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2008 Subaru Forester Safety Review

August 19, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, all impact tests; four stars, rollover resistance
NHTSA

Good," frontal and side impact rating
IIHS

a top safety pick in the compact SUV class
Edmunds

great outward visibility
ConsumerGuide

The 2008 Subaru Forester scores well in crash tests and offers plenty of standard safety gear.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Forester five stars for all front and side-impact crash tests, along with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) calls the Forester’s crash protection “good.”

Cars.com reports Subaru 2008 "dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags, front active head restraints and antilock brakes are standard, [and] the ABS system has electronic brake-force distribution for better front and rear proportioning"; however, on the 2008 Subaru, "side curtain airbags are not available." Edmunds also notes that "traction and stability control come exclusively on turbo models with the automatic transmission."

ConsumerGuide adds "a high driving position, large windows, and thin roof pillars make for great outward visibility."

Conclusion

The 2008 Subaru Forester offers superior levels of safety, lacking only curtain airbags.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, all impact tests; four stars, rollover resistanceNHTSAGood," frontal and side impact ratingIIHSa top safety pick in the compact SUV classEdmundsgreat outward visibilityConsumerGuide The 2008 Subaru Forester scores well in crash tests and offers plenty of standard safety gear. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Forester five stars for all front and side-impact crash tests, along with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) calls the Forester’s crash protection “good.” Cars.com reports Subaru 2008 "dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags, front active head restraints and antilock brakes are standard, [and] the ABS system has electronic brake-force distribution for better front and rear proportioning"; however, on the 2008 Subaru, "side curtain airbags are not available." Edmunds also notes that "traction and stability control come exclusively on turbo models with the automatic transmission." ConsumerGuide adds "a high driving position, large windows, and thin roof pillars make for great outward visibility." ConclusionThe 2008 Subaru Forester offers superior levels of safety, lacking only curtain airbags.  2008 SUBARU FORESTER STYLING | [6 out of 10] Cars.com: "it looks more like a tall wagon than a traditional SUV" Kelley Blue Book: "more unified, sophisticated, and more modern form" Mother Proof: "reminds me of our old Turbo Hoover vac" Auto experts at TheCarConnection.com note some ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Honda CR-V has been completely redesigned for 2008, and it has a very spacious interior, with comfortable seating and a smooth ride. The CR-V is also more fuel-efficient, but it just isn't much fun to drive and it's not as rugged when taking on the rutted trail to a campsite. The Outlander is a different type of crossover; it also caters more to on-road performance, but it has a decidedly sporty character, with a firm ride and very crisp handling. On paper, it competes closely with the 2008 Subaru Forester, but in reality, it's quite a bit heavier and just doesn't feel as nimble. However, both of these models have the Forester beat for refinement. Another choice, for those who appreciate the Forester's boxiness and city-friendliness, is the Scion xB. The Scion has a lower price than the Forester, with a similar nimble feel on the road, and it's more fuel-efficient. However, it doesn't have the rugged ability or the all-wheel drive of the Subaru.

Next Steps:

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See the Subaru Forester in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

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