DON'T FORGET ABOUT SUBARU FORESTER AMONG SMALL SPORT-UTES

"Oh, my, now that's a really big sunroof," I said to myself, as I slipped behind the wheel of the 2000 Subaru Forester, my first 
test of this smallish sport-ute since late '97. 

The last time I'd driven the Forester was back in '97, when Subaru launched the Forester as a completely new '98 model. It was, of course, a wet, grey, typically miserable Canadian fall, so the Forester's sunroof never once got a workout.
This time around, though, spring has brought plenty of sun. And so I have been marveling at this huge, wide-open sunroof -- one that with the windows all down turns the Forester into a near-convertible station wagon.

So you're probably asking why am I re-testing a vehicle that hasn't really changed since it arrived? Simple. The sport-cute marketplace is heating up. This summer, Ford and its Japanese partner, Mazda, will launch their own version of a Forester/Honda CR-V/Jeep Cherokee/Toyota RAV4/Suzuki Vitara-Grand Vitara/Chevrolet Tracker-fighter. (Wow, the small sport-ute segment is crowded!)

The Ford Escape and the Mazda Tribute share the same mechanical platform -- floorpan, powertrain, chassis design and all-wheel-drive system. However, the Escape and Tribute are very different in terms of styling, packaging and suspension tuning. Quite unique, in fact. I've already previewed the Tribute, and you can read about the Escape in the accompanying article.
Meanwhile, this fall Toyota will introduce a revamped version of the RAV4. The 2001 RAV has more mainstream styling and is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor. Not surprisingly, it's roomier inside. Under the hood is a new 148-horsepower four-cylinder engine which represents a boost of 21 hp. over the vehicle currently on sale.
But enough about the competition. 

Subaru currently sells four versions of the Forester in Canada: base L ($26.695), the Dynastar Edition ($29,995), a well-equipped S ($30,995) and the loaded S Limited ($33,395). Even the most basic Forester is well equipped, as you can see by the specs chart. Every version has an excellent standard all-wheel-drive system, too, and all are powered by a gutsy 165-horsepower engine. 

Right now the Forester is the most powerful vehicle in its class, but that will change when the 2001 Tribute and Escape arrive with their optional 200-horsepower V6. Even then, the Forester will have the most powerful standard engine among all its rivals, and overall it will have bragging rights to the second-most powerful powerplant. Not bad for a three-year-old design in an auto market where vehicles are typically reinvented every four years.

What's most striking about the Forester is its tall roofline. I could drive around wearing a 10-gallon hat and still fit in its cabin without slouching. I wouldn't be able to do that in a Subaru Impreza wagon.

I mention the Impreza because the Forester is built on its car chassis - just like the CR-V is based on the chassis of a Honda Civic and the current RAV rides on modified underpinnings of a mid-'90s Toyota Celica. The Forester's passenger car roots give it pretty sporty handling for a wagon, not to mention suspension tuning based on the hot-roddish Impreza RS,. 

Compared to the current RAV, the CR-V and others, the Forester is more quick and balanced in cornering and smoother and better controlled on straight highway stretches. The steering is tight and the brakes with standard four-wheel anti-lock have good stopping power - though the pedal has that troubling soft feel so common to all Subarus.

Inside, the Forester's better-than-average seats offer places for five adults, but four is more realistic if everyone is to be comfortable. Yes, there is about 2.54 cm. (an inch) more front/rear legroom than in the Impreza, but taller folks still don't have extra space to stretch their limbs. 

Headroom is another matter, because the Forester is about 12.5 cm. (five in.) taller than the Impreza. Still, the seating position is no higher than any typical passenger car, so if you're expecting the "King-of-the-Road" forward view available in large sport-utes, you'll be disappointed. In fairness, the huge glass area does give passengers above average outward visibility. 
The rear seat splits and folds 45/55, doubling cargo capacity to 1,829 litres compared to 940 litres when the seatback is up. That said, the Forester doesn't have a lot more usable rear cargo space than the Impreza wagon. Enough for family groceries or a couple of full hockey bags, sure. More than that, I don't think so. A maximum towing capacity of 907 kg. (2,000 lbs.) is okay for a smallish trailer.

And while the Forester has an excellent all-wheel-drive system, don't confuse it with a serious off-roader. True, its 19 cm. (7.5 in.) of ground clearance is similar to some other sport-utes, yet the factory does not offer a full set of underbody skid plates -- although some versions are available with a "differential protector." The Forester doesn't have low range four-wheel drive and locking differentials, either. And both are a must for rock climbing, log crossing and mud bogging. If you insist on bush-whacking, your best choice in this class is the Jeep Cherokee.

On the other hand, if a handy-sized, all-weather wagon fits your family needs, the Forester is the kind of stylish, versatile, reliable mini-ute that should be on your shopping list. 

2001 SUBARU FORESTER L AWD.
Engine: (front engine/all-wheel drive) 2.5-litre H4; 16 valves operated by single overhead camshaft; electronic engine management/fuel injection; 165 hp.@ 5,600 rpm; torque rated @ 166 ft-lbs @ 4,000 rpm.
Transmission: five-speed manual.
Steering: power rack and pinion.
Brakes: front disc/rear drum w/four-wheel anti-lock.
Tires: P205/70SR15 mud and snow tires.
Wheelbase: 2,525 mm (99.4 in.).
Curb weight: 1,369 kg. (3,018 lbs.).
Max trailer weight: 907 kg. (2,000 lbs.)
Price (MSRP base): $26,895; freight: $450
Key standard equipment: rear air ducts, AM/FM stereo cassette w/4 speakers, power door locks w/2 stage unlock, 2 power accessory outlets, driver foot rest, power windows, full floor console, mini overhead console, cargo tie downs/light/concealed storage, 55-45 folding rear bench, cloth seats, front and rear mud flaps, roof rack, power remote and heated outside mirrors.
Key options: four-speed automatic transmission ($1,000), AC ($,1300).
J.D. Power & Associates Initial Quality Study (number of owner-reported problems in first 90 days; lower number is better):\
Subaru vehicle line: 199 (industry average 154) 
Forester: 196
Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability: much better than average (recommended).
Performance in 0-100 km/h: 10.5 seconds
Safety/security: dual front airbags; all-wheel drive; anti-lock braking average rating for headrest effectiveness; four star/four star rating for driver/passenger crash protection; no rating for front/rear side impact crash protection; no rating for collision claims; no average rating for comprehensive claims experience; no rating for theft claims.
Warranty:
Bumper-to-bumper: 3 years/60,000 km.
Major components: 5 years/100,000 km.
Rust perforation: 5 years/unl. km.
Roadside assistance: 3 years/unl.
Pros
* Big cargo area
* Plenty of giddy-up
* Excellent AWD system
* Comfortable and well-built
Cons
* Tight fit in rear seats
* Leg room for tall drivers at a premium up front
* If you want a serious off-road vehicle, look elsewhere

THE FORESTER'S `BOXER' FOUR

Under the Forester's hood is a flat or horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine. Type of motor is also called a "pancake" or "boxer" design.

So what's that mean?

In short, the cylinders are arranged 180 degrees from one another on opposite sides of the centre the crankshaft. You'll find this kind of engine in the current Porsche 911 and the original Volkswagen Beetle.

Subaru has a lot of history with flat fours and its been rewarded with an excellent reputation for durability. In addition, the type of engine sits low in the engine bay, lowering the hoodline and the vehicle's centre of gravity. Subaru's boxer motors also have plenty of torque, or twisting force. Drivers feel that in excellent grunt at low engine speeds and it's very much welcome when the engine is powering all four wheels.
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