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2008 Subaru Forester Review Summary The 2009 All Wheel drive Subaru Forrester has been redesigned with improvements to style and roominess and is ranked number 1 by Allcarguides.com.com Affordable Compact SUV category. This was the first redesign since 2003 model and there are significant improvements to exterior and interior style, roominess and handling in the new Forrester which has a more mainstream and less quirky exterior style. But unlike other cars, the Subaru has not grown too significantly in exterior length and weight the changes and SUV – like styling are unlikely to upset the Subaru Forrester loyalists was the general consensus of most reviewers. But most of these loyalists are likely to wonder why Subaru is not closer to the cutting edge on mileage, hybrid and emissions. The 2009 Forester sites on a 103.0-inch wheelbase, which is 3.6 inches longer than prior model and it is also 3 inches longer overall reaching 179 inches, about an inch taller and has more ground clearance now reaching 8.9 inches. Though only a few inches longer, Subaru managed to create a much roomier interior experience than prior Forrester model. Leg room is significantly better and cargo space is just about best in its class according to LA Times and others. The Subaru Forrester is available in the following trims: 2.5X, 2.5X Limited, 2.5XT and 2.5XT Limited. The Forester 2.5X has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder “Bower” engine that produces170 horsepower and 170 torque while the Forester XT comes with a turbocharged added to this same “Boxer” engine that produces 224 hp and 226 torque. Mileage in the Subaru Forrester 2.5x is 20/26 mpg, city/highway, for the non-turbo and 19/24 mpg for the turbo). The Forrester has 8.9 inches of clearance, though without a low-gearing range that is meant to allow trucks to drive very slowly under full control, can handle moderately rough terrain compared to the more stylish competition such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4 but certainly can not compare to a Jeep Wrangle in off-road handling. Starting at $20,000 and getting to $26,000 the 2009 Subaru Forrester is a relatively inexpensive car for the money.
2008 Subaru Forester Review Handling Most reviewers remarked that the 2008 Forrester handles better on curves then prior model. As noted by Caranddriver and others, the Forrester has better handled and cornering in particular due in part to its new unequal-length control-arm rear suspension which is borrowed from the '08 Impreza. The 2.5X is competitive with other four-cylinder compact crossover SUVs. Performance with the turbocharged engine is brisk and makes accelerating onto highways much less nerve racking than the non-turbo. Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD is aptly named “symmetrical” since its components, including the low-mounted, squarish Boxer engine, that has side-to-side and front-to-rear balance that should be better than most other AWD systems. This system uses a limited-slip center differential to send power to all wheels simultaneously and to constantly adjust the amount of torque sent to each wheel to provide maximum grip on slick surfaces
2008 Subaru Forester Review Safety The 2009 Forrester has standard safety features such as antilock brakes with brake assist, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags. Also comes with a roll-over sensor. Features such as upgraded all-wheel-drive system as well as standard stability and traction systems, ABS, a new double-wishbone rear suspension, a stronger chassis dubbed the Subaru Dynamic Chassis Control Concept should all help make the Subaru Forrester feel safer and avoid nasty encounters with other cars.
2008 Subaru Forester Noteworthy The 2009 Subaru Forrester comes in a automatic and fours speed automatic transmission is a disadvantage when compared to the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4 which come with a five speed automatic transmission. The interior style is much improved and both passenger and cargo area (grew by 5 inches) than prior model and competitive with Toyota RAV-4 and Honda CR-V. Most reviewers remarked that Subaru made a big mistake in equipping the Forrester with a four-speed automatic that reduces performance in all trims and engines which degrades performance and probably mileage as well and is not competitive with other cars in its class.
