- Competes with: Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Saturn Vue
- Looks like: Subaru has gone the way of other SUVs
- Drivetrain: 2.5-liter four-cylinder, or turbocharged four-cylinder. automatic or manual transimssion
- Hits dealerships: Spring 2008
The all-new Subaru Forester is definitely a new look for the company. Out is the completely boxy – some would even say frumpy – look of the current model and in is a sleeker front end attached to an otherwise generic SUV body. Before, when looking at the Forester the term SUV didn’t always come to mind. This new look should correct that problem.
The new Forester has a longer wheelbase, all-new sheetmetal, 8.9 inches of ground clearance and a revised version of the current 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Subaru hasn’t said how much horsepower it produces but promises more power throughout the engine’s range. There will also be a Forester XT right from the start with a turbocharged version of the same engine. Details on horsepower will emerge closer to the Detroit auto show next month.
What we do know is that all trims of the 2009 will have a new interior, standard all-wheel drive, stability control, four-wheel disc brakes, ABS and side-curtain airbags.
No prices have been announced, but when the 2009 Forester arrives this spring we’d expect prices to remain close to the current range of $21,195 to $27,895. More photos below.
