The Forester is the Subaru compact SUV of their line-up. The Forester has received “Best Small SUV” three years in a row because it provides the roominess of a conventional SUV while driving with the performance and ease of a smaller model car. The Forester truly is “SUV tough, Car Easy.”

The exterior design of the Forester has undergone some noteworthy revamps for 2008. New wheels, body-colored roof option, sleek lines and more molds into an aesthetically pleasing sensation. The interior matches the quality of the exterior. The 60/40-split folding rear seat allows the Forester to hold up to five people. For 2008, the Forester gets a supped up audio system with multiple speakers and a subwoofer for optimal the delight of passengers. Higher models get power features, climate control, heated seats and some detailing extras as a standard feature to the impressive line-up of gear.

The 2008 Forester features a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine nets a respectable 173 horsepower and teams with a five-speed manual transmission with overdrive. A higher-powered engine is available that can boost that up to 224 horsepower. The 2.5 X L.L.Bean Edition gets a four-speed automatic transmission, which is an option for the other available models.

Safety is taken care of for the 2008 Forester. Occupants are protected with both dual-stage frontal airbags and side-impact airbags. Other defense features you’ll find include antilock brakes, an ABS system with electronic brake-force distribution, a Hill Holder clutch that aids on inclines and Subaru’s Variable Torque Distribution. What this does is tap into electronic systems to optimize the allocation between the front and rear wheels.

The Forester is definitely worth a look for buyers looking for a 2008 model.