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Subaru Forester - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Subaru Forester ranks 7 out of 21 Affordable Compact SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 42 published reviews and test drives of the Subaru Forester, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Redesigned in 2009, the third-generation Subaru Forester rides smoother and looks better than ever before. The cabin is considerably quieter than before, with a stylish dashboard reminiscent of the Subaru Impreza. For 2010, the Forester is largely unchanged but gets a small bump in price -- the 2010 base model sees a $300 increase over the 2009 model.

"Forester is a reasonably priced alternative to compact SUV bellwethers such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4," says Consumer Guide. "It's noisier and less refined than those rivals, and its interior ambiance is a step behind that of other recently redesigned crossovers. Still, Forester offers good fuel economy and lots of features for the money, with the 2.5X and 2.5X Premium being the strongest values."

The Forester comes in slightly different trim designations for 2010 -- the base 2.5 X, 2.5 X Premium, 2.5 X Limited, and the turbocharged 2.5 XT Premium and 2.5 XT Limited. As is the case with all Subarus, the Forester is standard with all-wheel drive.

• "For 2009, the Forester has undergone a redesign that has made it larger, more SUV-like, and, well, more normal. And although the new Forester looks a lot different from the previous model, it manages to retain many of its predecessors' strengths while expanding its appeal." -- Automobile Magazine
• "The actor playing the role of the 2009 Forester could be George Clooney instead of George Plimpton. Trust me, you're going to give it a double take: It's bigger. It's better mannered. It's cloaked in an okay suit of sheetmetal. Thank heavens, it's still amusing and playful, but now it'll even catch the eye of the opposite sex in the room." -- Motor Trend
• "In the end, you can make rational arguments for RAV4 and CR-V, but neither has the mix of appealing personality, sophisticated AWD, straightforward presentation and carlike manners that give the new Forester exceptional allure." -- USA Today
• "Other than the sound system, we found nothing to dislike about the Forester, and would recommend one to any consumer who is joining the trend toward cross over vehicles. It's well made, the four-wheel drive will come in handy in wet and snowy weather, and the price is right." -- MarketWatch
• "Subaru has spent 11 years building up customer good will for the Forester, and there's nothing about the new model that will threaten that. Nothing at all." -- Orlando Sentinel

Forester Performance - 8.3 (Very Good)

The 2010 Subaru Forester's performance is sporty and refined for its class. "We spent half a day driving over steep and rutted dirt roads on Catalina Island, and the Forester was dazzling in its sure-footedness and comfortable ride, never once whimpering in the face of abuse," says New Car Test Drive. However, the praise doesn't carry through to the four-speed transmission, which many reviewers have complaints about. Read More

Forester Exterior - 7.8 (Good)

Since its 2009 redesign, the Forester looks less like a wagon and more like an SUV. This brings out mixed reviews. "With this redesign, the Forester has finally shed its dorky appearance and donned a handsome (if somewhat derivative) new suit of sheetmetal," says Automobile Magazine. Read More

Forester Interior - 8.0 (Very Good)

With its spacious cargo room and back seat, the Forester's interior receives excellent reviews. However reviewers still have one or two gripes, mostly concerning the quality of cabin materials. "Forester's cabin feels decidedly lower quality than the premium atmosphere Subaru wants to portray," writes Consumer Guide. "The overall ambiance is on par with class rivals." Read More

Forester Safety - 9.9 (Excellent)

The redesigned Subaru Forester does well in federal government crash tests and is an insurance industry "Top Safety Pick." It offers plenty of safety features, including new curtain side-impact air bags. Read More

Forester Reliability - 7.0 (Good)

The 2010 Subaru Forester reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Forester comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. Read More