Doing Subaru Things In The 2017 Forester

Like Subaru’s recent sales history, the Pacific Northwest is on fire. Just outside of Portland, Oregon, some thoughtless teenagers carelessly tossed fireworks into the hot, dry woods of Eagle Creek where it had been about two months since the last rainfall. No surprises about what happens next. The simple, quick action of one resulted in over 100 hikers needing rescue, locals forced to evacuate their homes, and a fire that’s 28% contained with 41,500 acres burned.

Why do I bring this up? Well this week my press loaner is a 2017 Subaru Forester, and like their advertisements show me, I was determined to fit in a late summer backpacking road-trip from Idaho to Oregon. Listening to Comedy Central Radio on Sirius XM, Louis C.K. came on with timely advice. It’s his bit about renting a car, and instead of returning it to the rental company, he simply drives to the airport, gets out at departures, and abandons the car. It’s a hilarious skit, but it ends with sound guidance: “You should act in a way, that if everybody acted in that way things would work out.” Listen to Louis.

Before I dig too deep into an endless rant, let’s start back at the beginning. Subaru. Sales. Fire. Yes, they’re killing it. If you’re a niche automaker, you’re might be curious as to why. To understand your enemy, you must think like your enemy. Bold and fearless, I packed my bags, freeze-dried meals, CamelBak, Scooby Doo fruit snacks (a backpacking essential), and headed for the outdoors. Aside from rescuing a dog at the local shelter, I was diving deep into the Subaru lifestyle.

The mountains of Eastern Oregon were the destination, with a 20+ mile hike and 4,500 feet of elevation to climb over the next three days and two nights. From the drive in, the outlook seemed dim. Smoke from hundreds of miles away, started by some kid in the woods, was obstructing our visibility. Cue my segue into visibility. Generally when thinking about cars, I think of the benefits of visibility with regards to driving - knowing what’s going on around me, checking if anyone’s in my blind spot(s), monitoring the road for any safety hazards. It seems more and more that modern cars are willing to sacrifice visibility in exchange for a car that looks more appealing from the outside. The Chevy Camaro is a good (albeit extreme) example. From the outside, it’s striking, bold, and looks the part of a V8 RWD monster. But you can’t see anything from inside a Camaro. Here’s where I admire Subaru’s strategy.

Let’s be honest. With perhaps the exception of the BRZ, you’ve never looked at a Subaru and thought “wow, that looks expensive!” They don’t look expensive, and they’re not. That’s not to say that Subaru’s design language is bad, it’s just that overall Subaru seems to prioritize functionality over form. Get in any AWD Subaru, and visibility is fantastic. Thin, high strength A-pillars make for a great view ahead, and they haven’t caved in the rear window to a narrow porthole like so many others in the segment. And as I take this Forester out in the woods it’s rather nice having an unobstructed view of the stunning landscapes the Pacific Northwest has to offer. It’s a perk to well designed visibility that I don’t often think about.

While it seems weird to think that a single car manufacturer could somehow take claim to being perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors (like myself), Subaru really does position their cars very favorably. They all have solid all-wheel-drive systems. They’re all quite competitive in fuel economy (I averaged 30 mpg in my 600+ mile journey from Idaho to Oregon in the Forester, with highway speeds around 75-80 mph), not to mention having a great range with large fuel tanks - great for road trips. They all have excellent rear legroom and cargo space for packing all your gear. They have plenty of ground clearance, letting you get to that obscure trailhead that you’d never dare take your weekend car down. And while they’re at it, they even let you enjoy the views in transit to your destination.

Are there more fun cars to drive? No question. Are there more luxurious cars? Absolutely. Will your buddies drool and fawn over your Subaru’s timelessly beautiful exterior? They will not. But when you’re trekking through the trees in search of adventure, few cars are set up so perfectly for it. It’s why I daily a ’16 Crosstrek, and also why I quite enjoyed my journey across Oregon — whether the tread propelling me forward was my boots, or my tires.

Jason Fenske
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