Test Drive: 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Touring

2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Touring. Click image to enlarge

Beyond the new motor, changes are limited to feature packaging, a revised grille and new upholstery for the seats. That means the Forester carries on with an interior that’s put together pretty well, but made up of hard plastics that come off as low-rent. The Forester’s tall roof gives the impression of a larger vehicle, but remember that this car is based on the Impreza, which is a no-bones-about-it compact. So while headroom is grand, space in every other direction is limited compared to some of the bigger names in this class. The front seats are smaller, too; they feel narrow and the bottom cushions stop short under the thighs. Despite that, I was quite comfortable after spending the better part of five hours in the car driving from Ottawa to Toronto.

The Forester’s compact lineage pays off in its good manoeuvrability. It doesn’t have the tightest turning circle in the world, but visibility is so good that jockeying in or out of a tight parking spot is easy. The ride is soft and the steering light, so the way the Forester tackles corners might not light your heart on fire, but handling is nimble. The compliant suspension makes this a comfortable car to spend time in, no matter what kind of shape the asphalt is in; I can’t say the same for the RAV4, CR-V or Tucson.

Subaru’s basic stereos are far from the best sounding on the road, but the top-trim Limited model (available either with my tester’s engine or a more powerful, turbocharged motor) comes with a Pioneer stereo that would be a worthwhile upgrade – if only it could be added to lesser trims. For the record, Subie’s accessories list includes a subwoofer/amplifier combo and a tweeter kit that adds two more speakers to the standard four. If you’re picky about sound in your car, some sort of sound system upgrade would not go amiss.

In spite of all the work Subaru has been doing to move itself into the mainstream (to the chagrin of some long-time loyalists), the Forester still possesses a notable amount of the brand’s old quirk. I could easily see some buyers finding this car too small compared to some of the class leaders. Its biggest selling points, in my mind, are its great all-wheel drive system and the availability of a manual transmission in a model that’s not an absolute stripper. The Forester isn’t top of mind for a lot of crossover shoppers, and despite its downsides, those buyers don’t know what they’re missing.