2010 Subaru Forester Review and Prices

Interior: The 2010 Subaru Forester comes in five trim levels: 2.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5X Limited, and the sportier 2.5XT and 2.5XT Limited. Thought this crossover’s suspension design affords its more ground clearance than many more overtly SUV-like rivals, it doesn’t actually ride much higher than a comparably sized compact car. Besides clearing snow and rocks, the benefit is a nicely elevated seating position for fine outward visibility, further aided by large and upright windows.

The 2010 Subaru Forester’s dashboard is attractively cast in winged motif that reaches upward and outward from the center console. It’s subtly trimmed in silver accents and features what are generally high-quality materials. Nighttime interior accent lighting is a bit over-used but is nonetheless attractive. All versions but the 2.5X base model have a reclining rear seatback and a retractable rear center tray with dual cup holders. A large center console features an iPod connector for the audio system.

Interior room is generous for four adult passengers; a fifth can squeeze in the rear seat, but not happily. The front bucket seats are comfortable and supportive. Rear seat occupants get good head and shoulder room. Knee clearance is more that adequate with the front seats positioned anywhere but all the way rearward. A third-row seat isn’t offered.

The rear seatbacks fold forward on a 60/40-split basis for additional cargo-carrying versatility. With the rear seatbacks upright, Subaru says the cargo area is large enough to accommodate four golf bags or four large suitcases.

Front-side and side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor are standard.

The Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium version features 10-way power front seats, a panoramic power moonroof and assorted interior enhancements.

Available features include a premium 100-watt audio system, XM or Sirius satellite radio, heated front seats, and a GPS navigation system with Bluetooth hands-free cell-phone interface. Unlike many family-oriented crossover wagons, the Forester does not offer a factory installed rear seat DVD entertainment system.

Exterior: The 2010 Subaru Forester is refreshingly devoid of excess body cladding and visual gimmickry. It has a long hood, bold front grille, and headlamps that sweep into the muscular front fenders. The tall and horizontal roofline doesn’t angle downward until it reaches the tailgate, maximizing cargo-bay height.

While it rides higher than a typical sedan or station wagon, ingress and egress into both the front and rear seating areas is easy for adults of all sizes.

Driving: The 2010 Subaru Forester offers two four-cylinder engines, both employing Subaru’s traditional “Boxer” design. This positions cylinders horizontally rather than vertically in a straight line. The sets of pistons oppose one another and their movement gives the engine its “boxer” nickname. Also used in Porsche sports cars, the boxer design helps lower the car’s center of gravity for better handling. The 2010 Subaru Forester 2.5X models have a 2.5-liter engine that generates a peppy 170 horsepower. The 2010 Forester 2.5XT models come with a turbocharged version that produces a livelier 224 horses with only a minor penalty in fuel economy.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard with 2.5X models and we recommended for all but the clutch-averse to wring the most muscle out of the standard powerplant. An automatic transmission is optional on the 2.5X models and standard with the turbocharged 2.5XT versions. Unfortunately, the automatic is a dated four-speed gearbox; most competitors use five- and even six-speed automatics that operate more smoothly and contribute to better fuel economy.

Every 2010 Subaru Forester comes standard with one of two versions of the automaker’s Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system. The systems vary slightly depending on whether the vehicle is equipped with a manual or automatic transmission. Models equipped with the manual gearbox utilize a viscous-coupling locking center differential that normally distributes power to the front and rear axles on a 50:50 basis, transferring more power to the wheels with the best traction if the system detects wheel slippage. With the automatic transmission, an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch manages power distribution more effectively, based on acceleration, deceleration, and available traction.

Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control system that combines stability and traction control is likewise included for added security in emergency handling maneuvers. Also standard are antilock brakes with a Brake Assist function for more controlled stopping power. When fitted with the manual transmission, the Forester includes Incline Start Assist, which helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backward on an incline while the driver is engaging the clutch.

Good front-to-rear weight balance, smart suspension tuning, and a low center of gravity helps the Subaru Forester deliver quick, secure handling. It’s arguably the best-handling compact crossover, even showing up such big names as the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. Forester also has a comfortable, controlled ride that adds to its appeal as the thinking-person’s compact SUV.