2000 Subaru Forester: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

A trimmed lineup is the main change to the 2000 Forester, a "hybrid" that blends attributes of passenger cars and sport-utility vehicles. Forester is based on Subaru's Impreza station wagon, but has a taller stance in the mode of a traditional SUV.
The base-trim model is dropped for 2000, leaving L and uplevel S models. Both retain a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine. Manual transmission is standard, automatic optional. Like all Subarus, Forester has standard all-wheel-drive designed to sense wheel slip and send power to the wheels with the most traction. Forester is not intended for serious off-road use, however, and its AWD system lacks low-range gearing.
Antilock brakes are standard on both models, but the S has 4-wheel discs, along with 16-inch alloy wheels instead of the L's 15-inch steel rims. The L gains standard cruise control for 2000, while the S adds a standard limited-slip differential.

COMPETITION

Ignored in the past, compact SUVs are now some of the hottest-selling vehicles around. The two current Best Buys are the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. Though they don't offer true off-road ability, they mix the best ride, cargo, and comfort characteristics with all-weather traction.
Toyota's RAV4 , which used to be a Best Buy, falls to Recommended based on its noisy engine and cramped rear seating area. Toyota hopes that will change when an all-new RAV arrives in 2001.
As immovable as Mt. Rushmore, the Jeep Wrangler continues as our Budget Buy in this segment. Though it has become a status symbol of late, it's most at home crawling over rocks and fording river beds.