2011 Subaru Forester Carollton | Huebner Subaru Serving Canton, Massilon & Akron, OH

About the 2011 Subaru Forester in Carrollton

Active and Nimble

The confidence and control of road-gripping Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard
SUBARU BOXER engine provides efficient operation and a low center of gravity for balance that can be felt
4-wheel indepenent suspension for a smooth and comfortable ride
Tight turning radius gives it sedan-like agility

Versatile Utility

With 170 hp and 27 MPG Hwy, you don't have to compromise power for fuel economy
Excellent visibility and sight reduce blind spots and increase safety
Rear passengers ride comfortably with considerable space and reclining rear seatbacks
Adept at transporting objects beyond the everyday errands with its large hatch opening
8.9 inches of ground clearance

Protects You

2010 IIHS Top Safety Pick
Standard Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) adjusts braking and power distribution between wheels to ensure traction and stability
The protection of six airbags and rollover sensor standard
The stopping power of four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution for varying loads, and Brake Assist for optimal emergency braking, all standard

The better we do here, the safer you are out on the road. Full Protection In a Subaru Forester

Subaru ranks among the best in the automotive industry in terms of crashworthiness.

It's the only manufacturer to have all of its vehicles rated a 2010 "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Click to Read More from IIHS

2010 Subaru Forester:

Good performance: in front, side, rollover, and rear tests and standard electronic stability control.

Rating System:

Good

Acceptable

Marginal

Poor

I was driving up I-80 when an earthquake occurred.*
A four-foot boulder came down the hillside and I collided with it going around 60 mph. I am lucky to be alive because I was lucky enough to buy a Subaru -Robert P., Reno, NV

Our Subaru protected us from a red-light-runner.*
A driver hit us while running a red light. He was speeding and hit us in the driver door straight-on. Everyone was fine, thanks to the true strength and build of the Subaru. The damage it took was incredible and the fact that the tow truck driver drove it to the flatbed stunned me. -James Zammikiel., Twinsburg, OH

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* Each accident is unique and serious injuries are always possible, even in a Subaru.

Subaru Forester Key Features

VERSATILITY	2.5X	2.5X Prem.	2.5X Ltd.	2.5X Tour.	2.5XT Prem.	2.5XT Tour.
Raised roof rails: black finish
Raised roof rails: silver finish
Towing capacity 2,400 lbs
Multifunction center console Multifunction center console with detachable pocket and partition, sliding armrest, dual cup holders and 12-volt power outlets
Cargo-area Cargo-area with 2 grocery bag hooks, 4 tiedown hooks and 2 upper utility hooks
Cargo-area underfloor storage
Removable cargo-area tray
All-Weather Package All-Weather Package: Windshield wiper de-icer, heated side mirrors and heated front seats
Alloy Wheel Value Package Alloy Wheel Value Package: Raised roof rails, 16 x 6.5-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
PERFORMANCE AND HANDLING	2.5X	2.5X Prem.	2.5X Ltd.	2.5X Tour.	2.5XT Prem.	2.5XT Tour.
Fully synchronized 5-speed manual Fully synchronized 5-speed manual with Incline Start Assist.
4-speed electronic direct-control automatic transmission 4-speed electronic direct-control automatic transmission with manual shift mode
170 hp 2.5-liter DOHC 170 hp 2.5-liter DOHC aluminum-alloy 16-valve horizontally opposed SUBARU BOXER® engine with Active Valve Control System.
224 hp 2.5-liter DOHC turbocharged 224 hp 2.5-liter DOHC intercooled, turbocharged aluminum-alloy 16-valve 4-cylinder horizontally opposed SUBARU BOXER® engine with Active Valve Control System.
Engine-speed-sensing variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. Engine-speed-sensing variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. Turning circle: 34.4 feet.
4-wheel independent suspension 4-wheel independent suspension. Front: Strut type with lower L-arm. Stabilizer bar. Rear: Double wishbone. Stabilizer bar.
4-wheel disc 4-wheel disc, ventilated front brakes. 4-channel, 4-sensor ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).
Functional hood scoop Functional hood scoop (feeds turbocharger intercooler)
4-speed adaptive electronic direct-control automatic transmission with manual shift mode
ELECTRONICS AND AUDIO	2.5X	2.5X Prem.	2.5X Ltd.	2.5X Tour.	2.5XT Prem.	2.5XT Tour.
4-speaker audio system 4-speaker audio system with single-disc in-dash CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability
4-speaker audio system 4-speaker audio system with single-disc in-dash CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, iPod® control, USB port, Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity
6-speaker audio system 6-speaker (2.5X Ltd.) or 7-speaker (2.5X Tour. and 2.5XT Tour.) audio system with single-disc in-dash CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, iPod® control, USB port, Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity, and backup camera⁴
Auxiliary audio jack for portable media players
XM® or SIRIUS® Satellite Radio capability⁵
SIRIUS® Satellite Radio capability⁵
SIRIUS® Satellite Radio⁶
TomTom® Navigation System TomTom® Navigation System: Integrated 4-speaker audio system with single-disc in-dash CD/DVD⁸ player with MP3 playback capability and detachable TomTom® touch-screen navigation system with 4.3-inch high-resolution screen, iPod® control, Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity, TomTom® Traffic⁹ and backup camera⁴
COMFORT	2.5X	2.5X Prem.	2.5X Ltd.	2.5X Tour.	2.5XT Prem.	2.5XT Tour.
Panoramic moonroof
6-way manually adjustable driver's seat. 6-way manually adjustable driver's seat. 4-way manually adjustable front-passenger's seat.
10-way power adjustable driver's seat 10-way power adjustable driver's seat with power adjustable lumbar support. 4-way manually adjustable front-passenger's seat.
Heated front seats (All-Weather Package)
Reclining rear seats
60/40-split flat-folding rear seatbacks
One-touch folding rear seatbacks
Leather-wrapped steering wheel Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle
Cloth upholstery
Leather-trimmed upholstery
Aluminum-alloy pedal covers
3-spoke steering wheel 3-spoke steering wheel with cruise control buttons
3-spoke steering wheel 3-spoke steering wheel with audio system, cruise control and Bluetooth® buttons³
Manually adjustable tilt steering column
Manually adjustable tilt/telescoping steering column
Overhead console Overhead console with dual maplights and sunglasses storage
Retractable rear tray Retractable rear tray with dual cup holders
Manually adjustable CFC-free air conditioning system with air filtration
Automatic climate control system with air filtration
8 cup holders
Dual-zone automatic climate control system with air filtration
Navigation System Navigation System: 7-inch high-resolution touch-screen GPS navigation system and 6-speaker (2.5X Ltd.) or 7-speaker (2.5X Tour. and 2.5XT Tour.) audio system with single-disc in-dash CD player, MP3/WMA capability, RCA auxiliary input jack for portable multimedia devices, Bluetooth® hands-free phone capability and backup camera⁴
RELIABILITY	2.5X	2.5X Prem.	2.5X Ltd.	2.5X Tour.	2.5XT Prem.	2.5XT Tour.
170 hp 2.5-liter DOHC 170 hp 2.5-liter DOHC aluminum-alloy 16-valve horizontally opposed SUBARU BOXER® engine with Active Valve Control System.
224 hp 2.5-liter DOHC turbocharged 224-hp 2.5-liter DOHC intercooled, turbocharged aluminum-alloy 16-valve 4-cylinder horizontally opposed SUBARU BOXER® engine with Active Valve Control System.
ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE	2.5X	2.5X Prem.	2.5X Ltd.	2.5X Tour.	2.5XT Prem.	2.5XT Tour.
SUBARU BOXER® engine
Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) Standard VDC electronic stability control utilizes sensors which constantly monitor wheel speeds, steering angle, brake pressure, vehicle yaw rate and lateral g-forces. If VDC detects a difference between the driver's intended path and the one the vehicle is actually taking, VDC applies braking power and/or reduces engine torque to help correct vehicle path.
Traction Control System (TCS) VDC also incorporates an all-wheel, all-speed traction control system which senses a loss of traction and applies braking force to the slipping wheel or wheels as necessary to maintain vehicle motion.
4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) 4-wheel antilock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Brake Assist
Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
SAFETY	2.5X	2.5X Prem.	2.5X Ltd.	2.5X Tour.	2.5XT Prem.	2.5XT Tour.
Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Driver's and front-passenger's front airbags (SRS) ⁷
Subaru advanced frontal airbag system ⁷
Side-curtain airbags protecting front Side-curtain airbags protecting front and rear outboard occupants (SRS) ⁷
Rollover sensor (SRS)⁷
Seat-mounted front side-impact airbags (SRS) ⁷
Height-adjustable active front-seat head restraints
Height-adjustable 3-point front seatbelts Height-adjustable 3-point front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters. 3-point seatbelts at all rear seating positions.
Rear child-safety door locks
LATCH system: Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
Backup camera⁴						s

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2010 Subaru Forester: Versatility that inspires

By Kelsey Mays: Cars.com Editor
December 31, 2009

Reliability data for the Forester has emerged recently, rendering a predicted score of Much Better Than Average from Consumer Reports for a new Forester.

In its first full redesign since the 2003 model year, the Subaru Forester has moved closer to the mainstream than some fans might have hoped it would. The old model's boxy charm has been toned down, and what's left is a compact SUV whose driving dynamics are on par with some of the nimbler players in this segment. A few Forester diehards may cry foul, but I suspect the changes will widen the car's appeal to the market in general. The SUV remains as practical as ever, but now boasts enough refinement to merit serious consideration from anyone shopping the latest Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.

Trim levels include the 2.5X and 2.5X L.L.Bean, along with turbocharged 2.5XT and 2.5XT Limited versions. Subaru's full-time all-wheel-drive system is standard. I drove a number of configurations both on- and off-road at a press event in Southern California.

Going & Stopping
Save a few tweaks to improve everyday drivability, the Forester's four-cylinder drive-trains carry over from last year. Here's how they compare:

Subaru expects the vast majority of buyers to pick the normally aspirated engine. It's a solid choice, mustering enough low-end torque to move the Forester smartly from a standstill. The five-speed manual is worth considering - it feels similar to the stick in the Impreza sedan, rowing with medium throws from one gear to the next. While it's a bit slushy in that sporty sedan, it feels reasonably precise in the Forester, given that it's an SUV. The clutch has a light touch and long take-up, and the engine revs freely when pressed for acceleration. Stay hard on the gas, and the drivetrain can get a bit loud, but it's never coarse or buzzy like some four-cylinders are. The stick shift includes an incline-assist feature to keep it from rolling backward when you release the brake on a hill.

A four-speed automatic is optional with the non-turbo four-cylinder. The turbo engine comes only with the automatic, and I spent several hours driving it on the interstate and some twisty mountain roads. The turbo spools up quickly and delivers commanding power, though there's still some noticeable lag under hard acceleration. The extra horsepower feels strongest in highway passing maneuvers, where the turbo colludes with the transmission to deliver excellent kickdown performance - when it finally happens. The problem is just how long that kickdown takes: The automatic's gears feel widely spaced, and it takes a determined prod on the gas pedal to induce a downshift from fourth gear. Short of that - and during most ordinary driving around town - the turbo doesn't feel decisively stronger than the regular engine, and it lacks the refined punch of a V-6 Toyota RAV4.

Though I spent the vast majority of my time driving the automatic in Normal mode, it's worth noting that it has a Sport mode with its own dedicated shifting program. Be sure to check that out before you discount the automatic as a whole. By holding gears into higher rpm, it should eliminate some of the downshifts entirely - though with a mileage penalty.

The turbo requires premium gas. Mileage with the regular and turbocharged engines rivals that of the four- and six-cylinder engines in various competitors, respectively. The premium-fuel requirement remains unusual for this segment, however.

Last year's Forester could be had with the turbo and a stick shift, which proved more fun to drive than any SUV deserves to be. Alas, due to poor sales, Subaru pulled the plug on that combo this year.

Anti-lock brakes come with discs at all corners, an improvement over the disc/drum combination in some trim levels last year. The pedal delivers linear response and firm stopping control, and I found brake fade minimal even at the bottom of a three-mile offroad descent. ABS shows its face only when skids become imminent - a welcome change from some of the more trigger-happy systems out there.

Towing capacity is 2,400 pounds with either engine. That beats most four-cylinder SUVs, though some of the Forester's V-6 competitors can tow 3,000 pounds or more.

Ride & Handling
The original Forester was one of the first SUVs to adopt a four-wheel-independent suspension, and this year's model has a new double-wishbone rear setup. Several journalists on the media drive complained of excessive body roll - possibly the result of no rear stabilizer bar, which was standard on the outgoing model - but I think most drivers will find that the Forester's handling ranks among the sportier SUVs in its class. The chassis remains poised over curvy roads, and Subaru's all-wheel-drive system delivers unflappable grip accelerating out of a turn.

The steering system offers a quicker turning ratio this year. It delivers lively response, with reasonably crisp turn-in and more feedback about changing road conditions than you get in some sedans, let alone SUVs. Some SUVs accomplish this sporty feel by dialing back the power-steering assist so much that the steering wheel becomes too stiff at low speeds - the Mazda CX-7 springs to mind - but the Forester's steering is well below this threshold, and its 34.4-foot turning circle beats eight of its major competitors, some by more than 5 feet. Outstanding.

Subaru says it took extensive steps to address road and wind noise this time around, and indeed, highway noise now seems about average for a small SUV. It's not as quiet as a Honda CR-V, but it's a distinct improvement over the previous Forester.

Offroad Chops
The offroad portion of Subaru's press drive consisted of a lengthy course on California's Catalina Island, and I had a chance to tackle some fairly demolished dirt roads. I imagine a tiny fraction of Forester owners will take their SUVs to these lengths, but it performed well nonetheless, clawing up steep slopes and rutted pathways with well-controlled body motions. The wheels stayed well-connected to the dirt, allowing the nose or tail to swing wide only under the most sudden turns. (All deliberate, of course.)

SUV Styling
Where previous generations looked more like tall wagons than SUVs, this redesign moves the Forester a lot closer to what it purports to be. There are still some windswept lines here and there, so it's not yet in the territory of more upright SUVs like the Saturn Vue or Ford Escape, but for better or worse it will now blend in with the herd much more easily. The creased headlights and stacked bumper looked a bit busy to me, but they're attractive enough. The tail closes things off with a tidy, clean design.

Standard dual exhaust pipes add a sporty touch, as do the 17-inch alloy wheels that come on all but the base trim level. The doors have window frames now, which gives them a much sturdier feel when slammed than last year's frameless doors had.

The Inside
The Forester's dash sits higher against the windshield than you'll find in many SUVs, which gives the cabin a more car-like feel and a lower perceived driving position. Thanks to the large side and rear windows, however, overall visibility remains excellent.

A height-adjustable driver's seat is standard, but the steering wheel in most models only tilts, and its adjustment range is limited. You have to upgrade to the turbocharged model to get a telescoping wheel, which allows drivers of varying sizes to position themselves a safe, comfortable distance from the steering wheel and its airbag. It's an unfortunate omission, seeing as both the CR-V and RAV4 have telescoping wheels across all trims.

Interior quality is good, if occasionally inconsistent. The materials vary: The upper dash panels have an upscale finish, but some of the plastics lining the glove compartment look grainy and cheap. If you like silver plastic, your day has come: The stuff has spread like foreclosures in Tampa. Here it adorns the center controls, dash, steering wheel, gearshift and doors. The steering wheel has a satisfying grip, but I found the blue-and-white gauges a bit tacky. Other controls, from the turn signals to the window switches, show sturdy construction, and overall fit and finish is respectable.

Roominess & Cargo
Front-seat legroom and headroom was fine for me (about 6 feet tall), even with the panoramic moonroof that comes on most trim levels. The seats have slight side bolsters that come in handy during spirited driving, and the seatbacks provided adequate back support during my several hours behind the wheel.

Thanks largely to a wheelbase that's 3.6 inches longer, backseat legroom has increased more than 4 inches over the previous Forester, and that's a lot when it comes to legroom. The doors open a few degrees wider, too, and I found the resulting backseat comfortably roomy. One caveat: A large floor hump crowds foot room. The CR-V and RAV4 have virtually flat floors.

A low lift-over height and wide opening make the cargo area's 33.5 cubic feet of volume easy to access. The 60/40-split rear seats fold flat in one simple step, extending volume to a maximum of 68.3 cubic feet. Those figures compare favorably with the segment, especially when you consider that each SUV that beats the Forester has a corresponding annoyance: The RAV4 has a cumbersome, sideways-opening rear door; the CR-V requires you to tumble the second-row seats forward and secure them in place; and the Outlander's tumbling seats are a pain in the neck to fold back into place. On the space-versus-impediments index, the Forester scores high.

Safety & Reliability
In crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Forester earned the top score, Good, in front and side impacts. The SUV was awarded an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation. Because it was redesigned this year, reliability scores for the Forester are unavailable. The previous-generation Forester got top marks in this area: Consumer Reports awarded it good or excellent reliability ratings for six years running. While history among brands and models is often informative, cautious buyers will wait for results. Every car is different.

Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, with side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags for both rows. The curtain airbags have tip sensors to deploy during a rollover. Active head restraints, four-wheel-disc anti-lock brakes, traction control and an electronic stability system are also standard. All five seats have adequately high head restraints. Parents with young children should check out the child-seat provisions in the photos above.

Equipment & Pricing
Given that all-wheel drive is standard, the Forester packs impressive value. Subaru shaved some $1,200 off the sticker price for 2009, so the 2.5X now starts at $19,995 without the destination charge, including a temperature/gas mileage display, A/C, cruise control, a CD player with an MP3 auxiliary jack, power accessories and remote keyless entry - albeit with Subaru's dated, flimsy keyfob.

An automatic transmission costs $1,200 - a bit much, considering the Escape's automatic costs $1,000 and the last Forester's automatic was $800. The Premium Package adds alloy wheels, a panoramic moon roof and more for $2,500. An automatic comes standard on the 2.5X L.L.Bean ($25,995), which includes heated leather seats, automatic climate control and a power driver's seat. Turbo models start at $26,195 and top out close to $30,000. A navigation system is optional with either drivetrain.

Forester in the Market
The previous Forester was a Cars.com Best Bet on the strength of its versatility, reliability and safety credentials, but I've always had to footnote my recommendation of it with a warning about its sparse interior and noisy cabin.

This time around, the Forester's refinement has turned into a relative asset. The cabin isn't as classy as those of some of the overachievers in this segment, but overall quality has improved to a point where excuses no longer need to be made. Its cargo-area execution and driving dynamics remain as good as ever, as do the Forester's go-anywhere capabilities.

Perhaps Subaru's last hurdle is the Forester's image as a quirky car for quirky people. The latest model does a lot to overcome this, and it's time mainstream shoppers gave it a look.

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AAA Names Its Top Vehicle Picks for Dog Owners

AAA list includes vehicles for a variety of lifestyles that will keep drivers, passengers and canine companions safe and comfortable on the roadway

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With more than 80 percent of dog owners taking their canine companions along in t

heir vehicles on errands, leisure rides and day trips, many drivers are taking the safety and comfort of man's best friend into consideration when shopping for vehicles. To aid in motorists quest to find a vehicle that meets both their needs, as well as their dogs, AAA has released a list of its top vehicle picks for dog owners.

"More than 45 million households in the U.S. have a dog, and many are taking Fido along for the ride on a regular basis," said John Nielsen, AAA National Director of Auto Repair and Buying Services. "There several vehicles with features that can help keep pets safe, comfortable and easy to clean-up after while also addressing other driver desires such as sportiness, adventure or luxury."

AAA Auto Buying's team of experts, who test drove and reviewed hundreds of vehicles for the AAA AutoMaker vehicle research web site (AAA.com/AutoMaker), have compiled a list of their top vehicles picks for dog owners based upon a wide variety of factors such as crash test ratings, safety features, fuel economy, ease of animal ingress and egress, cargo area size, availability of tie-down hooks and easy-to-clean interiors.

Active Lifestyle Category

Subaru Forester: This Forester offers roomy, comfortable accommodations for people and their pets. The ride is stable and comfortable, the handling is predictable, and the all-wheel drive delivers reassuring traction under all conditions. This wagon is even up for mild off-roading treks that can get the dogs into the country. The Forester's cargo capacity with the rear seats folded is an impressive and inviting (for pets) 68 cubic feet. The floor, at just over 27 inches off the ground, also is lower than many sports utility vehicles making it easier for many dogs to get in and out. There are ample tie-down points to secure a kennel.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

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About the 2011 Subaru Forester in Carrollton

2011 Subaru Forester at Huebner Subaru in Carollton, OH

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