2007 Subaru Forester
Subaru Forester: Fun factor standard
Mon, Dec 25th 2006
|
| VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| type | 5 door, hatchback, 2wd |
| msrp | $25,995 |
| trans | automatic |
| gas mi. | 20mpg/27mpg |
| rating |  |
When my brother and I went to REI for some hiking boots and rain gear we noticed something in the parking lot. About one-third of all the vehicles in the non-hunting, blue state version of Cabela’s were Subarus — mostly Outbacks and Foresters. The message? These are versatile, economical and dependable, ready to get you into and out of almost any outdoor fun that you fancy.
They’re also pretty darn sharp-looking.
The impression held with the Subaru Forester I’ve been driving, a snazzy electric blue (they call it “blue pearl”) Sports 2.5 XT model with all-wheel drive and a manual transmission. The one I drove has satellite radio and removable plastic bins in the back for grocery bags, but you can easily trim almost $700 from the list price of $27,200 by not picking up either option. The bins are a pain to stow elsewhere if you’re not going shopping, and as for satellite radio … use the cool and convenient iPod plug-in and you’ll get to hear exactly what you want instead. My favorite accessory, the heated seats, weren’t the hottest or the fastest fanny warmers I’ve tried.
Dog owners will want to opt for the heavy-duty rubber mats with deep channels for collecting all the mud you and your pups bring in. They really work, and clean up well with a hose and a scrub brush.
On the dog-friendly plus side, the rear seats fold flat neatly and easily. The Forester is tall enough to take a single large crate, but as with most smaller SUVs and wagons, the side-by-side crates won’t fit. I did notice mounts for multiple child seats, however, which suggests Subaru is more interested in outdoorsy young parents than dog-lovers.
The manual transmission makes for a lively driving experience, and the Forester has enough pick-up and sharp handling to give you and your dogs a thrill. I took the Forester to field training, where it handled the gravel roads and puddles with ease. The fun factor is more than enough to offset an interior that looks a little cheap, with plastic knobs designed to appear chrome-ish, but instead look like spray-painted tops off glass milk bottles.
Bottom line: A sharp exterior and lively performance paired with good fuel economy (20/27 mpg) makes this a great choice for the person who loves outdoor activities and often takes the dog along.
-- Gina Spadafori
Carguy Comments:The Forester is a permanent fixture in mountain areas that see loads of snow on an annual basis. Available in six trim models, including the L.L. Bean Edition with beige leather-trimmed upholstery and the L.L. Bean logo embossed on the front seats. Also available is a 224-hp turbo engine on the Sports 2.5 XT and XLT Limited versions. Cargo capacity is to 64.5 cu. ft. with the rear seatbacks down and features a retractable cargo area cover and utility bars and hooks located in the upper side trim. The Forester’s emissions rating is PZEV (standard engine) and LEV II for the turbo version.
-- Keith Turner, The Family Car
Forester fits dog-friendly families
Barking Lot Banter: The Subaru Forester is a great ride for families who frequent snow and mud on a regular basis and take their favorite dog along for the adventure. Toss in the manual transmission, leather interior and a turbo-powered engine, and you are assured of a fun ride.
Comments
I have a 2009 subaru forrester ( had the 2006, great too! )I carry two 400 crates, my crate dolly, tack box, chairs etc. to shows, no problem; best part is it gets 27-30 MPG with an auto transmission! I live in the PNW, with a mile long STEEP ice/snow covered driveway, and my Subaru’s reliably get me to work every time! LOVE my vehicle!
2008-11-06 12:31:26
Just bought the 2008 LL Bean Edition and I LOVE it. I did buy the cargo barrier to keep my dogs off the backseat. I have two medium size australian shepherds and they are very comfortable in the cargo area. Another bonus is that the cargo hooks in the cargo area are perfect for anchoring the dogs seat belts to.
2008-10-31 06:51:49
The 2009 XL is the best yet! Awesome dog car….heck – great all aroubd car.
2008-08-19 21:53:31
In May 8, 2007 I bought a NEW SUBARU FORESTER and now I have subsequently taken it to back to the agency on several occasions with the same problem. A part from this car overheated four times and whenever I took the car to the agency and they didn´t find the fault. I had asked the forester agency to consider giving me my money or change another new car
2008-08-12 12:13:42
Love my 2003 Forester. But then again I only have one dog. If I had more than one, I’m not sure.
2008-07-29 12:50:34
I just bought my second Forester. The 2009 is a little roomier, plenty of room for my two retrievers in crates + a grooming table and two fold down crates. 25 mpg, all-wheel drive for less than $20,000. And it comes with a stick-shift! My 2001 Forester had 160,000 miles on it—they’re reliable. I love my car!
2008-07-27 18:19:08
We have a 2006 2.5-Turbo. It has survived African rough roads – another bigger vehicle damaged its gas tanks. Our dog approves
2008-06-04 09:26:45
Ihave a 2005 and love it! We can fit 2 crates with tha back seat down. Love the handling too. I use the roof rack for carrying extra crates, grooming table and other things.
2008-04-25 20:23:23
Mechanically a sound car though here in Australia you have to choose between curtain airbags or a cargo barrier, like on most Japanese SUV/ wagons …. silly I think. Makes no sense whatsoever.
2008-04-14 03:58:32
I don’t have the Forester, but I do have the 2006 LLBean Outback. I purchased the wire compartment divider that Subaru has available and use it instead of crates for my standard poodles. The divider is bolted into the frame of the vehicle, and permits me to mount dog fans on it to keep air circulating in the summer.
I covered the heavy rubber mat with fleece for the dogs’ comfort.
I love the vehicle and am still, 2 years later, pleased with the purchase. The dogs think of it as their second home.
2008-04-08 06:43:13
Does anybody know if the Midwest side by side crates (21×36) will fit in the back of the 2009 Forester? My 2001 Forester has been great for driving two dogs around (with a side door crate in the back and a 400 series varikennel on the rear seat), but it would be nice if in my next car, I could access both crates from the rear. I tried measuring, but it’s close enough that I couldn’t tell. Thanks!
2008-03-21 16:26:28
Test drive of 2009 Forester (non-turbo)
Think Subaru has another dog and people friendly vehicle here. Pretty much redesigned inside and out. Slightly longer, hence more interior space. Interior design very nice. Slightly higher road clearance – on the positive side, more height to go over ruts, but a little more height for dogs to get into. Still- not bad. Cargo space much better. Subaru reduced size of the bumps along the sides in the cargo area. More room sideways to work with. (If anyone wants to test crate configurations—go for it! There is quite a bit of head room.)More leg room for people in back seat. Power and feel of car very nice. Subaru has added the “sport” drive to the Forester, which gives you more umph when you want it. Roof racks appear to be an optional item. Best thing of all—the price is still pretty much the same!!!
2008-03-19 17:54:24
luv them
2008-01-23 12:22:24
I drive a 1999 Subaru Forester and it has now rolled to over 233k miles. I love it. With one small exception when it was relatively new, I have had very few mechanical problems. I get about 23 mpg in the city and have gotten up to 30 mpg on the highway. And the reason I got it in the first place was because I could fit 2 large dog crates if needed, one with a side opening in the back and the other with front opening at a side door. It even travelled from WNY to GA with 2 dogs, 3 people and all the stuff needed for a week away from home – it was crowded but it worked. I would get another, though I do believe they have changed the shape a bit since my version.
2008-01-20 20:29:55
Have a 2002 Forester. My Shiba rides in her crate in the back seat.
A while ago I sent an email to Subaru of America, suggesting that they work with various dog crate companies on lines of crates specifically for cars. (For example, crates that can be secured using the child restraint systems.)
Got a nice email back from them saying that they appreciated the input and that my suggestion was being forwarded to their “accessories division”.
2007-12-26 21:41:22
The Subaru Forester is great. I’m single and the Dozer, my lab, loves to ride in the back seat. I use a Orvis Backseat Saver.
Lloyd Thomas, Esq.
Tempe, AZ
2007-12-17 12:05:15
Our 2003 Outback can hold 3 #300 Vari kennels with the back seat down. Two side by side in the back and one pushed up sideways against the driver’s seat and oriented to face the rear side door (this one has to be put in from the back and slid forward). This may hold true for newer models as well.
2007-11-04 22:47:24
The Subaru Forrester has a bad drawback-Can’t open the tailgate with two crates in the back. There is no way to open from the outside and if there is a power failure-you can’t get dogs out. Had I known this I would not have purchased the Forrester, On the other hand if you get two 30 inch long crates with side doors, you can fit one long way behind pssenger seat and the other behind the back seats. You are able to leave the one seat behind the driver up for a passenger and someone can fit in front.
2007-10-09 19:44:23
Ditto on all the rave reviews…love the height…not too high for many dogs to jump on it, unlike so many mid-size SUV’s and trucks. Great vehicle for the pups!!!!
2007-10-04 18:29:21
Though I don’t have a Forester, I do have a 1998 Legacy Wagon – it is perfect for dogs. I have 3 French Bulldogs, and can put 2 – 300 Vari kennels in the back with ample space to pack things around them.
~Dana, Canada
2008-11-20 08:05:04