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.

    See also:

    Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag are unlikely to deploy.
    1) The vehicle is involved in an oblique side-on impact. 2) The vehicle is involved in a side-on impact in an area outside the vicinity of the passenger compartment. 3) The vehicle strikes a telep ...

    Conditions in which front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag is not activated
    The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag will not be activated when any of the following conditions are met regarding the front passenger’s seat: • The seat is empty. • The seat is equipped with a r ...

    Air inlet selection button
    ON position (recirculation): Interior air is recirculated inside the vehicle. Press the air inlet button to the ON position. The indicator light will illuminate. Place this button in the ON posit ...