This is a review based on a weekend (and about 300 miles) of combined city and highway driving of a base-model Forester with the 4 cylinder engine.

The first thing that surprises you about the Forester is how big it actually is inside.  This is hardly a full-size SUV, but it's hard to tell that from the inside.  There is lots of leg room in both front and back, the roof line is quite high, giving the entire interior a feeling of very light spaciousness.  Even the cargo area is quite reasonably sized. 

The fit and finish level of the interior seems first-rate.  There is not a mis-aligned gap or shoddy piece of switch gear to be found.  However, the dash has a generous helping of cheap-looking, hard plastic, giving the interior a very utilitarian feel.   

Around town, the 4 cylinder engine provides uninspiring, but perfectly adequate performance.  Despite the fact that this is a fairly large, heavy car, it doesn't feel particularly sluggish with the 4 cylinder when driving around town. 

However, on the highway, the 4 cylinder is really overtaxed.  With 4 people in the car, going 65mph required the automatic to downshift on every hill, just to keep pace.  The engine regularly raced up to 4-5,000 RPM to maintain the speed limit.  At those RPMs the engine starts to get a bit buzzy and is definitely much too loud for comfortable highway cruising. 

In town, this is a pretty quiet car inside, but the amount of wind noise entering the cabin increases rather suddenly when you reach highway speeds.  Between the constant racing of the engine and the general level of wind noise, I'd have to say this isn't a particularly good highway car.  These shortcomings are unfortunate, because Subaru has the makings of an excellent highway car here.  The ride, while hardly plush, is really quite good for an SUV, and the big, comfortable seats and large, airy cabin would make for an otherwise excellent place to spend a day on the road. 

The car is much better slowing down than it is going fast.  The brakes work well - with good grip and nice progression.  The handling is also pretty good for an SUV.  It is no sports car, but it feels solidly planted and inspires confidence.  The Forester doesn't have huge body roll or tend to wallow about like many SUVs. 

The lights, both high and low beams, are excellent.  Apparently, Subaru realizes they sell the state car of New Hampshire & Vermont - where rural drivers really need good, strong lights to spot deer etc.

The AC keeps up with temps in the low 90's, but it's hardly a powerhouse.  The Forester has an awfully big greenhouse for the AC to cool, and my sense of its relative power makes me wonder whether it could really keep up if things got much hotter.  This wouldn't be my first choice for a car to take across Death Valley in August. 

My weekend in the Forester was in the summer, in good weather, so I can't comment on the 4 wheel drive system, other than to say it doesn't seem to exact a huge mileage penalty.  The on-board computer told us we were achieving 25 mpg on regular gas.  For a car with this much room inside and all the weight of a 4WD system, that's really quite good. 

So would I buy this car?  No, I'm afraid not.  I do too much highway driving to live with a car that is this underpowered at highway speeds.  I'd opt for the V6, and pay the mileage penalty that entails.  But if you rarely venture onto the interstate, this is a compelling value.  It's a perfectly fine choice for two-lanes and cities, with relatively good mileage, great room and a very nice ride for an SUV.  
Amount Paid (US$): N/A
Condition: New
Model Year: 2009