What's New: 2011 Subaru Forester Increases Fuel Efficiency
A mild refresh accompanies the new model year to deliver a 2011 Subaru Forester that is more fuel-efficient and luxurious then before. Add in the vehicle's quirky styling, affordable MSRP and substantial off-road cred, and the Forester delivers an appealing package for those looking for a compact SUV. Find out what's new on the 2011 Subaru Forester and review specs, mileage and available features.
New Engine: 2011 Subaru Forester
The biggest change for the Forester occurs under the hood. Updates to last year's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine result in a boost in gas mileage while keeping output at 170 horsepower. Changes include a boost in displacement size and a new chain-driven dual overhead cam (as opposed to last year's belt-driven single cam). Thanks to these changes, the Forester now earns 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Considering the Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive, these figures are competitive for the class.
Overall, the Forester delivers good power that slants toward sportiness. A 224-hp turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter is especially impressive. However, be aware that mileage for the upgrade engine drops to 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. If you're looking for an affordable SUV with off-road capabilities, then the Forester is one of the best options for the year.
Review full 2011 Subaru Forester specifications.
New Trim: 2011 Subaru Forester X Touring
Subaru introduces a new 2.5 X Touring trim for the year. Slotting above the Limited trim, the X Touring comes with such features as dual-zone climate control, roof rails, backup camera, HID headlamps and side-mirror turn signals.
The top-tier 2.5 XT trim is also now available in two different flavors - Premium and Touring. The 2.5 XT Premium comes with new-for-the-year features that include 10-way power driver's seat, updated premium audio system, Bluetooth integration and iPod capabilities. A removable 4.3-inch TomTom navigation system is also available.
New Price: 2011 Subaru Forester
The new base MSRP for the 2011 Forester comes in at $20,495. This figure results in a $200 price hike over last year. Standard features include full power accessories, air conditioning, keyless entry, cruise control, four-speaker stereo and automatic headlights. Similar incremental price increases occur on each trim level. Base pricing for each Forester trim is as follows:
- Subaru Forester 2.5 X: $20,495
- Subaru Forester 2.5 X Premium: $23,195
- Subaru Forester 2.5 X Limited: $26,495
- Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Premium: $26,995
- Subaru Forester 2.5 X Touring: $27,995
- Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Touring: $29,99
Compare these prices to top competitors, and you'll see that the Forester undercuts much of the competition. In fact, the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tuscon are just about the only competitors that are more affordable.
Overall Value: 2011 Subaru Forester
Overall, the new updates for the Forester do much to address previous complaints about the vehicle. The added fuel efficiency helps bring the vehicle more in line with class standards. Additionally, the added luxury featured on upper-tier models allow for extra convenience without affecting base MSRP. Add it all up, and the Forester is a good SUV option with spacious interior and well-rounded amenities.
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