2007 Subaru Forester 2.5
В 
Complaints: There are two ways to look at this: Either the Forester Sports 2.5 XT’s clutch was a tad too light, or my left foot was a tad too heavy. At any rate, working the clutch in this one took some getting used to.
Ride, acceleration and handling: This is an exceptionally well-balanced wagon–no top-heaviness at all! Ride and acceleration are very good. Most drivers in need of family wagon utility will like this one.
Head-turning quotient: There is something odd, downright ugly, about an air scoop atop the hood of a family wagon. It looks as if the designers are caught in an endless purgatory between adolescence and adulthood.
Body style, layout: It’s a front-engine (longitudinally mounted), compact, all-wheel-drive wagon with four side doors and a rear liftgate.
Engine/transmission: The standard 2.5-liter, double-overhead cam, turbocharged, 16-valve boxer engine develops 224 horsepower at 5,600 revolutions per minute and 226 foot-pounds of torque at 3,600 rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic transmission is available.
Capacities: There is seating for five. The wagon can be equipped to tow up to 2,400 pounds. Fuel tank holds 15.9 gallons of gasoline. The engine is turbocharged, a technology that pumps more air into combustion chambers at a higher compression rate. That means premium unleaded fuel is required.
Mileage: I averaged 26 miles per gallon in highway travel lost in Georgia.
Safety: Rigid roll-cage construction provides a strong crash-protection shell. Traction and stability control are not available at this time; but the geometry of the wagon’s engine and transmission yields excellent stability and handling. Four-wheel antilock brakes and side air bags are standard.
Price: Base price on the 2007 Subaru Forester Sports 2.5 XT wagon is $25,995. Dealer’s invoice price is $24,380. Price as tested is $28,365, including $1,745 in options (turbo-boost gauge and other performance accoutrement, Sirius Satellite Radio, trailer hitch, splash guards, cargo bin and tray) and $625 destination charge. Dealer’s price as tested is $26,181. Prices sourced from Subaru of America
Purse-strings note: It’s a buy, especially for small families in need of a high-utility wagon in wintry climes. Compare with Chevrolet Equinox, Dodge Nitro, Ford Escape, 2007 Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-7, Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota RAV4