Best 2009 crossover/SUV (under $35,000)

KATHY RENWALD FOR THE TORONTO STAR

Subaru Forester

Brian Early

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

BEST: Subaru Forester

Like all Subarus, all-wheel drive is standard in the Forester – even the base, $25,995 2.5X – and Subaru's more than 30 years of AWD experience and unique "symmetrical" design make it one of the industry's best.

Its behaviour is completely predictable and virtually invisible which, along with the Forester's standard stability control and low centre of gravity, makes for a confident, surprisingly capable driving experience.

Unlike some in this segment, this Subaru's suspension is relatively soft – fortunately without being mushy and imprecise – so cottage roads and Toronto potholes are equally dispatched with little drama. Long travel prevents frequent bottoming-out.

This is the third generation of the five-passenger Forester. It has grown somewhat in this incarnation, to the benefit of interior space and ride comfort, yet it has not grown so much as to be unwieldy, sporting a nice, tight 10.5 m turning circle and excellent outward visibility. Seats-up cargo space is a respectable 949 L, which is 131 L more than the more curvaceous Nissan Rogue.

With just 170 hp, its base 2.5 L four-cylinder "boxer" engine is quite small (a livelier, 224 hp turbo version is available), and the Forester's optional automatic transmission has only four speeds in an age of five- and six-speed units. But they all function fine in everyday driving. The car provides a 1,087 kg towing capacity, and returns fuel consumption ratings comparable to its primary competitors.

NEXT BEST: Toyota Venza

Conceived, designed and built in the U.S. specifically for our markets, the Toyota Venza combines attributes of the Highlander and Camry to create an upscale, well equipped five-passenger crossover with no off-road pretensions.

A 182 hp 2.7 L four-cylinder or a 268 hp 3.5 L V6 feed power to a six-speed automatic and either front or all-wheel drive.

Optioned sanely, the Venza compares favourably to rivals such as the Ford Edge.

The interior has much more style and character than those of the Camry or Highlander, more Lexus than Toyota in appearance, if not feel. Same goes for the exterior; it's bolder than most recent Toyotas.

ALSO CONSIDER:

Ford Edge ($30,499): Made-in-Oakville, five-passenger crossover.

Jeep Compass/Patriot ($17,495): Commendable vehicle-per-dollar ratios and laudable fuel economy.

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