Subaru used this yearâs press conference at the Detroit auto show to remind everyone which Japanese car company invented the crossover. Not Toyota, not Honda and certainly not Nissan. It was the Subaru with the Forester.
The 2009 Subaru Forester is the all-new, latest and greatest version with more room, more features, more power, etc. Strangely enough, it now looks more like an SUV than a true crossover. Go figure. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor , Inside Line
steve_ says:
02:35 PM, 01/13/08
Amazing - it appears that you can actually see out the rear side windows, unlike most crossovers.
rsholland says:
02:40 PM, 01/13/08
These PDFs are from SOA's media site:
Preliminary Specs
http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/Temp/Sites/1571/154e899e90fc4a6b8441b6b6dd805101/2009_Forester_prelim_specs.pdf
Preliminary Features
http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/Temp/Sites/1571/aaf9bd827ea24b309ea3f21d982150b4/2009_Forester_AAG.pdf
dcm61 says:
03:21 PM, 01/13/08
"Micro" site
http://www.subaru.com/sub/misc/2009/forester/index.html?cid=tr_2009_Forester_owner
2009 Forester "Brochure"
http://content.subaru.com/sub/misc/2009/forester/pdf/brochure.pdf
merks62 says:
04:12 PM, 01/13/08
Sorry, Subaru, methinks I like the outgoing version of the Forester much better. With the low cowl and tall windshield being dispensed with here, your view out was distinctly superior to most other SUVs. Bet this little tank weighs a lot more than the 2007 version.
trackwrex says:
05:34 PM, 01/13/08
i have to see this in person...
hondacura4 says:
05:34 PM, 01/13/08
No more frameless doors?
dstew1 says:
05:38 PM, 01/13/08
merks - check some of the links and look at the specs. Curb weight is less than 100 lbs greater than the outgoing model.
firstwagon says:
05:48 PM, 01/13/08
It should be lighter then the outgoing model, you'd expect a new car to better better then the previous version, not worse.
Styling is not much better either. Have to wait to a full road test to see how it drives.
I doubt my sister will be trading her 06 Forester for one though.
batman47 says:
06:14 PM, 01/13/08
Does this Subaru has ventilated rear break discs? and what about the signal mirrors? And prices? and petrol consume?
erics6 says:
06:40 PM, 01/13/08
Looks like a nice replacement for my 05 Forester, if and when Subaru brings the diesel and 5EAT. 2010 would be perfect.
SubyTrojan says:
07:45 PM, 01/13/08
The new Forester reminds me of Conan O'Brien's "If They Mated" bit where he usually takes the photos of two celebrities and creates a hilarious merged "photochop." I totally see a blend of the 2008 Impreza with the 2008 Tribeca here.
erics6, a boxer diesel should be on its way sooner than later. I think we'll probably see a CVT instead of a 5EAT in the Impreza's and Forester's futures.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1423446
I hope everyone's doing well, Ed! Keep up the great work! It's amazing how many of those "preview" articles you cranked out before you left!
ateixeira says:
10:45 AM, 01/14/08
It now has window frames.
They also swapped out the rear strut suspension for a double wishbone setup first seen on the Tribeca. Plus they added both VDC and side air bag curtains.
Considering the wheelbase is longer and it's taller, wider, and longer, keeping weight gain to just 100 lbs is pretty amazing. 3250 lbs is still VERY light, it's 200 lbs lighter than the RAV4 and a whopping 300 lbs lighter than a CR-V.
This will be a home run for Subaru. Can't wait to test drive one, likely even buy one this Spring.
The only miss - 4EAT. RAV4 has 4 ratios as well, but Honda has 5. At least is has manual controls for it, Honda and Toyota don't.
ateixeira says:
10:50 AM, 01/14/08
A few more new details from the press materials:
* gas hood struts! no cheap prop-rod
* new trip computer
* TPMS
* factory window tint
* 17" rim option
* Sportshift
SAC, VDC, and windows frames are also new to the Forester. All in all, a long list of firsts.
rsholland says:
02:05 PM, 01/14/08
If anyone is wondering why there's no more 5-speed manual for the turbo, it's because last year only 2% of turbos sold were with manual trannys.
jr1m90 says:
05:26 PM, 01/14/08
I'm well aware of the scarcity of manual turbos, because you could never find one when I was looking for them (which is unfortunate, because the XT is a great little stealth vehicle).
I think this is a good replacement for the old Forester, it looks better IMHO, and adds a much nicer interior. Should be a sales success!
gmginsfo says:
07:04 PM, 01/14/08
Hmmm ... window frames mean I can finally get rain/sun guards to lower noise and do the job that sliding sun visors should.
erics6 says:
10:27 PM, 01/14/08
X model doesn't get roof rails. Now that is stupid Subaru. What do you think people in the use their Subaru's for?
rsholland says:
08:06 AM, 01/15/08
It gets roof rails, just not the cross bars.
infimini says:
05:05 PM, 01/15/08
i like this car..it can give the escape a run for its money
h2k2f2 says:
05:25 PM, 02/ 3/08
The 2009 Subaru Forester is the all-new, latest and greatest version with more room, more features, more power, etc. Strangely enough, it now looks more like an SUV than a true crossover. Go figure.
Hellwig:
I'm just curious. What does a "true crossover" look like?