2009 Subaru Forester Review

2009 Subaru Forester - All grown up.

By: Dan Jedlicka

Subaru tired of having its Forester outsold by rivals such as the popular Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V and thus redesigned its 2009 model, making this third-generation Forester larger and roomier, with sharper styling and key mechanical improvements.

The Forester is a familiar player with a solid reputation. Introduced in 1997 as one of the first compact SUV/crossover vehicles, it was redesigned in 2003, with minor changes since then.

The Forester always has been a non-mainstream vehicle that has seemed more like a mutant station wagon, featuring moderately good off-road abilities with standard all-wheel drive if the going doesn't get too rough. The new model's platform is based on the Subaru DC, which underpins Subaru's high-performance Impreza car models. The new chassis and body have improved rigidity and ride comfort, thanks partly to high-tension steel at key structural points.

The 2008 Forester's styling had become dated and its rear seat was tight, as it always has been in Foresters. But every body panel is new on the new-generation Forester. It's handsomer, with a more pronounced grille, higher hood line and "hawk eye" headlights. More sharply defined character lines and "boxed" front fenders and rear-quarter panels accentuate the new profile. The turbocharged model's hood scoop has been visually toned down. While the Forester is still no head-turner, few SUV/crossover vehicles are.

The Forester's wheelbase has been stretched 3.6 inches to 103 inches and the length increased nearly 3 inches to 179.5 inches. The new Forester also is 1.8 inches wider and several inches taller. All that provides much-improved rear seat room, although the rear center seat area is rock-hard. A new, more compact double-wishbone independent rear suspension and widened tracks allow even more cargo room and better handling.

Despite improvements, the base Forester 2.5X lists at $19,995, or $1,200 less than the outgoing model. It has a good amount of equipment, including air conditioning, tilt wheel, cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, manual height-adjustable driver's seat, split/folding rear seat and power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry.

Next up is the $22,495 2.5X Premium, which adds a power sunroof, steering-wheel radio controls and larger 17-inch (up from 16-inch) wheels and wider tires. The $25,995 2.5X L.L. Bean Edition has a standard automatic transmission, automatic climate controls, leather upholstery, power driver's seat, heated front seats and in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer.

You get the turbo engine with the $26,195 2.5XT, along with a tilt/telescopic wheel and a rear spoiler. The top-line model is the $28,195 2.5XT Limited, which has the turbo engine and even more comfort and convenience features.

Options for most models include a newly available $1,800 navigation system, $432 remote engine start and $400 all-weather package with heated front seats and wiper deicer. Satellite radio is $453.

Safety features for all versions include front-side and curtain-side air bags with rollover deployment and anti-lock brakes. Traction control and an anti-skid system are standard on all for the first time. So is a new Incline Start Assist feature for manual-transmission models to help prevent the Forester from rolling backward when driven from a stop on an incline.

The new Forester is pretty tall and about 100 pounds heavier. It thus lacks a sporty feel when driven quickly through curves or during quick lane changes. The all-wheel-drive system helps stability on roads, but forget rugged off-road treks because it lacks low-range gearing. The ride is firm, but not harsh, and the the quick power steering provides decent road feel. Brake pedal action allows smooth stops.

The Forester has a standard 2.5-liter single-overhead-camshaft four-cylinder. It generates 170-horsepower and lively performance to 60 mph -- but average punch above that speed. It gets rather noisy during hard acceleration but has a broader torque curve for better response at lower speeds. There's little wind noise, but road noise is evident.

Upscale models have a turbocharged, dual-overhead-camshaft four-cylinder. It also has a better torque curve and provides 225-horsepower and more torque, resulting in stronger acceleration under all conditions. Both have Subaru's compact horizontally opposed piston design, like a Porsche 911's, and are set low in the chassis for better handling.

The base engine delivers an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 26 on highways with either the standard five-speed manual transmission -- or a $1,000-$1,200 (depending on model) four-speed automatic, which has an easily used manual-shift feature. The automatic is responsive but should be a five-speed unit. The turbo engine comes standard with the automatic and provides 19 and 24. It requires 91-octane fuel, while the standard engine needs only 87-octane gasoline.

It's easy getting in the reasonably quiet interior -- thanks to large outside door handles and larger door openings. Occupants sit high with good all-around visibility, but higher-quality cabin materials would be nice. The new sweeping twin-cockpit design has gauges that are a little hard to read in bright sunlight. Controls are easy to use. The back seat reclines. Front/rear seats provide good side support, but long-legged occupants might want more thigh support. There isn't much in-cabin storage, although doors have storage pockets.

The fairly large cargo area has a wide, moderately high opening and rear seatbacks flip forward and sit flat for additional space.

The hood glides open on twin hydraulic struts, eliminating the need for an awkward prop rod, and fluid-filler areas are easily reached.

The 2009 model feels like the first Forester that is all grown up.

2009 Subaru Forester

Prices: $19,995-$28,195

Likes: More-mainstream styling. Decent fuel economy. Roomy. All-wheel drive. Car-like. Lower price.

Dislikes: Average open-road passing with non-turbo engine. No manual gearbox. Only a four-speed automatic transmission.

Dan Jedlicka

Dan Jedlicka's Website

Dan Jedlicka joined the Chicago Sun-Times in February 1968 as a business news reporter and was named auto editor later that year. He has reviewed more than 4,000 new vehicles for the Sun-Times--far more than any newspaper auto writer in the country. Jedlicka also reviewed vehicles for Microsoft Corp.'s MSN Autos Internet site from January, 1996, to June, 2008.

Jedlicka remained auto editor at the Sun-Times until October, 2008, and continued writing for the newspaper's AutoTimes section, which he started in 1992, until February, 2009. While continuing his auto writings at the Sun-Times, he served as assistant financial editor of that newspaper from 1970 to 1973, when he began his automotive column.

He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC's "Today," ABC's "20/20" and "The CBS Evening News." He was a host, consultant and writer for Fox-TV Channel 32's 1991 New Car Preview show and that Chicago-based station's 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Chicago Auto Show Previews.

Jedlicka's auto articles have been printed in national magazines, including Esquire and Harper's. His auto columns have been reprinted in U.S. government publications and economic textbooks and he is profiled in the "World's Greatest Auto Show" history book about the Chicago Auto Show. In late 1975, Jedlicka was host and technical advisor for three one-hour television specials, "Auto Test 76," which aired nationally on PBS and were the first nationally televised auto road test shows.

In 1995, Jedlicka was the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois Inc.'s Consumer Education Award, given annually to a person who has gained distinction in the field of consumer education. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Media category and inducted into the Legends of Motorsports Guild at the Carquest World of wheels custom car show in Chicago in January, 2006.

Jedlicka was a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, composed of a select number of auto journalists from throughout the country, from 1995 until 2009. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Consumer Digest magazine's auto experts panel that gave Best Buy new vehicle recommendations.

He is a 1987 graduate of the Bob Bondurant Race Drivers School and later of the BMW "M" and Skip Barber Advanced Driving schools. He was a member of the U.S. team that participated in the 1987 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race/rally in Italy and has been a race winner at the Chicago area's Santa Fe Speedway.

Jedlicka has owned 25 classic cars, including 1950s and 1960s Ferraris and 1950s and 1960s Porsches, a 1965 Corvette, a 1967 Maserati and a 1957 Studebaker supercharged Golden Hawk. Jedlicka resides with his wife, Suzanne, in the Frank Lloyd Wright historic district of Oak Park. They have two children, James and Michele.

For more reviews from Dan, visit Facebook.

2009 Subaru Forester Review

2009 Subaru Forester - All grown up.

Dan Jedlicka

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