First Drive: 2009 Subaru Forester

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March 12, 2008

2009 Subaru Forester. Click image to enlarge

Manufacturer’s web site
Subaru Canada

Preview and photos by Paul Williams

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2009 Subaru Forester

Catalina Island and Laguna Beach, California – When he first saw the original Subaru Forester 12 years ago, Katsuhiro Yokoyama, President and CEO of Subaru Canada, thought, “What kind of vehicle is this? It’s very different. Maybe Subaru is making a big mistake.”

Not so, it turned out. Happily for Subaru, the company was ahead of the curve with its new “crossover” SUV. Popular in Canada, the third generation, 2009 Forester is further refined with new styling, a new suspension and additional standard features. It debuts here in April, 2008 in 2.5X, Touring and Limited versions, and XT turbocharged trim levels.

2009 Subaru Forester. Click image to enlarge

Over the years, however, the Forester has suffered somewhat with an identity crisis. Is it a tall station wagon, a large hatchback or a small SUV? Does it matter? Maybe it does.

Consumers have flocked to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape, but the Forester, while appreciated by its owners and championed by Subaru, hasn’t seen the strong sales of those vehicles. With the 2009 version, Subaru attempts to bring its identity into focus.

“Make no mistake,” said Ted Lalka, Surbaru Canada’s VP, Public Relations, as he outlined the new vehicle’s defining qualities: “This new Forester is a true SUV.”

By that he means the Forester is as capable of off-road assignments as any of its compact SUV competitors, should you venture in that direction, and it has all the practicality of its competitors.

2009 Subaru Forester. Click image to enlarge

But this is partially an issue of image, rather than reality, because the Forester has always been a surprisingly capable off-roader (not in the Jeep Wrangler league, mind you, but better than you might expect) and very practical, to boot.

Nonetheless, to make the point about “off-roadability,” journalists spent an instructive day on the rutted and rugged trails of Catalina Island, an isolated nature preserve off the coast of California, as they weaved their way up and down its formidable peaks and valleys. And in contrast, we also drove in and around tony Laguna Beach, relying on the 2009 Forester’s quick handling to dodge countless German luxury cars erratically driven by preoccupied rich people talking on their cellphones. Truly a test!

But before commenting more fully on its driving characteristics, let’s get back to what makes the 2009 Forester different from the outgoing model, and how it’s become a “true SUV.”

First of all, as is the trend with most updated vehicles these days, the Forester has grown in size. But this is a welcome and I think necessary change for the Forester, as the previous model was too small in some areas.

The new chassis, engineered on the Impreza platform, has a 90-millimetre longer wheelbase than the outgoing model, and increases in overall length by 75 mm. The benefits are a roomier cabin and significantly more legroom for rear seat passengers.

2009 Subaru Forester. Click image to enlarge

Angles of approach and departure are also increased, as is ground clearance which is raised to 220 mm for naturally aspirated models, and 225 mm for the turbo version. These changes enable you to get up and over obstacles without inflicting damage to the front and rear bumpers and undercarriage.

Additionally, the steering is quicker, the powertrain (engine and transmission) is mounted lower for better balance and stability, the front and rear track is wider, the fuel tank is larger (64 litres), and the turning circle is a low 10.5 metres (34.4 ft.) Braking is supplied by a four-wheel disc system (ventilated at the front) with anti-lock and standard Brake Assist, and the front strut-type suspension is complemented by a new double wishsbone rear suspension that increases cargo space behind the rear seat and increases stability on the road.

So in terms of its size, roominess, and manoeuvrability, the new Forester is indeed more of an SUV contender than earlier models.

2009 Subaru Forester. Click image to enlarge

And the new Forester, it probably goes without saying, features full-time all wheel drive, although two different versions are used depending on the presence of a manual or automatic transmission. Manual transmission vehicles (five-speed) use a viscous-coupled locking centre-differential that distributes power 50/50, front/rear. Vehicles with an automatic transmission (it’s a four-speed), use an electronically controlled multi-plate transfer clutch system that actively manages power distribution based on acceleration, deceleration and traction. Both systems work in conjunction with the now standard vehicle stability control and traction control (Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control, or VDC).

Engine choices for the Forester remain normally aspirated or turbocharged versions of the company’s 2.5-litre, horizontally opposed (flat) four-cylinder powerplant. The 2.5X and 2.5 Touring and Limited models receive the 170 horsepower non-turbo engine, and the 2.5 XT Limited model receives the 224-hp turbo. Both engines are refined this year to produce broader torque curves, with torque available earlier for the XT and slightly increased (by four foot-pounds) for the X models.

2009 Subaru Forester. Click image to enlarge

Because of the space-saving rear suspension (which no longer intrudes into the cargo area) and the wider track, the Forester is now able to swallow very large items behind its second row seats. Entry to the cargo area is gained through the light and large rear door, that raises to expose a very wide and high opening through with you can fit items of prodigious bulk. Subaru representatives demonstrated loading a 130x97x70 centimetre cube into the cargo area, then closing the liftgate behind it. This cube was much too big for the rear opening of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, for example. Noteworthy too, is the low rear floor (easy to slide items it and out) and wide opening angle of the front and rear doors (especially the rear door).

While even Subaru’s Mr. Lalka admits that Subaru styling can be hit-and-miss, the 2009 Forester is definitely pleasant to look at, while retaining its brand identity. Styling is crisp and appealing, and the only exterior miscue is the unfortunate visibility of the rear mufflers hanging below the rear bumper — rather unsightly, I thought. But let’s agree that with the new styling, the 2009 Forester is a much better looking SUV contender.

As mentioned earlier, we drove the Forester on rugged trails and urban highways. The first half of our Catalina Island experience consisted mainly of dirt trails with the occasional rut or bump that wouldn’t really have taxed an Impreza. The second half of the drive was quite different. The trails were deeply rutted in places, and seriously steep (steep enough that you couldn’t see over the hood as you climbed). We were impressed with the Forester’s ability to even make it up some of the hills.

It must be said that the XT (turbocharged) vehicles were more capable in this type of terrain, however, and would be my preference given the choice. The normally aspirated Foresters were also able to rise to the occasion but with more difficulty (especially with a manual transmission).

On the highway from John Wayne airport, and in Laguna Beach proper, the roads are nicely paved, but busy with vehicles of all types. We found that the manual transmission Forester produces more harshness and noise from the engine (manual transmission is not available with XT), while the automatic produces a much smoother driving experience.

2009 Subaru Forester. Click image to enlarge

The automatic also gets you the more sophisticated all-wheel drive system with either engine, and would be the transmission of choice.

Backing up is worth a mention, as visibility is excellent. You can see a one-metre tall child standing only two metres behind the Forester. That’s quite exceptional.

Canadian Foresters are significantly different than their U.S. counterparts – all of our models receive heated seats, air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, roof rails, electronic stability control and traction control, side curtain airbags, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, privacy glass, and remote audio controls on the steering wheel as standard equipment.

The Canadian entry model is the 2.5X, equipped with 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers followed by the 2.5X Touring which adds 17-inch alloy wheels, 12-way power driver’s seat, sunroof, wiper de-icer and cargo mat. The 2.5X Limited adds leather seating surfaces and the Forester XT Limited is the equivalent with the turbocharged engine.

2009 Subaru Forester. Click image to enlarge

Criticisms that may bother prospective buyers or owners is the lack of wiper de-icer on the 2.5 X, lack of auto up/down on any of the windows (auto down on driver’s window only), manual seat adjustment for the passenger seat on uplevel models, and hard plastic panels that scratch easily and let down the nicely styled interior.

Plusses are the exceptional cargo space and functional interior, better than average fuel economy for vehicles of this type, very smooth ride, excellent visibility, complete safety features, full-time all-wheel drive, and attractive styling. We’d like to add excellent pricing to this list, but prices for the 2009 Forester — okay, I’ll say it: the 2009 Forester Compact SUV — won’t be announced until April, 2008.

Manufacturer’s web site
Subaru Canada