http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4157/subaruforestersideviewot0.jpg

After weeks of rigorous testing, analysis, and subjective input, one thing was clear: the Subaru Forester is a knock out.


So how does a small, quirky, former airplane manufacturer from the Gunma prefecture of Japan finish first among surprise offerings from established players and bold moves by newcomers? How does it beat a chest-thumping, head-turning macho mobile known as the BMW X6 (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2009/bmw/x6/index.html)? How, when Ford (http://www.motortrend.com/new_cars/01/ford/index.html) wraps stylish sheetmetal around a Gulfstream V interior and calls it Flex (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2009/ford/flex/index.html)? How can it win, when Kia (http://www.motortrend.com/new_cars/01/kia/index.html) serves notice to the entire category with its own body-on-frame, V-8-powered Borrego (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2009/kia/borrego/index.html), and Infiniti (http://www.motortrend.com/new_cars/01/infiniti/index.html) conjures up seven-speed transmissions and jaw-dropping bird's-eye-view monitoring systems?


Just how does the Subaru Forester do it?


Let's start with the humble powertrain. On paper, it's nothing new or particularly special; all Forester models receive a version of the 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder found in the Impreza (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2009/subaru/impreza/index.html) sedan. Transmission options are even less stunning: a carried-over five-speed manual or four-speed automatic for entry-level 2.5X models; auto only if you opt for the turbocharged 2.5XT variant.
Full article: http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/112_0812_2009_subaru_forester_suv_of_the_year/index.html

SPORT/UTILITY OF THE YEAR VIDEOS:

The Contenders (http://www.motortrend.com/av/features/112_0810_2009_suv_of_the_year_contenters_video/index.html)
Instrument Testing (http://www.motortrend.com/av/features/112_0810_2009_suv_of_the_year_instrument_testing/index.html)
The Road Course (http://www.motortrend.com/av/features/112_0810_2009_motor_trend_suv_of_the_year_road_cou rse_video/index.html)
The Judging (http://www.motortrend.com/av/features/112_0810_2009_motor_trend_suv_of_the_year_judging_ video/index.html)
The Winner (http://www.motortrend.com/av/features/112_0810_2009_subaru_forester_suv_of_the_year_vide o/index.html)

Man I wish we got the STi Forester over here.

Wow, this is good for Subaru

+1 Forester STi that car is about the only car I'd trade my Impreza STi in for

build a Forester STi!

I love my Forester.

I really hope Nasioc doesn't become just another mouthpiece for the media. I've enjoyed the "outsider" articles of the site over the years, but the last thing I want to see every time I come to this site is packaged content from a large media outlet. I can go to their website if I want to see the same old content that has been available at corner magazine stands for years. Where is the subaru-specific deeper content that Nasioc has done so well with?

Frank

Fail^ if you don't want to read the "packaged content", don't click on it. The other "subaru-specific" content is still here, but you can't expect things to not change as the subaru world gets larger. More money and sales for Subaru is a good thing no matter how you spin it. We don't want to end up like mitsubishi and close down all the dealers, do we?

looks like a caravan from the 90's in the back :(

Here's a glowing review by our local newspaper, with a very good video also:

New Forester Review by Jay Binneweg (http://www.santafenewmexican.com/DriveMagazine/Expand-you-world-view-in-the-new-Subaru-Forester)

Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wmn9VWC-ww)

can I have the sti drivetrain in one of those mazda 6's?

I think its cool motor-tread joined up nasioc, cool that the forester won! its won awards before in the past

Club SiL makes a good point...or two. Toyota money, combined with increased exposure/sales, may help our 'quirky' vehicles to prosper. As long as the aforementioned don't turn the Forester into a RAV4/Highlander clone.
'Personality' continues to get us to purchase Subies. Money aside, for our NINETH Subaru, the 'cubist shaped' CPO '7 Sports XT was purchased instead of the new body style as I/we are still getting used to the new 'shape'. The '9 is an improvement in several ways, but, as far as appearance, the wife thinks the '9 looks similar to a lot of the other new crossover/small suvs already out there.

They are stepping it up since the 08' line. I'm pleased to see that!

The 08' WRX/Forester should just stop being made now...

More money for the 09' STI ;)

Quarter mile in 2.2! (http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/112_0812_2009_subaru_forester_suv_of_the_year/specs.html) I want one now! :banana:

-AndyW

the wife and I tried the Forester along with some others before we bought our CRV. The Forester just didn't ride and feel as nice as the CRV

Good Review I am happy with it but I wanted the older style look...

I want the 2.0D in STI trim. :devil:

turbo-diesel boxer that can handle, look good, and go fast FTW.

They look so plain. :(

Once again, Motortrend is a crap rag and a disgrace to this site. I would take any opinion they offer with less than a grain of salt.

Club SiL makes a good point...or two. Toyota money, combined with increased exposure/sales, may help our 'quirky' vehicles to prosper. As long as the aforementioned don't turn the Forester into a RAV4/Highlander clone.
'Personality' continues to get us to purchase Subies. Money aside, for our NINETH Subaru, the 'cubist shaped' CPO '7 Sports XT was purchased instead of the new body style as I/we are still getting used to the new 'shape'. The '9 is an improvement in several ways, but, as far as appearance, the wife thinks the '9 looks similar to a lot of the other new crossover/small suvs already out there.

Not opposed to subaru going mainstream, getting more sales, reaching a broader audience, or anything else that represents success for subaru.

What I am opposed to is content and funding coming to this site via organizations like Source Interlink (former Primedia mags) and Hachette. There is a painful lack of depth, content, and accuracy in the publications on newstands today because that's what sells. What I fear is that the more this content appears on Nasioc's front page, the more it distracts from better, more in-depth, more subaru-specific content that will NEVER be published by a mainstream magazine.

Frank

build a Forester STi!

I love my Forester.

Work in progress:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/kamil212/SJ9skKZBANI/AAAAAAAACqI/BKe7vf-Hifc/s800/IMG_1819.JPG

The proof is in the pudding! Forester sales are up like 200% in a crap car market. I like my "quirky" 08 FSXT. Just look at what the Cayenne has done for Porsche. It's a cash cow that allows them to explore and develop great new missles like the GT3 RS...

yay! go Subaru!

Thats sexy as hell Kamil212.

did you read the end of the article? 2.0l Turbo-Diesel being released in Europe. DO WANT!!!

Work in progress:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/kamil212/SJ9skKZBANI/AAAAAAAACqI/BKe7vf-Hifc/s800/IMG_1819.JPG
oh my god! that a great looking FXT and stock for the most part right? I'm actually thinking about trading/selling my GC for an 08 or 09 model now.

oh my god! that a great looking FXT and stock for the most part right? I'm actually thinking about trading/selling my GC for an 08 or 09 model now.

Stock with a lot of suspension work and STi turbo/tmic/scoop

Quarter mile in 2.2! (http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/112_0812_2009_subaru_forester_suv_of_the_year/specs.html) I want one now! :banana:

-AndyW

hahaha and the non-turbo can do it only .2 secs slower! ROCKET speed :P :lol:

damn that forester is sicc

PRoN should do a comparison of what they think is the best when compared to the competition of the 2009 WRX, (lancer ralliart, MS3 etc.).


actually, i'd really like to see that. in fact, i might even set up some test drives and report back. hmmmm....

Sport ute of the year, that's what's up!

Work in progress:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/kamil212/SJ9skKZBANI/AAAAAAAACqI/BKe7vf-Hifc/s800/IMG_1819.JPG

That is hawt!! I'd rock that in a heartbeat :banana::banana:

The new Foresters are bangin.

Can we have a twin turbo h6 STI forester please.

That diesel with a 6sp would be awesome. I could definitely consider that for a family vehicle. I think the diesel fits the personality of the Forester better than any of the other vehicles, but Subaru could use it across the board for CAFE requirements.

The proof is in the pudding! Forester sales are up like 200% in a crap car market. I like my "quirky" 08 FSXT. Just look at what the Cayenne has done for Porsche. It's a cash cow that allows them to explore and develop great new missles like the GT3 RS...

I gotta agree. Personally, I don't dig the restyle... it looks like every other "cute ute" out there now. However, it's hard to argue with the numbers and it appears that the fat middle of the car-buying bell curve says they like that look. Guess that's why everyone makes them look like that.

I wish Subaru had called is something else and kept kept the classic shoebox shape for the Forester, but I don't run the show. They probably figured that pushing the Impreza wagon and the shoebox and the same time split the market too finely.

Kamik212: That's exactly what I'd want to get/build for "my wife's" Forester. Or, makes me almost wish I'd waited a year and got the FXT instead of my WRX wagon. Either way, it's a bitchin' ride you got.

Wow they really watered down this vehicle. From the 2004 it got slower every year. From zero to sixty in 5.3 to 7.2. No sti version I guess.

go subaru! i was upset when they ditched the more wagon feel, but hey if its gonna help out subaru that is always a plus! and i also agree with marcmtb35 on this one.

Man I wish we got the STi Forester over here.

My 2009 Forester XT Limited with Navigation sounds just like an STi w/ the WRX ('08 4-door) SPT exhaust.

Videos:

In-car driving: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wghoLP-uL-I

Outside revving: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05PV5bORjJE


My thoughts on my new Forester XT:

My 2009 Forester XT feels equally as quick as my 2005 Legacy GT Limited (automatic). I have to say that I am extremely happy with my 2009 Forester XT. I used to wait eagerly for my multitude of automotive magazine subscriptions to come each month. Now, I could care less. I have no desire to have any other vehicle anymore.

If I have any desire for anything, it would be for some mod stuff, like a set of dedicated winter tires/wheels, summer tires, rear sway bar, drop in high flow air filter. It's more of a wish list, than something I feel like I need. In its current form, I am thrilled to death with it.

The SPT exhaust makes me grin each time I drive it. Today, I was heading home from Manhattan, and drove through a couple of tunnels. I lowered my window, put her in manual mode, and ran though first and second. The sound of it echoing though the tunnel was awesome!!!!

I had 4 adults in it today as well, with all of our luggage from our cruise. Four suitcases fit inside it without any issue, and the two overweight adults in the back were very comfortable, and praised it up and down.

The four speed auto is geared very well. Yes, it can use a gear or two more, but I don't miss it. Believe it or not, I never find it in a dead spot. It always seems to be exactly where it needs to be in.

Any changes I'd like to see added from Subaru? I'd like to see Subaru offer the SPT exhaust as an option for the Forester XT. The fitment of the '08 WRX (4-door) SPT exhaust is perfect, and is a direct bolt-on. Other than that, I am happy with everything else with my new Forester. It erased 4 lackluster years of my 2005 Legacy GT.

I have already driven a few times through Manhattan with my new '09 Forester, and also driven on some dirt/gravel roads as well. I find it a very comfortable vehicle on all road conditions (haven't driven in snow yet). My last Subaru ('05 Legacy GT) was downright abusive on roads with tons of potholes. Well, it was too harsh on anything but freshly paved roads. This new Forester absorbs bumps and potholes with ease, and is a pleasure to drive on roads that turned the Legacy into an abusive penalty box.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with it. When I was waiting for my '09 Forester XT, I had often wondered if I was making a huge step down. Now that I have it, I feel like I made a huge step up.

awesome!!!! finally subaru is getting some recognition!

werd
+1 on a STI variant!!!!

bring on the Forester or Legacy 2.0D

I am completely impressed with the Forester. Not too big, not too small. My first wagon was a Tercel 4WD, so the Forester feels like that car grown up. I enjoy my little GL wagon project, but have started looking at the '98s for a good deal at tax time. My wife drives the GX mostly, so getting her to put a few less miles on it with a Forester would be a perfect complimentary car. She is a pro photographer, and from what we have seen the Forester would be well-suited to the task. It just needs a big Rocket Box on top for the bulky stands. Maybe a 6" PVC tube to hold backdrops. The turbo is nice, though the NA has adequate power to keep up for us. Still pining for a diesel as well...

Deffinate THUMBS UP on the 2.0TD

+1 Forester STi that car is about the only car I'd trade my Impreza STi in for

Doesn't come turbo and 5 speed at the same time :(

Doesn't come turbo and 5 speed at the same time :(

oops, sorry I misread, i thought you said the FXT my bad!

STi forester would kick ass.