2010 Subaru Forester

Not much has changed for the 2010 Subaru Forester, a perennial critics' favorite. However, reviews say the more nicely finished, better-handling 2010 Honda CR-V (Base MSRP: $21,545 to $27,745) has improved its own power and fuel economy, leaving the Forester a runner-up -- albeit a very highly recommended one -- for 2010. For a full analysis of this SUV, see our report on the 2009 Subaru Forester (*Est. $19,995 to $28,195).

Fuel economy carries over unchanged from 2009. The all-wheel-drive Forester delivers 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined with its base engine -- a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter, horizontally-opposed four-cylinder -- and five-speed manual transmission. An optional four-speed automatic transmission sacrifices 1 mpg highway. A step-up turbocharged version of the same boxer engine generates 224 horsepower, dropping fuel economy slightly to 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined.

A new crash test for 2010 gives the Forester a safety edge over most of its closest rivals, including the CR-V and 2010 Toyota RAV4 (Base MSRP: $21,675 to $27,985). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) now tests vehicles' roof strength -- an important factor in rollover crashes -- and the Forester's roof is one of the strongest among small SUVs. The Forester also aces all front-, side- and rear-crash tests at both IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), making it one of the safest SUVs on the market. Standard safety equipment is similar to others in the class: antilock brakes, traction and stability control, and front, front-side and curtain airbags.