Here at Driving Lines, we’re going to try something new. Incremental reviews, by 2 people, throughout the week. I’ve been driving the Subaru for 4 days so far, and am about to post my first thoughts. (well, I’ve already posted a few on Twitter, follow @drivinglines to read).
at 4:14pm Feb. 23
So far, I enjoy this driving this car, but I feel that I can’t quite say I love it. It’s the bare bones model, and doesn’t offer a lot to get thrilled with. It also has a few simple “ticks” that are driving me crazy.
Issue 1: The car beeps when you unlock it. Press unlock on the fob and you get two beeps. Press it again to unlock the passenger side and another two beeps. Not sure if it worked and you press it three times just to be sure and suddenly you’re listening to a choir of crickets just to unlock the door. This is unnecessary. Flash the lights to unlock the door. If I lock it, flash them again. If I press the button twice (to make sure it worked), then beep to inform me it took. BUT ONLY BEEP IF I’M LOCKING THE DOOR. /rant.
at 1:32pm Feb. 24
I haven’t driven the thing, so I can’t comment on all that blahblahblah, but I’ve no doubt it retains its “beauty of all-wheel drive” functionality and fairly mediocre fuel economy as a result. But let’s talk for a moment about exterior styling, because Subaru did an excellent job to design the character right out of the new Forester.
This is not a blanket criticism of all Subaru models, because despite my initial Suzukisms about the current-generation Impreza when I first saw them in photos, they are attractive cars in the metal. Except the four-door sedan, which is pretty awful.
But the Forester… A little bit Korea, a little bit Detroit. It’s a safe design. Very very safe. Unlike, say, a Nissan Murano, which looks like an athletic shoe but is at least distinctive, I find the new Forester to be largely forgettable, a soft and all-too-slick step backward from the boxmobiles of years past.
at 4:49pm Feb. 24
You understand me Stefan. Because that is another “tick” that really bummed me out, and one I’ve made vocal to my friends for the past few months. The Forester now looks uber-bland. By no means do I say it looks bad, just not in any way interesting. Is it an awkward CRV/Rav4 hybrid? Did a Chinese manufacturer import one from South America and not tell us? Its flat, blank panels have no personality, and therefore, forget to ask us to care. Unfortunately, the interior feels much the same way. Not bad at all; it’s decent in fact, just nothing interesting. However, I should definitely note I’ll take a bland interior over dysfunctional any day.
One item of interest, is that in the NW (Portland to be exact), you can’t drive 25 feet without seeing another Forester. They’re everywhere. Which is definitely a statement about their popularity and performance in the “active lifestyle” crowd of the Northwest. However, when I was in L.A. recently, we played a little game called “spot the Subaru.” In four days of active looking, I saw two Foresters total. TWO. I was shocked. Fun game though.
at 10:35pm Feb. 24
When I was in L.A. recently, we played a little game called “spot the Subaru.” In four days of active looking, I saw two Foresters total. TWO. I was shocked. Fun game though.
You spent four days in L.A. looking for Subaru Foresters? Obviously you and I have different ideas of “fun.”
at 1:35pm Feb. 25
I’m going to ignore that, Stefan.
As for the actual driving experience, it drove well. It was a bit stiff, and at times, felt cheaper than it was. It can have that “light-weight, small engine, stick-shift, Made in Japan” feel, but more like an entry-level car than a sporty Subaru you’re hoping for. On the freeway, it was pretty smooth, and held its line. I’ve been noticing a lot of cars wanting to wander with the poor road conditions on my neighborhood freeway, but the Subaru never gave me any issues. So, I appreciate that. It also could have been the incredibly small tires…
My final take-away is that I am a little disappointed with the car. I’ve actually considered adding a Forester to my quiver of cars, but after this experience, I’ll rethink that plan. I remember loving the 2.5XT a few years back, so maybe my problem was just with the base-level of this particular car. However, for $23k, I kind of imagine more than a bare-bones Subaru should be available.
