| Model year | 2011 |
| Make | Subaru |
| Model | Forester |
| Style | 2.5X Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A) |
| Base MSRP | $27,995 |
| Options on test vehicle | Cargo Net ($48) |
| As-tested MSRP | $28,768 (incl. $725 destination) |
| Drive type | All-wheel Drive |
| Engine type | Naturally aspirated, port-injected flat-4 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 2,498/152 |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, variable intake + exhaust-valve timing |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.5 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,400 (rev limiter) |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 170 @ 5,800 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 174 @ 4,100 |
| Fuel type | Regular unleaded |
| Transmission type | Four-speed automatic |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I = 2.785; II = 1.545; III = 1.000; IV = 0.694; R=2.272; Final= 4.44 |
| Suspension, front | Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Independent double-wishbone, coil springs, twin-tube dampers |
| Steering type | Hydraulic-assist, variable-ratio, rack-and-pinion power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 16.5 |
| Tire brand | Yokohama |
| Tire model | Geolander G95 |
| Tire type | All-season front and rear |
| Tire size, front | P225/55R17 95H M+S |
| Tire size, rear | P225/55R17 95H M+S |
| Wheel size | 17-by-7 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Cast aluminum |
| Brakes, front | 11.7-inch ventilated steel discs with two-piston sliding calipers |
| Brakes, rear | 11.3-inch solid steel discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 3.6 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 6.5 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 10.1 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 16.0 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 17.4 @ 78.4 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 9.7 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 30 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 122 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 61.2 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.78 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 43.1 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 71.7 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 65.2 |
| Acceleration comments | Not much sauce to speak of here, and compromised further by a four-speed auto with slow upshifts. Sport mode proved just a tenth quicker. Fastest run was in Manual mode (still shifts for itself at 6,200 rpm) because the upshifts are slightly quicker. Manual shifting via console lever (pull back for downshifts) does not hold gears; does not blip throttle for quick downshifts. |
| Braking rating | Average |
| Braking comments | Longish pedal travel. Brakes don't feel very powerful. Lots (and I mean lots) of dive from the body (even for a utility vehicle), and lots of ABS commotion and screech from the tires. |
| Handling rating | Below Average |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: Surprisingly receptive to changing cornering arc when throttle is quickly released, although understeer was still prevalent in large amounts, requiring much throttle correction. ESC mostly kept out of it, only cutting throttle slightly and adding just a minor amount of brakes. Slalom: Reasonably quick response from steering, though overly light effort. Suspension is soft and spongy (no great surprise). Could not find a huge difference between ESC on and off, as it intervened by adding brakes in both settings. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 66.4 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 28.6 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 8.4 head |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 21 city/27 highway/23 combined |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 16.9 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,360 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,344 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 55.6/44.4 |
| 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.) | 38.0 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 40.0 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 37.7 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 56.1 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 55.6 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 30.8 |
| 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 |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Dual front |
| Head airbags | Front and rear |
| Antilock brakes | Four-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Traction control |
| Stability control | Stability control |
| Rollover protection | Side curtain airbag, rollover sensor |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire-pressure monitoring |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | 4 stars |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | 4 stars |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | 3 stars |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | 3 stars |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | 4 stars |
| IIHS offset | Good |
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