Subaru Forester Interior Review
One of the first things we noticed about the Forester is that the seating height is comparable to that of a sedan. It doesn't offer that master-of-the-universe driving position that many sport-utility buyers prefer. We don't see this as a negative--expensive sports sedans do not have high seating positions, either, and we like them just fine.
The driver's seat is comfortable and offers a myriad of adjustments. Visibility out front is excellent, a benefit of a low hood and large windshield. All switchgear is easily operated and instruments are straightforward.
There's plenty of headroom front and rear with comfortable seating for four. When the split folding rear seats are down, the Forester offers 64.6 cubic feet of cargo space. That's slightly more than the RAV4, slightly less than the CR-V and nearly 80 percent of what a Ford Explorer offers. It's easy to load cargo into the back of the Forester; the rear gate lifts out of the way and a rubber cargo mat protects the interior.
Subaru's interior trim is as good or better than what's found in the Toyota RAV4 with softer, warmer interior fabrics, though it lacks the design elegance and refinement of the Honda CR-V. The radio controls are on the small side and the windshield wiper motor seems a bit noisy.
Subaru Forester Road Test
We drove the Subaru Forester up and down gravel roads on the western slopes of Washington state's Cascade Mountains, then we spent a week in one around Annapolis, Maryland.
Crisp throttle response and competent handling make the Forester fun to drive. There's more low-rpm torque available for passing and better steering response in transient maneuvers than what's available in the RAV4 and CR-V.
Our Forester S was equipped with the four-speed automatic, which we found to be responsive and a good match for the engine. We have also driven Foresters with the 5-speed manual gearbox, which shifts smoothly and makes the car more fun to drive. The pedal arrangement is such that the Forester can be driven like a sports sedan and this makes it more enjoyable on mountain roads and dirt trails.
Winding gravel roads are the perfect environment for the Forester. The all-wheel-drive system offers predictable handling when sliding around corners yet the suspension offers sufficient damping to soften harsh vibration and big bumps. Subaru's four-wheel MacPherson strut suspension uses soft springs, stiff shocks and relatively long suspension travel to achieve this balance.
The Forester also shines when the sun doesn't, with superb traction and balance on slippery pavement. This is among the best cars on the road in a real downpour.
Subaru Forester Lineup