| Model year | 2009 |
| Make | Subaru |
| Model | Forester |
| Style | 2.5XT Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/VDC, Nav (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A) |
| Base MSRP | $29,995 |
| Options on test vehicle | None |
| As-tested MSRP | $30,660 |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Engine type | flat-4 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 2,457cc (150cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum |
| Valvetrain | Double overhead camshaft |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 8.4:1 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,500 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 224 @ 5,200 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 226 @ 2,800 |
| Transmission type | 4-speed Automatic |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | 4.44 |
| Suspension, front | MacPherson strut |
| Suspension, rear | Double wishbone |
| Steering type | Speed-proportional power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | Not available |
| Tire brand | Yokohama |
| Tire model | Geolander |
| Tire type | All season |
| Tire size, front | 225/55R17 H |
| Tire size, rear | 225/55R17 H |
| Wheel size | 17 X 7 |
| Wheel material | Alloy |
| Brakes, front | Ventilated disc |
| Brakes, rear | Disc |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 4.3 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 6.8 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 10.0 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 15 @ 90.4 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 6.6 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 32 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 125 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 60.3 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.76 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 44.5 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 74.8 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 67.5 |
| Acceleration comments | The best acceleration run was with the traction control shut off and the transmission in sport. Got a little tire scratch off the line. Gears feel like they could be spaced better/closer together as it feels like it falls off the power between upshifts. |
| Braking rating | Good |
| Braking comments | Quite a bit of dive and ABS and tire noise, but powerful stops all. Pedal remains squishy from start to finish. |
| Handling rating | Good |
| Handling comments | The Forester teeters on the brink of ESP all the way around the skid pad, in fact, the brakes got quite warm from it. That said, it felt tippy but freakishly neutral. Modulating the throttle did strange things to the steady arc of the skid pad, requiring more steering input than I'd prefer. In the slalom there's a noticeable steering delay and gain once the car rolls. Just as it starts to get fun, however, the ESPO grabs front brake aggressively. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 421 |
| Temperature (°F) | 70.6 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 5.25 |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 19 City / 24 Highway |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 19.5 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 16.9 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,440 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,427 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 55.8/44.2 |
| Length (in.) | 179.5 |
| Width (in.) | 70.1 |
| Height (in.) | 66.9 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 103.0 |
| Track, front (in.) | 60.2 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 60.2 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 34.4 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 43.1 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 38 |
| Legroom, 3rd row (in.) | Not available |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 41.6 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 40.4 |
| Headroom, 3rd row (in.) | Not available |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 56.1 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 55.6 |
| Shoulder room, 3rd row (in.) | Not available |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 33.5 |
| Max. cargo volume, seats folded (cu-ft) | 68.3 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 5 years / Unlimited miles |
| Roadside assistance | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Free scheduled maintenance | Not available |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Standard dual front |
| Head airbags | Standard front and rear |
| Knee airbags | Not Available |
| Antilock brakes | 4-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Standard |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Rollover protection | Standard |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire pressure monitoring |
| Emergency assistance system | Not available |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not tested |
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