1999 Subaru Forester Sport Utility Vehicle Reviews & Ratings

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. Being closer to the ground means a lower center of gravity for better handling. That's why expensive sports cars and sports sedans don't offer high seating positions.

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. Controls have been revised this year for easier operation, though this wasn't really a problem before. Instruments are straightforward and easy to read. A windshield wiper de-icer prevents freezing.

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.

Interior trim comes in softer, warmer fabrics than the Toyota RAV4, though it lacks the design elegance and refinement of the Honda CR-V. The seats have been improved this year for more lateral support and comfort. Subaru's radio controls are on the small side.

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 on the curving rural roads outside 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 driven the Forester with a 5-speed manual, which makes it more fun to drive and provides more precise control. 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. Hitting big bumps in the middle of a turn won't upset the handling.

The Forester provides superb traction and balance on slippery pavement. This is among the best cars on the road in a real downpour. Heated front seats, heated outside mirrors, windshield wiper deicers help make the Forester feel at home in the snow and ice.