2007 Subaru Forester Review

The compact 2007 Subaru Forester sport utility vehicle offers "off-pavement" driving ability and the maneuverability and ride height to negotiate the tight clearances of a forest trail, while providing a near ideal combination of ride comfort, sporty handling, and all-weather traction.

The raised, four-wheel independent suspension and all-wheel drive system bring a near-ideal combination of ride quality, sporty on-road handling, and the ability to drive on rough road surfaces with challenging clearances. Anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) are standard for capable braking to match.

Inside, there's seating for five, and the large (thanks to the tall ceiling) 30.7 cubic foot cargo space can be expanded to 68.6 cubic feet with the fold-flat rear seatbacks. The back seat is split 60/40 for a mix of cargo and passengers.

The Forester has been given the highest rating of "Good" in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests for frontal-offset and side-impact. Front-seat head/chest side air bags and active front head restraints are also standard.

There are a total of five Forester models offered. The base 2.5 X, Sports 2.5 X, and 2.5 X L.L. Bean Edition come with a 173-horsepower, 2.5L horizontally opposed four-cylinder. The Sports 2.5 XT and 2.5 XT Limited models get a more powerful, 224-horsepower 2.5L flat four that's turbocharged and intercooled, to provide 0-60 times of less than six seconds with the manual transmission. Each version is offered with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic, except the top L.L Bean Edition, which is automatic only.

All Forester models come with all-wheel drive, but there are several variations available. In automatic transmission models torque is managed with an electronically controlled, continuously variable clutch, while in manual transmission models, a viscous coupling normally sends an equal split of torque to the front and rear wheels. The new Sports 2.5 XT model with the automatic transmission gets a performance-oriented Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) system, which normally transfers 55 percent of engine power to the rear wheels. With all of these systems, power can be transferred to the wheels with the most grip.

Base 2.5 X models come pretty well equipped for the price, with standard equipment including air conditioning, cruise control, fog lamps, keyless entry, a rear wiper/washer and de-icer, a 100-watt CD sound system, and power windows, locks, and mirrors.

The Sports 2.5 X adds automatic climate control, an upgraded 120-watt sound system that's compatible with MP3 files and ready for Sirius satellite radio, and some appearance dress-ups, while the Sports 2.5 XT adds, along with the turbocharged engine, 17-inch wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, a viscous-slip rear differential, and sport gauges. There's also a Premium Package available, which includes a six-disc in-dash CD changer, alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, automatic climate control, a moonroof, heated seats, a wiper de-icer, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The luxury-oriented Limited 2.5 XT Limited offers the turbo engine and 17-inch alloys, plus an upgraded audio system with subwoofer and the sport gauges. At the top there's the L.L. Bean Edition, bringing special alloy wheels, leather upholstery with Alcantara bolsters, a MOMO leather-and-wood-trimmed steering wheel, and a shock-sensor security system. A load-leveling rear suspension is exclusive to the L.L. Bean model.
A couple of performance-oriented Sports models join Subaru's Forester line for 2007. The Sports 2.5 X adds sporty trim and an upgraded audio system, while the Sports 2.5 XT adds the 224-horsepower turbocharged engine, other sporty appearance enhancements, and, with automatic transmission, a new performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system.

Also for 2007, electronic brake force distribution (EBD) is now standard on all models; the top-of-the-line XT Limited model gets larger 17-inch alloy wheels; and the sound systems in all but the base 2.5 X are Sirius satellite radio?compatible and can play MP3 and WMA digital music files. There have also been a few interior changes, with an audio auxiliary input now standard on all but the 2.5 X, and new front door-integrated bottle holders.

Non-turbo models sold in California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Vermont now carry the cleaner Partial Zero-Emission Vehicles (PZEV) certification. see less