Motor Trend recently had high praise for the Subaru Forester, naming the vehicle Motor Trend’s 2009 Sport Utility Vehicle of the Year, which is great news for busy parents who need extra space, want the assurance of the best safety features like side curtain airbags and stability and traction control, enjoy comfort in driving and need plenty of room for kids to grow. 

According to Angus Mackenzie, Motor Trend’s editor-in-chief, the snazzy Subaru Forester, which edged out 12 other contenders, was the judges’ unanimous decision:

“The Subaru Forester is the SUV for our times.

Thomas J. Doll, who is executive vice president of Subaru of America, couldn’t agree more:

“We are proud and honored to receive this award for the Subaru Forester.  The previous Forester had become a byword for practicality and durability and we knew the 2009 Forester had a tough act to follow. So, we made the new Forester bigger, more powerful and more economical than ever, while retaining its legendary reliability and safety – only in a more complete package. The improvements to the new Forester are also being reflected in consumer demand, with sales up 32% over the previous year.”

The Subaru Forester, with a base price of about $19,995.00, is still about $1,200.00 less than the entry price of the earlier model.  The 2009 Forester is available with either a 170-hp 2.5-liter boxer engine or a 224-hp turbocharged engine. Blending utility with performance and comfort, the 2009 Forester is built on an all-new platform featuring a 3.6-inch longer wheelbase which Subaru says improves ride and interior space, especially rear seat legroom. The 2009 Forester also features increased hip and shoulder room.

The Forester offers cutting-edge safety technology, including a ring reinforcement safety system, front, seat-mounted side, and three-row side-curtain airbags, as well as ABS. Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system – which incorporates stability and traction control systems with a roll-over sensor – also comes standard. 

Recently, the Subaru Forester received the highest possible ratings in frontal and side impact crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition to a five-star frontal and side impact crash-test rating, the 2009 Forester received a four-star rollover resistance rating.

In judging the contenders for the awards, the Motor Trend editorial staff conducted off-road, street and track testing.  They also considered essentials such as driving performance, safety and features. Each contender was evaluated against three criteria: superiority (engineering, design, utilization of resources); significance (its impact on the market), and value (what buyers get for their money versus the competition).

If you’re the proud owner of one of these magnificent rides, leave me a comment – I’d love to know what you love about it!

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