A little taller than before, slightly longer between the wheels, the latest Forester owes a little bit to the Impreza sedan and a lot to the past decade of Foresters gone before it. Better gas mileage, storage space, flexibility, and performance were all in the plan, but the Forester also manages to squeeze in a more handsome shape that creates excellent outward visibility. The Forester's redesign last year wasn't a sea change. In other ways, the appeal is completely obvious: the Forester's one of the best vehicles crash-tested by the IIHS, and its combination of standard AWD and lots of ground clearance makes off-pavement excursions nearly as rewarding as those committed on road.

For its size, it has exceptional room for passengers and for cargo, and among all-wheel-drive vehicles, its gas mileage is a standout, too. The Forester stands out in ways that some car shoppers completely ignore. We still think the Forester is one of the safest, more versatile cars on the road-and we've ratified that by spending a few months behind the wheel of a turbocharged Forester 2.0XT.

Little has changed for the 2015 model year. These traits, among others, are what won the car our Best Car To Buy 2014 award. Even among Subaru’s ready-to-rumble lineup, the Forester stands out for its station wagon-like ride and handling, crossover-like space, and car-like maneuverability, plus Subaru’s all-weather and off-road capable all-wheel drive. It's an impressive vehicle with a wide array of capabilities. The 2015 Subaru Forester is up for nearly anything.

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