The 2010 Subaru Forester is a crossover vehicle
that blends many of the best attributes of a sport-utility vehicle with the ride
and driving dynamics of a car. It got a complete redesign last year, so
there are minimal changes for 2010. A new 2.5 X Premium trim adds popular
features to the entry-level 2.5 X, including alloy wheels, privacy glass,
body-colored exterior mirrors, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a power
driver seat with lumbar support. Also new for 2010, the available navigation
system adds integrated Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The Forester offers
Subaru's standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, as well as a versatile rear cargo
area with liftgate, under floor storage and up to 68 cubic feet of cargo
capacity. The Subaru Forester, was first rolled in 1998, and is now in its third
generation. This generation is larger and more similar to all the other
car-based compact SUVs out there, including the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V.
Powering the 2010 Forester
All trim levels are equipped with a 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed
four-cylinder engine; in "X" variants, the engine is naturally-aspirated and
produces 170 horsepower, while both "XT" variants generate 224 horsepower,
compliments of an intercooled turbocharger. The 2.5 X and 2.5 X Premium get a
5-speed manual transmission with Incline Start Assist, while all other trims are
mated to a 4-speed automatic with manual shift mode. There's a huge difference
in torque between the two available engines, especially felt on the freeway,
where the 2.5X works to keep up, despite the fact that the normally aspirated
SOHC engine has been refined to deliver more low and mid-range torque than
before. The four-speed automatic transmission and the 170-horsepower 2.5X is a
weak combination where a five speed
would do much better.
Subaru Forester Design
Where previous Forester models looked more like
tall wagons than SUVs, the newer Forester more closely resembles a traditional
SUV. The Forester is 179.5 inches long and 70.1 inches wide. Driver visibility
is excellent in all directions, thanks to careful pillar design. Ground
clearance is 8.9 inches. Fog lights are optional and turbo versions are
distinguished by a hood scoop that funnels cooling air into the intercooler just
under the hood. The Forester seats five people and has standard all-wheel drive.
Driving a Forester
The engine of the 2010 Forester is mounted 0.4 inch
lower than the last generation, thus lowering the center of gravity and making
it a safer vehicle. Because the engine is designed for safety to be pushed back
under the car in a head-on crash, this four-tenths of an inch counts more.
The rear suspension does a good job. It allows a rear frame height to be
the same as a sedan, but ground clearance is unaffected. The most recent
improvement in rear suspension made the Forester quieter. The highway ride is
comfortable with no harsh spots. The stability control is programmed to
allow the tires to spin a bit, under acceleration, so the throttle won't cut out
on dirt roads. The Forester excels in off road abilities when compared to
competitors. As far as all-wheel drive systems go, Subaru says the automatic
comes with Variable Torque Management, which shifts power to the front and rear
axles by monitoring throttle position, battery voltage, generator rpm, wheel
speed, brake status, lateral g-force and automatic transmission fluid
temperature. The manual Forester has a simple viscous coupling that's reactive
rather than proactive.
Inside the 2010 Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester has a good amount of room
inside. Legroom is excellent, increased by 4.3 inches, on a wheelbase increase
of 3.6 inches, and there is a couple of inches more shoulder room as well.
The rear seat in the 2010 Forester reclines in all but the 2.5X base model, and
includes a retractable center tray with fixed drink holders. The front door is
wider than before, and the rear doors now swing open 75 degrees, making it easy
to get in and out. There's a slit over the center stack with digital display for
time and temperature. The center console is deep, and slides forward four inches
to make an armrest. The cloth seats are comfortable. The seats are
available in gray or
black, and are on the conservative side rather than sporty.
Summary
The 2010 Forester is available in five trim levels:
2.5 X, 2.5 X Premium, 2.5 X Limited, 2.5 XT Premium and 2.5 XT Limited.
Notable features include a panoramic glass sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, 6-disc
CD changer, automatic climate control, heated front seats and leather
upholstery. An optional touch-screen GPS navigation system is offered on XT
variants. Standard safety equipment includes electronic stability
and traction control systems, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake
assist, active front head restraints, front side-impact airbags and front and
rear side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor. The door openings are large,
and the rear window is larger than on the previous Forester. The best
things about the 2010 model are its spacious, no-nonsense cargo area, its
comfortable seats, excellent rear visibility, good brakes and a low starting
price.