2009 Subaru Forester - Page 1 Review

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Shopping for a 2009 Subaru Forester? MSRP: $19,995 - $29,995

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 You see it every weekend: a Subaru Forester with some sort of gear strapped to the top, heading out for some awesome adventure. I wonder if a Pontiac Vibe can impersonate a Forester. I'm finally ready to get serious about taking more weekend trips outdoors with my boys, and I've often eyed my neighbors' Subaru Forester with envy.

My neighbors, a young couple with no kids, take the kayaks, bikes and camping gear out almost every weekend. All in their Subaru Forester. I'm envious.

But does a Forester stand up as a family car? As long as you have only one or two kids.

As far as safety goes, TheCarConnection.com gives it a solid 9 out of 10. I'll spare you the list of airbags, restraints and control systems that help protect you in a crash, and skip to the point that makes this car a bit ugly: "a high driving position, large windows, and thin roof pillars make for great outward visibility."

Nope, no swoopy styling to make you look cool like you would be driving a Camaro.

But, when you're a weekend warrior, off to mountain bike, hike, camp, canoe, fish or kayak with your kids every weekend, style just doesn't matter. This is why it doesn't bug me that most reviews make it sound like a bad thing that the interior isn't as nice as other cars, or that Bluetooth isn't available. I have my own GPS unit anyway, and most people who are attracted to a Subaru Forester would, too.

For $21,195 to $28,895 for a Subaru Forester, you get a great car that can fit two boosters in the back row, plus a bunch of cargo for that awesome family adventure. And with gas mileage that rates about 20 MPG in the city and 27 on the highway, it's not a terrible insult on the family bank balance, either.