![]() Look for a flexible interior with plenty of room for 4 adults and their gear, folding seats, a commanding driving position and all-wheel drive as standard on each and every model. The Outback was updated for 2010, and the 2005 to 2009 generation of this popular machine is now officially a member of the used crossover marketplace. A more car-like, wagon-oriented crossover, it existed alongside the ‘truckier’ Subaru Forester, offering up the utility of a station wagon, the ground clearance of a small SUV and the driving dynamics of a sedan. That's more than either the CX-5 or the RAV4 could muster, but the CR-V maxed out at 25 carry-ons with its rear seats stowed.History/Description: The Outback was Subaru’s crossover entry to the market occupied by machines like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape. We fit 11 of our carry-on suitcases behind the back seat and a whopping 23 with the back seats folded. ![]() The back seat is plenty spacious (there is no third-row option), and even adults should find the bench seat a comfortable perch for road trips. Our Touring model's interior was nicely finished with caramel-colored leather on the seats, door panels, and dash textured plastic trim layered on the rest of the cabin looked and felt of high quality, too, while glossy-black plastic on the center stack and the chromed and matte-metallic plastic trims spruced things up quite well. ![]() The Forester's cabin is a straight-forward, frill-free affair with a good driving position and great outward visibility. However, that figure matches the result that the CR-V Touring and the Toyota RAV4 Adventure delivered. In our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test, our Forester Touring test vehicle missed its highway-fuel-economy rating by 1 mpg, returning 32 mpg. With EPA fuel-economy ratings that match much of the compact-crossover segment (26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway), the Forester will likely satisfy buyers seeking efficiency. Tested: 2019 Subaru Forester Goes for Mass Appeal.The ride is compliant and refined, the steering is accurate, and the brakes are adequately strong for emergency stops. For an SUV without any sporting intentions, the Forester's handling is competent. Those looking for more oomph should check out the Honda CR-V or the turbocharged versions of the Mazda CX-5 and the Kia Sportage. At our test track, our 2019 Forester Touring test vehicle required 8.5 seconds to reach 60 mph-not exactly thrilling performance, but it'll meet the needs of most buyers. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) routes the engine's power to Subaru's trademark all-wheel-drive system. ![]() Engine, Transmission, and PerformanceĪll Forester models are powered by the same 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine that makes 182 horsepower and can tow 1500 pounds. The exterior upgrades-17-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, and body-color sideview mirrors-make it look less like a rental car and the interior includes luxuries such as a panoramic sunroof, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, reclining rear seatbacks, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker sound system. While the Limited and Touring trims are much fancier, we think the Premium model offers the best mix of value and features. A new rear center-console storage tray has been added to all but the base model. Subaru has made adaptive LED headlamps and automatic high beams standard across the Forester lineup for 2021 while the Limited model now comes with a seven-speed manual mode for the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Forester's key rivals-the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4-offer more powerful powertrains and more driving engagement, but the Subaru's smooth ride and relaxed handling won't offend buyers who fall for its other attributes. There's a four-cylinder engine under the hood, which delivers adequate power and decent fuel economy. The cabin of the Forester is the definition of sensible, offering plenty of practicality leavened by a touch of stylistic flair. Although it seems to be a competitor for the brand's Outback station wagon in terms of functionality and size, the Forester offers a more SUV-like driving position, larger windows for better outward visibility, and a bit more ground clearance. Subaru's standard all-wheel drive and adventuresome image apply perfectly to the Forester compact SUV.
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