FORESTER SF

About the Forester SF

Before Subaru figured out that crossovers print money, they built the SF Forester. It was an Impreza wagon on stilts, and that's exactly why it worked. Shared the GC/GF platform, ran the same EJ20 and EJ25 engines, and in turbo form made 237 hp through a five-speed manual. The S/tb trim in Japan was the one to have. Low center of gravity from the boxer, symmetrical AWD as standard, and enough ground clearance that gravel roads weren't a conversation. It weighed about 1,400 kg, which by modern crossover standards is basically a bicycle. The interior was fine. Functional, durable, utterly without pretense. The SF proved Subaru could build something practical without forgetting how to make it drive. Every Forester since has been chasing that balance.