When Subaru redesigned its Forester wagon for 2009, it transformed the fearless, spunky hauler from purely practical to assertively stylish. That's a big change for a model that once looked as if appearance was the last value its creators considered. As if, after so carefully crafting the vehicle's go-anywhere, all-wheel-drive power system, and its plucky, through-the-muck platform, engineers covered the workings with any old body that fit.
The redesigned, 2009 model is still an upright, high-clearance wagon with a wide cargo bay and a long-running roof that's indispensable for hauling mountain bikes and kayaks and such. But like other recently styled crossovers, Forester's sleeker, more streamlined body now motors more comfortably to venues outside of outdoor recreation sites.
As a result, Aaron Singer sees newcomers trading in a variety of different models to get the new Subaru. They're giving up SUVs and pickups, of course, but just about everyone is getting out of those. Singer, who owns Singer Subaru of Plaistow, N.H., also has new customers exchanging popular Toyota Camry sedans for Foresters. Last week he took a Nissan Altima as a trade-in.
Subaru launched the new model in March. Since it arrived to replace the former Forester version, sales of the model line have boomed. Last month, Subaru of America sold 51 percent more Foresters than it did in July 2007. Through the first seven months of this year, Forester sales are running 26 percent ahead of last year.
"That's with zero incentives," stressed Singer. "They haven't put a dollar's worth of rebates on these."
The 2009 Forester starts at $20,660 for a basic model, with a five-speed manual transmission and a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Subaru added new standard safety features to the '09 version, including vehicle dynamic control, tire-pressure monitoring, and side-curtain airbags, bringing the airbag total to six. Like past models, the new Forester includes advanced antilock brakes and such features as air conditioning, cruise control, remote locking, rear wiper and an information center that computes fuel economy.
A four-speed automatic transmission adds $1,200 to Forester's price. The turbocharged version of its 2.5-liter engine boosts the list price by $6,200, giving you 54 more horsepower in compensation. The turbocharged engine burns premium gas, while the standard engine uses regular. The standard engine earns the car an EPA fuel-economy rating of 20 miles per gallon in city driving, 26 mpg on the highway. The turbocharger drops the rating to 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway.
Subaru calls the vehicle a crossover to account for its blend of SUV versatility and passenger-car comfort and ease. The new Forester is larger, riding an a platform that stretches almost 4 inches longer between front and back wheels than its predecessor. The increase enabled Subaru to provide more passenger space inside the 2009 model. The company also upgraded the interior styling, using higher-grade fabrics and panel coverings.
Singer singled out the roomier and more-accommodating interior as another major improvement that accounts for the new model's growing popularity.
Forester's four-cylinder "boxer" engine, like all Subaru engines, is laid out in two banks, with half the cylinders in each bank. But instead of the common V pattern, the two cylinder banks in Subaru's engine lie flat. That makes for a lower engine, which helps the whole car handle better because it puts more weight closer to the road.
The pancake layout also contributes to Subaru's signature, "symmetrical" all-wheel drive: The drive system is configured and balanced to distribute power more evenly and efficiently to the four wheels. A feature on all Subaru models, the symmetrical approach makes the vehicle more stable, and contributes to the road grip for which Subarus are well known.
"Symmetrical all-wheel drive is a proven and reliable technology," Singer said. In April he witnessed its advantages at the national Subaru dealers meeting in Salt Lake City. A company demonstration showed Forester out-gripping all-wheel-drive versions of its chief rivals, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, both compact crossovers. (Honda and Toyota sell both front- and all-wheel drive versions of the models; Subaru sells only all-wheel-drive vehicles.)
"The Forester is head and shoulders above the others," Singer said. "If only one wheel has grip somewhere, it moves."
At the same meeting, Subaru explained that upgrades in the redesigned, '09 Forester, especially improvements in body styling and interior space, came from feedback the company heard from U.S. dealers and customers.
"They are responding to what they hear," said Singer. As the company continues to listen and adjust to driver wants and needs, he's looking for ongoing improvements in Subaru models that will catapult the brand to higher levels of popularity.
2009 Subaru Forester
Vehicle type: All-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door compact crossover wagon
Price range: $20,660 to $30,660 (plus options)
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles basic warranty; 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain warranty; 5 years/unlimited miles corrosion warranty
Base engine: 2.5-liter flat 4-cylinder
Power: 170 horsepower at 6,000 rpm; 170 lb.-ft. torque at 4,400 rpm
Base transmission: 5-speed manual
Fuel economy: 20 mpg city; 26 mpg highway
Wheelbase: 103 inches
Length: 179 inches
Width: 70 inches
Height: 66 inches
Weight: 3,250 pounds
Fuel capacity: 16.9 gallons
Turning Circle: 34.4 feet
