2009 Subaru Forester: Tester's Comments
2009 Subaru Forester ▼
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- MSRP: $19,995 - $28,195
- Invoice: $18,913 - $26,384
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Find out what the Consumer Guide Automotive testers had to say about the 2009 Subaru Forester. See if the 2009 Subaru Forester is right for you.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5 X Premium |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | 2.5 X |
| Arrival Date: | 10/07/2008 |
| Engine: | sohc H4 |
| Bodystyle | 4-door wagon |
| Transmission: | 4-speed automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | Yes |
| Base Price: | 22,495 |
| Price as Tested: | 25,064 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 4046 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 7711 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 3665 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 60.897 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 23.75 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
4-Speed automatic transmission w/SPORTSHIFT, Popular Equipment 1A (luggage compartment cover, cargo tray, rear bumper cover, splash guard kit), satellite radio
From the Back Seat
Don Sikora
The Subaru Forester is a surprisingly pleasant compact sport utility that offers a great combination of practicality, usability, and good highway fuel economy. Careful selection of trim level and options can leave Forester as one of the better bargains in its class.
Ed Piotrowski
Don't go crazy on the options, and a base Forester 2.5 X or mid-line 2.5 X Premium is a nice alternative to pricier crossovers such as the Saturn Vue or Toyota RAV4. Get a Forester to $25,000 or more, and it becomes less easy to overlook its noisy engine and overall lack of refinement.
John Biel
Despite its changes for 2009, the Forester remains a good choice for people who need some of an SUV's utility but not necessarily all of its capability--and the weight and cost penalties that come with it. Fuel economy in the low-20s with the base engine is another credit in the Forester¿s account.
Rick Cotta
At $19,995 ($1200 more for an automatic), the well-equipped base Forester is an SUV bargain. It's large enough to hold adults comfortably along with plenty of stuff in well-designed cargo areas. Ride and handling are more car-like than in most rivals, and even this slowest of versions--with the base engine and automatic transmission--provides adequate acceleration and decent fuel economy.
Tim Kapustka
The Forester is great! I took it on an 800 mile roundtrip home for Thanksgiving. Over the weekend I shuttled much of my family around, and they all raved about the Sage Green color. On the return trip, I drove for 4 hours through a nasty wintery mix of rain, sleet, then driving snow and the Forester didn't mind a bit and performed like a champion. And you know what, it has a nice radio to top it all off.
Tom Appel
Alas, the quirk is gone. Sorta. Though a little less cute and a lot more mainstream, the new Forester still charms with its patented "boxer" engine growl and mandatory all-wheel-drive. This is a nice truck now, though. Roomy, reasonably frugal, and presumably still fabulous in the snow. The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 a little too common for you? Maybe it's Subie time.
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