Subaru Forester - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Subaru Forester ranks 7 out of 24 Affordable Compact SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 46 published reviews and test drives of the Subaru Forester, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2010 Subaru Forester, redesigned last year, rides smoother and looks better than ever before. Its standard all-wheel drive system, spacious rear seat, and low base price make it a great value in its class.

Whether you're going on outdoor adventures or family road trips, the Subaru Forester delivers. It's not the most luxurious compact SUV, but it's downright fun to drive and comes with plenty of utility, including a particularly spacious rear seat. The Forester is so well-liked that it was named Motor Trend's 2009 Sport/Utility of the Year.

"Forester is a reasonably priced alternative to compact SUV bellwethers such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4," says Consumer Guide. "It's noisier and less refined than those rivals, and its interior ambiance is a step behind that of other recently redesigned crossovers. Still, Forester offers good fuel economy and lots of features for the money, with the 2.5X and 2.5X Premium being the strongest values."

The Subaru Forester's $20,295 base price is one of the lowest in its class. On top of that, it's the only SUV in its class to come with standard all-wheel drive. That makes it a great deal, especially if you live in snowy or rainy climates. Reviewers' only complaints about the Forester concern its inconsistent materials quality and lack of high-tech options.

At 20/27 mpg city/highway, the Forester's fuel economy is only about average for a compact SUV. Several SUVs do better, but nearly all of the cost more than the Subaru - and none of them come standard with all-wheel drive (which can add at least a thousand dollars onto a car's base price). Adding all-wheel drive will also likely decrease fuel economy, since the system adds extra weight.

Check Dealer Pricing On a New Subaru Outback!

Arrival: 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited

With Coveted Calipers On-Board, It's Ready for Duty

From the December, 2009 issue of Motor Trend

 / By Nate Martinez

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For the second time in two years, we welcome a dapper, Sport/Utility of the Year-winning Subaru crossover to our long-term test fleet. Per our protocol, the victor receives an invite to take a hotly coveted spot in our garage and, as usual, has signed up for a full year of real-world testing courtesy of MT's adventurous editorial squad.

This time around, it's the 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited whose 3.6R sibling, as you may know, represented the line at this year's SUOTY competition. Given the choice of vehicles to add to the fleet, we purposely checked off the box next to the 2.5i in order to better evaluate the model that Subaru claims will be its volume-seller.

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As the top of three 2.5i trim levels, Base and Premium being the others, the Limited adds such conveniences as leather, 440-watt nine-speaker harman/kardon audio, heated front seats, Bluetooth connectivity, and iPod/USB inputs. Our long-termer, which opens at $28,990, came replete with a $2995 moonroof/nav package that includes voice-activated navigation, Bluetooth streaming audio, backup camera, and power moonroof. Even so, the Premium, to which the Limited adds or substitutes equipment, is anything but a paltry package. Features like an electronic parking brake with Hill Holder, power windows with driver's auto up/down, cruise control, integrated roof rack, and a tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel compose the amenities list. A $461 Sirius satellite radio kit brought our vehicle's grand total to $32,446.

Engage the CVT's right "upshift" paddle, plant the right foot, aim straight ahead, and the 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower flat four sends the 3562-pound Outback from 0 to 60 mph in 9.7 seconds. It takes 17.4 seconds at 82.0 mph to trump the quarter mile and 129 feet to get to a standstill from 60 mph. Thanks to its symmetrical all-wheel drive, the 2.5i gripped the skidpad with an honorable 0.78g average.

Not at all awe-inspiring numbers, but considering the new 2.5i's improvement in fuel economy (22 mpg city/29 mpg highway versus 20/26), extra rear-passenger legroom (up 3.9 inches), and maximum cargo volume (up 5.9 cubic feet) compared with last year's rendition, we're fairly amped to get our Outback running amok in the muck. That is, when we're not passively trudging along on the pavement.

Our Car
Base Price	$28,990
Price as tested	$32,446
Vehicle layout	Front engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV
Engine	2.5L/170-hp/170-lb-ft SOHC 16-valve flat-4
Transmission	Cont variable auto
Curb weight (dist f/r)	3562 lb (56/44%)
Wheelbase	107.9 in
Length x width x height	188.2 x 71.7 x 65.7 in
0-60 mph	9.7 sec
Quarter mile	17.4 sec @ 82.0 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph	129 ft
Lateral accel	0.78 g (avg)
MT figure eight	29.1 sec @ 0.56 (avg)
EPA city/hwy econ	22/29 mpg
CO2 emissions	0.79 lb/mile
Total mileage	3287 miles
Average fuel economy	24.4 mpg