2010 Subaru Forester review

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; click here to see a side-by-side comparison with the 2008 model. 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.

See also:

Armrest
To lower the armrest, pull on the top edge of the armrest. WARNING To avoid the possibility of serious injury, passengers must never be allowed to sit on the center armrest while the vehicle is ...

Where to place a child restraint system
The following descriptions are SUBARU’s recommendations on where to place a child restraint system in your vehicle. A: Front passenger’s seat You should not install a child restraint system (inc ...

Stopping the engine
WARNING Do not stop the engine when the vehicle is moving. This will cause loss of power to the power steering and the brake booster, making steering and braking more difficult. It could also res ...