2001 Subaru Forester: Overview

Archived Review

2001 Subaru Forester 

Select a Trim ▼

  • MSRP: $20,295 -$23,895
  • Invoice: $18,504 -$21,672

Previous Year's Reviews

View Another Vehicle

Pros

  • Visibility
  • Maneuverability
  • Cargo room

Cons

  • Instruments/controls
  • Rear-seat room

Vehicle Highlights

Subaru creates this compact SUV by placing a tall wagon body atop the platform used by its 1993-2001-generation Impreza subcompact car. Forester comes in L, uplevel S, and S w/Premium Package models. All have a horizontally opposed 4-cyl engine, manual or automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. Standard are ABS, air conditioning, and power windows/locks/mirrors. The S model adds 4-wheel disc brakes, heated seats, heated mirrors, and intermittent wipers with de-icers. S Premium Package adds front side airbags. Leather upholstery is optional.

COMPETITION

Ignored in the past, compact SUVs are now some of the hottest-selling vehicles around. Though our Best Buy Honda CR-V doesn't offer true off-road ability and has milquetoast acceleration, it does mix ride comfort, cargo capacity, and versatility with all-weather traction.

Another car-based mini-SUV, the Subaru Forester, is our Recommended choice. Like the CR-V it doesn't have a low range for serious off-road use, it blends excellent on-road manners with SUV styling.

New this year are the Ford Escape and clone Mazda Tribute. We have been very impressed with early production models and may elevate these two to Best Buys after we get more seat time.

Advertisement

Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)

Category S, auto. Rating Compact Sport-utility Vehicle Average Rating
Acceleration 4 3.5
Fuel Economy 6 4.8
Ride Quality 5 3.4
Steering/Handling/Braking 5 3.9
Quietness 5 3.2
Controls 5 4.9
Details
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 5 4.9
Room/Comfort (rear) 3 3.5
Cargo Room 7 6.8
Value within Class 8 4.7
Total Score: 53 43.6

Car Buying Resources

Trade-in Calculator

Research how much your car is truly worth.

Trade-in Calculator

Used Cars

Search online classifieds and find a local dealer.

Search Local Listings

Vehicle History Report

Get a CARFAX Vehicle History Report. The first...

Get a CARFAX report

What's Under the Hood?

Learn about how cars work.

Learn Things

Insurance

We're dedicated to making insurance easier.

Get Insurance

Sell Your Car

Reach over 8 million buyers.

Sell Your Car

Search
Local Listings


to

submit

Vehicle
History Report

CARFAX

FREE CARFAX Record Check

Looking at a used car, check for costly hidden problems before
you buy.

Go
Advertisement
Advertisement