Subaru's most significant and substantial change for 2009 is the introduction of the new, bigger Forester. The change that is closest to the hearts of this particular enthusiast site, though, is the partial redemption of the Impreza WRX. Otherwise, Subaru has shuffled package content and swapped trim-line names. Also, the company has announced its love of Ruby Red paint.
2009 Subaru Forester: For 2009, Subaru has reshaped its Forester. No longer the quirky little wagon-wearing-a-top-hat, the 2009 Forester looks more like one of its small, crossover SUV competitors. These competitors include the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota RAV4 and many others. It now rides on a wheelbase 3.5 inches longer than the old model. It's also 1.8 inches wider and 4.3 inches taller than before. It's available with two 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines: the 170-horsepower standard motor and the 224-hp turbocharged version. All Foresters come equipped with all-wheel drive and can be ordered with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
2009 Subaru Impreza: Thank you, Subaru. We were beginning to wonder about you. The company that delivered a relatively mildly powered, softly suspended and frankly unexciting-looking WRX last year has called for a do-over. For 2009, the WRX is back to its place near the top of enthusiasts' wish lists. The company cranked up the turbo boost and reduced exhaust backpressure to push horsepower up from 224 to 265. Bigger antiroll bars, (much) stiffer springs and new dampers turn the once soggy suspension into something quite enticing. The WRX carries wider summer (225/4517) tires in place of the old all-season jobs, which measured 205/5017. The '09 WRX also comes standard with the aero body kit that was optional for 2008 models and a WRX STI-style front grille.
So what became of all the '08 WRX gear? Well, Subaru has created the Impreza 2.5GT model, which uses the WRX's discarded gear. It's available only with an automatic transmission, though.
The other Impreza models — the 2.5i four-door, 2.5i five-door and Outback Sport — get a few changes for '09 as well. All Imprezas now come standard with stability control. Disc brakes have been added to the rear of 2.5i models to replace drum brakes, meaning all Imprezas now have four-wheel discs. Incline Start Assist, which prevents Imprezas with manual transmissions from rolling backward on hills, is now standard on 2.5i models. It was already standard on Outback Sports with the five-speed manual. The Outback Sport now comes with chrome door handles.
The WRX STI is unchanged for 2009.
2009 Subaru Legacy: Subaru adds a less-expensive 3.0-liter six-cylinder model called the 3.0 R to its Legacy lineup. It carries less standard equipment than the 3.0 R Limited and rides on 17-inch wheels instead of the Limited's 18s. It does not use the Limited's Bilstein shocks either. The Special Edition replaces the Premium model in the lineup and comes with a Harman Kardon premium audio system, power sunroof, eight-way power driver seat and a stability control system (called VDC in Subaru parlance). In fact, for 2009, VDC is standard on all Legacy models except the 2.5 GT with the five-speed manual transmission. The automatic climate control system on the Limited models is now dual-zone. Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls are now standard on 3.0 R (base) and all Limited models. Ruby Red Metallic and Seacrest Green Metallic are the two new colors for the year.
2009 Subaru Outback: Subaru is bullish on Ruby Red Metallic paint this year, offering it as the new hue for the Outback. There are some Outback name swaps for 2009. The Premium model is now the Special Edition, a line that includes 17-inch wheels, heated front seats, window de-icer, heated side mirrors, foglights and an eight-way power driver seat. The L.L. Bean model has been discontinued and effectively replaced by the Limited model, which for 2009 has dark-tint privacy glass and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. There's a new Harman Kardon upgrade nine-speaker audio system. Stability control is now standard on all models.
2009 Subaru Tribeca: How does Ruby Red Metallic paint grab ya? Pretty good, Subaru hopes, because that's the only new thing on the Tribeca midsize crossover for 2009.
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