2009 Subaru Forester Car Review Video
Monday, March 23rd, 2009We recently tested the re-designed 2009 Subaru Forester. The ‘09 Forester boasts a new look, from the front to the back and also gained a few inches of ground clearance for those who like to explore off of the beaten path. Despite the new higher ground clearance, the Forester still has the lowest center of gravity in its class, where its main competitors are the ever-popular Honda CR-V and Toyota Rav-4.
This rugged SUV from Subaru comes with two engine options. We tested the 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine that produced 170 horsepower at 6,000 rpm 170 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm mated to a manual transmission. The other option is the 4-cylinder turbo engine from the WRX sedan, mated to an automatic transmission. Yes, that’s right, a turbo paired to an automatic transmission. Subaru, unfortunately, will not offering turbo motors with manual transmission in Foresters.
Everything about the 2009 Forester is practical, from the gas mileage, to the interior features and price. For an SUV, the Forester does not disappoint in its fuel economy numbers, getting 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The interior design has also improved with nice features like the over-sized sunroof and consideration for backseat passengers with the sliding cupholders and ample legroom. Lastly, and in the current economy, most importantly, the cost of the Subaru Forester can almost be called cheap, starting at a base price of $22,495 and an as-tested tag of $24,011.
