The all-wheel-drive (AWD) Subaru Forester, first brought to America in 2002, is a popular compact crossover SUV in the Snowbelt. The Subaru Forester’s gas mileage figures are good for an AWD model, with highway ratings for the naturally-aspirated editions in the high twenty mile per gallon (MPG) range. While the Forester is boxiest of the Subarus, and is classified as a SUV, it is hardly truck-like.
The 2008 Subaru Forester is available with two engine choices, based on model. The Forester 2.5 X, Sports 2.5 X and 2.5 X L.L. Bean Edition (shown above) are fitted with a naturally-aspirated 2.5 liter four-cylinder boxer engine, rated at 173 horsepower. The Forester 2.5 XT, Sports 2.5 XT, and 2.5 XT Limited are equipped with an inter-cooled, turbocharged version of the 2.5 liter boxer engine, rated at 224 horsepower.