2009 Subaru Forester
by Jim Prueter -11/2008

Newly redesigned Forester is bigger, better, safer

For the first time since 2003, Subaru has completed a full redesign that I suspect will please most and probably disappoint some of the diehard fans who love the quirkiness of the all-wheel drive brand. Sales of the new Forester have shown a sharp increase since its introduction in April.

Looking more like a tall station wagon than a compact crossover utility vehicle, the Forester has a softer look, with rounded edges and a new grille — often a subject of controversy with Subaru products. Ditto the hood scoop on turbo-engine-equipped offerings.

With its new styling, Forester comes much closer to mainstream in appearance. Competitive rivals include Mitsubishi Outlander, Dodge Journey, Kia Sorento, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Forester now rides on an all-new platform borrowed from the compact Impreza. The 103-inch wheelbase is four inches longer than before; it’s also three inches longer overall, an inch taller and has more ground clearance.

The interior has been improved, with the added length most noticeable in leg and headroom, both front and rear. Seats are comfortable, and all models except the base feature rear seats with reclining seatbacks, making it easier for more riders to find a comfortable position. All models have 60/40 split rear seatbacks for cargo, with easy access and a flat floor. Fit and finish is impressive overall, but there’s too much hard plastic lending an economy look. Even the headliner looks cheap.

A tilt and telescoping steering wheel is standard on more expensive models, tilt only on lower. All dash displays are simple and easy to interpret with controls that are intuitive and easy to use. Visibility is excellent because of oversized side windows. The sunroof is among the largest we’ve found in any small utility vehicle.

Forester models include 2.5X base, 2.5X LL Bean, 2.5XLimited, 2.5XT and 2.5XT Limited. A 2.5-liter, 170 horsepower four-cylinder engine powers X models. XTs have a turbocharged version of this same engine that ups the horsepower to 224. A five-speed manual shifter is standard on non-Limited X models; four-speed automatic is optional. Turbocharged models come only with the four-speed automatic. We were disappointed to know that the five-speed automatic transmission available in other Subaru models isn’t offered in the Forester. Subaru says this helps keep the base sticker price down.

We tested a well-equipped 2.5X Limited with a base price of $25,995. Optional navigation and an audio upgrade increased the price to $28,490, including a $695 shipping charge. Standard equipment included automatic transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated leather seats, 10-way power driver’s seat, panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass, six-speaker audio system with six-disc in-dash CD and MP3/WMA capability.

Like all Subaru models, Forester has a standard true all-wheel drive system (AWD). That means there’s always power to all four wheels. All comparable four-wheel drive rivals are front-wheel drive until traction slippage or front-wheel spin kicks in the rear wheels for additional traction. Advantage here to Subaru.

Forester drives more like a car than a crossover ute. We thought the ride was on the soft side even though Subaru is touting improved chassis rigidity with the redesign. We noticed plenty of lean and body motion on corners. Road noise inside the cabin was noticeable but not unbearable.

Standard safety gear includes stability control; four-wheel antilock braking with electronic brake-force distribution; dual front, side and front and rear side-curtain airbags; rollover sensor and active front-seat head restraints. Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2009 Forester their highest possible crash test ratings.

Overall I was surprised at how much I liked the new Forester. The new design is clean and attractive both inside and out and the driving experience was quite nice. Seats are comfortable, visibility excellent and the 170 horsepower sufficient. There’s plenty of cargo space and the rear liftgate is huge yet easy to use. The AWD system is the best in the business and perfect for snowy climates. And, the addition of standard electronic stability control and side curtain air bags only increases the appeal. Still, we wished for the five-speed automatic, a bit sharper handling and less hard plastic inside.