Tree Huggers and Lesbians Aside, Subaru Forrester wins Sport Utility of the Year

It would be easy to say that this year's winner is a knee-jerk reaction, that the editors of Motor Trend responded to the skyrocketing cost of gasoline like the rest of the driving public by abruptly abandoning the traditional SUV formula for something smaller, more fuel-efficient, greener, more, well, forest-y. It would be easy to categorize our selection of the Subaru Forester as Motor Trend's 2009 Sport/Utility of the Year as a choice made solely at the pump, but it wouldn't be true.

Sure, our Subaru Forester 2.5XT contender posted the best observed fuel-economy numbers (16.0 mpg) for an all-wheel-drive SUV in this year's competition, but that's not the whole story.

SPORT/UTILITY OF THE YEAR VIDEOS:

The Contenders

Instrument Testing

The Road Course

The Judging

The Winner

So how does a small, quirky, former airplane manufacturer from the Gunma prefecture of Japan finish first among surprise offerings from established players and bold moves by newcomers? How does it beat a chest-thumping, head-turning macho mobile known as the BMW X6? How, when Ford wraps stylish sheetmetal around a Gulfstream V interior and calls it Flex? How can it win, when Kia serves notice to the entire category with its own body-on-frame, V-8-powered Borrego, and Infiniti conjures up seven-speed transmissions and jaw-dropping bird's-eye-view monitoring systems?

Just how does the Subaru Forester do it?

Let's start with the humble powertrain. On paper, it's nothing new or particularly special; all Forester models receive a version of the 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder found in the Impreza sedan. Transmission options are even less stunning: a carried-over five-speed manual or four-speed automatic for entry-level 2.5X models; auto only if you opt for the turbocharged 2.5XT variant.

At the track, that four-speed, 224-horsepower Forester 2.5XT zips to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds and to the quarter mile in just 15.5. Not as impressive as the 6.6 and 15.1-second runs a similarly equipped Forester 2.5XT managed in our previous comparison ("Turbo Chargers," September 2008), but still as fast or faster than all but the BMW X6, Lexus LX 570, Toyota Sequioa, and Infiniti FX and EX. It's not just fast, but fuel friendly, too. In that comparison, the Forester 2.5XT logged the best observed and EPA-certified city/highway fuel economy (19.6 mpg, 19/24 mpg) against the turbo fours and six-speeds of Mazda CX-7 and VW Tiguan.

Says St. Antoine, "I'm amazed at how well the powertrain works with only a four-speed. The turbo four is torquey enough not to feel like it needs more ratios, and at cruising speed it's not revving overly hard."

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The naturally aspirated Forester is no slouch, either. Rated at 170 for power and torque, the 2.5X takes regular unleaded, returns even better EPA fuel economy (20/26 mpg), and is classified as a partial-zero-emissions vehicle. Not only is the Forester class dominant, it's as green as a you-know-what.

More feats of engineering competence were revealed when we broke out the tape measure. While classmates like the VW Tiguan manage only 56.1/23.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front/rear seats, the Forester yields a whopping 63.0/30.8. Similar spatial advantages are seen in the commodious driver and passenger compartments; in our other small-CUV comparison test ("The Frugal Five," June 2008), the Forester provided the most front/rear headroom and front legroom in a field that included the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Saturn Vue, and Toyota RAV4.

Still not impressed? Then factor in the one metric that puts the S in SUV: ground clearance. With an undercarriage 8.9 inches (8.7 for Forester 2.5X) above ground, the Forester 2.5XT not only beats every one of the CUVs in the two aforementioned comparisons, it equals or betters fellow SUV of the Year contenders Honda Pilot (8.0), Kia Borrego (8.5), and Lexus LX 570 (8.9). Consider those mere soft-roaders? Both Foresters beat or equal the Land Rover LR2 (8.3), Toyota FJ Cruiser 4x2 (8.7), and Ford Expedition 4x4 (8.7). Inside and out, off-road and on, this little Subaru is truly an impressive feat of packaging.

Despite high clearances, the Forester doesn't drive particularly tall. In fact, in a field that includes two bona-fide hot-rods (BMW X6, Infiniti FX) and, let's face it, a car (Infiniti EX35), the Subaru produced more than its fair share of grins on our real-world/off-road loop.

Says Lassa, "It's as much fun as the EX35 with better mileage. The Infiniti seems more planted, but the Subie is light on its feet."

"Ride quality is remarkably nice on Alisos Canyon Road, and it's way big dirty fun on the rally stage," notes Markus.

Truck Trend editor Mark Williams adds, "A few rough shakes when the tarmac is broken, but overall it handles more like a solid crossover. When it gets on dirt, it seems to encourage you to go faster, almost saying, 'It's all right, I've got your back. Let's go.'"

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Analysis of these fine driving characteristics reveals more of the Forester's comprehensive and complementary competence. It's not enough to simply credit its feathery 3447-pound curb weight (lowest of all contenders) or new control-arm rear suspension. We must mention the engine again and highlight its compact, horizontal cylinder arrangement, which allows it to sit low in this high-riding chassis, reducing the center of gravity. Plus that new rear suspension not only smooths out the ride, but its layout also means less cabin intrusion and all that extra room in the cargo area.

Contrast these harmonious revelations with the comments about runner-up Ford Flex-so many positive attributes often scuttled by negatives. While the Forester manages to be big on the inside, small on the outside, the Flex feels only big and bigger. As for the powertrain, Flex's Duratec V-6 and six-speed transmission perform respectably at the track and pump, but often feel grainy, harsh, and unrewarding.

Then there's the value proposition. With a starting price of $20,660, our Subaru is the most affordable AWD SUV in this group. Perhaps not saying much in a field that includes $65,000 Infiniti and $80,000 Lexus behemoths, until you look at what's included. Naturally, Subaru's hallmark symmetrical AWD system is found on all models, but so are such features as four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, VDC traction control, three 12-volt power points, including one in the rear-cargo area, HVAC filtration, and gas-filled hood struts (Toyota and Honda still use cheaper prop rods). Fully spec'd models have luxuries including liquid-filled engine mounts, heated seats, front windshield-wiper de-icers, a touch-screen GPS navigation system, and a massive, all-glass moonroof. Yet, with all that kit and more, our 2.5XT Limited topped out at only $31,523.

Of course, it isn't perfect. No SUV is, not even the one that wins Sport/Utility of the Year. For starters, if you're interested in moving more than five people or 2400 pounds of towable gear, the Forester must be chopped from your list.

ome judges also dinged the Subaru for its "parts-bin interior" and lack of style. Others pegged this simplicity as back-to-basics goodness. "After some of the other complex, flight-deck instrument panels (like the aptly named Pilot's), the Subaru's simple and easy-to-use controls are a welcome break. VW easily trumps the Subaru for visual pizzazz, though the Forester works better," comments St. Antoine. In other words, quiet, comprehensive competence.

No, our selection of the Subaru Forester as Motor Trend's 2009 Sport/Utility of the Year is not a reaction to prices at the pump, but a renewed appreciation for the value of the dollar and a thoughtfully designed, well-executed vehicle. At a time when our nation is paying the piper for poor investments and past excesses, the Forester brings to mind many of the humble values that made this country great: thrift, resourcefulness, doing more with less.

St. Antoine sums it up best, "It takes only a few miles to begin to appreciate the Forester's many virtues. It does everything most SUV buyers need-with more off-road capability than they'll likely use-yet remains friendly and carlike in its character. In many ways, the Forester represents the new SUV paradigm; it's the right vehicle for the times."

Stump Puller: A New Boxer Diesel

In addition to the Forester's two gasoline-fueled powerplants, by 2010, U.S. models may also sport a new boxer diesel recently released in the European market. The world's first production boxer diesel, the turbocharged, DOHC, 2.0-liter four makes 145 horses at 3600 rpm but a mighty 258 pound-feet of torque at 1800 rpm. Standard and only transmission is a six-speed manual newly developed for the diesel (Subaru doesn't have an auto able to handle the diesel's torque and says developing a new tranny is unlikely). The Forester 2.0D's estimated EPA city/highway fuel efficiency checks in at an amazing 34/41 mpg. Towing capacity climbs to a lofty 4400 pounds. Price: about $2800 more than the turbo gas four. Want to see the Forester 2.0D stateside? Send Subaru your thumbs-up now.
- Arthur St. Antoine