The Subaru Forester is an all-wheel-drive compact crossover vehicle. It effectively serves as the wagon version of the Subaru Impreza,and is built on a combination of the U.S. and Japanese Impreza platforms. Aside from some tweakings of the trim packages,the 2010 Subaru Forester is a carryover from the previous year.

The base-level 2010 Subaru Forester 2.5X trim features 16-inch wheels,air conditioning,cruise control,keyless entry,automatic headlights,some power accessories,and a 4-speaker sound system. The Forester Premium and Limited trims add various enhancements,while the Forester 2.5XT Premium and 2.5XT Limited trims include a more powerful engine. The most fully loaded trim,the Forester 2.5XT Limited,features 17-inch alloy wheels,power driver?s seat,sunroof,leather upholstery,automatic climate control,reclining rear seatbacks,heated front seats,upgraded sound system,and other comfort and convenience features. A navigation system with touch-screen interface is optional with the Limited trims. The 2010 Subaru Forester provides 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats,and 68.3 cubic feet with those seats folded down,according to the maker.

The standard power plant in all 2010 Subaru Forester 2.5X trims is a 170-horsepower,2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine with 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission (the automatic transmission is standard with the Limited trim),which produces 170 lb.-ft. of torque and delivers 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway,according to the EPA. The Forester 2.5XT trims feature the same engine,turbocharged to produce 224 horsepower and 226 lb.-ft. of torque; that engine delivers 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with its standard 4-speed automatic transmission.

Standard safety features on the 2010 Subaru Forester include anti-lock brakes with brake assist,stability control,traction control,front side air bags,and front and rear side curtain air bags. In crash tests,the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) both gave the 2010 Subaru Forester the highest possible ratings in front- and side-impact tests.

Starting MSRP for the 2010 Subaru Forester was $20,295.