Forester

Make
Subaru
Segment
SUV

Subaru has carved out a nice little niche for itself with the Outback and the Crosstrek, ruggedizing its passenger cars into pseudo-crossovers with off-road chops (or at least pretensions). But it makes "proper" crossover SUVs too. Like the Forester. And this latest version looks even more worthy of the nameplate.

Called the Forester X-Edition, this latest version of Subaru's compact crossover was announced, for the time being, specifically for the Japanese domestic market. Which is a bit of a shame, because it strikes us as a rather handsome take on the Forester that might do well here as well.

The X-Edition is based on the Forester Premium, which isn't even the top trim level we get here in America, slotting below the Sport, Limited, and Touring models (and just above the base version). But some special upgrades set it apart. Like the brightwork, for starters, that's been done up in a handsome, dark gunmetal finish, from the front grille to the 18-inch alloys.

The interior's been worked over as well with water-repellant upholstery in two-done gray and black with silver stitching. And the cargo bay looks ready to withstand moisture even better, and has cargo rails and LED lamps to better access whatever you put back there.

Nothing revolutionary, in other words. Just a handsome take on a model that stands as Subaru's top seller, even (or especially) in America. Last month, the Japanese automaker sold 15,910 Foresters in the United States – more than the aforementioned Crosstrek (12,137) and Outback (11,506), and far more than the larger Ascent, of which it sold just 6,091 here last month. In fact the Forester alone accounts for nearly a third of the 55,531 vehicles moved in this country over the course of October. And with stylishly rugged additions like the new X-Edition added to the lineup, it could sell even more, and make some of its loyal customers happy in the process.