The new model year looks to be an auspicious one for Subaru.

The company introduced its 2009 Subaru Forester earlier this year, the third generation version of what is arguably the firm's most important product. Needless to say, it's been a hot seller.

It's easy to see why. While the last Forester was a nice car, there were some issues such as a lack of enough interior space and cargo room. But this new generation Forester is a huge improvement, taking care of all the Forester's earlier issues nicely.

The new Forester comes standard with Symmetrical All Wheel Drive.

One of the biggest pluses of the new Forester is that its all-new platform provides a 3.6-inch longer wheelbase -- about 103 inches now -- and I'm told that it rides much better and more comfortably as a result.

You also can credit the additional interior room, particularly legroom to the longer wheelbase as well. Subaru says that the new Forester also has more hip and shoulder room, which addresses one of the few criticisms I've ever had of previous Foresters -- inadequate room, particularly in the second row. It also has a more rigid body, a new double-wishbone rear suspension and other improvements that make the car even safer, and more quiet on the road.

When it comes to safety, there are two makes of cars I generally think of first: Volvo and Subaru. They've always been at the forefront of safety, and for Subaru this model year, that continues to be true.

All Forester models for 2009 feature standard side-curtain air bags with a rollover sensor, and the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system is standard on all models for the first time. With the Subaru Dynamic Chassis Control Concept (Subaru DC3), Subaru optimized all elements of the Forester's chassis to deliver a better balanced ride, handling response, quietness and overall traction performance than offered by competitive vehicles.

Along with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the new Forester comes with VDC and four-wheel disc ABS brakes with the Brake Assist safety system.

You can choose from two basic trim levels in the new Forester this year: 2.5 X and Forester L.L.Bean Edition models offer more luxury without compromising the vehicle's sporty nature.

The new Forester 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 grille, higher hood line, "hawk eye" headlights and a large, contoured bumper cover with fog lights 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.

Did you know that Subaru Forester was among the first crossover SUVs to ride on four-wheel independent suspension? The 2009 Forester continues that practice adding a new rear double-wishbone independent suspension and widened tracks, all of which works wonders for ride and handling.

The overall theme of the interior seems to be providing a "twin cockpit feel" with the kind of rounded shape that is similar to the Tribeca. You'll see brushed aluminum-look insets in the center stack of the dashboard.

The 2009 Forester offers more user technology then ever, including a navigation system for the first time. The standard information center (or available navigation system) is the focal point of the instrument panel. In addition to 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 is modified for 2009 to improve performance, driveability, 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. Active front head restraints can help reduce potential whiplash injury in a rear collision.

A rollover sensor is added to activate the seat belt pre-tensioners and deploy the curtain airbags. (It should be noted that the previous Forester model achieved a 4-star rating for rollover from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.)

Prices range from $19,995 to $28,195.