags have also finally come to the Forester. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awards the Forester a Top Safety Pick for its impressive front, side, and rear crash test results, and standard stability control.
The controls are easy and simple to use, as long as you don’t choose the navigation system, which complicates matters by incorporating the audio system. Low-mounted dash vents tend to cool the driver’s elbows, rather than circulate air evenly throughout the cabin. Interior fit and finish is improved somewhat. Hard, albeit grained, plastics detract from the cabin.
CR’s take: The new Forester is a very appealing, sensible, and unpretentious vehicle. It rides very comfortably, yet handles with agility. And at $22,000 the base model is an attractive value. Right now, the Forester looks likely to rejoin the top of the class with the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. We will see how it fares against some new competition such as the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan Rogue in our August issue, online in July.
Discuss Subaru in the Cars forum.
