My mother-in-law is all about safety.
Living alone in somewhat rural Indiana — where severe weather is a certainty — means she understandably wants a car that is reliable, sturdy and powerful.
Ever since Subaru introduced the Forester in 1998, the car has won a host of awards and critical acclaim.
» Engine: 2.5-liter SOHC aluminum-alloy,16-valve horizontally opposed Subaru Boxer engine with i-Active Valve Lift System
» Transmission: Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic
» MSRP: From $20,295
It’s little wonder the automaker opted to make no significant changes between the 2009 and 2010 models. Why mess around with something that doesn’t need fixing?
Let’s start with the exterior of the Forester 2.5X my mother-in-law chose. The car’s a substantial — but not oversized — 179.5 inches long and 70.1 inches wide. It’s got a classic look but has some stylish flourishes including roof rails and large, angled windows that give excellent all-around vision with virtually no blind spots.
As you’d expect, the inside is spacious, with 41.6 inches of front headroom and 43.1 inches of front legroom. The back seat offers a generous 40.4 inches of headroom and 38 inches of legroom. Plus the model boasts large door openings and 60/40-split folding rear seats so loading and unloading large items is fairly easy.
The Forester also gives a solid, steady drive thanks to the 2.5 liter, four-cylinder engine that’s available in either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. There are all types of different options, but suffice to say there are different all-wheel drive systems that haul through snow, slush and all kinds of nasty elements.
Almost everyone knows that Subaru is synonymous with safety, and the Forester is no different, with a host of five-star crash test ratings. A rollover sensor that deploys the side curtain airbags (to prevent ejection in case of rollover), side impact torso airbags, active head restraints, and anti-lock brakes and an electronic stability system with traction control are all standard.
Although gas prices are down, fuel economy is important to many. The Forester rates 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
The automaker redesigned the model in 2009. That has given this third-generation Forester a quieter, smoother ride with a stylish dashboard.
The Subaru Forester is perfect for those who want safety, reliability and a dash of style for drivers of all nature.
