2012 Subaru Forester Trims and Specs

A 2.5-liter boxer engine attaches to your choice of a 5-speed manual or 4-speed shiftable automatic in the 2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X trim. AWD is standard for every Subaru, and here with the 2.5X you’ll also get traction and stability control, a hill-holder clutch for the manual transmission, assist for the 4-wheel antilock disc brakes and automatic-off headlights. Power mirrors, windows and locks make up the power package, and remote-keyless entry is included. A CD/MP3 player has a digital media player connection, and front bucket seats offer height-adjustability for the driver. There are 16-inch wheels, front-seat active head restraints, daytime running lights and 6 standard airbags.

With the 2.5X Premium trim of the 2012 Subaru Forester, you’ll add features like a 10-way power driver’s seat and power sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels and upgrades to the CD/MP3 player like a USB port, Bluetooth and controls on the tilt and telescoping steering wheel. It’s still powered by the 2.5-liter boxer engine, with your choice of a 5-speed manual or 4-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Rear privacy glass and roof rails immediately set it apart from the 2.5X trim, but you’ll still welcome familiar features like daytime running lights and automatic-off headlights, remote-keyless entry and a full power package. It comes standard with traction and stability control, assisted 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, front-seat active head restraints and 6 airbags.

Jumping to the 2.5X Limited trim of the 2012 Subaru Forester, you’ll lose the choice of a 5-speed manual transmission, instead forced to work with the shiftable 4-speed automatic. 10-way power seats get heat and leather here, and automatic climate controls make their debut. The tilt and telescoping steering wheel gets leather as well, in addition to controls for the CD/MP3 player with USB, digital-media connection and Bluetooth. The stereo also includes hi-def radio, and the power package is upgraded with heated power mirrors and still includes the power sunroof. Daytime running and automatic-off headlights are joined by fog lights here, and roof rails and rear privacy glass are still included. It’s all still powered by the 2.5-liter boxer 4-cylinder engine, and comes with traction and stability control, assisted 4-wheel antilock disc brakes for the 17-inch alloy wheels, front-seat active head restraints and 6 airbags.

That little T makes a big difference in the 2012 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Premium, as forced induction is added to the 2.5-liter boxer engine in the form of turbocharging. From the outside, you’ll be able to tell thanks to the rear spoiler that is absent in lesser trims. You’ll still have to settle for the shiftable 4-speed automatic transmission, but with the extra power from turbocharging you can still have a little fun—or as much as the traction and stability control will let you. You’ll also notice rear privacy glass and roof rails here, as well as 17-inch alloy wheels. The CD/MP3 player gets a USB port, digital-media connection, Bluetooth and controls on the steering wheel. There are daytime running and automatic headlights, and the driver gets 10-way power as well as a power sunroof. For safety, look to assisted 4-wheel antilock brakes, front-seat active head restraints and 6 airbags.

Touring means a few features that might make some long distance travel more palatable, as well as some that make city driving easier as well. A rear-view camera and mirror-mounted turn signals improve visibility and communication for everyone around town in the 2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X Touring, while xenon headlights and dual-zone automatic climate controls ward off fatigue for longer trips. Comfort is key, and with heated leather bucket seats with 10-way power, a power sunroof and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, you’re sure to be able to find some. The CD/MP3 player has controls on the steering wheel and is complemented with hi-definition radio, a USB port, Bluetooth and a digital-media player connection. You’ll get roof rails, rear privacy glass, fog lights and daytime running lights. The 2.5-liter boxer engine is attached to a shiftable 4-speed automatic, and traction and stability control are standard for the AWD system. 17-inch alloy wheels get assisted 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, and front-seat active head restraints are supplemented by 6 airbags.

If you’re looking for a 2012 Subaru Forester and want all the extras the company has to offer, the 2.5XT Touring is where the search ends. Heat and leather are sprinkled throughout, with dual-zone automatic climate controls and leather for the tilt and telescoping steering wheel and the heated power front bucket seats. Power mirrors get heat, too, as well as integrated turn signals, and the power package is further augmented by a power sunroof. The CD/MP3 player has a USB port, digital-media connection, Bluetooth and hi-definition radio, and daytime running and xenon headlights are supplemented by fog lights. The 2.5-liter boxer engine is turbocharged here—the source of the “T” in the trim name—and it’s connected to a shiftable 4-speed automatic transmission. There’s a rear-view camera and a rear spoiler, privacy glass and roof rails. It all rolls on 17-inch alloys that hide assisted 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, and traction and stability control hope to prevent the use of front-seat active head restraints and 6 airbags.