Subaru Forester was one of the first crossover SUVs, a pioneer in this new territory where some of the most useful attributes of a sport-utility meet the ride and driving dynamics of a car. The landscape has gotten more crowded since Forester first appeared nearly a decade ago (in 1998), but recent revisions have kept it fully competitive.
The market research firm Polk has concluded that Forester inspires higher owner loyalty than just about any vehicle in production. That's easy to understand. Forester delivers the SUV features its buyers want, including a high seating position, good cargo space and a choice of superb all-wheel-drive systems. Yet Forester also offers fuel mileage and ride comfort that's more like a car, in a compact, maneuverable package. On the road it delivers good handling and braking performance. It's more practical than the typical SUV for prowling the urban jungle and better for handling treacherous weather on the highway. And the turbocharged 2.5 XT Limited is one of the more exhilarating vehicles of its type to drive.
For 2006, Forester benefited from a mid-cycle refresh, meaning extensive changes but short of a total redesign. New styling created a slightly more serious, less cutesy look. Inside, subtle changes added comfort and convenience, particularly in the back seat. The suspension was revised for both improved ride comfort and more ground clearance for off-road forays.
For 2007, Subaru has added the Forester Sports 2.5 XT, which delivers the same performance as the flagship 2.5 XT Limited at a lower price point. When ordered with automatic transmission, Sports 2.5 XT comes with Variable Torque Distribution, a new and more performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system with a slight rear-wheel-drive bias; plus Vehicle Dynamic Control and four-wheel traction control. Automatic climate control and unique trim inside and out are shared with the equally new but non-turbocharged Forester Sports 2.5 X.
There's more standard equipment in other models as well. Foresters now come standard with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Tires and wheels on XT Limiteds grow from 16 to 17 inches. And all but the base model now come with MP3/WMA and Sirius Satellite Radio capability.
Additionally, all non-turbo Foresters sold in California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Vermont are now Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV); yet they surrender no horsepower or torque to the 45-state version.
All-wheel drive is standard on all models, and Forester offers manual or automatic transmission. While no rock crawler, Forester is perfect for unpaved roads or logging trails, the conditions most encounter when venturing off the pavement. Forester is rated to tow up to 2400 pounds, enough for personal watercraft or a snowmobile but not enough for a car trailer or weightier boat.
Forester has earned a good record for reliability. It has performed well in laboratory crash tests. (Forester earned a "good" rating, which is the highest the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives out, in both front-offset and side-impact crashes.) And it comes with a high level of standard safety equipment. In short, the Forester still offers a combination of SUV capability, fuel-efficiency, on-road performance and versatility that's tough to beat.