For those interested as to how the new Subaru Forester's styling evolved, you might want to check out this Carscoop site . It shows a lot of rejected styling concepts, most of which I think were good decisions. The one pictured, however, I think is actually better than the final version selected. Perhaps better stated: I prefer the grille on this one better, not so much the headlights though...
firstwagon says:
01:54 PM, 12/27/07
The front reminds me of an Escape, not a good thing.
SubyTrojan says:
02:34 PM, 12/27/07
It was very cool to see those images from the design stages! Thanks for the great find, Bob!
billt9 says:
03:53 PM, 12/27/07
Is that a last gen Toyota Highlander?
onlygmmatters says:
06:05 AM, 12/28/07
Isn't Subaru already a reject? I'm sure more people buy Chevrolet Equinox's per year than the entire lineup of those ugly little econoboxes.
dougtheeng says:
07:11 AM, 12/28/07
I'm not a fan of any of them, including the chosen design....someone write a letter to Subaru and tell them that going mainstream on the styling, and then throwing in a hood scoop, doesn't make the car retain the unique feel of the old Subys.
firstwagon says:
10:40 AM, 12/28/07
"Isn't Subaru already a reject? I'm sure more people buy Chevrolet Equinox's per year than the entire lineup of those ugly little econoboxes."
Only Subaru could build an "ugly little econobox" that is so good that people will pay $40,000 for it (STI).
GM is so poor at that you have to choose from the Japanese (and Korean)economy cars they've bought and rebadged or drive one of their homgrown slugs over the years (Chevette, Cavalier, SL1, or Colbalt.)
Volume does not equal greatness, just ask Porsche.
estreka says:
12:56 PM, 12/28/07
I do like the design Subaru went with, minus the front-end styling of course. Those were interesting concepts, though. The only grille worse, though, was the Tribeca-like snout in the last picture. Thank goodness they didn't do that.
lucyinfiniti says:
08:44 PM, 12/28/07
What does the Equinox have to do with anything? First it's a Chevy which means junk. It also does not have the reputation for all weather driving Subaru does. Up here in the Northeast we tend to value that more. Getting through real nasty weather is more important to me.
onlygmmatters says:
10:36 AM, 12/31/07
Sounds like you don't have a clue Ms.infinti. The Equinox is not junk, it happens to be one of the hottest selling CUV's on the market. Has way more style than you give it credit for, a class leading powertrain, a high quality interior and an attainable asking price.
Subaru had their chance to be great when they were under the GM umbrella but apparently they couldn't cut it so GM dumped them like a hot potato. A slick four wheel drive system can only go so far when the car it's attached to is third world quality.
avalon02wh says:
08:46 AM, 01/ 6/08
To onlygmmatters: In Consumer Reports Best and Worst of 08 the Forester was 6th while the Equinox was 29th out of 32 small SUVs. Consumer Guide gave the Equinox Sport a score of 53 while the average was 63. The Forester scored 58 & 60 with the class average being 60. The Forester has received above average reliability scores in the last 6 years in CR. The Equinox has been average or below average for the last 3 years. And did you know that the Equinox is built in Canada while the engine comes from China according to an article from Forbes? Do you know what third world quality means?