Article Comments - 2009 Subaru Forester XT First Drive and Full Test

71 messages, Last post on Aug 26, 2009 at 11:14 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon, SUV

First Drive: 2009 Subaru Forester XT - First Impressions: The style factor is up, but so is the practicality.(more)

Full Test: 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited - Bottom Line: Bigger and better, the quirky little Forester has become a grown-up SUV. (more)

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#60 of 71 Re: 2009 Forester Air Conditioner inadequacies [phdewi] by red927 Jul 18, 2008 (7:57 am)
Replying to: phdewi (Jul 08, 2008 3:31 pm) It's been quite warm in NJ the past few days, but I have had no problem with the A/C. I leave it parked all day at the train station. The only thing I do is put a sunshade in the front windshield. If your car does not have the privacy glass, that also may cause the A/C to work harder.
#61 of 71 Moon roof tinting by kurtamaxxxguy Sep 03, 2008 (6:44 am)
Wrt the AC loads, I did get my moon roof tinted with 25% light reduction film. Made a big difference in summer heat load (sun roof interior cover doesn't get as hot) and did not obscure visibility out the moon roof all that much.). Cost was around $30. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Sep 03, 2008 8:11 am)
#62 of 71 Re: Moon roof tinting [kurtamaxxxguy] by ateixeira Sep 03, 2008 (8:11 am)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Sep 03, 2008 6:44 am) Sounds cool. We just close the shade. I know we lose the roof itself, but it's not often that it gets that warm that we feel the need to do that. Plus, that's usually only when it's parked in the sun for a while. Our car port provides shade.
#63 of 71 2009 Forester A/C by rich505 Sep 03, 2008 (10:20 am)
I took delivery of a 2009 Forester 2.5X, Automatic, last week. I thought the outlet air with the A/C on was varying by the feel. Today I measured the temperature using a digital thermometer with a thermocouple. The outlet temperature does vary. If you sit at idle with the Recirculate Off the air temp can go up to 55-58 deg or more. As soon as you start up it drops down to 40 or so. If you go into Neutral at idle the air is about 50 deg. In Recirculate On mode I saw that the temperature will sometimes rise up to 45-48 and then drop back down again. The outlet temp goes as low as 36 deg in recirculate mode. I suspect the the compressor is cycling on and off and is giving temperature swings. Also the cooling system doesn't put out as much cooling at idle as with some RPMs on the engine. The manual does state that they do shut off the compressor under hard acceleration as when climbing a hill, a number of vehicles do this. The manual states that the Auto Climate Control can maintain an inside temperature of only 65 to 85 deg. That was one of the reasons I didn't want it. I had the sun roof glass tinted today with 35% visible light transmission film. I think that there is less heat coming throught the roof panel now. The manufacturers display in the shop said that all the films block greater than 95% of the heat and UV rays and allow varying amounts of visible light through depending on the darkness of the tint. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Sep 03, 2008 10:24 am)
#64 of 71 Re: 2009 Forester A/C [rich505] by ateixeira Sep 03, 2008 (10:24 am)
Replying to: rich505 (Sep 03, 2008 10:20 am) Coincidentally Kurt just had 20% film installed also. Let us know how you like it.
#65 of 71 Torque Split on AWD statement is wrong by henrylw Nov 18, 2008 (6:44 am)
"...the torque split for the AWD system constantly varies according to acceleration, deceleration and wheel slip, and as much as 100 percent of power can be directed to the wheels with the most grip." This is not correct. I sent an email to Subaru asking the questions about the torque split, and got reply from them as below: ------------------------------------------------ Thank you for contacting Subaru Canada, Inc. The Forester does not have a Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) centre differential. For the 2009 model year, the Forester 2.5XT includes a Multi-plate Transfer (MPT) System that adjusts torque from 60/40 (F/R) to 50/50 (or anywhere in-between) depending on throttle input, road conditions and input from the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) System. VDC operates like most electronic stability control (ESC) systems in that it can adjust engine output, adjust individual brake pressure and even front rear torque distribution to retain/regain vehicle stability. It is not possible for the system defeat the role of the centre differential and thus torque output will always be split between the front and rear differential. Meaning, the system cannot direct 100% of power to a single wheel - whether it be with VTD or MPT. We trust this information is helpful. Sincerely, Rosanne Kernerman Bilingual Consumer Support Representative After Sales 1-800-894-4212 www.subaru.ca Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Feb 06, 2009 12:00 pm) ateixeira (Feb 09, 2009 11:16 am) 204meca (Aug 25, 2009 9:26 pm) ateixeira (Aug 26, 2009 11:14 am)
#66 of 71 Re: Torque Split on AWD statement is wrong [henrylw] by kurtamaxxxguy Feb 06, 2009 (12:00 pm)
Replying to: henrylw (Nov 18, 2008 6:44 am) That's a surprising narrow range of transfer ability. However, you can also install a fuse to defeat the AWD (for cases w/ emergency spare or other). At that point, Forester reverts to a FWD car, and I assume all the engine power is available for the FWD. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Feb 09, 2009 11:16 am) 204meca (Aug 25, 2009 9:26 pm) ateixeira (Aug 26, 2009 11:14 am)
#67 of 71 Re: Torque Split on AWD statement is wrong [kurtamaxxxguy] by ateixeira Feb 09, 2009 (11:16 am)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Feb 06, 2009 12:00 pm) Yeah, I don't think that's correct. The FWD fuse disengages the rear axle completely, so 100/0 is possible. I think people mis-use the term 50/50. I think a lot of people mean the two axles are locked when they say that. Example with a viscous coupling: Let's say the front axle is on ice. At first the front wheels slip, but then the VC locks the two axles together, and the power is transmitted to the rear axle. If the two axles are truly locked together, the fact is the front axle is really getting no power at all, or perhaps only enough to overcome the inertia needed to spin the front tires at the same speed as the rears. So locked is not the same as 50/50. Locked means the power will go to whichever axle has grip. I think that's what they mean when they say "50/50".
#68 of 71 What a great review! by twosheds Aug 22, 2009 (8:39 pm)
I think i'd agree with 100% of the review. Forester owners are a little bit of a sect, not quite a cult. Yes, we are dog lovers (among other animals), hikers, skiers, cyclist. I just got a 2010 XT limited loaded, it is so nice. Bigger, makes it easier to get in and out as i get older. The exterior styling looks better than my 2000 forester, for which i _am_ thankful. But i agree the styling is not what draws me to the car. Hitting pouring rain while doing 75-80mph in western interstates- the forester has been stable as a ROCK. The all time AWD is something i was not sure i needed at first, but now i refuse to consider a car without it. When my wife replaced her Camry and went upscale, we got the x version of the G35 because of my experience with AWD in the forester. After her first Chicago winter with AWD (the G35x has a particularly nice version IMHO), she'll never be without it. As a cleaned out my old 2000 to trade it in, no more junk in it (tow rope, rescue equipment etc), it was the lightest it had ever been. I had no accessories on the L model, the car was as light as it could be. With 1/4 tank of gas, I ran the 5 speed up to the red-line on the tollway on ramp, i realised i had forgotten how quick the little old car was. I was over 100 by the time i merged into traffic lanes when i slowed to blend with the traffic going 80-85 . What a nice last memory of the old car. Then, i get into the new XT. I can see where it is not as cat quick as the WRX. For me, that's probably good. I would drive too fast. Keeping the revs low for the first few hundred miles is going to be hard. But it will be worth it. The interior is more utilitarian than my wife's loaded G35x, but the finish is at least 95% as nice. Awesome blend of luxury, utility, capability. I looked at the EX35, even drove it for half a day. Nice car, but the Forester XT fits my needs better. (Having a second, nicer car obviates the desire to get a status brand, but i'd have still selected the Forester XT anyway) I drive on business a lot, and we'll take the bigger and higher ground clearance Subaru on vacation to northern Minnesota (in winter) with the whole family. I trust Subaru with my family's safety and my meeting my clients deadlines. I can't give any better recommendation than that. The Subaru meshes with the college prof as well. Subaru are consistently, conscientiously committed to refining the Forester, and the sales numbers reflect this. They know their clients very well, something i strive to emulate. This is the best of the Japanese business ethos actualized. My only regret with regards to Subaru, is that I wish the would get into the small aircraft business, making them with the qualities they put in their cars. They would be awesome to fly!
#69 of 71 Nice review by twosheds Aug 22, 2009 (8:59 pm)
I really like the comments on the acceleration and braking- there are more dimensions than a single number to these actions, and this really tells the story. Very very nice reporting. True professionalism. The 2010XT is great. A 5 speed auto would be a welcome addition, and a little more lateral grip too, but given the off-road capabilities, it's an excellent synergy. Schaumburg Subaru cut me a good deal despite the craziness of the clunker program going on. Really a class act from manufacturer to Sales, to final product.