Diesel & dust
With a diesel/auto option and a sharper price Subaru NZ has added another string to its Forester range bow.
With all the hype surrounding SUVs ( Sports Urban Vehicles) at the moment there was a certain element of surprise amongst our testers when Subaru’s 2.5 litre Premium-spec Forester came out on top in our annual SUV comparo. Not, let me hastily add, because the Forester was lacking in any way. On the contrary, on every quantifiable level, and as much on the road as off, it excelled. It’s just that, even with its more recent ( Gen 4) styling makeover, it was more solid, sensible backup singer than flamboyant front man... if you get what I mean. The question I found myself asking as I pored over the brochure before collecting the latest addition to Subaru NZ’s allwheel-drive range, the $ 46,900 Forester 2.0 Diesel, was, would it be even better? While diesel is nothing new in the line-up, what is new is the ( nominally) six-speed Lineartronic automatic transmission ( complete with steering column mounted paddle shifters).
Long story short the combination of a fat band of turbo-boosted torque ( the 350Nm peak is produced between 1600 and 2400rpm) and artificially stepped CVT transmission make the diesel version and even more practical, usable, economical and perhaps more importantly, relaxing, proposition than a 2.5 petrol version that ( quietly, efficiently and with the minimum of fuss) swept all before it in our summer SUV comparo. In answer to the obvious question, yes you do notice the distinctive extra snuffle and start- up rattle of an oil- burner. And no, though with Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control ( VDC) suite of products you do get ABS, ESC and TCS, in diesel/ auto form you miss out on ‘ Premium’ pack option like water-sensing wipers and the various camera-based EyeSight active braking and lane- checking features as well as the fuel-saving automatic stop/ start engine feature. What you do get is a nice , practical dash incorporating a central multi-function display unit complete with full Bluetooth connectivity and reversing camera, Subaru’s state- of-the-art traction-- enhancing X-Mode vehicle dynamics system and full seven airbag five-star ANCAP safety rating. You also get an extra 300kg ( up from 1500 to 1800) braked towing capacity should you need it. Handling and ride- quality have always been a given with Subarus for as long as I have been driving them, and what I personally liked most about the new 2.0D was what most car makers – seriously – still struggle with, combining a driving enthusiast’s need for sharp, incisive steering and firm, well damped suspension articulation and control, with a ‘couldn’t care less’ modern day car consumer’s need for creature comforts and cup holders. While it’ll never be a head-turner in the looks department the Forester is one of the most practical, competent and cost-effective mass-market models ( conventional, SUV or otherwise) on the local market at the moment. A diesel/ auto version can only add to its appeal.