One of the first things we noticed about the Forester is that the seating height is comparable to that of a sedan. It doesn't offer that master-of-the-universe driving position that many sport-utility buyers prefer. We don't see this as a negative--expensive sports sedans do not have high seating positions, either, and we like them just fine.The driver's seat is comfortable and offers a myriad of adjustments. Visibility out front is excellent, a benefit of a low hood and large windshield. All switchgear is easily operated and instruments are straightforward. There's plenty of headroom front and rear with comfortable seating for four. When the split folding rear seats are down, the Forester offers 64.6 cubic feet of cargo space. That's slightly more than the RAV4, slightly less than the CR-V and nearly 80 percent of what a Ford Explorer offers. It's easy to load cargo into the back of the Forester; the rear gate lifts out of the way and a rubber cargo mat protects the interior. Subaru's interior trim is as good or better than what's found in the Toyota RAV4 with softer, warmer interior fabrics, though it lacks the design elegance and refinement of the Honda CR-V. The radio controls are on the small side and the windshield wiper motor seems a bit noisy.
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