Motor Trend reports, "If you're in the market for a safe car, you could do a lot worse than the 2009 Subaru Forester, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)." The Forester, a complete redesign for 2009, "has been recognized by the IIHS as a Top Safety Pick by earning the highest crash safety rating in front, side, and rear impact tests, as well as featuring an electric stability control system -- all requirements for qualification."
Auto Spectator adds, "According to the IIHS, achieving the highest rating is tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements." The IIHS makes the award more difficult to earn every year to push the auto industry to continue making safer cars. For instance, for 2009 the Institute required that vehicles offer electronic stability control to be considered for the award. That's a brand new requirement, but stability control is standard equipment on the Forester.
Kicking Tires notes, "There are a total of 37 Top Safety Picks. 20 are SUVs, but only two other small SUVs -- the Honda CR-V and Honda Element -- rank that high."
Research the Forester and other affordable compact SUVs with U.S. News' car rankings and reviews.
