2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited

Sport-utility function in a fuel-efficient package

By Nina Russin

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT

I’m hammering up the 17 freeway between Phoenix and Sedona in the ’09 Subaru Forester, after idling in wall-to-wall traffic just north of town. Through all of my weaving and cursing, the fuel gauge has stayed fixed at 23.6 miles-per-gallon. Either this is a very Zen car, or the fuel meter is broken.

Why not top off the gas and find out? After doing the math, I confirm that the gauge is working. The Forester is my new Bodhisattva.

For those unfamiliar with Buddhism, Bodhisattvas are the Mahayana version of angels on the right shoulder. The fact that the Forester has both saved me from myself and achieved better-than-average fuel economy means that it is a tolerant and spiritual car. Read the rest of this entry »