For 2012, there are only minor changes. Among them: 2012 Forester Limited and 2012 Forester Touring models offer an integrated navigation system with a 6.1 inch touch screen display. Included in the navigation package is a rearview camera and an AM/FM/HD/CD stereo with six speakers (seven on Touring), voice activated controls, Bluetooth hands free phone connectivity and audio streaming, iPod control capability, iTunes tagging, USB port, 3.5mm auxiliary input jack, SMS text messaging capability, and satellite radio capability. The old removable Tom Tom nav system is still offered on 2.5X Premiums with automatic transmission. Also new, the front-passenger seat adjusts for height on all 2012 Subaru Forester models.
Price :
Forester 2.5X ($20,595) comes with rugged cloth upholstery, air conditioning with rear vents and an air filtration system, a 60/40 split rear seat, four speaker AM/FM sound system with single disc CD, height adjustment for both front seats, cruise control, rear window wiper, a trailer wiring connector, and 16 inch steel wheels with wheelcovers. A 5 speed manual transmission is standard. The only options are a 4 speed automatic transmission with manual mode ($1200), and 16 inch alloy wheels, which come with roof rails ($400).
Forester 2.5X Premium ($23,295) adds 17 inch alloy wheels with wider profile all season tires, privacy glass, 10 way power drivers seat, tilt and telescope steering, a reclining rear seat with retractable tray, roof rails, power moonroof, and an upgraded six speaker audio system that adds steering wheel mounted controls, an auxiliary input jack, Bluetooth hands free calling and audio streaming, iPod control capability, USB port and Sirius satellite radio capability. An all weather package ($500) includes heated front seats and side mirrors, plus a windshield wiper de icer. The 2.5X Premium with automatic transmission ($24,295) makes available a package ($1,095) combining the all weather equipment with a removable TomTom navigation system.
Interior :
The Forester cabin is comfortable and the seats are good. We like the leather better than the cloth. The cloth seats come in gray or black, are more conservative than sporty, and the material doesnt feel as rugged as the material that Mazda uses. The available perforated leather is a whole new ball game, eclipsing the mundane cloth. Forester XT gets sporty aluminum pedals.
Visibility is excellent through the windshield, with a modest hood, tight front fenders, and A-pillars designed to minimize blind spots. Visibility in the rearview mirror is not so good. The rear glass fills the mirror, but the rear seat headrests, middle seatbelt hanging from the ceiling, and rear center mounted stoplamp all intrude. Over your shoulder around the C pillars, visibility is okay again, the blindspot a small one.
Exterior :
Just forward of the shift lever is a big deep slot for storage, although you have to reach around the lever to use it. Climate and audio controls on the center stack are simple to operate, no touch screen that doesnt always respond or menus to figure out and navigate, just old fashioned knobs to turn. We like this, because old fashioned knobs always work, at a time when always working seems not to be in fashion. The front doors have a nice elbow rest and large pockets each with a recess for 24 ounce bottles. The center console is deep, and slides forward four inches to make an armrest, on all models but the base 2.5X.
