2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium Crossover SUV Review & Ratings

The Forester 2.5X Premier is a version of Subaru's highly successful Crossover SUV that first saw the light of day almost fifteen years ago. Initially launched in 1997, the original Forester was based on Subaru's rally winning Impreza models. Traditionally operating on all wheel drive (AWD) system, the Forester was developed to present drivers a crossover between a generously proportioned family station and a SUV. In either setting, the Subaru Forester would provide its driver and passengers with an even and secure ride combined with outstanding road handling abilities.

More than fifteen years ago when it first hit the streets of Tokyo to encouraging reviews, Subaru realized that their Forester formula was destined for great things. To prove their point Subaru have more or less stuck to the same style ever since.

The first Foresters were powered by a Subaru 2.5-liter, 165-hp flat-4 engine, the most powerful found in a mini-SUV of those years. The combination of engine power with luxury saloon interior comfort, added to incredible high storage capacity and remarkable safety figures meant that the Subaru Forester was soon earning rave reviews that their particular segment rivals the Toyota RAV 4 and Honda CR-V could only wish for.

The Series Two Forester was launched in 2002, with some accolades and largely positive reviews. With the Series Two Subaru had made just cosmetic changes, particularly an upgraded interior and some low level engine tweaks. While reviews for the Series Two Subaru Forester were, by and large, encouraging, there was a general feeling that the vehicle had become somewhat stale and that a major upgrade would be required to allow the Forester to maintain its market share.

Subaru took their time to make these changes, nine years in total, and when they did launch their Series three Forester 2.5X Premier Crossover SUV in late 2011, the changes were indeed formidable and the reviews generally very favorable.