Consumer Report - From the logbook: Subaru Forester

I think it’s fair to say that the Forester is a model many of us recommend to friends and family. For years, it has consistently ranked among the best small SUVs and, as my colleague Tom Mutchler pointed out, is one of the most searched vehicles on our website. The non-turbo versions also have years of better-than-average reliability, making them one of the better used car choices.

Our $25,720 2.5X Premium version--the most popular trim-line--has a few thousand miles under its belt and is in steady demand as the winter months creep in.

Since there seems to be a lot of interest in this model, to be charitable in this holiday season, we thought it would be decent of us to give up a little more of what we know about the Forester.

Here’s a look inside the logbook:

“Bit too much body roll to be sporty, but rides very nicely.”

“Engine feels like it has more reserve than our family’s 2002 model.”

“Automatic transmission is not smooth and can be considered primitive by today’s standards.”

“Comfortable and smooth ride, but a bit noisy.”

“Quick seat heaters are especially nice on cold, 35-degree morning.”

“Seat fits me really well…230-mile trip in one go with no body aches and stiffness.”

“Fit and finish might not be fabulous, but what $25K small SUV is?”

“Maybe the worst stock sound system I’ve heard in 20 years. Radio reception is awful and the speakers sound flat, lifeless and muddy.

“Super practical and easy to live with.”

“Simple and easy to drive.”

“Handy size with a big, well-shaped cargo area.”

“I usually love the Forester, but it feels rather cheap these days.”

“I think I’d take a RAV4. The Forester is nice, but the four-speed automatic transmission belongs in a museum.”

So while it’s clear that the Forester still has its fans, the small SUV is showing its age. Even with the new base engine for 2011, we’re not sure the car has improved all that much. But it still has lots to offer and does many things well. Stay tuned for more--including a full road test--on this popular vehicle.

Read More: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/12/from-the-logbook-subaru-forester.html

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Subaru Rally Team USA Test Session: Car Acclimatization Program for New Driver David Higgins

Watch as David Higgins, new teammate to Dave Mirra at Subaru Rally Team USA for 2011, gets acquainted with his Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car for the very first time. The test session was conducted at the team's proving grounds in upstate NY during the week of November 29, 2010. Road conditions were less than ideal due to a severe storm system having passed through the previous day.

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Subaru offers TomTom navigation on 2011 Forester, Impreza

Portable navigation companies are fast becoming original equipment suppliers, providing software and/or hardware to car companies looking to offer contemporary route guidance at an attainable price. Subaru is now offering integrated TomTom navigation devices on the Forester and Impreza. This strategy hands navigation development to an industry expert, leaving Subaru to design in a cradle, power supply, and audio system connections. In the end, the customer benefits from a modern navigator at a price well below those of typical, in-dash systems.

Given the long, multi-year development cycles that cars have, an automaker would be challenged to keep up with the pace of the GPS market, where a new generation product is introduced about every six months. In fact, even though it went on sale this fall, the TomTom Go 720 that is the basis for this system could be considered two generations old, with a newer Go 730 taking its place and the impressive Go 2405 taking over as the latest flagship portable navigator. Both devices retail for $299. (See our GPS ratings and buying advice.)


The integrated, 4.3-inch TomTom unit routes audio through the car speakers, and it mutes the stereo system when issuing navigation guidance. Plus, it adds Bluetooth connectivity and audio input. It remains a portable, removable unit,  and with an available mount and power cord, the TomTom device could be used in another car. However, it cannot be readily replaced in the vehicle with a newer TomTom device down the road. Due to the design, a replacement would likely include the double-DIN cradle, as well.

Subaru is not the first to explore this strategy. Toyota offered a 4Runner with similar integration, and Suzuki offers a flip-up Garmin in the SX4. We wouldn't be surprised to see this trend continue, and our talks with major navigations providers suggest it will.

Read More: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/11/subaru-offers-tomtom-navigation-on-2011-forester-impreza.html


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