Motor Trend drives the 2009 Subaru Forester, and reports, "The latest, third generation of Subaru's cult 'ute has dramatically pulled out its earplugs to its naysayers and made the changes that had to be made." The 2009 Forester is larger than any of its predecessors, and "without a doubt, the majority of Forester shoppers are going to do a little jig when they see the greater capacity." Despite the larger size, "the Forester's always delightful steering feel" is still present. On the road, the two engine options "nicely balance the Forester's roughly 100 pound weight gain." In addition, the Forester boasts "significant new safety features at base prices lowered from $700 to $1200, depending on powertrain and trim."
Jalopnik also drove the Forester, and agrees that the 2009 model is "a definite improvement that serves up outstanding value while coming off as more capable than the competition when the going gets rugged." They find that "some aspects of the interior, such as the available perforated leather seats and the enlarged moon roof, are quite nice." However, they grant the 2009 Forester only two of five stars for both its audio system and its interior gadgetry, adding, "If there's an Achilles Heel, this is it."
Canada's Auto123 has mostly praise for the Forester as well, concluding, "In the Forester's rebirth, Subaru's goal was to enhance the vehicle's SUV characteristics in an effort to meet the needs of an ‘active lifestyle.' Goal met. In doing so, they also took the Forester upscale and uptown."
The current Forester ranks #3 in U.S. News' rankings of affordable compact SUVs.
