Subaru has never shied away from its tradition of quirkiness. It hitched its wagon, reputation and future to all-wheel drive before most American consumers even knew what AWD meant. Its all-weather prowess paid off, attracting a devoted following in the snow belt. Over the years, and particularly during the last decade or so, Subaru has broadened its appeal through leaps of quality and expansion of its product offering.
Because of its commitment to fuel efficiency and its reputation for value, Subaru was well positioned when the economic meltdown hit in 2008. In a year when total U.S. vehicle sales dropped by more than 21 percent, Subaru had a jump in sales in 2009 over 2008 of more than 15 percent. Nearly doubling the industry's 11 percent growth in 2010, Subaru's sales momentum has continued into 2011.
Arguably one of its more mainstream offerings, Forester is anything but quirky. Exceptional passenger space, AWD, solid fuel economy and peppy performance band together creating a well-balanced family wagon.
Close to the bottom of the pecking order, my test $23,920 Forester 2.5X Premium is one of six trim levels. Anchoring the Forester lineup is the $21,220 2.5X; while the $30,000 2.5XT Touring sits atop the bunch.
Although there are a few content distinctions between the X and XT versions, the primary differences are the engine and transmission. The 2.5X uses the competent, but less enthusiastic 170-horsepower 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder boxer engine. Subaru gave this four-banger a good going over for 2011. The result is a small boost in torque and a 1-mpg improvement in fuel economy for both the city and highway measures. It delivers acceptable acceleration and turns in EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Posting less impressive mileage numbers, but generating more dynamic acceleration is the 2.5XT's 224-horsepower turbocharged edition of the 2.5-liter boxer engine. Fuel economy takes a bit of a hit, though, with the EPA rating it at 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
My test 2.5X Premium replaced the standard five-speed manual tranny for the optional $1,000 driver-shiftable four-speed automatic transmission to hustle engine production to all four wheels. The automatic is the standard transmission for the 2.5X Limited, as well as the 2.5XT versions. Perhaps the only real nit to pick with the Forester is the automatic transmission. It would be better served with a five- or even six-speed automatic. Such an improvement would certainly translate into better fuel economy numbers.
Engineered for foul weather, the AWD system operates transparently. OK for trail running, it doesn't have a 4-Low gear for crawling over boulders; however, with a minimum of 8.7 inches of ground clearance, it can ignore minor obstacles.
Ride quality is excellent. Its four-wheel independent suspension features MacPherson struts in front and a double-wishbone arrangement in the rear. Despite its overall height and noteworthy ground clearance, Forester has a lower-than-expected center of gravity. This is due, in no small part, to the flat construction of its engine. Its low center of gravity doesn't totally eliminate leaning during hard cornering, but it is less than expected. Steering control is also very good.
Bringing Forester to more controlled stops is achieved by its four-wheel disc brakes monitored by an antilock system. It's standard on every Forester, and includes traction control and stability control. Electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency braking assist are also part of the package. Among interior safety features are six airbags and anti-whiplash front-seat head restraints.
In this segment, seating for five is the standard. Forester provides generous living space for front- and rear-seat passengers alike. Among key competitors, such as Mazda CX-7, Toyota Rav4, Chevrolet Equinox and Hyundai Tucson, Forester delivers more front-seat legroom than any in the group and about the same rear-seat legroom as the Rav4 and Tucson. Only Equinox treats rear-seat passengers significantly better.
Forester also fares well against the competition in cargo capacity whether measuring it with the second-row seat in place or folded flat. Its maximum cargo space is 63 cubic feet; this is much more than Tucson or CX-7. In all but the base trim, the 60/40 split rear seat reclines.
Tastefully styled, the cabin is attractive, carefully assembled and comfortable. The seats are supportive and the controls simple to operate. The high seating position provides a clear view of the road. Standard in all but the entry-level trim, the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel combined with the height-adjustable driver's seat encourage the driver to secure the ideal driving position.
A bit pricier than most of the competitors listed here, Forester's bottom line reflects the added cost of standard AWD and a comprehensive list of standard equipment. Every Forester comes with full power accessories, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, auto-on headlamps, cruise control, and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack. Stepping up to the 2.5X Premium, like my test Subaru, adds a sunroof, eight-way power adjustable driver's seat, Bluetooth, iPod integration and 17-inch alloy wheels.
If you want flashy, there are better choices than Forester; however, if competent, dependable, comfortable and practical are included on your must-have list, this Subaru demands to be considered. Sunshine, rain or snow, mud, dirt or pavement, it will get you where you need to go.
by Russ Heaps - MyCarData
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