The only thing I can complain about is the location of the seat heater controls; they're placed at the base of the center armrest and you'll have to twist your arm to reach them.
Tried and true Boxer
The 2.5-liter flat-four engine soldiers on under the hood of the 2009 Forester, albeit with a few improvements. Like the other models in Subaru's line-up, the naturally-aspirated Boxer produces 170 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to a 4-speed automatic that includes a manual mode. Under normal acceleration, the typical clapping sound of horizontally-opposed engine is barely noticeable in this SUV, which is good or bad news, depending if you're a Subaru purist or not.
The Forester seems quicker than it is. 0-100 km/h sprints take 10.4 seconds, which is adequate but not nosebleed inducing. Yet during normal driving, it rarely feels strained or overworked. The fuel consumption average during the test is 11.1 L/100 km.
What does make the engine lose its cool is the 4-speed gearbox. During spirited driving, the transmission often gets confused when it has to downshift, and doesn't always make the right decision. A 5th gear would clearly eliminate this issue, and could logically improve fuel economy at the same time. The turbo Legacy and Outback models get a 5-speed automatic, so it's not like Subaru didn't have one.
There is a noticeable amount of body roll, which isn't surprising, considering the Forester's ground clearance. However, the lively steering ensures good manoeuvrability, and although the Limited isn't a thrill ride, it drives like a charm. The all-wheel drive system is competent, but like many compact SUVs, the Forester has no particular off-road capabilities.
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| The Limited model gets leather wrapped around very comfortable seats. |
Tried and true Boxer
The 2.5-liter flat-four engine soldiers on under the hood of the 2009 Forester, albeit with a few improvements. Like the other models in Subaru's line-up, the naturally-aspirated Boxer produces 170 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to a 4-speed automatic that includes a manual mode. Under normal acceleration, the typical clapping sound of horizontally-opposed engine is barely noticeable in this SUV, which is good or bad news, depending if you're a Subaru purist or not.
The Forester seems quicker than it is. 0-100 km/h sprints take 10.4 seconds, which is adequate but not nosebleed inducing. Yet during normal driving, it rarely feels strained or overworked. The fuel consumption average during the test is 11.1 L/100 km.
What does make the engine lose its cool is the 4-speed gearbox. During spirited driving, the transmission often gets confused when it has to downshift, and doesn't always make the right decision. A 5th gear would clearly eliminate this issue, and could logically improve fuel economy at the same time. The turbo Legacy and Outback models get a 5-speed automatic, so it's not like Subaru didn't have one.
There is a noticeable amount of body roll, which isn't surprising, considering the Forester's ground clearance. However, the lively steering ensures good manoeuvrability, and although the Limited isn't a thrill ride, it drives like a charm. The all-wheel drive system is competent, but like many compact SUVs, the Forester has no particular off-road capabilities.
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| The 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Limited has a base price of $32,395. |