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Subaru Forester drives like a car but works like a tough SUV
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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DIABLO, Wash. -- Seat-time tests in a prototype edition of Subaru's new Forester sport-utility wagon began amid bright sunshine near Winthrop in the Methow River Valley, where spring flowers like the yellow balsomroot and purple lupine dotted green meadows pitched on eastern slopes of the Cascade Range in the state of Washington.
The morning's plan called for a few miles of steering Forester along 2-track dirt trails threaded through tall stands of red cedar and Douglas fir, in order to sample the capability of Subaru's all-wheel-drive technology, followed by pavement trials in a mountain excursion along the North Cascades Scenic Highway, which climbs to mile-high Washington Pass en route to Diablo by the Canadian border.
What this scheme didn't include were traction tests on ice because by late May all winter snow had been scraped off the highway, leaving an asphalt roadbed dry and clear.
Yet sunlight soon faded as Forester climbed into the mountains, and a light mist of rain collected on the windshield before we reached steep grades leading to the pass. As Forester rolled higher up the slopes, rain turned to snow and by the crest a rare spring white-out was depositing six inches of wet but slippery slush faster than a snow plow could clear it.
Nature's storm turned into a driver's opportunity, however, and Forester proved it could cope with ice and snow as easily as dirt or asphalt -- and with sure-footed traction confidence because this new wagon totes Subaru's easy-to-apply all-wheel-drive system which works continuously to automatically transfer power from wheels that slip to those that grip.
Despite the ice, Forester plowed its own course across that pass, maintaining steady momentum on the straights and holding firm through each treacherous elbow.
Forester also revealed it can make a tough set of mountain curves, like those encountered on the descent to Diablo, feel like so much sports-car play on pavement.
You can't say as much for the typical sport-utility wagon, which rides hard and turns precariously, generally behaving like a truck because its chassis comes from one.
Forester by contrast represents a new hybrid type of sport-utility wagon which begins with the platform of a passenger car. In Forester's case, that chassis comes from Subaru's sturdy compact-class Impreza coupe, and many of Forester's mechanical systems, such as the 4-wheel independent suspension system, also may be encountered on Outback, another type of Subaru wagon which exhibits the smooth ride characteristics of a passenger car but off-road ability of a sport-ute.
Outback emerged two years ago billed by Subaru as the world's first sport-utility station wagon, and a smaller version appeared last year badged as Impreza Outback Sport.
With Forester, though, the boxy format and tall stance leave no doubt that this new vehicle is not another Subaru station wagon but a bona fide sport-utility wagon cast with miniature proportions.
Forester stands high, due to a ground clearance of 7.5 inches, and its essential shape looks like two rectangular boxes with the shorter one stacked atop the longest. Boxy wagon lines have been softened somewhat by making curves in transitional corners, and front surfaces like grille and windshield cant rearward in concession to aerodynamic streamlining.
The abbreviated dimensions of Impreza's compact platform produces a package for Forester that's smaller than a conventional truck-based SUV. As a result, it's as easy to climb into as a compact car, and the roof rises no taller than a full-size sedan -- which makes roof access easy for those with canoes or bicycles to load on a top rack.
At the back, a top-hinged lift gate swings up and out of the way for access to the rear storage bay.
Forester's interior creates space for five people in a layout with twin front bucket seats separated by console and followed by a bench that's ideal for two riders but still functional for three.
Front seats provide thick side bolsters and feel like seats you'd find in a sporty performance car.
Rear seatbacks split and fold to expand cargo space. With seatback up, the storage section contains 33.2 cubic feet of space -- far more than competitors.
Overall organization for Forester starts with that platform borrowed from Impreza, with wheelbase measuring 99.4 inches. A rigid car-like steel monocoque unibody forms a firm superstructure that varies from the typical body-on-frame construction of trucks and wagons, a design which invariably produces inherent squeaks and rattles.
While usual SUVs use a solid rigid axle, Forester features independent suspension elements, including MacPherson-type struts at every corner. This arrangement contributes a more controllable quality to the ride sensation for driver and, when venturing off pavement, produces a more enjoyable experience for passengers.
With car-like suspension and quick-acting rack and pinion steering, Forester takes the work out of driving and behaves in city traffic more like a sedan.
Forester's boxer engine, mounted longitudinally, employs equal-length opposing drive shafts to negate potential torque steer in the 4-wheel-drive system.
The dual-cam 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed four generates 165 horsepower and ties to a malleable 5-speed manual transmission or optional automatic 4-speed.
Packing so much punch into such a compact package makes Forester feel like a powerhouse. In the Cascades tests, it seemed to leap over hills and pounce when passing -- an experience not usually encountered in the compact class.
Forester's all-wheel-drive system never needs attention from the driver because it's always engaged -- so it's as easy to operate as a conventional 2-wheel-drive system. With this device a driver develops confidence for steering through any type of road condition -- dry, wet, frozen, sandy or graveled.
All three of Forester's editions stock the all-wheel-drive equipment, as do all Subarus now, and each Forester trim contains a long list of features for convenience.
The base Forester lists for less than $20,000, while Forester L and S add power operation for windows, plus special fabrics inside and touches of chrome outside.
After testing Forester in all traction venues and odd weather conditions too, one driver decided this machine deserves its own niche: It's a sport-utility for off-road maneuvers but drives far more easily, like a fine sedan.
1998 SUBARU FORESTER
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 SUBARU FORESTER Specs |
| Description: |
Compact SUV Wagon |
| Model Options: |
Compact SUV Wagon |
| Wheelbase: |
99.4 inches |
| Overall Length: |
175.2 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.5-L I4
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
AWD |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
21/27 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 19,500 to $ 24,000 |
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