more about this model
Pros Refined ride, comfortable cabin, all-wheel drive, turbocharged power, now looks like a real SUV.
Cons Disappointing fuel economy, outdated four-speed automatic transmission, as-tested price, now handles like a real SUV.
Neither an SUV nor a station wagon, the previous Subaru Forester gained a loyal following among those who appreciated its rare combination of SUV-like cargo space, wagonlike handling and all-weather versatility. However, it received only lukewarm interest from the average consumer, who wanted fewer quirks and more in the way of traditional compact SUV virtues. Subaru knew that it would have to reinvent the Forester as a genuine crossover SUV in order to give segment leaders a run for their money. Enter the turbocharged 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited — to paraphrase R.E.M., it's the end of the Forester as we know it.
And we feel fine. By virtually every measure, the new Forester 2.5XT Limited is not only markedly superior to its predecessor, but also easily on a par with competitors like the Mazda CX-7, Saturn Vue Red Line and Toyota RAV4 V6. Boasting a substantially roomier cabin, attractive styling all around, a segment-leading 8.9 inches of ground clearance and possibly the best combination of power and overall refinement in its class, the Forester 2.5XT Limited has made an exceedingly graceful transition from wagon-on-stilts to SUV.
While this fresh Forester isn't perfect, our criticisms may seem insignificant to compact SUV shoppers. The slow-witted four-speed transmission makes the turbocharged engine feel less powerful than it is, for example, but the 2.5XT Limited is nonetheless quick enough for most tastes. As-tested price is another issue, but if you can do without our tester's navigation system and luxurious appointments, the base Forester 2.5XT stickers for a more palatable $26K. One unequivocal shortcoming is fuel mileage: The aforementioned Toyota is appreciably more efficient while delivering similarly brisk acceleration.
All in all, the 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited is an impressive effort. It offers familiar Forester features along with increased comfort and refinement in an endearingly rugged wrapper. Die-hard Forester fans will likely embrace the changes, and Subie newbies will appreciate the 2009 model's considerably broader appeal. The Forester has finally found itself as a class-leading compact crossover SUV.
Performance The all-wheel-drive 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited is motivated by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that cranks out a lag-free 224 horsepower and 226 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic with manual shift control (unavailable on previous Foresters) is the only available transmission. We recorded a 0-60-mph sprint of 6.8 seconds en route to a quarter-mile time of 15.1 seconds at 90.4 mph — excellent numbers for a compact SUV, particularly given the four-speed auto's deliberate shifts and widely spaced ratios.
We paid the price for this plucky performance at the pump, as our Forester managed a decidedly SUV-like 18.1 mpg over 871 miles of mixed driving. The EPA rates the Forester XT at 19 mpg city/24 highway — by comparison, the aforementioned RAV4 V6 is rated at 19/26, and we managed a cumulative 21 mpg with our long-term RAV4. Handling is also SUV-grade, as the Forester rolls and bounces its way through tight corners like a four-wheeled pogo stick. Our best 60-0-mph stopping distance was an indifferent 125 feet, with the brake pedal evincing a consistently spongy feel.
The payoff for the Forester's nautical handling becomes evident while traversing uneven surfaces. We can't think of another compact SUV that soaks up bumps with such aplomb. Throw in those 8.9 inches of ground clearance, and the Forester makes for a compliant and capable soft-roader. Moreover, while light on effort and feel, the Forester's crisp steering makes it feel surprisingly maneuverable in close quarters, aided by a usefully tight turning circle.
Comfort Road and wind noise in the 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited are about par for the course in this segment — always perceptible, but rarely objectionable. Consumers drawn to the Forester's buff new body should enjoy the commandingly elevated driving position, although the diminutive dead pedal seems to have been designed for feet men's size 8 and under. Otherwise, folks of all sizes will have no trouble getting comfortable behind the wheel, thanks to a nicely shaped height-adjustable driver seat with power lumbar support and a steering column that tilts and telescopes. Controls are easily reached, and well-placed armrests ensure satisfactory long-distance cruising comfort.
The Forester's split-reclining rear seat deserves special mention here. "Throne" would be a better term, as the cushion is so high that rear passengers will feel as though they're looking down on those in front. All but the longest of leg will actually be able to rest their hamstrings flush against the cushion — a rarity in motorized conveyances without wings or bathrooms. Yet headroom somehow remains ample, and legroom is adequate even when sitting behind 6-footers.
Also singled out for praise by our editors was the gargantuan sunroof, which has become something of a Forester tradition. It slides back so far that rear passengers might catch some rays, too. Our only quibble is that two touches are required to close the roof (the first touch leaves it about 25 percent open). A one-touch-open sunroof should be one-touch-close as well.
Function The 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited's abundant glass and high seating position yield excellent visibility in all directions. Gauges are a model of simplicity. So are the three-knob climate controls, which could hardly be more intuitive. Secondary controls are all where you'd expect them to be.
What you might not expect is the cumbersome operation of the 2.5XT Limited's integrated navigation system and stereo. The navigation system itself actually works well enough, but with a mélange of two knobs, 10 identical-looking buttons and various touchscreen inputs, there's nothing simple about getting the Forester to play your favorite tunes. What's more, when you want to tailor the sound beyond presets like "Rock" and "Jazz Club," you'll have to go through a digital version of a vintage 1985 graphic equalizer — no simple bass and treble adjustments here. Adding insult to inconvenience, the sound quality is mediocre at best, regardless of how much you tinker with the settings.
Unsurprisingly, the Forester passed our real-world usability tests with flying colors. A bag of golf clubs fit easily behind the backseat, and there was plenty of room for more. Our two standard suitcases were likewise easily swallowed by the Forester's cargo hold, and it's a cinch to flip the rear seatbacks down and free up the 2.5XT Limited's full 63 cubic feet of space. Child-seat installation proved trouble-free as well, although taller front passengers may have to sacrifice a bit of legroom and/or seatback rake in order to accommodate a rear-facing child seat.
Design/Fit and Finish From every angle, the 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited announces its newfound SUV identity with authority. Some derivative styling elements are present, but we find the overall effect muscularly attractive. Inside, the Forester largely shares the recently redesigned Impreza's interior layout, which is generally a good thing. Faux-aluminum trim pieces on either side of the dashboard flow artfully into the center console. The square-shaped uncovered cupholders, however, are a bit of an aesthetic letdown. Quality construction is evident, with tight panel gaps inside and out.
Who should consider this vehicle Consumers who want cavernous cargo capacity and extraordinary comfort for four adults in a relatively compact and powerful all-wheel-drive vehicle. If the first two features are negotiable, a more fuel-efficient and better-handling all-wheel-drive station wagon may be worth a look.
Others To Consider: Mazda CX-7, Mitsubishi Outlander XLS, Saturn Vue Red Line, Toyota RAV4 V6
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Used 2009 Subaru Forester listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2009 Subaru Foresters for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 611 used and CPO 2009 Foresters listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 5,995 and mileage as low as 54,583. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2009 Subaru Forester. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 300 on a used or CPO 2009 Forester available from one of 2,630 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2009 Subaru Forester ?
Save up to $300 on one of 28 used 2009 Subaru Foresters for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $6000 as of Apr 27, 2018, based on data from 18 dealers and 44 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 3 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2009 Subaru Forester trim styles:
The used 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X is priced around $7986 with average odometer reading of 141372 miles.
The used 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Limited is priced around $11116 with average odometer reading of 83683 miles.
The used 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited is priced around $9450 with average odometer reading of 151500 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2009 Subaru Forester?
Available Subaru Forester 2009 Submodel Types: Wagon, SUV
Available Subaru Forester 2009 Trims: 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Touring, 2.5i Premium PZEV, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i, 2.0XT Touring, 2.5i Limited PZEV, 2.5i PZEV, 2.5X Premium, 2.5i Touring PZEV, X, 2.5X Premium PZEV, 2.5 X, 2.5X, XS, 2.5 X Premium Package, 2.5X Limited, 2.0XT Premium, L, 2.5X PZEV, S, 2.5 X L.L.Bean Edition, 2.5X Limited PZEV, 2.5 XT Limited, 2.5X L.L. Bean Edition, 2.5X Touring, 2.5X Touring PZEV, 2.5XT, 2.5XT Limited, 2.5XT Premium, 2.5XT Touring, Sports 2.5 X, XT
Exterior Colors: Ice Silver Metallic, Crystal White Pearl, Quartz Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Venetian Red Pearl, Jasmine Green Metallic, Burnished Bronze Metallic, Sepia Bronze Metallic, Marine Blue Pearl, Crystal Gray Metallic, Champagne Gold Opal, Aspen White, Cayenne Red Pearl, Paprika Red Pearl, Sage Green Metallic, Spark Silver Metallic, Platinum Silver Metallic, Camellia Red Pearl, Cayenne Red Pearl/Textured Gray, Dark Gray Metallic, Sky Blue Metallic, Steel Silver Metallic, Urban Gray Metallic, Acadia Green, Blue Ridge Pearl, Canyon Red Pearl, Crystal Gray Metallic/Textrured Gray, Pacifica Blue Pearl, Platinum Silver Metallic/Steel Gray Metallic, Regal Blue Pearl, Sierra Gold Metallic, Canyon Red Pearl/Slate, Crystal Gray Metallic/Steel Gray Metallic, Evergreen Metallic/Steel Gray Metallic, Garnet Red Pearl, Java Black Pearl, Newport Blue Pearl, Obsidian Black Pearl, Pacifica Blue Pearl/Textured Gray, Platinum Silver Metallic/Textured Gray, Regal Blue Pearl/Steel Gray Metallic, Satin White Pearl, Sierra Gold Metallic/Gray, Sierra Gold Metallic/Textured Gray, Steel Gray Metallic, Topaz Gold Metallic
Interior Colors: Gray cloth, Black cloth, Black leather, Gray leather, Brown leather, Graphite Gray cloth, Beige, Desert Beige cloth, Gray, Grey, Off Black cloth, Black, Platinum cloth, Gray Leather, Off Black
Popular Features: Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Post-collision safety system, Back-up camera, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Pre-collision safety system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Upgraded Headlights, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Keyless Entry/Start, Upgraded Stereo, 2500lb Towing Capacity, AWD/4WD, Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Aux Audio Inputs, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, Sunroof/Moonroof, Heated seats, Auto Climate Control, Leather Seats, Power Driver Seat, Navigation, Remote Start, Parking sensors, Towing Hitch
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (recommended), regular unleaded, premium unleaded (required)
Drivetrains: all wheel drive
Used 2009 Subaru Forester Overview
The used 2009 Subaru Forester is offered in the following submodels: SUV. Available styles include 2.5X 4dr SUV AWD w/Premium Pkg,VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A), 2.5XT 4dr SUV AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A), and 2.5X 4dr SUV AWD w/All Weather, Premium Pkg, VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A). Pre-owned Forester models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2009 Forester comes with all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed shiftable automatic.
