1998 - 2002 Subaru Forester - A True Crossover
Is the 1998 to 2002 Forester a car or an SUV? That's a question that's as difficult to answer as whether a tomato is a fruit or vegetable. All I can say is who cares. I love tomatoes no matter how you classify them.
That's kind of how I feel about Subaru's previous generation compact SUV. It probably wouldn't be my pick to traverse a treacherous mud-soaked, wagon wheel rutted trail in BC's wild-west Chilcotin country, but I'd pick it over a dozen competitors for scooting around town on an icy morning.
I've spent a few separate weeks behind the wheel of various Forester models, the last being a 2002 with the 'Sport' package, the most attractive of the lot. Overall, I find it one of the easiest vehicles to while away the miles due to a true car-like ride and handling compromise. Its 4-wheel independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering makes for good handling while 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor Bosch ABS allows quick and effortless stopping.
Seeing where you're going is the first step in driving safety. To that end its large greenhouse puts the Forester at the polar opposite of claustrophobic, allowing excellent visibility from the driver's position. The seats are especially comfortable while all controls are intuitively designed and within easy access.
Overall, the Forester is tall, allowing generous accommodations for people and cargo, the latter area measuring 906 L (32.0 cu ft) behind the rear seats. Fold both 60/40 split seatbacks flat and 1,800 L (63.6 cu ft) is available. That's a lot of space. Headroom is airy enough for NBA centers to sit upright while rear legroom is slightly less than adequate, probably due to the fact that it uses a shortened version of the Impreza platform.
Is the 1998 to 2002 Forester a car or an SUV? That's a question that's as difficult to answer as whether a tomato is a fruit or vegetable. All I can say is who cares. I love tomatoes no matter how you classify them.That's kind of how I feel about Subaru's previous generation compact SUV. It probably wouldn't be my pick to traverse a treacherous mud-soaked, wagon wheel rutted trail in BC's wild-west Chilcotin country, but I'd pick it over a dozen competitors for scooting around town on an icy morning.
I've spent a few separate weeks behind the wheel of various Forester models, the last being a 2002 with the 'Sport' package, the most attractive of the lot. Overall, I find it one of the easiest vehicles to while away the miles due to a true car-like ride and handling compromise. Its 4-wheel independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering makes for good handling while 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor Bosch ABS allows quick and effortless stopping. Seeing where you're going is the first step in driving safety. To that end its large greenhouse puts the Forester at the polar opposite of claustrophobic, allowing excellent visibility from the driver's position. The seats are especially comfortable while all controls are intuitively designed and within easy access.
Overall, the Forester is tall, allowing generous accommodations for people and cargo, the latter area measuring 906 L (32.0 cu ft) behind the rear seats. Fold both 60/40 split seatbacks flat and 1,800 L (63.6 cu ft) is available. That's a lot of space. Headroom is airy enough for NBA centers to sit upright while rear legroom is slightly less than adequate, probably due to the fact that it uses a shortened version of the Impreza platform.