The Subaru Forester is a compact all-wheel-drive wagon crossover SUV with seating for five. Similar in size to the Honda CR-V the Forester has more than enough passenger room and cargo volume to suit a small family. Standard all-wheel-drive adds an extra measure of security in bad weather. The standard 170-bhp 2.5L flat-4 is available with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. Enthusiasts looking for an innocuous sport wagon should pick the 2.5XT, which is equipped with a 230-bhp turbo version of the base engine, and offers the same transmission choices.

What Changed:

Subaru's diminutive crossover is all new for 2009. The new Forester has grown over three inches longer, two inches wider and three inches taller. The extra size benefits interior room and the longer wheelbase should improve ride comfort. Two models are offered, the 2.5X and the 2.5XT. Both models feature a 2.5L horizontally opposed "boxer" engine that is a Subaru trademark. The normally aspirated version in the 2.5X produces 170hp, whereas the turbocharged version in the 2.5XT is rated at 224 hp. One thing that has not increased significantly is the curb weight. The new Forester weighs less than 100 lbs more, which should ensure that the 2.5XT remains one of the quickest small SUVS on the market