I recently talked my friend John into buying a Subaru. I told him 10 years ago his next car was going to be a Subaru. He laughed like it was funny. He now owns a Subaru. How funny was that…

So as he and I were going through this process, I decided to revisit the Subaru train myself. Luckily, my dealership also owns a Subaru dealership and uses Subaru Forester’s as loaner vehicles. So, I asked my service guy to set me up with a Forester for a few days while my SUV was being serviced. I’ve got a lot to say, so, you might wanna sit down…

First, I’ve been a Subaru fan since 1983. My first Subaru crush was a 1983 Subaru GL-10. Anybody who knows what that is should call me right away as there is something clearly wrong with you as well… 🙂

I recognized early on that the technology that Subaru was putting into their vehicles was light years ahead of the other manufacturers. Mostly because, even in 1983, all Subaru’s were all-wheel drive. Problem was, they were kinda funny looking then. Today, very few manufacturers make a full line-up that is all-wheel drive. Audi is the only other maker and as I’ve been saying for decades, Audi and Subaru are the two most underrated car makers in the world. Anyway, back to this Forester…

To start, it’s really nice looking. It’s not the boxy little station wagon-like thing it used to be. Subaru’s have come a long way in styling. Next, it’s cavernous inside. It looks nice and compact on the outside, but, sitting inside made me feel the same way one feels when you walk into someone’s house who has vaulted or cathedral ceilings. Some of that may be due to the size of the moonroof. It’s the biggest moonroof I’ve ever seen that opens. My current vehicle has a panoramic moonroof, but, the rear portion of it doesn’t open. This thing opens from front to back. Amaahhhizng…

Controls were good, interior comfort was great; Every bit a Subaru and every bit a Japanese vehicle. All pluses. But, then I started driving. Here’s where it fell short for me. While it handled very well, the engine is a turbo 4, which, for most people in today’s gas-guzzling economy, is a great blend. I’m not one of those people. Four cylinder engines work too hard and don’t have enough power. As four cylinder’s go, it was as good as any other, but, not a standout for me. It’s my only criticism.

I also have to take credit for convincing my friend Jenny to buy this vehicle. She’s had hers for almost two years now and says she loves it. She’s been on a couple road trips in it and says when they fold down the seats in the back, its as comfortable as being in her own bed. CAVERNOUS. She went from a Jeep Commander to the Forrester and said the Jeep wasn’t even close to the Forrester’s comfort level. That’s a huge endorsement…

The Forester gets an A- from me. If Subaru offered an inline 6 in this vehicle, I’d already own it.