Change is never easy for automakers, especially when they consistently have a winner on their hands.

But change they must, if they are to keep up with competitors and make sure they have a fresh face to present to the public.

That's the situation that Subaru is in with its Forester, a popular crossover that was one of the first of its kind. But since that first one hit the road, dozens of smaller crossovers and SUVs have been introduced, and there have been significant changes and upgrades for some of the older competitors of the Forester.

So there's a lot riding on the all-new 2009 Forester. But Subaru need not worry. The new model adeptly addresses the issues that I've had with the Forester over the years -- namely, interior appointments, interior room, and what I perceived to be a need for a styling update. In other words, what was always a pretty good small crossover/suv has been transformed into an even more desirable product.

The 2009 model base price range is $19,995 to $29,995.

So what's new with the Forester? Well, for starters, it has an all-new platform, classier styling, and a much roomier -- and more attractive -- interior.

Another good thing about the Forester is that its all-new platform provides 3.6 more inches in the wheelbase -- which is about 103 inches now -- which results in a much smoother, more comfortable ride, and helps expand the rear leg room dramatically.

As I said, the rather cramped quarters that I usually encountered in the Forester, particularly in the rear seat, are a thing of the past.

The interior ambiance and feel are much better, too. There's a bright, airy, spacious, light-filled atmosphere, partly thanks to a huge, wonderful moonroof -- the largest I've seen on a car in this class.

For those (like me) who need a lot of light, it might be worth buying just on that point alone. Rainy days were particularly enjoyable for my kids as they sat comfortable and cozy while gazing out at the storm outside.

Subaru also wisely took some of the elements of the larger Tribeca model and applied them to the Forester. It has the flowing, wave-like styling theme of the Tribeca and some hints of the rounded flavor of the interior compartment of the Tribeca. All of that simply added to the sense of roominess and space in the Forester.

The new Forester also has the unmistakable styling hallmarks of the Tribeca design, including full-wheel openings, a more aggressive nose, and inside the car, a flowing dashboard design much like the Tribeca.

The car also has a larger, more pronounced grill, higher hood line, "hawk eye" headlights and a large, contoured bumper cover with foglights available to give the front end a more confident appearance.

There also are more sharply defined character lines along the flanks of the car, and the boxed front fenders and rear quarter panels accentuate the new SUV profile. Larger light clusters highlight the rear styling.

You'll also find that the new Forester is right in step with the changing times when it comes to user technology. For the first time, you'll be able to get a navigation system, for instance. And, along with an input for mp3 players the center console, when equipped with the navigation system, also includes video jacks that can accommodate portable gaming devices. These can be displayed on the navigation screen when the vehicle is parked.

The Forester's 2.5-liter normally aspirated Boxer engine (20/26) is modified for 2009 to improve performance, drivability, and economy. The engine delivers 170 horsepower.

The 2009 Forester turbocharged models are powered by a revised 2.5-liter Boxer engine delivering 224 horsepower.

All Forester models for 2009 feature as standard equipment front seat side-impact air bags and side curtain air bags that offer additional head protection for front and rear occupants. Intelligent dual-stage deployment front air bags use sensors to determine front air bag deployment strength for optimal occupant protection.

There also are active front head restraints to help reduce potential whiplash injury in a rear collision, and a rollover sensor, which activates the seat belt pre-tensioners and deploys the curtain airbags when needed..

I only found a few things to quibble about, mainly involving choice of interior materials.

There's still some hard plastic surfaces here and there to contend with, and there was a cheap material used for the headliners.

I also thought that the car could still use some rethinking of locations for some controls and interior gauges.

Consumers in chatline say they were impressed by the new Subaru's handling, and the fact that it sits higher off the road than some other vehicles with which it competes. Styling was a plus, and the huge moonroof was a hit with just about everyone.

On the other hand, they complained about so-so mileage, inconveniently placed heated seat buttons, the need for an interior hatch release and the fact that the car still has a four speed automatic when a five or six speed automatic would improve the mileage. Change is never easy for automakers, especially when they consistently have a winner on their hands.

But change they must, if they are to keep up with competitors and make sure they have a fresh face to present to the public.

That's the situation that Subaru is in with its Forester, a popular crossover that was one of the first of its kind. But since that first one hit the road, dozens of smaller crossovers and SUVs have been introduced, and there have been significant changes and upgrades for some of the older competitors of the Forester.

So there's a lot riding on the all-new 2009 Forester. But Subaru need not worry. The new model adeptly addresses the issues that I've had with the Forester over the years -- namely, interior appointments, interior room, and what I perceived to be a need for a styling update. In other words, what was always a pretty good small crossover/suv has been transformed into an even more desirable product.

The 2009 model base price range is $19,995 to $29,995.

So what's new with the Forester? Well, for starters, it has an all-new platform, classier styling, and a much roomier -- and more attractive -- interior.

Another good thing about the Forester is that its all-new platform provides 3.6 more inches in the wheelbase -- which is about 103 inches now -- which results in a much smoother, more comfortable ride, and helps expand the rear leg room dramatically.

As I said, the rather cramped quarters that I usually encountered in the Forester, particularly in the rear seat, are a thing of the past.

The interior ambiance and feel are much better, too. There's a bright, airy, spacious, light-filled atmosphere, partly thanks to a huge, wonderful moonroof -- the largest I've seen on a car in this class.

For those (like me) who need a lot of light, it might be worth buying just on that point alone. Rainy days were particularly enjoyable for my kids as they sat comfortable and cozy while gazing out at the storm outside.

Subaru also wisely took some of the elements of the larger Tribeca model and applied them to the Forester. It has the flowing, wave-like styling theme of the Tribeca and some hints of the rounded flavor of the interior compartment of the Tribeca. All of that simply added to the sense of roominess and space in the Forester.

The new Forester also has the unmistakable styling hallmarks of the Tribeca design, including full-wheel openings, a more aggressive nose, and inside the car, a flowing dashboard design much like the Tribeca.

The car also has a larger, more pronounced grill, higher hood line, "hawk eye" headlights and a large, contoured bumper cover with foglights available to give the front end a more confident appearance.

There also are more sharply defined character lines along the flanks of the car, and the boxed front fenders and rear quarter panels accentuate the new SUV profile. Larger light clusters highlight the rear styling.

You'll also find that the new Forester is right in step with the changing times when it comes to user technology. For the first time, you'll be able to get a navigation system, for instance. And, along with an input for mp3 players the center console, when equipped with the navigation system, also includes video jacks that can accommodate portable gaming devices. These can be displayed on the navigation screen when the vehicle is parked.

The Forester's 2.5-liter normally aspirated Boxer engine (20/26) is modified for 2009 to improve performance, drivability, and economy. The engine delivers 170 horsepower. The 2009 Forester turbocharged models are powered by a revised 2.5-liter Boxer engine delivering 224 horsepower.

All Forester models for 2009 feature as standard equipment front seat side-impact air bags and side curtain air bags that offer additional head protection for front and rear occupants. Intelligent dual-stage deployment front air bags use sensors to determine front air bag deployment strength for optimal occupant protection.

There also are active front head restraints to help reduce potential whiplash injury in a rear collision, and a rollover sensor, which activates the seat belt pre-tensioners and deploys the curtain airbags when needed..

I only found a few things to quibble about, mainly involving choice of interior materials. There's still some hard plastic surfaces here and there to contend with, and there was a cheap material used for the headliners. I also thought that the car could still use some rethinking of locations for some controls and interior gauges.

Consumers in chatline say they were impressed by the new Subaru's handling, and the fact that it sits higher off the road than some other vehicles with which it competes. Styling was a plus, and the huge moonroof was a hit with just about everyone.

On the other hand, they complained about so-so mileage, inconveniently placed heated seat buttons, the need for an interior hatch release and the fact that the car still has a four speed automatic when a five or six speed automatic would improve the mileage.