Why Choose the Subaru Forester?

Compact crossovers are the best-selling vehicles in the U.S. They make up the largest vehicle category as well, with at least 18 competing models from mainstream brands and another 15 or so luxury models.  With so many models out there, why should you choose the Subaru Forester from Subaru of Rochester?  There are several reasons.

But first, a little background.  The Forester dates back to 1997.  Subaru already had crossover success with the Outback.  But the Outback lacked one thing many wanted in a crossover, which is a high seating position, known as the hip-point or H-point in the industry.  The Forester was created from the bones of the Outback to provide the hip point, subsequent higher roof, and the other SUV proportions that people expected from a crossover model. The Forester was the first dedicated crossover model from a brand that had essentially created the crossover blueprint decades before “Crossover” became an automotive term.

Today, the Forester is in its 5th design generation.  But what you see through all five designs is a dedication to utility and practicality.  Those might not be terms that make your heart skip a beat.  But they and the engineering values behind them are what keep owners loving their vehicles long after the payments have ended and the doors have been dinged.  The Forester is built for long-term satisfaction.

Capability First

Long a believer in all-wheel drive, Subaru applied its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive to every Forester made.  The term “symmetrical” applies to the fact that all Foresters have a longitudinally mounted engine, behind which is the transmission and then the driveshaft.  Seen from above, the drivetrain is perfectly symmetrical and balanced. This is in contrast to almost all of its competitors, which have transverse-mounted engines with the transmission to one side.  Having room for this without a long hood is one advantage of the compact 2.5-liter Boxer engine configuration used almost exclusively by Subaru. Another advantage is an engine with a significantly lower center of gravity as the crankshaft emerges from the center of the engine, rather than below it, allowing the entire engine to be mounted lower.  

Subaru also has a long history with continuously variable transmissions, which can always match the perfect ratio to the conditions without the inefficiency of gear changing, and has applied this knowledge to the Forester.

Adding to its all-wheel drive experience, Subaru applies X-MODE, which uses lower gear ratios to generate extra power at the wheels that have grip and deactivates the transmission’s lock-up clutch to better direct power to slipping wheels.  The result increases traction and control in slippery on and off-road conditions.  Subaru has compared X-MODE to that of a music conductor coordinating all of the AWD, ABS, and vehicle stability functions to work one in various conditions. X-MODE is a major differentiator between the Forester and its all-wheel drive competitors.  

The Wilderness Goes a Step Further

The 8.7-inch ground clearance is already greater than most competing crossovers. For those with more ambitious off-road plans, the Forester lineup now includes the Wilderness model with 9.2-inch ground clearance, along with longer coil springs and shock absorbers to provide vertical wheel articulation.

The Wilderness is also equipped with Yokohama GEOLANDAR® all-terrain tires for increased traction on muddy or gravel roads. A standard full-size tire is stored under the cargo area, giving owners confidence while on the trails. Water-resistant StarTex® seating surfaces, all-weather mats, and a cargo tray make the Wilderness ready for snow-covered, wet, or muddy gear and/or people.

Cabin Shape and Size

Foresters have always been on the boxy side. This isn’t due to a lack of imagination on the designer’s part but rather because the box has long been recognized as the most efficient container shape. The result is that the Forester can offer up to 74.2 cubic feet of cargo.  That is more than what many competitors offer while still providing a compact footprint. Rear legroom is also generous for the class, and everyone has plenty of headroom.

The Forester instrument panel is not designed to dazzle. Instead, it provides no-nonsense analog gauges and a pair of displays intended to inform, not distract. The tall windows and thin pillars are intended to provide clear sight lines in all directions. Still, the Forester may be a practical tool, but it does not ignore fun or convenience, as evidenced in part by the available Harman Kardon® premium audio system, and a Power Rear Gate.

Built to have Repeat Customers

Being a Subaru, safety was built into the core of the Forester.  All models come standard with the EyeSight® driver assist technology, which includes:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keep Assist
• Pre-Collision Braking
• Pre-Collision Throttle Management

In addition, the Outback has an overall 5-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It has also received the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) designation of Top Safety Pick.

Many competitors offer wagon-shaped models and give them all-wheel drive options.  By contrast, Subaru builds the Forester based on over 50 years of providing all-wheel drive, off-road capable cars. It is why people in Northern and mountainous areas have sworn by Subarus for years. Experience what that experience means to you with a Forester test drive at Subaru of Rochester.