The Forester features a fairly wide track and long wheelbase, double wishbone rear suspension, very good ground clearance, a tight steering radius with quick steering, and rear doors that swing open nearly 75 degrees. Named a Leading Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Forester achieved a five-star rating in all government crash tests, and a four-star rating for resistance to rolling over.
Introduced as an all-new model for 2009, this is the third generation of the Forester, the best-selling model in the Subaru line. Sales have been outstanding, with Subaru setting an all-time annual sales record in 2010 by a healthy margin, the Legacy Outback closely leading the Forester.
The 2011 Forester X comes standard having a new, chain-driven double overhead-cam engine, this right after many years with its 2.5-liter belt-driven single-overhead-cam engine. It’s the very same 2.five liters and 170 horsepower, but torque is raised 4 foot-pounds and dropped 300 rpm; and it gets 1 more mpg, to an EPA-estimated 21/27 mpg City/Highway. In the course of a week of all-around driving in a Forester 2.5X, we averaged 20.7 mpg. For the PZEV models sold in 13 states, the government’s Global Warming Score rises from 6 to 7, even though the government’s Smog Score remains the exact same at 9.
The Subaru XT models were already twin-cams, and they retain a 224-horsepower engine that runs on Premium fuel and rates 19/24 mpg.
The 2011 Forester Touring is now the flagship of the line. Forester Premium and Forester Limited models upgrade equipment such as sound systems and get all of the correct electronic stuff. Every model but the base 2.5X now comes with Bluetooth. An optional navigation system can be a modest but effective TomTom (removable), which is a lot much less than the choice cost of an integrated navigation system. However, you may have the ability to acquire your personal TomTom on the open marketplace for much less.
The rear seats are split 60/40 and effortlessly fold flat to create a gigantic cargo area capable of carrying plenty of gear. Rear seat legroom is exceptional, at 38.0 inches. That alone is often a huge plus, and it’s one of the reasons the Forester is such a great family vehicle. The front door is wide, and also the rear doors swing open 75 degrees and feel light, making it effortless to obtain in and out.
We drove a turbocharged Forester XT and a Forester Premium with the optional TomTom navigation system. We discovered the TomTom was just as successful for finding around as navigation systems whose option prices are twice as significantly, even though the buttons, combined with the audio system buttons and screen, had been tiny and couple of.
The Forester is supremely secure in its sure-footed handling. It will go around corners like few SUVs, with its all-wheel drive working to grip the road. Subaru excels at all-wheel drive. The Forester has a low center of gravity thanks to its horizontally opposed engine mounted low inside the chassis. The suspension is solid but does not feel too firm, whilst its lengthy travel offers a comfortable ride and much better grip on rough roads. Rack-and-pinion steering assists give the Forester a tight steering radius, similar to the RAV4 and tighter than the CR-V, producing parking and maneuvering straightforward. It all adds up to an enjoyable and capable vehicle to drive.
Model Lineup 2011 Subaru Forester
The 2011 Subaru Forester comes in four trim levels, every with all-wheel drive. The 2.5X models come with the new 170-hp engine; 2.5XT models get the familiar 224-hp turbocharged engine.
Forester 2.5X ($20,495) comes with rugged cloth upholstery, air conditioning with rear vents and an air filtration system, a 60/40 split rear seat, sound system with single-disc CD, height and lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat, cruise control, rear window wiper, along with a trailer wiring connector, and 16-inch steel wheels with wheelcovers. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard. The only alternatives are a 4-speed automatic transmission with manual mode ($1000), and 16-inch alloy wheels and roofrails ($400).
Forester 2.5X Premium ($23,195) adds 17-inch alloy wheels with wider-profile all-season tires, privacy glass, 10-way power driver’s seat, a reclining rear seat with retractable tray, roof rails, power moonroof, and steering wheel audio switches. For 2011, a new audio system consists of AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player and six speakers, auxiliary input jack, Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, iPod control capability, USB port and Sirius satellite radio capability. An all-weather package ($500) consists of heated front seats and side mirrors. The 2.5X Premium with automatic transmission ($24,195) makes obtainable the removable TomTom navigation system ($1095) which includes the all-weather package.
Forester 2.5X Limited ($26,495) features perforated leather seats in black or platinum, seatback storage pockets, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, new sound system with single-disc CD/DVD player with six speakers, automatic climate control, and foglights. It comes with the automatic transmission and cold-weather package as regular. The navigation system ($1800) includes a rear camera and other upgrades.
Forester 2.5X Touring ($27,995) adds HID headlights (low beam) with automatic height adjustment, the new audio system with backup camera and full electronic capabilities, dual zone automatic climate control, silver finish roof rails, electroluminescent gauges, and side mirrors with integrated turn signals. The navigation system ($1600) is much less because the backup camera is regular.
Forester XT Premium ($26,995) and Touring ($29,995) use the much more effective turbocharged engine with 4-speed automatic transmission. They’re distinguished by a hood scoop that takes air for the turbocharger intercoolers. The 2.5XT Premium gets a brand new 10-way power driver’s seat, the new audio system, and body-colored roof spoiler. Regular equipment includes upgraded cloth upholstery, aluminum pedal covers, telescoping steering column, and foglamps. The XT Touring has all of the choices except navigation ($1600).
PZEV models price about $300 more. (All New Auto Test Drive costs are Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Costs, which do not contain destination charge and may possibly alter at any time with out notice.)
Safety equipment on all Foresters includes two-stage frontal airbags, side-impact airbags in front, and airbag curtains; active front head restraints; LATCH child safety seat system; and a tire pressure monitor. All Forester models come with all-wheel drive, Vehicle Dynamics Control with four-wheel traction control and electronic limited slip differential, and anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (which adjusts front-to-rear brake balance as the car’s weight pitches forward under tough braking) and Brake Assist (which applies additional braking, based on how rapidly the driver applies the pedal).
