Subaru Forester

2009-01-01T19:01:01Z

207.216.165.68: /* Photos */

[[Image:SubaruFR08 36.jpg|right|thumb|450px|2009 Subaru Forester]]
The '''[[Subaru]] Forester''', released in the US in 1998, is a lightweight, small [[crossover SUV]] (or arguably a [[station wagon]]) based on the [[Subaru Impreza]]. Subaru advertising employed the slogan "SUV tough, Car Easy" to appeal to the SUV-oriented market; and to this end, the Forester has features associated with SUVs such as a large, boxy cargo area and more ground clearance than other Subaru models (although it employs a car-like unibody chassis, rather than the body-on-frame construction associated with trucks and larger SUVs).

See Wikicars' comprehensive '''[[{{FULLPAGENAMEE}} Review]]'''.
===Recent Changes===
*For the 2009 model year, the Subaru Forester is an all-new generation. Officially unveiled (in the internet automotive blogosphere, anyway) on the eve of Christmas 2007, the new third-generation Forester rides on an all-new platform featuring a 3.6-inch longer wheelbase (103.0 in) equipped with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (as standard) driven by a choice of a naturally aspirated and turbocharged / intercooled 2.5-liter Boxer engines. The Forester will be on sale in the US market by spring 2008. [http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/12/2009-subaru-forester-official-photos.html][http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/12/2008-subaru-forester-update-70-high.html]

<gallery>
Image:2009 Subaru Forester 1.jpg
Image:SubaruFR08 b36.jpg
Image:SubaruFR08 34.jpg
Image:SubaruFR08 35.jpg
Image:SubaruFR08 26.jpg
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*Several elements of the Forester were redesigned for 2006, including the headlights, taillights, grill and dashboard. In addition, its 2.5L engine was boosted from 165[[hp]] to 173[[hp]] and its turbocharged engine has increased from 210[[hp]] to 230[[hp]]. In addition, one of its trim lines, the XS, has been removed from production.

===Styles and Major Options===
Currently, the [[Subaru]] Forester is available in three trims: the Forester 2.5 X, Forester 2.5 X L.L. Bean Edition, and Forester 2.5 XT Limited. All trims come equipped with [[Subaru]]'s standard Symmetrical [[All Wheel Drive]], and all are powered by a 2.5L 173[[hp]] engine, with the exception of the XT Limited, whose engine is turbocharged to produce 230[[hp]]. There is also an optional Premium Package which is only available for the 2.5 X.

===Pricing===
Today's actual prices for the [[Subaru]] Forester can be found at [http://www.carsdirect.com/subaru/forester/prices CarsDirect].

<table border=1 tablecolor=#000000 bordercolor=#000008>
<tr bgcolor=#cccccc>
<td colspan=4>
'''Forester Trims'''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
2.5 X
</td>
<td>
2.5 X
 
w/Premium Package
</td>
<td>
2.5 X
 
L.L. Bean Edition
</td>
<td>
2.5 XT Limited
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#66ccff>
<td colspan=4>
''MSRP''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
$21,795
</td>
<td>
$24,145
</td>
<td>
$26,895
</td>
<td>
$27,895
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#66ccff>
<td colspan=4>
''Invoice''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
$20,452
</td>
<td>
$22,569
</td>
<td>
$25,001
</td>
<td>
$26,005
</td>
</tr>
</table>

===Gas Mileage===
As seen on the [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm FuelEconomy.gov] website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

<table border=1 tablecolor=#000000 bordercolor=#000008>
<tr bgcolor=#cccccc>
<td colspan=4>
'''Trim'''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
2.5L 173[[hp]]
 
manual
</td>
<td>
2.5L 173[[hp]]
 
auto
</td>
<td>
2.5L 230 turbo [[hp]]
 
manual
</td>
<td>
2.5L 230 turbo [[hp]]
 auto
auto
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=4 bgcolor=#cccccc>
'''MPG'''
</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
20/27
</td>
<td>
20/25
</td>
<td>
17/24
</td>
<td>
18/24
</td>
</tr>
</table>

===Reliability===
While there have been complaints of transmission problems with vehicles with the turbo/5-speed combination, most have been fairly reliable. Interior build quality has been known to show wear early on, with Car and Driver's long term test car showing premature interior wear and squeaks and rattles at 40,000 miles. While the car will appear and sound worn, there will be know repairs needed causing its reliabilty rating to stay high. Long term durability is impeccable, as revealed at [[www.Edmunds.com]], and [[www.Carsurvey.org]]

===Safety===
The Forester has received superb marks in crash tests performed by the [http://www.safercar.gov NHTSA], scoring 5/5 stars in every category but Rollover Rating, for which it earned 4/5 stars. The following safety features are also standard on every trim:
*4-Wheel [[Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)]]
*Daytime Running Lights
*Driver/Passenger Front [[Airbag]]s
*Seat-Mounted Side Impact [[Airbag]]s
*Side Impact Bars

===Photos===
<gallery>
Image:Subaru1999.jpg|1999 Subaru Forester S
Image:Subaru_forrester.jpg|2001 Subaru Forester
Image:770px-2004_Subaru_Forester.jpg|2004 Subaru Forester
Image:800px-Subaru_Forester_X_2006_front_right.jpg|Subaru Forester X 2006 at the Melbourne International Motor Show
Image:Forester_2006interior.jpg|2006 Subaru Forester interior
Image:800px-Subaru_Forester_XT_2006_front_right.jpg|2006 Subaru Forester
image:Forester_leftonwhite.jpg|2006 Subaru Forester
</gallery>

'''Third Generation Development Prototypes'''

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Image:FRST P1.jpg
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Image:FRST P3.jpg
Image:FRST P4.jpg
Image:FRST P5.jpg
</gallery>

===Colors===
Colors for the Forester can be found at [http://www.carsdirect.com/2006/subaru/forester/colors CarsDirect.com.]

===Main Competitors===
*[[Toyota RAV4]]
*[[Ford Escape]]
*[[Jeep Liberty]]
*[[Chevrolet Equinox]]
*[[Mazda Tribute]]
*[[Nissan Xterra]]

==Hybrid Models==
There are no plans for [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] models of the Forester.

==Unique Attributes==

==Resale Values==
[http://www.kbb.com Kelley Blue Book] estimates that the Forester will have have a better resale value than the [[Ford Escape]] or [[Mazda Tribute]], yet still trail behind the [[Honda CR-V]] in this category. [http://www.alg.com/deprratings.aspx Automotive Lease Group] rates the Forester's resale value at 3 stars out of 5, which is equivelant to a D-.

==Criticisms==
*"...the three rear headrests block your [the driver's rearward] vision." - The Detroit News
*"Because the Forester delivers a choppier ride than some rivals with more vibration, it might not appeal to those who favor an always-gentle road experience." - Kelley Blue Book
*"Refinement is roughly on par with the competitive Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute, but it falls short of Honda's CR-V." - Kelley Blue Book

==Current Generation: (2009–present)==

==Previous Generations==
===Second Generation (2003-2008)===
In 2003, a [[turbocharged]] Forester, the '''XT''', was released alongside the [[naturally-aspirated engine|naturally-aspirated]] '''X''' and '''XS''' in the United States as a 2004 model, however the same model had been available since the late 1990s elsewhere in the world. The XT model features a 2.5 L turbocharged engine mated with the same [[Mitsubishi]] TD04 turbocharger used in the [[Subaru Impreza WRX]]. In fact, the engine in the 2004 to 2005 Forester XT is identical to the American market [[Subaru Impreza WRX STi]] except for using the smaller TD04 turbocharger from the WRX, a smaller [[intercooler]], different exhaust system, and different engine management programming.

The 2003 Forester also features weight-saving refinements such as an aluminum hood, perforated rails, and a [[hydroforming|hydro-formed]] front frame.

In 2006, the turbocharged engine (powering the Forester XT) that won the International Engine of the Year is also being used in the Subaru Impreza WRX, as well as the re-badged [[Saab 9-2X]].

===First Generation/Origins===

==Worldwide==
Up until recently, the Forester was also sold in India as a [[Chevrolet]] alongside other Chevrolet models sold there. This model featured a naturally aspirated 2.0 L [[flat-4]] engine rated at 120[[HP|hp]]. However, since [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] no longer holds an ownership stake in Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, this arrangement is in question.
====Australia====
The Forester has three main models available in Australia:
*'''X''' - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 121 kW (162 hp)
*'''XS''' - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 121 kW (162 hp)
*'''XT''' - turbocharged 2.5 L flat-4, 169 kW (226 hp)

The difference between the X and the XS is the styling of the car through its accessories. Both the XS and the XT come with the option of having a "''Luxury Pack''" fitted - allowing for leather seats and a sunroof. Besides the difference in engine between the X or XS when compared to the XT, there are other minor styling differences like the addition of a MOMO steering wheel as standard on the XT model.

==Design quirks and oddities==

==Awards==
*Winner ''Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive'' in 2000
*Winner ''Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive'' in 2001
*Winner ''Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive'' in 2002
*''Car and Driver's'' Best Small SUV 2004
*''Car and Driver's'' Best Small SUV 2005
*''Car and Driver's'' Best Small SUV 2006

==See also==
{{Subaru}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.MainelySubarus.com Mainely Subarus] Maine Subaru Enthusiast Car Club
*[http://www.subaru.jp/forester/forester/ Official Subaru Forester Homepage and Next-Gen Countdown] jp
*[http://www.subaruforester.org/ The Subaru Forester Owners Forum]
*[http://offroadsubarus.com/ Offroad Subarus] (take your Subaru, including Forester, off-road)
*[http://www.chevrolet.co.in/content_data/AP/IN/en/GBPIN/001/BRANDSITE/index_forester.html Chevrolet Forester (India)]
*[http://www.jasononcars.com/2006/02/15/quick-review-subaru-forester-25-xt/ Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Review]
*[http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071224.001/2009-subaru-forester-unveiled 2009 Subaru Forester Unveiled]
*[http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071227.001/the-2009-subaru-foresters-that-never-were-ditched-designs The 2009 Subaru Foresters That Never Were: Ditched Designs]
*[http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/12/2009-subaru-forester-us-spec-version.html 2009 Subaru Forester: US Spec Version Image Gallery]

This page uses content from Wikipedia; see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Forester Subaru Forester], which includes these [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Subaru_Forester&action=history contributors].

[[Category:Current Models]]
[[Category:Crossover SUVs]]
[[Category:Subaru Vehicles|Forester]]
[[Category:All Wheel Drive Vehicles]]
[[Category:1990s Automobiles]]
[[Category:2000s Automobiles]]

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Subaru Forester