2012 Subaru Forester Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Subaru Forester review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Forester, and includes Subaru Forester safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The 2012 Subaru Forester is a compact, five-passenger, crossover SUV that slots into the lineup under the Subaru Outback. Unlike the Outback, the Forester looks more like a traditional SUV than a station wagon thanks to its boxier body. It competes against a wide range of vehicles including the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Patriot, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Last year, the Subaru Forester received a new engine, refreshed styling, and updated technology. Not surprisingly, then, the 2012 Forester’s changes are limited to standard height-adjustable front seats and a navigation system upgrade for the Limited and Touring models. The new navigation system features a big 6.1-inch touchscreen display with text-messaging and iTunes tagging capability, Bluetooth hands-free calling and music streaming, HD Radio, and on the Touring model, a reversing camera system.

Subaru sells the 2012 Forester in two models, 2.5X or turbocharged 2.5XT, each equipped with standard all-wheel drive. Three levels of trim are also available above and beyond standard specification, including Premium, Limited, and Touring. The details follow.

The Forester 2.5X is available only with the standard four-cylinder engine, and it includes everything you really need as standard or optional equipment. That means air conditioning, power windows with auto-down driver’s window operation, power side mirrors, power door locks with remote keyless entry, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, and a stereo with a CD player and satellite radio. Additionally, the 2.5X is equipped with floor mats, a trip computer, variable intermittent front wipers, a rear window wiper and washer, headlights that automatically turn off, and manual height adjustment for both front seats. Thoughtful touches include a cargo area light, cargo tie-down hooks, a 12-volt power outlet, and an Incline Start Assist feature with the standard manual transmission.

If you can’t stir a manual gearbox, a four-speed automatic transmission is optional on the Forester 2.5X. And since the Forester rolls on standard 16-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers, we recommend the Alloy Wheel Package, which also comes with a roof rack.

If you want more features than that, try the 2.5X Premium model. It looks nicer, thanks to bigger 17-inch alloys, dark tinted rear glass, and upgraded exterior trim. The Premium models come with more sophisticated technology, too, including Bluetooth hands-free calling and music streaming, a USB/iPod connection, an auxiliary audio input jack, and controls for the stereo and Bluetooth systems on the steering wheel. This version of the Forester is also more comfortable, thanks to a 10-way power driver’s seat, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and a reclining rear seatback. Additional features that come standard on this model include a panoramic power sunroof, roof rails, auto-up driver’s window operation, and a storage tray that slides out of the rear seat cushion.

The Forester 2.5XT Premium is basically the same vehicle, but it comes with a more powerful turbocharged engine fed by a functional hood scoop, a rear roof spoiler, unique 17-inch wheels, and aluminum pedals. Strangely, given that this is the performance-oriented model, it is only available with a four-speed automatic transmission.

Options for the Forester Premium include an All-Weather Package (heated front seats, heated side mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer), a removable and portable Tom Tom touchscreen navigation system, a reversing camera and, on the 2.5X model, an automatic transmission.

Next on the model menu is the Forester 2.5X Limited. This model is not available with the turbocharged engine, and it includes an automatic transmission, perforated leather upholstery, automatic climate control, and leather wrapped around the steering wheel and the shifter knob. Heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer are also included, along with fog lights, stainless steel exhaust tips, and a cargo tray.

There are two options available on the 2.5X Limited. You can get the new-for-2012 in-dash navigation system with a large touchscreen, HD Radio, text messaging, and iTunes tagging capability, and if you select this option a reversing camera can also be added to the Forester.

The Forester 2.5X Touring is the top-of-the-line model. It includes a reversing camera with the display embedded in the rearview mirror, along with dual-zone automatic climate control, a premium speaker system, and unique electroluminescent gauges. This Forester model also has HID headlights, turn signal indicators embedded into the exterior mirrors, silver roof rails, and a one-touch folding rear seatback. The turbocharged version of the Touring model carries a 2.5XT Touring badge. It includes all of the equipment listed for the Limited and Touring models.

The only option offered for the Forester Touring is the new touchscreen navigation system. However, Subaru dealers are happy to install a number of Subaru-approved accessories on any Forester model.

If you’re considering a Forester with a 2.5X badge, you’ll get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower. That’s adequate for a crossover SUV that weighs around 3,300 pounds, depending on equipment. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard on all 2.5X models except for the Limited. A four-speed automatic is optional on all except the Limited, where it comes standard. All-wheel drive is standard, too, featuring an even front-to-rear power split with the manual transmission or an Active Torque Split system that continually varies power distribution with the automatic. Regardless of transmission choice, the Forester 2.5X is expected to get 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.

If you’re considering a Forester with a 2.5XT badge, you probably know that it comes with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 224 horsepower and 226 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. A four-speed automatic coupled to Subaru’s Active Torque Split AWD system is the only way to get the power to the wheels, and the Forester is expected to return 19-mpg city/24-mpg highway while burning premium unleaded.

Every 2012 Subaru Forester is equipped with six airbags, traction and stability control, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist, and whiplash-reducing active front head restraints. Additionally, Subaru engineers the Forester with its Ring-Shaped Safety Reinforcement frame design, which the company claims helps to reduce the amount of crash energy that reaches passengers in a collision.

Though the Forester receives a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there is a concern when it comes to results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Last year, the NHTSA strengthened its crash-test thresholds, making it more difficult to achieve higher ratings. While the Forester receives an overall rating of 4 Stars in the new regimen of tests, the SUV got a dismal 2-Star rating for its ability to protect the driver in a side-impact collision with a pole.

Forester owners will not need to worry much about getting stranded at the side of the road. Consumer Reports says the Forester is likely to provide better than average reliability over time. J.D. Power and Associates also says that dependability is likely to be better than average, according to its most recent prediction on this subject.

Subarus use a unique engine design that employs horizontally opposed cylinders that lay flat and low in the vehicle’s structure and which contain pistons that jab outward like the fists of a professional boxer. That’s why they are frequently referred to as “boxer” or “flat” engines. Subaru and Porsche are the only automakers using this type of engine design for 2012.

One benefit of a boxer-type engine is improved handling and greater ground clearance. In the Subaru Forester, ground clearance measures 8.7 inches in the 2.5X models and 8.9 inches in the turbocharged 2.5XT models.

If you need to tow something and you buy a Forester, you’re likely to be disappointed by its meager 2,400-pound towing rating.

The Forester’s warranty coverage is average. The basic warranty covers the SUV for three years or 36,000 miles, and includes roadside assistance during that time and mileage period. The powertrain is protected by a five-year/60,000-mile warranty.

The basic Forester 2.5X also offers the best cargo capacity. Behind the rear seats, the 2.5X provides 33.5 cubic-feet of volume, and with the rear seat folded the Forester can handle 68.3 cu-ft of cargo. Premium, Limited, and Touring models have better stereos and more technology, which cuts into cargo room to the tune of 30.8 cu-ft behind the rear seat and 63 cu-ft with the rear seat folded down.

Like other Subarus, the 2012 Forester is tailor-made for battling lousy weather. The unique boxer engine design gives the Forester a special driving character, and these small crossover SUVs are genuinely fun to drive. Add a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, decent fuel economy ratings with the standard four-cylinder engine, and favorable reliability ratings, and the Forester is definitely worth consideration.

By Christian Wardlaw