2010 Subaru Forester
(Starting at $20,295)Take a low base price, peerless crash test results and class leading reliability rankings and it becomes easy to see why so many smart SUV shoppers are turning the Subaru Forester. While it may not be the most exciting car in the world, Subaru does have one of the most loyal cults (or followings if you prefer) in the entire auto industry.The reason for Subaru's success is a mystery. If building robust boxes on four wheels year after year got you somewhere wouldn't Volvo own the world right now? Either way, it is probably a combination of Subaru's performance car heritage, utility, safety and reliability that all play a role. Perhaps it also has something to do with the fact that Subaru is the only manufacturer's to openly advertise to the gay and lesbian population. If that turns you off there are plenty of other more bigoted manufacturers out there on the market today. Come on people, it's a car! Even gays and lesbians need cars.Thanks to the robust interest in the new Forester SUV Subaru has been one of the few automobile manufacturers to not have any sales drop off during this economic depression. Why is that? Well, just like used to happen with Chevy and Ford Subaru owners always come out to look at the new models and it appears they liked what they saw. Probably some other people stopped by the dealer too but there was a high recidivism rate among Subaru owners.You may think Volvo is the only company that makes safe cars and SUVs. You would be wrong. Subaru is constantly listed in the top of the IIHSA (Insurance Institute of Highway Safety Administration) crash test rankings. (For proof go to Youtube.com and look for Subaru Forester Crash Test) Doesn't your dog (and your kids) deserve to be safe?Powered by a 2.5 liter 175 horsepower boxer engine (or an optional turbocharged version which is slight overkill for the school/supermarket run), the Forester is frugal (20 city/26 highway: amazing for a four wheel drive vehicle) and fun to drive. There isn't as much slop in the steering so you actually feel in control of the car at all times.What to say about the interior? Well, it looks hardy. Much like a Merchant Marine it will probably withstand years of abuse but it is still not very inviting. It is almost as if Subaru's design intent was anti-style. As if they wanted to create the blandest dashboard out of hard to the touch plastics with not one clever design notion found anywhere. I know that is really kooky but Subaru really needs to try harder here like it did with the awesome interior of the Legacy sedan.Here's a thought? Why not buy a similarly priced (and more interestingly styled) Subaru Outback which has all the same engines and running gear. Plus, as it is the Legacy wagon (Subaru hates it when you call it that) you get that same great interior.
(Starting at $20,295)
Take a low base price, peerless crash test results and class leading reliability rankings and it becomes easy to see why so many smart SUV shoppers are turning the Subaru Forester. While it may not be the most exciting car in the world, Subaru does have one of the most loyal cults (or followings if you prefer) in the entire auto industry.
The reason for Subaru's success is a mystery. If building robust boxes on four wheels year after year got you somewhere wouldn't Volvo own the world right now? Either way, it is probably a combination of Subaru's performance car heritage, utility, safety and reliability that all play a role. Perhaps it also has something to do with the fact that Subaru is the only manufacturer's to openly advertise to the gay and lesbian population. If that turns you off there are plenty of other more bigoted manufacturers out there on the market today. Come on people, it's a car! Even gays and lesbians need cars.
Thanks to the robust interest in the new Forester SUV Subaru has been one of the few automobile manufacturers to not have any sales drop off during this economic depression. Why is that? Well, just like used to happen with Chevy and Ford Subaru owners always come out to look at the new models and it appears they liked what they saw. Probably some other people stopped by the dealer too but there was a high recidivism rate among Subaru owners.
You may think Volvo is the only company that makes safe cars and SUVs. You would be wrong. Subaru is constantly listed in the top of the IIHSA (Insurance Institute of Highway Safety Administration) crash test rankings. (For proof go to Youtube.com and look for Subaru Forester Crash Test) Doesn't your dog (and your kids) deserve to be safe?
Powered by a 2.5 liter 175 horsepower boxer engine (or an optional turbocharged version which is slight overkill for the school/supermarket run), the Forester is frugal (20 city/26 highway: amazing for a four wheel drive vehicle) and fun to drive. There isn't as much slop in the steering so you actually feel in control of the car at all times.
What to say about the interior? Well, it looks hardy. Much like a Merchant Marine it will probably withstand years of abuse but it is still not very inviting. It is almost as if Subaru's design intent was anti-style. As if they wanted to create the blandest dashboard out of hard to the touch plastics with not one clever design notion found anywhere. I know that is really kooky but Subaru really needs to try harder here like it did with the awesome interior of the Legacy sedan.
Here's a thought? Why not buy a similarly priced (and more interestingly styled) Subaru Outback which has all the same engines and running gear. Plus, as it is the Legacy wagon (Subaru hates it when you call it that) you get that same great interior.
