Subaru Forester vs. Subaru Forester Feature Comparison

Features Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Subaru Forester

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Model Year	2012	2012	2012	2012	2012	2012	2011	2011	2011	2011	2011	2011
Model	Forester	Forester	Forester	Forester	Forester	Forester	Forester	Forester	Forester	Forester	Forester	Forester
Trim	2.5 X	2.5 X Premium	2.5 XT Premium	2.5 X Limited	2.5 X Touring	2.5 XT Touring	2.5 X	2.5 X Premium	2.5 XT Premium	2.5 X Limited	2.5 X Touring	2.5 XT Touring
Engines (hide)
2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 182 hp@5800 176 lb-ft@4400
turbocharged 2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 224 hp@5600 226 lb-ft@3600
Transmissions (hide)
5-speed manual
4-speed manually-shiftable automatic
Drivetrains (hide)
AWD
Tires (hide)
215/55HR16 tires
225/55HR17 tires
Audio Systems (hide)
Unbranded, 80W, 4 speakers
Unbranded, 80W, 6 speakers
Unbranded, 7 speakers (with subwoofer)
Accessories (hide)
Cruise control
Power front side windowsOften must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.   [?]
Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.
Power locks
Power rear side windows
Remote keyless entryUnlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.   [?]
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.
Remote startStart the car using a button on the keyfob. Interior can be a comfortable temperature as soon as you get in.   [?]
Start the car using a button on the keyfob. Interior can be a comfortable temperature as soon as you get in.
Tilt steering wheel, manual
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual
Universal garage door openerHomelink.   [?]
Homelink.
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety (hide)
4-wheel disc brakesRear disc brakes.   [?]
Rear disc brakes.
Active or whiplash-reducing head restraints, front seatsIf active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common.   [?]
If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common.
AlarmOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.   [?]
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Antilock brakes (ABS)Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.   [?]
Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.
Brake assistWhen a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.   [?]
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.
Front airbagsMandatory, in all cars.   [?]
Mandatory, in all cars.
Obstacle detection, rearBeeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid.   [?]
Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid.
Rearview cameraRearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system.   [?]
Rearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system.
Rollover sensorDeploys extended duration side curtain airbags when the vehicle rolls over. Usually included on tall vehicles. Rare on others.   [?]
Deploys extended duration side curtain airbags when the vehicle rolls over. Usually included on tall vehicles. Rare on others.
Side curtain airbagsAirbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row.   [?]
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row.
Stability controlSelectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning).   [?]
Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning).
Temporary spare tire
Tire-pressure monitorTwo types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.   [?]
Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.
Traction controlWhen a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.   [?]
When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.
Cargo Management (hide)
Cargo area partition netNet extending from the floor to the ceiling to prevent cargo from flying into the passenger area during sudden stops.   [?]
Net extending from the floor to the ceiling to prevent cargo from flying into the passenger area during sudden stops.
Cargo cover
Cargo net
Cargo tray
Class II trailer hitchHitch rated for up to 3,500 pounds. Capacity of the vehicle could be lower.   [?]
Hitch rated for up to 3,500 pounds. Capacity of the vehicle could be lower.
Console with shifter
Overhead sunglass holderUsually part of an overhead console.   [?]
Usually part of an overhead console.
Roof rack crossbarsRequires roof rails. Together constitute a roof rack.   [?]
Requires roof rails. Together constitute a roof rack.
Roof railsNo crossbars.   [?]
No crossbars.
Storage beneath cargo floorLarge storage area beneath the load floor, often compartmentalized.   [?]
Large storage area beneath the load floor, often compartmentalized.
Climate Control (hide)
Air conditioning
Automatic climate control, frontMaintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.   [?]
Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Dual-zone climate controlTemperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.   [?]
Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Interior air filterFilters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.   [?]
Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.
Rear defrost
Rear heat ductsDucts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.   [?]
Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.
Rear wiper
Variable intermittent wipersTime between wipes can be precisely adjusted.   [?]
Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted.
Wiper de-icerHeating elements defrost area where front wipers rest.   [?]
Heating elements defrost area where front wipers rest.
Engine / Motor (hide)
CA/NE emissions (extra-cost)Only included if California/Northeast emissions equipment costs extra.   [?]
Only included if California/Northeast emissions equipment costs extra.
Exterior (hide)
Bodyside moldingsMoldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots.   [?]
Moldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots.
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s)Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust.   [?]
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust.
Deep-tinted rear windows
Hood scoopScoop on the hood, often not functional and purely decorative.   [?]
Scoop on the hood, often not functional and purely decorative.
Mud guardsFlaps mounted behind two to four wheels, to protect the body from mud and rocks.   [?]
Flaps mounted behind two to four wheels, to protect the body from mud and rocks.
Rear bumper protector
Rear spoilerCan be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler.   [?]
Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler.
Sunroof, largeReplaces and includes value of smaller sunroofs.   [?]
Replaces and includes value of smaller sunroofs.
Wheel-lip moldingsExtensions to the wheel opening, both decorative and protective.   [?]
Extensions to the wheel opening, both decorative and protective.
Infotainment (hide)
Audio controls on steering wheel
Aux inputJack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car.   [?]
Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car.
Bluetooth audio streamingUses Bluetooth rather than a cable to integrate audio device. Requires compatible audio device and/or phone.   [?]
Uses Bluetooth rather than a cable to integrate audio device. Requires compatible audio device and/or phone.
Bluetooth cell phone linkEnables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers.   [?]
Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers.
CD player
HD radioHigh-definition radio, which broadcasts a digital signal. Free, no subscription fees.   [?]
High-definition radio, which broadcasts a digital signal. Free, no subscription fees.
iPod integrationIntegrates an iPod with the vehicle's controls and speakers. Usually included if there is a USB port, but can also rely on a proprietary port.   [?]
Integrates an iPod with the vehicle's controls and speakers. Usually included if there is a USB port, but can also rely on a proprietary port.
MP3-compatible playerAudio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.   [?]
Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.
Navigation systemScreen-based navigation system.   [?]
Screen-based navigation system.
Portable navigation systemPortable navigation system, with a smaller screen than a fully integrated unit, that connects mechanically and electrically into the instrument panel.   [?]
Portable navigation system, with a smaller screen than a fully integrated unit, that connects mechanically and electrically into the instrument panel.
Satellite radioXM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.   [?]
XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.
Traffic informationInformation about traffic conditions. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months.   [?]
Information about traffic conditions. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months.
USB portOften permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls.   [?]
Often permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls.
Voice control for nav and audioSometimes also includes voice control over climate control system.   [?]
Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system.
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors (hide)
Auto-dimming rearview mirrorInterior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.   [?]
Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Automatic-off headlightsHeadlights automatically turn off.   [?]
Headlights automatically turn off.
CompassWe haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it.   [?]
We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it.
Fog lightsLight wide area close in front of the vehicle.   [?]
Light wide area close in front of the vehicle.
Heated mirrorsClears ice and fog from mirrors.   [?]
Clears ice and fog from mirrors.
Interior ambient lightingLEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior.   [?]
LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior.
Interior lights, additionalOnly listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.   [?]
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Map lightsFront row reading lights.   [?]
Front row reading lights.
Outside temperature display
Perimeter approach lightingArea around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked.   [?]
Area around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked.
Power mirrorsIncludes value of manual remote mirrors.   [?]
Includes value of manual remote mirrors.
TachometerReports engine speed.   [?]
Reports engine speed.
Trip computerReports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats.   [?]
Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats.
Turn signals on or near mirrors
Upgraded instrumentsOnly listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.   [?]
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Visor mirror, driver
Visor mirror, passenger
Xenon HID headlightsProvide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights.   [?]
Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights.
Seats and Interior Trim (hide)
Front buckets
Second-row 2-section 3-person split bench
All-weather floor matsAll-weather floormats.   [?]
All-weather floormats.
Center armrest(s), front row
Center armrest(s), second row
Floor mats
Foldaway tray table, second rowErects between the seats; in vans stows against a seat to open up walk through; in sedans stows in a console.   [?]
Erects between the seats; in vans stows against a seat to open up walk through; in sedans stows in a console.
Folding second row seatsSeat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.   [?]
Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.
Heated front seats
Leather seating surfacesSeating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.   [?]
Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Manual height adjuster, driver seat
Manual height adjuster, passenger seat
Manual recliner, second row seats
Metal pedals
Power fore-aft adjuster, driver seat
Power height adjuster, driver seat
Power lumbar adjuster, driver seatPower-adjustable lower back support.   [?]
Power-adjustable lower back support.
Power recliner, driver seat
Power release, second row seatsSeats tumble forward at the press of a button. Must be returned to upright position manually.   [?]
Seats tumble forward at the press of a button. Must be returned to upright position manually.
Power tilt adjuster, driver seatPower tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.   [?]
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires (hide)
Alloy wheels
Wheel locksLug nuts that can only be removed using a special key. Prevents theft of wheels.   [?]
Lug nuts that can only be removed using a special key. Prevents theft of wheels.
Transmission (hide)
Short-throw shifter (optional)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.   [?]
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.

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