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The redesigned 2009 Subaru Forester is the third generation of the popular crossover utility vehicle. The Forester competes with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 among others. Its style used to be distinctive, but it's now less so, as its shape has morphed toward the others, while theirs has morphed toward the Forester's.

There are two engines, both horizontally opposed four-cylinders displacing 2.5 liters; but the 170-horsepower base engine is single overhead cam, while the 224-horsepower turbocharged XT model has twin cams.

The base model offers more standard equipment than ever, in particular electronic stability control and curtain airbags, yet its price has been cut by $1,200. That's with a manual transmission; a four-speed automatic costs, coincidentally or not, $1,200 extra.

Other improvements include a new chassis with safety structure, wider track, and longer wheelbase (by 3.6 inches), new double wishbone rear suspension that yields tons of cargo space, 4.3 inches more legroom in the rear seat, 4 inches more headroom all over, 1 inch more ground clearance for the XT, a super tight steering radius with quicker turning ratio, rear doors that swing open nearly 75 degrees, and more torque for the base 2.5-liter engine. Visibility is exceptional.

Overall, the 2009 Subaru Forester is 3 inches longer, 2 inches wider, and about 100 pounds heavier than last year's model. Despite the increase in size and power, the base Forester gets improved fuel mileage, achieving 20/26 mpg on the EPA's new City/Highway cycle, the same as the CRV and RAV4. The turbocharged Forester XT gets 19/24 mpg and requires premium fuel. The 16.9-gallon fuel tank can last about 400 miles on the highway.

So much downshifting by the four-speed automatic transmission intrudes upon the otherwise smooth acceleration of the normally aspirated 2.5X, making it seem underpowered although 170 horsepower should do the job. The turbocharged XT is more desirable because of its torque, although it's more expensive to operate because of its premium fuel requirement.

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The 2009 Subaru Forester comes with permanent all-wheel-drive and a choice of two engines.

The base Subaru Forester 2.5X comes powered by a normally-aspirated 2.5-liter flat-four with 170 hp and a 5-speed manual transmission.Standard features include air conditioning with air filter; cruise control; cloth seat-upholstery; power locks and windows; keyfob remote keyless entry; tilt steering-wheel; split folding rear seat; and 215/60 R16 all-season tires.

The Premium Package adds 17 in. alloy wheels with 225/55 R17 tires, body-color door mirrors, power sunroof, reclining rear seat-backs, and steering-wheel audio control.

The Forester 2.5X Limited adds a 10-way power driver's seat; 4-speed automatic; heated door mirrors, front seats, and windshield; automatic climate control; fog lights; and leather steering-wheel and shift knob over a 2.5X equipped with the Premium Package.

The Subaru Forester 2.5XT comes similarly equipped to the 2.5X, but adds a 2.5l flat-four turbo engine with 224 hp. A 4-speed automatic transmission is standard, as are 17 in. alloy wheels, 6-disc CD-changer, a body-color roof spoiler, fog lights, and a telescoping steering-wheel.

The Forester 2.5XT Limited adds automatic climate control; 10-way power driver's seat; leather steering-wheel and shifter; heated, body-color door mirrors; power sunroof; reclining seat-backs; steering-wheel audio control; and heated front seats and windshield.

A Navigation system is optional on 2.5X Limited and 2.5XT Limited models.

All models come standard with ESP; ABS; EBD; brake-assist; and front, side-impact, and curtain airbags.