Review: and the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Vehicular Role goes to the 2011 Subaru Forester

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The award for Best Supporting Actor in a Vehicular Role could go to the 2011 Subaru Forester. Actually, it may be more of a trusty sidekick. While you may think, “Oh, of course. Tonto.” What I really mean is the Lone Ranger’s horse Silver.

My test Forester came in a lovely silver coat of paint and a black leather-type interior. While there weren’t a whole lot of fancy features, I appreciated how sturdy the Forester was. Subaru fans will rejoice, the 2011 isn’t a whole lot different than the 2010. Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it right? There’s some climate control in there, there’s a stereo in there. It’s got some windshield wipers.

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But mostly it feels like it’s not going to let me down. The Forester doesn’t feel like it’s got the same standout design that the earlier generation did. I’m not sure if that’s because they toned it down a little or if it’s because the rest of the market started making vehicles that look similar. It’s not a bad thing, it’s a personal taste thing. One thing that’s unmistakably Forester is the hood scoop, which adds some distinction and made me feel a bit faster. You won’t see that on every trusty steed out there.

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On the inside, the Forester looks like it knows what it’s doing. It’s sporty on the inside, and has some road noise and road feel to prove it. It’s not annoyingly loud to someone who’s used to a Subaru and it’s probably something you’d get used to. And like a trusty steed, there’s plenty of power in the Forester’s 2.5l turbocharged engine. It even feels like it bucks if I’m too aggressive on the gas pedal, but I learned to finesse it. Hey, I gotta take care of my sidekick, don’t I? I can’t always boss it around. With an estimated 19/24 mpgs, I can get a little leadfooted from time to time but will probably work to try not to make it too much of a habit.

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Also on the inside, it’s really black. There’s black leather-trimmed upholstery, black plastic, black floormats, and on and on. Fortunately, there’s a light grey headliner and a lovely panoramic sunroof to lighten things up and provide some contrast. There’s some well-placed silver plastic trim inside, which also helps. But the lack of pizazz might bum you out. On the other hand, it does look clean and crisp. The space is functional as all get-out. The back seats fold down which creates a ton of cargo space.

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I liked the standard features of heated sets, rear view camera, and hands-free phone connectivity. That’s my sidekick, taking care of me, keeping me warm, keeping me out of harm’s way. Thanks Forester! Even though your sticker price of $30,789.00 may surprise some nominees for Best Supporting Actor in a Vehicular Role, Subaru fans will not be disappointed.

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On the TFLcar.com recommendation scale of:

Buy it

– Lease it

– Rent it or

-Forget it

I give the 2011 Subaru Forester a TFLcar.com rating of Buy It!

SaraGrowing up in Colorado Sara Lacey was always kind to her cars.  These days however, she spends her time punishing automobiles with the help of her children.  Reviewing cars from the unique perspective of a woman and mom, Sara also writes for MotherProof.com and Cars.com.  In addition, she sits on the board of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press Association.

If you like the Forester…you may also like the Outback:

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