By using the shorter Impreza platform, the Forester has better entry and departure angles, plus under body clearance angles for off-road use. Still, it doesn't suffer in seating, and its four doors are all large, leading to roomy seats front and rear. The hybrid vehicle looks like an SUV but is classified by the government as a passenger car.

Most buyers of SUVs rationalize their purchase of an expensive vehicle with the need to get out when it snows, and the occasional need to drive muddy roads. Most truck based SUVs is that they are tall, and rougher riding, despite all the attention of the suspension engineers. Subaru has a different solution, and it is spacious and affordable.

The new vehicle is about the same size as a Cherokee or CR-V but is lower than both vehicles. Another advantage over traditional sport utes will be fuel economy figures.

Forester uses Subaru's well proven 2.5 liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder boxer engine. It is be equipped with either a five speed manual or four speed automatic, and will come only with all-wheel drive, with no low range transfer case, adequate for the majority of the driving done by 90% of sport ute owners.