

The Subaru Forester debuted in the late 1990s as an option for consumers interested in the emerging segment of compact SUVs. Subaru, long known for offering its seamless all-wheel-drive (AWD) system on all its vehicles, brought out the Forester to compete against the small sport-utilities from other Japanese automakers. Essentially a tall station wagon with AWD, the Forester offered buyers the rugged style of a traditional SUV along with carlike ride and performance characteristics. Based on the rally-proven Impreza platform, the Forester uses the same AWD system found in other Subaru models.
Thanks to its car-based foundation, the Subaru Forester has historically handled better than the average SUV. The trade-off, at least with the first two generations of the car, was lower ground clearance and less off-road capability. However, those "negatives" were typically not concerns, as most buyers in this segment are looking for a vehicle that can handle inclement driving conditions, ski vacations and the occasional trip to the trailhead as opposed to hard-core off-road boulder-bashing.
A new Forester has recently debuted. It's roomier, less wagonlike and boasts a more upscale interior. New or used, the Forester offers buyers the strengths of easy maneuverability, sure-footed handling in slippery weather, solid build quality and different styling from the rest of the pack.
Current Subaru Forester
The latest Subaru Forester was redesigned for the 2009 model year. This five-passenger compact crossover SUV offers impressive maximum cargo capacity and interior space. For power, the 2.5X models feature a naturally aspirated horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual is standard and a four-speed auto is optional. The XT models get a turbocharged version of this engine that churns out 224 hp and 226 lb-ft of torque. All XTs get the automatic, and all Foresters come standard with all-wheel drive.
The Forester comes in four trim levels: 2.5X, 2.5X Limited, 2.5XT and 2.5XT Limited. The base model is very modestly equipped, but some of the XT's features are available in a Premium Package that includes alloy wheels, sunroof and a reclining rear seatback. The Limited models gain luxury items like leather upholstery, a power driver seat, automatic climate control and an upgraded stereo. They can also be outfitted with an optional navigation system.

Used Subaru Forester Models
The second-generation Subaru Forester was produced from 2003-'08. Although it didn't look much different from the previous version, improvements included more interior room, a stiffer body structure, a revised chassis and more standard feature content.
Performance for the second-generation Forester ranged from adequate to exciting. Most Foresters sold from 2003-'05 came with a 2.5-liter flat-4 engine good for 165 hp, while the '04 and '05 XT models featured a 210-hp turbocharged version of the same engine. This model was a hoot to drive, especially when fitted with the five-speed manual gearbox. From '06 and later, the standard Forester engine grew to 173 hp, while the XT swelled to 230 horses.
Originally, this Forester came in base 2.5X and upgraded XS trims, with the XT (later XT Limited) arriving for '04 and the XS L.L. Bean trim for '05. The latter was a bit fancier thanks to some extra features and special styling details. The XS was replaced a year later by the X Premium Package, followed for '07 by new models known as Sports X and Sports XT. Despite all these trim name changes and additions, the XT never wavered from being the more powerful and better equipped Forester.


The first-generation Subaru Forester bowed in 1998. With SUV-like styling cues on its tall wagon body and the confidence-inspiring grip of its all-wheel drive, the original Forester was an instant hit. Performance from Subaru's 2.5-liter, 165-hp flat-4 was snappy for the time, and back then packed the most power one could get in a small SUV. Other strong points for the original Forester include comfortable seats, plenty of storage options, impressive crash test scores and composed handling that shamed its rivals of the day, including the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Subaru Forester - What the Auto Press Says
The 2010 Subaru Forester ranks 8 out of 26 Affordable Compact SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 42 published reviews and test drives of the Subaru Forester, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
Redesigned in 2009, the third-generation Subaru Forester rides smoother and looks better than ever before. The cabin is considerably quieter than before, with a stylish dashboard reminiscent of the Subaru Impreza. For 2010, the Forester is largely unchanged but gets a small bump in price -- the 2010 base model sees a $300 increase over the 2009 model.
"Forester is a reasonably priced alternative to compact SUV bellwethers such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4," says Consumer Guide. "It's noisier and less refined than those rivals, and its interior ambiance is a step behind that of other recently redesigned crossovers. Still, Forester offers good fuel economy and lots of features for the money, with the 2.5X and 2.5X Premium being the strongest values."
The Forester comes in slightly different trim designations for 2010 -- the base 2.5 X, 2.5 X Premium, 2.5 X Limited, and the turbocharged 2.5 XT Premium and 2.5 XT Limited. As is the case with all Subarus, the Forester is standard with all-wheel drive.
- "For 2009, the Forester has undergone a redesign that has made it larger, more SUV-like, and, well, more normal. And although the new Forester looks a lot different from the previous model, it manages to retain many of its predecessors' strengths while expanding its appeal." -- Automobile Magazine
- "The actor playing the role of the 2009 Forester could be George Clooney instead of George Plimpton. Trust me, you're going to give it a double take: It's bigger. It's better mannered. It's cloaked in an okay suit of sheetmetal. Thank heavens, it's still amusing and playful, but now it'll even catch the eye of the opposite sex in the room." -- Motor Trend
- "In the end, you can make rational arguments for RAV4 and CR-V, but neither has the mix of appealing personality, sophisticated AWD, straightforward presentation and carlike manners that give the new Forester exceptional allure." -- USA Today
- "Other than the sound system, we found nothing to dislike about the Forester, and would recommend one to any consumer who is joining the trend toward cross over vehicles. It's well made, the four-wheel drive will come in handy in wet and snowy weather, and the price is right." --MarketWatch
- "Subaru has spent 11 years building up customer good will for the Forester, and there's nothing about the new model that will threaten that. Nothing at all." -- Orlando Sentinel
Forester Performance - 8.3 (Very Good)
The 2010 Subaru Forester's performance is sporty and refined for its class. "We spent half a day driving over steep and rutted dirt roads on Catalina Island, and the Forester was dazzling in its sure-footedness and comfortable ride, never once whimpering in the face of abuse," says New Car Test Drive. However, the praise doesn't carry through to the four-speed transmission, which many reviewers have complaints about.
Forester Exterior - 7.8 (Good)
Since its 2009 redesign, the Forester looks less like a wagon and more like an SUV. This brings out mixed reviews. "With this redesign, the Forester has finally shed its dorky appearance and donned a handsome (if somewhat derivative) new suit of sheetmetal," says Automobile Magazine.
Forester Interior - 8.0 (Very Good)
With its spacious cargo room and back seat, the Forester's interior receives excellent reviews. However reviewers still have one or two gripes, mostly concerning the quality of cabin materials. "Forester's cabin feels decidedly lower quality than the premium atmosphere Subaru wants to portray," writes Consumer Guide. "The overall ambiance is on par with class rivals."
Forester Safety - 9.9 (Excellent)
The redesigned Subaru Forester does well in federal government crash tests and is an insurance industry "Top Safety Pick." It offers plenty of safety features, including new curtain side-impact air bags.
Forester Reliability - 7.0 (Good)
The 2010 Subaru Forester reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Forester comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty.
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