2009 Subaru Forester Trims and Specs

A brand-new redesign greets the 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5 X, with a longer 103-inch wheelbase and a new stiffer platform. The powertrain remains the same, however - a 2.5-liter, 170-hp flat-4 engine that gets 170 ft-lbs of torque at 4,400 RPM. It's paired with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed shiftable automatic transmission. A new rear double wisbhone and Macpherson strut front suspension supports the 2009 Forester 2.5 X, which rides on 16-inch wheels with all-season tires. New Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive comes with a mechanical center differential and performs well on slippery roads and in snow.

The Forester seats four in two rows. Rear seats split-fold 60/40 with a folding armrest. Reclining seats are optional. The cargo hold starts at 31 and increases to 69 cubic feet with the seats down, and comes with tie-downs and a power outlet. Standard features include power windows, locks, and mirrors, remote entry, cruise control, tilt and power steering, a 4-speaker CD player with MP3 input jack, intermittent front and rear wipers, a trip computer, and a compass and temperature display. New for 2009 is an optional touchscreen navigation system that comes with video jacks to attach gaming devices. Satellite radio, remote start, a cargo net, and a retractable rear tray are other options.

Safety-wise, the 2009 Forester excels. It gets standard traction and stability control this year, along with new side curtain airbags. These join 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, dual front-side airbags with passenger deactivation, and rollover sensors. On manual versions, an Incline Start Assist is also standard, to prevent rollbacks. An auto-dimming rearview mirror is available, as are splash guards, a rear spoiler, a sport grille, and a tow hitch.

The 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5 X Premium falls in between the 2.5 X and the L.L. Bean Edition. It expands standard features by offering a power sunroof, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, larger 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, a tire monitor, and reclining rear seats with an armrest that doubles as a storage compartment. The crossover SUV gets a new platform and new double wishbone rear suspension, along with added length and width that helps when cornering. The all-wheel-drive system has also been revamped to more intuitively distribute torque where needed. The 2.5-liter flat-4 engine gets 170 hp and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 4,400 RPM and is paired with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.

4-wheel disc and ABS brakes come with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. Manual models get extra help with a hill start assist program. Electronic stability control, traction control, and rollover sensors keep the 2009 Forester 2.5 X Premium steady. Dual front-side and new side curtain airbags for both rows come with front passenger airbag deactivation. An auto-dimming rearview mirror and foglights can be added. Other standard features include a full power setup, remote entry, a trip computer, a CD player with MP3 jack, a compass and temperature readout, a security system, and intermittent front and rear wipers.

Rear seats split-fold 60/40, expanding the 31-cubic-foot cargo area to 69 cubic feet. There is also a roof rack that can be equipped with optional cross bars. Two 12-volt power outlets up front and one in the cargo area add extra convenience. A touchscreen navigation system is newly optional this year, joining other add-ons such as satellite radio, a tow hitch, leather and alloy accents, rear and underbody front spoilers, a cargo net, a short-throw shifter, and a sport grille.

Combining high-end comfort with functionality and versatility, the 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5 X L.L. Bean Edition adds plenty of luxury items to this revamped SUV crossover. Along with full power features, a trip computer, and cruise control, the L.L. Bean improves on the Premium by offering a standard 10-way power driver's seat, heated front seats and mirrors, leather upholstery and leather and alloy trim up front, and a 6-CD changer with MP3 playback and an MP3 jack. Also on hand are wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls. Rear seats now recline and come with an armrest that hides a storage compartment. A compass and temperature display, intermittent front and rear wipers, tilt and power steering, a security system, and remote entry are other standard features.

On the safety side, the 2009 Forester 2.5 X L.L. Bean adds foglights, a tire monitor, and larger 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires. Traction and stability control, rollover sensors, dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows, and 4-wheel ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist help earn top safety ratings. The newly designed Symmetrical All-Wheel drive comes with a mechanical center differential and 8.9 inches of ground clearance. It is backed by a 2.5-liter, 16-valve, 170-hp horizontal four-cylinder engine that gets 170 ft-lbs of torque. A 4-speed shiftable automatic is the only transmission. The cargo area comes with tie-downs and a power outlet and holds up to 69 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding seats down. For the L.L. Bean, a roof rack is also standard.

Add-ons include a new touchscreen navigation system with video jacks, satellite radio, remote start, a cargo net, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. On the outside, you can add a rear spoiler, roof crossbars, a tow hitch, and splash guards.

The 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT features the turbo engine in this redesigned crossover SUV's lineup. The turbocharged 2.7-liter, 16-valve DOHC flat-4 delivers 224 hp and has been reworked to get 226 ft-lbs of torque at a low 2,800 RPM. This engine comes only with a 4-speed shiftable automatic. A front hood scoop and rear spoiler distinguish the XT from the X trims. Three extra inches in the wheelbase increase cargo room, and nearly two extra inches in width improve handling, as do a new stiffer platform and rear double wishbone suspension.

Features are similar to those of the 2.5 X L.L. Bean (without the leather) and include power windows, locks, and mirrors, remote entry, a sunroof, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, a trip computer, and a 6-CD changer with MP3 input jack. A compass and temperature display, three power outlets, and front and rear intermittent wipers provide added convenience. The 2009 Forester 2.5 XT seats four in two rows, with reclining rear seats that also split-fold 60/40. The cargo space starts at 31 cubic feet and moves to 69 with back seats down, and a roof rack adds more space, along with numerous storage compartments.

The automatic all-wheel-drive system has been improved for 2009. Traction and stability control, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes with brake assist, rollover sensors, and dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows continue to uphold Subaru's safety reputation. Also part of the 2.5 XT package are a tire monitor, 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, and foglights. An auto-dimming rearview mirror costs extra. A cargo net and tray are available, along with more enhanced features, such as a navigation system, remote start, and satellite radio. Other options include leather and alloy trim, a tow hitch, and a front underbody spoiler.

Upgrading from the 2.5 XT, the 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited classes up this family utility vehicle with leather upholstery, heated front seats and mirrors, a 10-way power driver's seat, and leather trim on the steering wheel and shifter. Together with full power features, remote entry, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, a 6-CD changer with MP3 jack, and power sunroof, the riding experience is comfortable and pleasant. Intermittent front and rear wipers, a trip computer, three power outlets, and a compass and temperature display round out the standard features.

Equipped with automatic Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, and 8.9 inches of ground clearance, the 2009 Forester 2.5 XT Limited always feels surefooted. The 2.5-liter, 224-hp DOHC flat-four turbo engine delivers 226 ft-lbs of torque at a new low RPM of 2,800. It is paired with a 4-speed automatic and comes with a large hood scoop and rear spoiler. Standard 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes come with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. Traction and stability control, rollover sensors, and dual front-side and new side curtain airbags add extra security. A tire monitor and foglights are also standard.

Inside, you'll find increased legroom and the added feature of reclining rear seats with a fold-down armrest that hides a storage compartment. The 31-cubic-foot trunk expands to 69 and features tie-downs, with the option to add a cargo net and tray. A roof rack is also standard and can be equipped with crossbars. Also available as options are remote start, satellite radio, a navigation system with video jacks for gaming devices, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a trailer hitch, and a sport grille.