Subaru is many things to many different kinds of people, but they've always stayed true to the cause of all-wheel-drive in sensible automobiles. Subie sells every one of their cars with it, and they get a lot of credibility because of that fact, but we decided to put that tradition to the test and take it to the brand spankin' new Rocks And Valleys off-road park in Harrison, Michigan even before its grand opening on May 16th. We gathered up a group of hardcore off-roaders from the Great Lakes 4x4 forums (let's call them vehicle extraction support) and headed out to take on all the challenges park manager Ron Price could throw at us.

Rocks and Valleys is a 200-acre park in the middle of Michigan's mitten carved out of a wild, forested area of dramatic elevation changes. It's been tailored to different types of rigs from your basic Wrangler all the way up to custom built rock crawlers. This is the point where you should be questioning our sanity. The Forester isn't exactly known as a berm-jumping, rock-crushing, all-terrain-vehicle. For all intents and purposes its just another tall wagon with all-wheel-drive. Yes, that's true, but for a tall wagon this thing kicks some major trail.

The Forester we had was a 2.5X, a mid-range model with a non-turbo four cylinder, but even on the steepest grades we were not for want of more power. In fact, we almost want to toss on some real off-road tires and see what it can really do, the thing was damn impressive. Out on the lumpy, bumpy trails the Forester soaked everything up and had us outpacing the bouncier Jeeps, lending us our first few points of credibility. Then we hit the technical stuff out in the forests, we had to fold in the mirrors at some points things were so tight, and again, the decent turning radius, torquey engine and well programmed all-wheel-drive kept us going.

Of course, what's off-roading if there isn't some mud involved, right? Rocks & Valleys happens to have a very nice mud hole way out back and we couldn't help but play in it. This was the part which had Subaru calling us later and asking what the heck we'd gotten up to with their car. The fun part of the mud hole was only having a vague notion of exactly where the deep end started. By deep end we mean five feet of muddy water. We'd be lying if we said this wasn't the best part of the whole day. There's something incredibly satisfying about completely covering a family wagon in powerfully stinky mud. Then we got stuck.

It was more a problem of not enough tire and not enough momentum than the fault of the car. It happens to the best. So we called in our tow vehicle, a Hemi-powered, externally-caged, Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ with top-loading axles and all-wheel steering. Yes, it's a beast, and it pulled us out just fine.

After that little snafu we were back at it, hitting the sandy hills after a couple more runs through the muck, just to show it who's boss. When we say hills we mean two-track trails running a hundred feet tall with 30 degree plus inclines over loose sand. Here's where some Dick Cepek's would have made things a lot more fun, as we ran out of tire before we ran out of power. It was pretty frustrating getting almost to the top, but not quite. Backing up when all you see is the flat earth looming in your rear window is weird.

Truthfully, we didn't expect the Subie to be as good as it was. We thought we'd be funny guys and go get the thing stuck and have it hang up on steep hills and then point and laugh at the wimpy soft-roader. We came out with a certain degree of respect, so did all the Jeep guys who were with us. We're thinking Subaru should offer "Mud Patina" as a delivery option.

As an aside, we'd like to give a big thanks to the folks at Rocks and Valleys for being so accommodating. Their grand opening is tomorrow and if you're an off-roader with a hankerin' for some new ground to tackle, check out the details at Rocks and Valleys.

Photo Credit: Alex Conley

Sure, we still liked offerings from both the Far East and Europe, but, overwhelmingly, our favorites hailed from Detroit. Believe it or not, there was a discussion earlier this year as to the appropriateness of having a road test editor who was so anti-American cars. That’s no longer a topic of conversation; check out the 11 most popular reviews, listed in reverse order below, and I think you’ll see why.

Click on the images below to read the stories.

11.) 2009 Acura TSX

Jalopnik's Take: Ray summed up the TSX in four words: "competent yet remarkably boring." I’d add “the most attractive use of Acura’s buck-toothed front end, but that’s not saying much.” According to Acura, the TSX’s buyer is looking for a well-made, fully-featured, reliable vehicle. While we acknowledge that many people fit that profile, we don’t.
How Many Readers: 20,464
How Much: $29,160
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 201

10.) 2009 Honda Fit

Jalopnik's Take: I had to choose between driving this, or the ZR1. You might be surprised to hear that I thought about that for more than 10 seconds. The Fit’s always been the fun choice for those needing a practical small car on a budget. John Krewson found that, for 2009, it’s ramped up that practicality without sacrificing too much in the way of fun. He also made friends with it. He’s a bit weird.
How Many Readers: 24,860
How Much: $14,550
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 117

9.) 2008 Smart ForTwo

Jalopnik's Take: I get really fed up with people’s preconceived notions about cars. More people have more preconceived notions about the little Smart than just about any other car, so I wrote this one to address those notions. In hindsight, I probably should have provided more justification for the “it’s not gay” part.
How Many Readers: 24,964
How Much: $18,500
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 70

8.) 2009 BMW X6

Jalopnik's Take: This one was a complete surprise. BMW’s range has really lost its “Ultimate Driving Machine” edge. They don’t steer that well anymore, they’re not that involving. Bizarrely, despite its complete absence of steering feel and complete reliance on involvement-removing performance aids, the X6 is really fun to drive. It’s the size of a Suburban, but goes like an M3. You sit 10-feet off the ground, but there’s no dive and no roll. The X6’s capacity for cornering is unlimited. When the torque vectoring differential BMW calls Xdrive trickles down to a more obvious performance application it’s going to be big news. Mark my words.
How Many Readers: 26,616
How Much: $63,225
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 300

7.) 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Jalopnik's Take: Ray ordered me to win the mileage challenge Ford held for journalists. So I did, getting 43.8 MPG driving through LA traffic. Most journalists got between 32 and 37 MPG, which is more realistic for the average driver. That’s only part of the story however, the Fusion Hybrid is good-looking, good to drive and, for the class, has a nice interior. All that’s wrapped up in a reasonable price tag. It’s not the kind of vehicle we fall asleep dreaming about, but it is the kind of vehicle people are going to buy in big numbers.
How Many Readers: 27,344
How Much: $27,270
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 191

6.) 2009 Subaru Forester

Jalopnik's Take: the Forester was always the anti-SUV, all capability and no pretense. For 2009 it gains a tall, SUV-style body, which, too many, is a huge step in the wrong direction. Despite this, it retains all of the utility it’s become famous for while proving fun to drive both off-road and on.
How Many Readers: 27,439
How Much: $26,195
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 224

5.) 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Jalopnik's Take: We didn’t actually drive the Raptor — no one outside Ford has yet — but we did ride in one and, as you’d expect from a beefed-up off-roader built for speed, it was awesome. I’m looking forward to driving this more than any other vehicle in 2009.
How Many Readers: 29,968
How Much: n/a
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 400

4.) 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

Jalopnik's Take: Cadillac reps had to order me out of the CTS-V after nearly four hours of continuous lapping at Monticello Motor Club. Combing detuned versions of the motor, brakes and suspension from the ZR1 with one of the nicest luxury sedans on the market is a winning formula, out M-ing or AMG-ing all comers. If Gawker paid me more, I’d buy one of these to live in.
How Many Readers: 30,531
How Much: $60,355
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 556

3.) 2007 Honda Civic 2.2 CTDI Vs. 2007 Audi Q7 4.2 TDI

Jalopnik's Take: A real slap on the head moment, this. Guess what? Diesels are great to drive and can deliver ridiculously good mileage. While trying kinda hard (sticking to speed limits, no aero mods) we got 72.4 MPG highway from the Civic and 33.2 MPG from the 550 Lb-Ft Q7. Yes, that’s ridiculous, and no, we don’t know why you can’t buy them here.
How Many Readers: 35,410
How Much: n/a
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 326-Q7, 138-Civic

2.) 2010 Ford Mustang

Jalopnik's Take: I’m not what you’d call a Mustang Person. I don’t watch televised sports. I don’t own a single pair of cotton hammer pants. But, when equipped with the optional Track Pack, the 2010 GT won me over. Know the romantic image saying “Ford Mustang” conjures up somewhere in the back of your mind? The one involving the PCH and lots of cheesy helicopter shots? The 2010’s handling, looks and driving experience finally live up to that.
How Many Readers: 36,148
How Much: $27,995
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 315

1.) 2009 Corvette ZR1

Jalopnik's Take: The most anticipated car of the year lived up to the hype by being faster, better handling and more involving than anyone could have possibly hoped. I’ll remember the day I spent driving it at the Lutz Ring as one of the highlights of my career and, to this day, have a hard time conveying the experience in words. The ZR1 single-handedly convinced me that the American car industry has a bright future; there’s no better car made anywhere in the world.
How Many Readers: 77,053
How Much: $103,300
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 638

BOXER DIESEL FORESTER AND IMPREZA UNVEILED AT PARIS MOTOR SHOW

Subaru’s highly-acclaimed new Boxer Diesel engine will appear for the first time in both the new Forester and Impreza at the 2008 Paris Motor Show (October 4-19).

Meanwhile, other highlights include a Subaru Impreza WRX2008 replica plus the Subaru R1e and G4e electric cars. There will also be a 50th Anniversary Display showcasing the original Subaru 360 minicar.

Subaru’s press conference takes place on the Subaru stand at 17.00 hours on Thursday, October 2, 2008.

New Boxer Diesel Forester And Impreza
Both the new Forester SUV and Impreza five-door will be unveiled featuring Subaru’s highly-acclaimed new 2.0 litre Boxer Diesel engine.

The world’s first horizontally-opposed diesel engine for a passenger car has won widespread praise for its refinement, smoothness, sharp throttle-response and outstanding fuel economy. It first appeared in the Legacy and Outback earlier this year.
Both the Forester and Impreza Boxer Diesels feature new six-speed manual gearboxes while the engine itself benefits from a new closed-type diesel particulate filter.

Such is the efficiency of the new engine that the Forester 2.0D boasts class-leading fuel economy and emissions.

No other SUV can better the 44.8 mpg Combined and 167 g/km of the Forester 2.0D X.

The Forester 2.0D produces 147 PS and 258 lb ft torque and the Impreza 150 PS and 258 lb ft – both at 3,600 rpm and 1,800 rpm respectively.

The engine’s benefits include exceptional compactness, light weight and a low centre-of-gravity which benefits handling agility and makes best use of the standard all-wheel drive system.

The new Forester Boxer Diesel goes on sale in the UK in late September and the Impreza Boxer Diesel in January 2009.

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: No
Treehuggers: Yes
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: No
Penny Pinchers: Yes
Euro Snobs: No
Working Stiffs: Yes
Technogeeks: No
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: Yes
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
• Honda CR-V
• Toyota RAV4
• BMX X3

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Subaru
• Model tested: Forester 2.5XT
• Model year: 2009
• Base Price: $19,995
• Price as Tested: $26,195
• Engine type: 2.5-liter DOHC turbocharged Boxer four
• Horsepower: 224 @ 5,200 RPM
• Torque: 226 @ 2,800 RPM
• Red line: 6,500 RPM
• Transmission: 4-speed automatic / 5-speed manual
• Curb Weight: 3,440 lbs
• LxWxH: 179.5" x 70.1" x 66.9"
• Wheelbase: 103"
• Tires: 225/55 front, 225/55 rear
• Drive type: AWD
• 0 - 60 mph: 7.5 seconds [estimated]
• 1/4-mile: N/A
• Top speed: 130 MPH
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 19/24 MPG
• NHTSA crash test rating: N/A

Also see:

• 2009 Subaru Forester, Part One

• 2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two

Acceleration: ***
Here, the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder boxer turbo, making 224HP with 226 lb.-ft. of torque, is the name 'o the game. You get it on the Forester 2.5XT, and it serves up pretty smooth speed on the freeway, while still providing a lot of dynamic versatility under less-than-ideal road conditions—like ripping up a steep grade composed mainly of lose rocks and dirt. Engine tone is a subdued buzz, an alto ...rrrRRRR!!! that reminds you of the car's power without rattling your ears. I didn't get a whole lot of turbo lag. Abundant torque is at your fingertips. Pretty much ideal for the honing soccer mom who likes a quiver in the loins or the randy suburban dad who still enjoys a little Metallica from time to time.

Braking: ****
Very assured, with 4-wheel ABS plus brake assist. In lousy road conditions, you really appreciate the orchestration of the braking tech with the AWD, because it actually allows you to drive the car without resorting to tentative techniques. Even on rough roads, if you can manage the Forester's speed, braking can be limited to gentles inputs. However, when you need to stop, Forester stops you. One of this vehicle's best systems.

Ride: **
This is not a minivan. This is not a luxury sedan. However, this is not an STI, either. Generally speaking, the ride is compliant, but you can still tell you're in some kind of utility vehicle. Subaru's new DC3 suspension layout definitely comes into its own when you get off the beaten path, however. Truth be told, this could be construed as a flaw—most owners will never experience not having their head banged into the roof as they traverse a small gully.

Handling: ****
Rally-esque on crappy roads, well-defined on regular roads and the freeway. If you're looking for a hauler that can carry a few kids and still deliver some thrills while dashing around old logging trails, the Forester is your baby. The combo of AWD, weight-distribution, center-of-gravity, and crisp steering (and a particularly well-designed steering wheel) yields a vehicle that can literally run circles around the competition. To get better, you'd have to go BMW.

Gearbox: ****
You have a choice between a 4-speed auto and a 5-speed manual. For this category, the vast majority of customers will go for the auto, which can be switched to sport mode. Shifts are smooth and unobtrusive under everyday driving conditions. When the going gets rougher, the 4-speed gets along very nicely with the turbo and the AWD, delivering a sense of great control. Yes, a 5-speed auto would be better. Probably. An extra star has been added for the availability of the manual gearbox, thank you Subaru for giving us the choice.

Audio: **
You can fly either XM or Sirius on the system, which is operated off a display screen in the center console. The upmarket option pumps 80 watts through six speakers and can accommodate six CDs in-dash as well as MP3/WAA. Sounded great to me, but take that with a grain of salt as I dig the Cool Jazz.

Toys: **
Not that many. If there's an Achilles Heel, this is it. Only the 2.5XT Limited and the L.L. Bean Edition have the optional in-dash nav system. So obviously, if you're like most folks in the Forester demo and you don't go for either of those trim levels, you'll be looking at aftermarket GPS.

Value: *****
Hell, you can get the base model for $1200 less than the $21,195 '08 version, according to Subaru. Once you move up to the 2.5XT, you're looking at something in the $26-27K range, depending on options. If you don't need luxury or a lot of gadgets and a 5-speed auto, you'll be hard pressed to do better.

Overall: ***
Not a perfect update to Subaru's most versatile vehicle—for many, the flagship of the brand—but a definite improvement that serves up outstanding value while coming off as more capable than the competition when the going gets rugged. Should expand the demo and appeal to a younger customer without sacrificing Subaru's legendary character.

Also see:

• 2009 Subaru Forester, Part One

Remember how I was bitching about the Pontiac G8 GT being too dang heavy? Well, with the '09 Forester, I got my wish—Subie's updated installment of its "small SUV" stalwart weighs in at about 600 lbs. less than Holden's Pontiac's RWD 4,000-lb. ass-hauler. Match up that solid-yet-still-slingable curb mass with dirt trails on a protected section of Catalina Island, just a quick flight off the coast of Orange County, and you get...well, you get some significant pleasure, in a vehicle so versatile it's just sick.

Subaru has all kinds of weird shit going on with their brand. That's why we love them—because they aren't Toyota or Honda. They're got the aforementioned hoon-mobile, the justly thrilling WRX STI. Then there's the lesbionic Outback, and the completely baffling Tribeca (Is it a Porsche Cayenne for people who aren't buttholes or a VW Touareg for people who hate Germany but just can't swing with Volvo no more?). I won't remark on the Legacy.

Finally, Forester, a rad ride upon its intro in 1997, when SUVs first began to grow to the size of small schoolbuses. Here was a vehicle that had an SUV look, yet wasn't a road-hog (citizens of Burlington rejoiced!) Here was a vehicle that had minivan capacity, yet wasn't a cojones-robbing mother!@#$%ing minivan (the American male rejoiced!). Yes, it was essentially an elevated station wagon that was given the good juice of AWD, but because it resided seductively between the detested SUV and the castrating minivan, it dodged the retro curse. Sweet Jesus! For a particular demo—Park Slope by way of Berkeley by way of Boulder—it was manna from Heaven.

And yet, ten years later, this Third Way ride—so butch, so flexible, so competent—had grown long in the tooth. In response, the great pulsing automotive brains at Subaru of America and Fuji Heavy Industries got together and served up the vehicle that I whipped around the rugged ranges of Catalina and the fairly docile roads surrounding Laguna. Slicked-up, revamped, somewhat re-tooled. The package is a blast. Under all manner of crappy road conditions—bring rockslides and potholes and gawdawful ruts, dirt, and general muddiness—the '09 Forester remained poised, agile, ready to negotiate the next dip, swerve, ditch, or, if called upon, to scale what looked like a 40-plus-degree grade.

Of course, this car wants a crummy road. It's not that it doesn't do more-or-less fine on smooth pavement. But I never felt that the Forester was truly happy in that environment. Regrettably, most of its owners will use it either in snow (test enough, but not the same as genuine offroad conditions) or on docile, domesticated thoroughfares, under benign conditions. The freeway. The urban boulevard. The two-lane jaunt from tract-home to schoolyard. Ho-hum. The Forester, particularly the turbocharged, 224HP 2.5-liter XT, handles the mundane shuffle of the commonplace with aplomb. But it feels...how can I put this? Like a girl who slapped at the bass strings until the bars closed down, then quit the band and got hitched. There's an appetite for the wilderness in this car that one merely glimpses on proper roads, even those with circumlocutions that taunt the Forester's surefoooted handling. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, plus the car's new DC3 suspension platform, contribute to a sense of serious control, whether you're tucking the Forester into a snug curve, accelerating to freeway cruising speeds, or—more importantly—humming along on rugged terrain.

The wasted tires on out test car are all the evidence you need. This is no namby-mobile. We lost the right front—just shredded it, punching several holes in the sidewalls—somewhere between the hill climb and the bouncy, crumbling negotiation of one of many of Catalina's completely underdeveloped roads. I immediately popped out of the fallen Forester and began to make short work of the tire-change operation until the Subaru tire-change guy was there a few minutes later. He made it clear we were doing his job ( we think maybe they, like any automaker, were concerned mostly about any potential lawsuits coming from me accidentally getting hit by the side of the road) and he took over, throwing on a new full-size replacement. His work wasn't done yet. The left rear developed a slow leak on the rally-esque straight-aways that followed. Tire guy promptly returned (you can't say Subaru wasn't prepared for a certain amount of ugliness).

It's a testament to the Forester's overall positive attitude that both times, we barely noticed. Somehow, we suspect this was part of a master plan. Fate, if you will.

The 2009 Forester is a terrific update, but having said that—and having gushed over its abilities in what I'd have to say is its natural element—I must report that the vehicle ain't perfect. Check back tomorrow for Part Two to find out why.

You get two engines to choose from, the base model utilizes it's 2,457 cc of displacement to squirt out 170 hp @ 6000 rom and 170 lb.ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm. The base engine also meets the strict PZEV emissions requirement. The turbo model makes 224 hp at 5,200 rpm while pounding down 226 lb.ft. of torque at a spectacular 2,800 rpm.

Other details:
-The engine has been lowered in the chassis to improve the center of gravity.
-While car has grown, the turning radius has actually shrunk by 4 inches.
-The moonroof is substantially bigger
-Cargo bay area is now big enough to accommodate
-Standard tire size is 225/55 R17
-New Double wishbone suspension

NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW PREVIEW: SUBARU RELEASES FIRST PHOTOS OF ALL-NEW 2009 FORESTER CROSSOVER SUV

All-New Design with Improved Comfort, Space and Utility
All-New Platform With Sport-Sedan Dynamics
Standard Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)

CHERRY HILL, N.J — Subaru of America, Inc. today released the first official photos of the all-new, third-generation 2009 Forester, a total re-design of the award-winning crossover utility vehicle (CUV) that will debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January. The 2009 Forester, which arrives in Subaru dealerships this spring, builds upon its predecessor's reputation as an icon of safety, dependability and versatility. The new-generation 2009 model projects a bolder, more SUV-like design and making a major leap in safety technology, comfort, refinement and driving dynamics.

As with all Subaru models, the 2009 Forester comes equipped as standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. An all-new platform featuring a 3.6-inch longer wheelbase (now 103.0 inches) and double-wishbone rear suspension improves crash-worthiness and at the same time provides crisper handling, a quieter ride and increased interior space and cargo room. The 2009 Forester once again blends positive SUV attributes including a high seating point and interior versatility with passenger car comfort, handling and fuel efficiency.

All Forester models for 2009 feature standard side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, and the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system is standard on all models for the first time. With the Subaru Dynamic Chassis Control Concept (Subaru DC3), Subaru optimized all elements of the Forester's chassis to deliver a better balance of ride, handling response, quietness and overall traction performance than offered by competitive vehicles. A comprehensive array of elements contributes to that goal, including the new, high-strength body structure, standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, VDC and four-wheel disc ABS brakes with the Brake Assist safety system.

Manual-transmission models also feature Incline Start Assist, which can momentarily prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when being driven away from a stop on an incline.

Even with its bolder exterior and roomier interior, the new 2009 Forester is only about three inches longer than its predecessor, thus retaining the trim exterior packaging cited by Forester owners as one of this model's most essential features. A robust body structure, heavy-duty raised four-wheel independent suspension system and up to 8.9 inches of ground clearance help make Forester equally adept at negotiating twisty roads and absorbing ruts and bumps.

IMPROVED PERFORMANCE WITH GREATER COMFORT AND VERSATILITY
The 2009 Forester offers naturally aspirated and turbocharged/intercooled 2.5-liter Boxer engines, both revised to provide better low-end and mid-range torque for more responsive everyday performance. New interior materials, including double-stitched fabrics and high-grade plastics, impart a feeling of higher quality. As before, Forester is offered in a wide array of models, with the 2009 Forester 2.5 X offering one of the best values in the crossover SUV segment and the range-topping Forester L.L.Bean Edition offering more luxury without compromising the vehicle's sporty nature.

The 2009 Forester offers a navigation system for the first time as well as advanced audio system upgrade options. The 2009 Forester comes pre-wired for XM® or SIRIUS® Satellite Radio. An auxiliary audio input jack enables connection of an iPod® or MP3 player.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru makes the best-selling All-Wheel Drive car sold in America based on R.L. Polk & Co. new vehicle retail registration statistics. For additional information visit HYPERLINK "http://www.subaru.com" www.subaru.com.
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