The Forester comfortably accommodates four adults, five if need be, and its flexible trunk has a flat loading surface and minimal sill. This is also one of the few SUVs currently available that offers its driver an adequate rear view, thanks to generous side windows and a very long rear window.
Lastly, the Forest boasts a towing capacity of 1,087 kg (2,400 lbs), which is amply sufficient for small campers or trailers used to haul snowmobiles or ATVs.
Self-explanatory success
Thanks to a family-oriented nature, versatile cabin, competitive pricing and pleasant road-going manners, the Forester’s current success is self-explanatory.
The arrival in 2009 of this bigger Forester (which looks more like a “substantial” SUV than its predecessor) sent Subaru’s sales figures skyrocketing. Between 2000 and 2008, the automaker sold an average of 4,000 units each year. Sales have doubled since 2009, hitting the 8,000 milestone. If the trend continues, we’ll see the same numbers in 2010. Subaru Canada’s execs are even more optimistic, estimating that sales could hit the 12,000-unit mark!
These numbers are that much more significant in that they reflect the growing popularity of compact SUVs in Canada. Sales of vehicles like the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are currently exploding, while those of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape remain steady.
In this context, the improvements made to the 2011 Forester should simply serve to uphold its current popularity.
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| The Forester can comfortably accommodate four adults, five if need be. (Photo: Subaru Canada) |
Lastly, the Forest boasts a towing capacity of 1,087 kg (2,400 lbs), which is amply sufficient for small campers or trailers used to haul snowmobiles or ATVs.
Self-explanatory success
Thanks to a family-oriented nature, versatile cabin, competitive pricing and pleasant road-going manners, the Forester’s current success is self-explanatory.
The arrival in 2009 of this bigger Forester (which looks more like a “substantial” SUV than its predecessor) sent Subaru’s sales figures skyrocketing. Between 2000 and 2008, the automaker sold an average of 4,000 units each year. Sales have doubled since 2009, hitting the 8,000 milestone. If the trend continues, we’ll see the same numbers in 2010. Subaru Canada’s execs are even more optimistic, estimating that sales could hit the 12,000-unit mark!
These numbers are that much more significant in that they reflect the growing popularity of compact SUVs in Canada. Sales of vehicles like the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are currently exploding, while those of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape remain steady.
In this context, the improvements made to the 2011 Forester should simply serve to uphold its current popularity.
 |
| The very long rear window ensures better rear visibility than most of the competing SUVs. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
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