2011 Subaru Forester Trims and Specs

Neither glamorous nor posh, the 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5 X nevertheless delivers solid performance at a solid price. The 4-door base trim in Subaru’s compact crossover lineup carries 5 passengers, offers 63 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats folded and, like all of its siblings, comes complete with full-time all-wheel drive (AWD). Additionally, the 2.5 X is delivered with standard 16-inch steel wheels, cloth upholstery, remote power door locks and power mirrors, as well as cruise control, tilt-wheel steering and air conditioning. Simulated alloy trim gussies up a cabin somewhat in need of some gussying up, while an MP3-compatible single-CD player with 4 speakers provides entertainment. Finally, besides available remote engine start, a number of options packages provide various protection and appearance upgrades for the exterior, including 16-inch alloy wheels and a color-coordinated rear spoiler. An auto-dimming rear-view mirror with remote garage door opener is also optional on the Forester’s base trim.

Powering the 2011 Forester 2.5 X is a 2.5-liter variable-valve-timed, horizontally opposed four-cylinder (H4) engine. The four-banger is mated with either the standard 5-speed manual transmission or the available 4-speed shiftable automatic transmission to put down 170 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, good enough for 21 mpg city/27 highway. Thus a paucity of power begets a hefty dollop of fuel efficiency. Towing, with the available tow hitch installed, however, is maxed out at 2,400 pounds, while Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system, anchored by a mechanical center differential, ensures power to all four wheels, all the time.

Safety features delivered with the 2011 Forester 2.5 X include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Additionally, this compact ute boasts standard daytime running lights and a remote antitheft alarm with an available shock sensor as well as optional backup sensors.

Up a step from the base trim is the 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5 X Premium. This buff little compact crossover boasts 4 doors, 5-passenger seating, 63 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and standard full-time all-wheel drive (AWD). Exterior attractions include standard 17-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack and a power sunroof, while inside, a standard 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and reclining rear seats are complemented by simulated alloy trim on the doors, dash and center console. Additionally, this well-endowed ute is delivered with remote power door locks, power windows, power outside mirrors, cruise control, air conditioning and telescoping tilt-wheel steering, as well as phone pre-wiring with Bluetooth hands-free technology. Meanwhile, a single-CD player with 4 speakers is bolstered by a USB connection and an auxiliary audio input and iPod integration.

The popular All-Weather package, with heated front seats and heated outside mirrors, is available to the 2011 2.5 X Premium, as is a portable TomTom navigation unit. Remote engine start is a standalone option, while a number of packages, including various Rugged packages and Popular-Equipment packages, with roof-rack crossbars and numerous other exterior protection and appearance upgrades including a color-keyed rear spoiler, are also available.

Power for the 2011 Forester 2.5 X Premium comes in the form of its 170-hp 2.5-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine (H4). When mated with the standard 5-speed manual transmission or the available 4-speed shiftable automatic, this nifty crossover will cook up 174 lb-ft of torque, good enough to tow 2,400 pounds of trailer with the available tow hitch installed. Mileage is estimated at 21 mpg city/27 highway with variable valve timing, and Subaru’s much-ballyhooed Symmetrical AWD system, backboned by a mechanical center differential, tosses power to all four wheels all the time.

Standard safety equipment on the 2011 Forester 2.5 X Premium includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), as well as traction and stability control. Front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection are also standard in this useful ute, as are daytime running lights and a remote antitheft alarm with optional shock sensor system. Further optional safety equipment, meanwhile, includes an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and universal remote garage door opener, as well as reverse parking sensors.

Need a well-equipped, spiffy, versatile compact crossover? Check out the 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5 X Limited. This classy 4-door, 5-passenger ute comes with standard full-time all-wheel drive (AWD), loads of cabin room and 63 cubic feet of cargo area with the rear seats folded. Standard appearance features include a power glass sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels and a roof rack, while inside, such posh touches as standard leather upholstery, reclining rear seatbacks and the All Weather package that features heated power mirrors and heated front seats complement a power-adjustable driver’s seat and leather and simulated alloy cabin accents. Additional standard goodies in the Forester 2.5 X Limited include remote power door locks, power windows, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, cruise control and air conditioning. Entertainment is provided via an MP3-compatible 6-CD changer and 6 speakers, while Bluetooth hands-free technology and phone pre-wiring keep occupants in tune with friends and family.

Options in the 2011 Forester 2.5 X Limited include a number of packaged exterior appearance and protection upgrades, including a color-keyed spoiler, as well as a touch-screen GPS navigation system that also incorporates a rear-view camera, and/or the available TomTom portable navigation system. Remote engine start is also available as a standalone option, as is an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with built-in universal remote garage door opener.

Powering the 2011 Forester 2.5 X Limited is the self-titled 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine (H4) mated with a standard 4-speed shiftable automatic transmission. This combo delivers 170 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, while variable valve timing allows for 21 mpg city/27 highway and towing is maxed out at 2,400 pounds with the optional tow hitch. A mechanical center differential and Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system, meanwhile, shoots power to all four wheels all the time.

Safety-wise, the 2011 Forester 2.5 X Limited sports standard 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights and a remote antitheft alarm with optional shock sensors also come standard on this upscale Forester. Additional optional safety items include backup sensors and bi-xenon headlights.

With a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), 63 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seatbacks folded, a stylish exterior and plenty of passenger room, the 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Premium turns tire-kickers into owners. This family-oriented, 4-door, 5-passenger compact crossover rolls on standard 17-inch alloy wheels while toting such appearance features as a roof rack, integrated rear spoiler, functional hood scoop and power sunroof. Inside, expect to find sports cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, reclining rear seatbacks, power windows and mirrors, remote power door locks and simulated alloy cabin accents. Then there’s standard cruise control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering and air conditioning, all embraced by an MP3-capable single-CD player with four speakers, a USB connection and auxiliary iPod integration. Finally, phone pre-wiring and Bluetooth technology also come standard with this rugged ute.

Options include the Rugged and Popular Equipment Group packages with various combinations of appearance and protection upgrades, as well as the All-Weather package with heated front seats and heated outside mirrors. A portable TomTom navigation unit is a standalone option for the 2011 Forester 2.5 XT Premium, as is satellite radio and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with integrated remote garage door opener.

Power for the 2011 Forester 2.5 XT Premium is in the form of a turbocharged 224-hp horizontally opposed 4-cylinder (H4) engine. When mated with the standard 4-speed shiftable automatic transmission, the four-banger turbo will throw down 226 lb-ft of torque, good enough to tow 2,400 pounds of trailer with the optional trailer hitch installed. Variable valve timing (VVT) allows 19 mpg city/24 highway, and the standard AWD system stars a mechanical center differential and Subaru’s touted Symmetrical AWD.

For 2011’s version of the Forester 2.5 XT Premium, standard safety features include 4-wheel antilock brakes, as well as traction and stability control. Occupant protection, meanwhile, is handled by front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Daytime running lights and a remote antitheft alarm are also standard with an optional shock sensor available to the antitheft alarm system. Other optional safety equipment includes rear parking sensors.

Topping out the 2011 Subaru Forester trim lineup with some significant comfort and convenience goodies is the 2.5 X Touring. This 4-door, 5-passenger compact crossover offers 63 cubic feet of cargo area with the rear seatbacks folded and, above all, standard full-time all-wheel drive (AWD). Standard appearance amenities include 17-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack and a power sunroof, while inside this flagship trim boasts standard leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, front and rear floor mats and simulated alloy and leather cabin accents. Additional standard cabin bling includes reclining rear seats with one-touch folding rear seatbacks, remote power door locks, power windows and power-adjustable mirrors. As well, the standard All-Weather package offers heated front seats and heated outside mirrors to take the chill out of frosty days. Cruise control, meantime, melds with telescoping tilt-wheel steering and dual-zone automatic climate control for a comfy commute, while a 7-speaker, 6-CD-changer audio system, bolstered by satellite radio, a USB connection and iPod integration provides tunes and news. Finally, standard Bluetooth hands-free technology complements phone pre-wiring for convenient communications service on the road.

The available Rugged and Popular Equipment Group packages provide a color-coordinated rear spoiler as well as a number of exterior appearance and protection upgrades, while remote engine start and a GPS-based, touch-screen navigation system with integrated rear-view camera are standalone options. A TomTom portable navigation unit is available, as is an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with integrated universal remote garage door opener.

The ubiquitous variable-valve-timed 2.5-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder (H4) powerplant and its accompanying 4-speed shiftable automatic transmission are the drive behind the 2011 Forester 2.5 X Touring. This combo will put out 170 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, allowing this cute ute to tow up to 2,400 pounds with the available tow hitch installed. Expect gas mileage in the 21 mpg city/27 highway range, with Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system and a mechanical center differential putting power to all four wheels all the time.

Standard safety features aboard the 2011 Forester 2.5 X Touring include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights, a remote antitheft alarm (with available shock sensors) and bi-xenon headlights also come standard with the 2.5 X Touring trim. Finally, rear parking sensors are offered as an available safety item as well.

For a reasonably priced yet well-endowed compact crossover, the 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Touring is as good as it gets. This 4-door, 5-passenger ute comes with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), 63 cubic feet of cargo area with the rear seatbacks folded, plenty of feature-laden passenger space and a turbocharged 4-cylinder powerplant. A decent ride and competent handling also grace this flagship of the Forester fleet. Standard appearance goodies include 17-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, integrated rear spoiler, functional hood scoop and power sunroof, while inside the 2.5 XT Touring boasts standard leather upholstery, power-adjustable driver’s seat, reclining and one-touch folding rear seats and leather and simulated alloy cabin accent touches. There’s also the standard All-Weather package with heated front seats and power-adjustable heated outside mirrors, as well as remote power locks and power windows. Cruise control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, dual-zone climate control and a rear-view camera, meantime, are all complemented by front and rear floor mats. Entertainment is via an MP3-capable 6-CD changer with 7 speakers, bolstered by satellite radio, a USB connection and auxiliary iPod interface, with standard Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and phone pre-wring thrown in for good measure.

Several variations of the Rugged and Popular Equipment Group packages are available for exterior appearance and upgrade selections, while remote engine start and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with reverse sensors are standalone options. By far the most popular option for this top-shelf trim, however, is the available GPS touch-screen navigation system. Should the in-dash GPS system perhaps prove to be navigational overkill, a portable TomTom unit is also available.

A potent turbocharged 2.5-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder (H4) powerplant mated with the standard 4-speed shiftable automatic transmission drives the 2011 Subaru 2.5 XT Touring. This combo nets 224 hp and 226 lb-ft of torque, 19 mpg city/24 highway, and is good to tow up to 2,400 pounds of trailer with the available tow hitch installed. The standard full-time Symmetrical AWD system, meanwhile, is backboned by a mechanical center differential.

Safety-wise, the 2011 Forester 2.5 XT Touring comes with standard 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights, bi-xenon headlights and a remote antitheft alarm with optional shock sensors are also standard, while reverse parking sensors are additionally available.