Sharper, more...

must say that I miss the turbo and the difference is palpable. But it you compare it to the current 2.0L engine, I have to agree with the Project General Manager (in charge of 5th Generation Forester) that it is 100% better than before.

Once you go pedal to the metal, the split-second reaction time between the heightened engine notes and the sudden forward motion feels shorter, which makes the Forester feel more responsive.

As it danced gracefully around cones and chicanes, it was hard to fathom how this SUV is actually a much bigger version of itself and yet handled better than ever. And to think I was pushing it as hard as I could, which was nowhere near how the instructor/formerracing-driver-for-sure pushed it during the demo lap.

Tires screeched and the engine roared but it was composed and impeccably balanced. While it tilted a bit around corners as a tall SUV with 220 mm ground clearance, its handling will put other sedans to shame.

Units with EyeSight come with two optical lenses facing front just behind the rearview mirror. It is more cost-effective than radardependent systems but is just as effective, maybe even better, at detecting obstacles in front of it. The last drive event — an off-road track — came with some of the standard challenges in Subaru events, it makes it no less impressive. Here, it was tested thoroughly over ‘cross rollers’ which leaves only two wheels in contact with the ground, a very rocky surface, a steep slippery slope and descent straight into a pool of water, and finally driving sideways on an incline before taking it through a slalom.

For fans of forced induction, just think of the rising fuel prices and you can thank Subaru later. The automaker’s “interpretation of sportiness is not turbocharging,” says Nunome and testing showed that their enhancements of the powertrain still showcase its best driving qualities.

Pricing has yet to be worked out but according to Motor Image Pilipinas, it won’t be too far off from the current price point. Expect the 2019 Subaru Forester in dealerships January 2019.