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An interesting Test Drive analysis from a Subaru Canada Executive that was in Japan for the launch of the North American WRX STi and the 2009 Forester. This was forwarded to me from an internal blog called "John's Excellent Adventures" that the author apparently uses as a sales training tool for sales people:
Quote:
Next comes the 09 Forester—Foresters actually, because they have set up the exterior of the demonstration vehicle so that one side has the paint, cladding and wheels of a base model while the other side is a higher trim level. Both look incredibly nice.
Again, I can't share complete details, but I don’t think I’ll get fired for revealing that the exterior design in general is a bit more mainstream. As with the new Impreza and Tribeca, the new Forester will appeal to wider variety of buyers. It’s a bit more masculine, more squared-off, more of a traditional SUV look than what you see in a Tribeca, CX-7 or Murano.
There’s absolutely no mistaking the “truck SUV” look, so there will be less confusion between Outback and Forester. Although a number of the design cues maintain the Subaru family look, this Forester will have a much clearer identity in the overall Subaru lineup.
This is clearly a more distinguished vehicle than its predecessor—especially so when compared to other small SUVs like the RAV4, Tribute and CR-V. The engineers conducting the session tell us that passenger comfort was a high priority in the development plan, and you see it in the fact that rear seat occupants’ comfort has received a lot of attention in this vehicle, unlike some brands out there. The versatility aspect of the vehicle also got a boost with some really unique interior storage solutions.
Our test drives start with a circuit of the Vehicle Maneuverability Test Course, then the Public Road Simulation Course and finally we get to let ‘er rip on the oval (well, sort of—we are asked to limit our speed in the Foresters and their competitors to 130 kph).
We start with the normally-aspirated and turbo Foresters plus a couple of competitors— the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-7. I’m afraid I can’t tell you anything about the Forester test drives—except that after driving the CR-V I can feel my body relax as we take the Forester models through their paces. There is that Subaru feeling of driving confidence that you just don’t get in the competitor vehicles. The new Forester has all the good qualities of its predecessor, but even more so. This is a noticeably nicer vehicle in every way.