Forester

Vehicle: 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Touring Package
Price as tested: CDN$28695

Performance: The biggest highlight to the revised Forester has to be its powertrain. In the past, one has to stick with the base 165hp 2.5 liter which is only adequate when it comes to performance. Or opt for the uplevel 2.5XT’s forced induction turbocharged motor for some real ponies. For 2011, Subaru has addressed Forester’s power issue with the DOHC 16-valve flat-4 which bumps out 170hp and 174 lb/ft of torque. While both the horsepower and torque’s ratings aren’t making a huge difference, the seat-of-the-pants feel has been much improved. Gone is the base Forester’s sluggish and remedies when pushed through mid and upper rev range, with much more responsive throttle-in right from the get going on the low rpm. That’s huge improvement when its time to merge onto freeway or just on a traffic light turning left. However, Forester still stick with the 4-speed automatic. It needs at least 2 more gears to give this engine more space to stir the pot on all the sweetspots. Its just 2 gears too short for this engine to work its way properly.

Handling: The Forester has always been judged as one of the most capable crossovers on the market. The latest revision hasn’t made any dent on this very reputation. While the suspension is comfortably compliant for both driver and passengers, while riding on all those rough pavements. Its firm enough to give any enthuisasts a bit of driving fun when its time to push the Forester through the corners. Mated with Subaru’s assymertical AWD which has to be considered as one of the better systems on the market. Its really hard to get Forester out of the picture except driver is going to do any nasty behaviour. The steering feels prompt and direct, with exceptional precision, which already has become a hallmark of Subaru’s dynamic equation. Combined with the Vehicle Dynamic Control which acts uninstrusively, while serving as a second defence to the AWD. The body rolls are well controlled while only some terminal understeer when pushed.

Brakes: With 4 wheel discs and standard ABS, the latest Forester continues to impress with its braking prowess. The stopping distance is short while pedal always feels solid and reassuring. Gone is the mushy brake pedal of Subaru in the past. In with the strong and fade-free brakes which is capable of handling couple of harsh stops without breaking a sweat.

Interior: At the back of the Forester, it all begins with a nice low lift floor with squared side sills. Then add Subaru’s standard plastic floor mat, fold down rear seats and minimal wheel instrusions. Forester has done exceptionally well when it comes to luggage space. If there is one drawback, however, its the rear glass should open independently. Sadly, it doesn’t.

The rest of the interior is very well layout. Anything from climate control to stereo are logically placed yet initutive. In the past, Subaru interiors used to have weird materials with quirky layout. New Forester is pretty much as mainstream as it does without going left field.

Conclusion: Subaru’s latest revision to the Forester will continue to keep it competitive alongside the new rivals. The improvement in base powertrain certainly makes out the most of the already excellent crossover, then add Subaru’s reputation on affordability and reliability. It is definitely a crossover that worth a note when its time for a car shopping.

Competitions:
BMW X1
Toyota RAV4
Honda CR-V
Kia Sportage
Hyundai Tucson
VW Tiguan

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2011 Subaru Forester
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 4/5

Vehicle: 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited
Price as tested: CDN$34895

Performance: As with its predecessor, the new Forester is powered by both a turbo and normally aspirated horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engines. Both engines feature DOHC, 16-valve. On the normally aspirated version, it features an intelligent active valvelift system while turbocharged version just use a standard type. While the base 170 ponies and 170 lb/ft of torque normally aspirated version is more than capable in moving this 1500 kg beast through the 4-speed automatic gearbox. Its the potent 224hp turbo version that gives Forester a serious punch. Consider this is the detuned version of the 2.5 liter turbo engine in the astounishing STi performance car, this is a willing powertrain that is able to give Forester a true sleeper status. With 226 lb/ft of torque arrives at 2800rpm, it has no shortage of low-end grunt. Its also surprisingly smooth off-the-line due to the lack of turbo lag. Just like the latest WRX and STi, Subaru has refined its personality with more refinement as a trade for the hardcore character. Despite that, Subaru flat 4′s distinctive engine note remains intact. On the other hand, its as willing to rev as any Subaru engines have gone before. Unforunately, there is one major flaw. While this 4-speed automatic with manual shift has been a proven technology for Subaru products, this Forester needs a 5 or 6-speed for better highway gearing. Both the turbo and normally aspirated flat-4 feel buzzy at high rpm despite of its rev happiness. Thankfully, the gear ratios for 1st and 2nd gears are low enough for quick acceleration and elimination of turbo lag. Both the 5 or 6-speed automatic would work much better with these powertrains. Consider Subaru is an engineering-driven company, it shouldn’t be hard for them to engineer a superb automatic for all of its products.

Handling: Subaru has always been known for its superb chassis dynamics, great suspension calibration and AWD system; the new Forester is no exception. This assymertical AWD really gives us lots of confidence when pushing it through corners, even if we tested it during the heavy rainfall in May. Its a fool-proof system that provides active safety for daily driver and wonderful driving dynamics for enthuisasts. The steering, as with all Subarus, provide excellent feedback and responsiveness. Its level of precision is the other side of a Porsche. Its really the best of what you expect from a crossover. While there are some body rolls and understeer, both have been very well-controlled despite of Forester’s high center of gravity. We have to give nod to Subaru engineers for designing a Vehicle Dynamic Control that remains uninstrusive even in a crossover. Its not stepping in until it rears its ugly head. This is both an enthuisast and consumer-driven system that please both buyers. Ride comfort is both firm and comfortable. It soaks up bumps and patholes with suppleness, while completely lack the softness we have experienced in some of its peers.

Brakes: Subaru’s 4-channel, 4-sensor ABS with 4-wheel discs have provided world-class braking performance in this Forester. The stopping distance is short, while pedal is firm and easy to modulate. Even under the heavy rain, the ABS won’t kicked in until absolutely necessary.

Interior: Subaru interiors have gone a long way in just a few short years. Their interiors used to have quirky but cheap materials. Forester is the best example of Subaru interior have gone rich and mainstream. The leather seats have nice grain with decent support. Layout has been similar to the Impreza, as Forester has shared platform with its smaller silibing. The instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. With stereo placed above auto climate control for excellent ergonomics. As with the Impreza, the driving position is driver-oriented thanks to the perfect positon of pedal, steering, shifter and seat.

There are enough rear headroom but the legroom remains fall short of its rivals.

The cargo layout is excellent. With a low liftover, a squared cut-off and plenty of storage spaces; you can basically haul anything in its 872 liters with the rear seats unfolded. With the rear seats completely fold-down, Forester is able to haul 1784 liters of cargos.

Conclusion: When Forester first incepted in 1998, it has quickly become the benchmark of its segment thanks to its smart packaging and swift driving dynamics. A decade and 2 generations latter, Subaru continues to make the best even better. The base version has enough grunt to move groceries for its target audience, its the full boost turbo version that is able to put smile on everyone’s face.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2009 Subaru Forester
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Performance: 4.75/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.75/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 4/5

Vehicle: 2003 Subaru Forester 2.5XS with 4-speed automatic

Handling: With Subaru’s expertise in excellent chassis and suspension tuning, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Forester handles like a sports car. With a new stiff chassis, a proven all-wheel drive system and well-sorted out suspension. The Forester handles like its on-rail. The steering provides exceptional feedback both on and off-center. Its nicely weight and balanced. Push through corners, Forester respondes briskly. The ride is comfortable. Both understeer and body rolls are minimal considered Forester’s nature as a mini-ute. Thanks to its lower center-of-gravity boxer engine design, its very balanced.

Performance: Powered by Subaru’s proven 2.5L boxer 4-banger that bumps out 165hp and 166 lb/ft of torque. This engine has given me pleasant surprise through the test drive. There is plenty of low-end torque. Throttle response is linear and responsive. The tester comes with optional 4-speed auto tranny. The upshifts and downshifts are both clean and responsive, without any abrupt response of previous Subaru auto boxes. However, given the docile nature of this chassis. This 2.5 could meant somewhat underengined. A H6 or turbo 4 from WRX should have no trouble solve this problem.

Brakes: The all discs with standard ABS provides decent pedal feel. The previous Forester’s somewhat spongy pedal feel on the first 1/4 of the brake pedal has been addressed.

Interior: Subaru has solved the outgoing Forester’s cheap interior with a much better executed quality. Although you can’t called the materials outstanding, its still far superior than its predecessor. The stereo finally placed on the top instead of low below the dash. Everything are logically placed from power windows to heated seats. The cloth seats are comfortable and well-contoured. The back seats provide plenty of head and legroom. The most impressive thing is it got the 3rd headrest in the middle, which unfound on its rivals. On the other hand, there’s one drawback. The interior color scheme makes the well-laid out interior feels and looks drab. The grey plastic, aluminum trim and grey cloth make the interior feel very boring. The beige interior looks like something from 70s. The black interior should look best with alumimum trim.

Conclusion: The new Forester is more of an evolution than revolution. Combines with all the merits of Subaru engineering and quality, they should have no trouble selling each one of them. Keep in mind the base model already come with all the necessary features, however, the uplevel model felt somewhat overpriced even with additional luxurious features.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2003 SUBARU FORESTER XS
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Performance: 3/5
Fun-to-drive/ride and handling: 4.75/5
Ergonomics/user-friendliness/feel-good factor: 3.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality:4/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 4/5

Vehicle: 2004 Subaru Forester 2.5XT with 4-speed automatic tranny and leather seats

Performance: Powered by 2.5L flat 4 turbocharged engine that bumps out 210hp and 235 lb/ft of torque, power has never been an issue in this Forester. The throttle response is exceptional. Its an extremely responsive engine that has basically no competition in a sea of mini-ute. This is the best powerplant has ever available in this segment. The power surges as the slight tip of a throttle. There is no turbo lag at around 3000 rpm that’s so common to find in a WRX. Our tester comes with a 4-speed direct contro auto tranny. The tranny is willing to up and downshifts which work really well with this sweet powerplant. The shifts are smooth and crisp. The beauty of this tranny is it directly link to the AWD system that compliments each others.

Handling: Both the steering feel and response are excellent in the XT, same as in other Foresters. With a nicely tuned suspension, springs and shocks on a very stiff chassis, along with one of the best AWD systems in the world. The handling has reached the level that’s almost unbeatable in this class. That’s until you reach the limitation of tires. These 215 60R15 tires tend to protest way too easily through a slight push in corners. That makes this XT has a far lower handling limit that its chassis suggested. Other than this drawback, the ride/handling compromise is close to unbeatable in this mini-ute segment.

Brakes: The pedal feel and modulation of the XT is another excellent attribute of this class-leading mini-ute. Its firm and doesn’t lock itself up through a couple of hard stops.

Interior: Inside the XT, everything are very familiar because its typical Forester. The leather seats are very comfortable. Thankfully Subaru finally gives us the black interior for XT instead of stuck with the weird beige interior of XS I drove last year. The color coordination between black seats and dash are much easier to the eyes. The climate control knobs are very well designed and logically placed. Everything else are within reach, including Subaru’s unique “parking light” switch on top of the steering. As usual, the gauges are clear and analog. Back seats are comfortable with plenty of head and legroom. Cargo area has a low lift-over for cargo. An extra bonus is Forester comes with a standard plastic cover in the cargo area. That way you won’t spill anything on those carpets.

Conclusion: Other than the questionable tires, Subaru has made the best mini-ute an even better car. Although I considered XT as a niche vehicle in a sea of mini-utes thanks to its rocket-like peformance, its far too expensive in this class of vehicle. You can buy a more prestigous European sportswagons at the same price tag. Will the XT face the same issue as H6 Outback? Time will tell. That’s despite of Subaru sold every WRX STi they can make. I personally love XT’s awesome acceleration but for value, 2.5 H4 still a far better buy.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2004 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5XT
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.75/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.75/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4.75/5
Value-for-money: 2/5

Overall rating:4/5