Subaruforester Essentials

Subaru Forester FIRST DRIVE Rugged 4x4 is revamped to keep in touch with rivals Subaru Forester XT Turbo

SUBARU announced a series of mid-life updates for its dependable Forester 4x4 earlier this year, and our first taste comes courtesy of this top-spec XT turbo model.

From the front, there’s a restyled grille and chrome trim on the bumper, while our test car also featured 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and twin exhaust pipes. Inside, Subaru says you’ll find a “higher proportion of soft-touch materials”, although you’d be hard pushed to point them out. The dash is of acceptable quality, but still not as upmarket as rivals’. Displays are higher resolution than before, though, and the central touchscreen is satisfying to operate.

It’s under the skin where Subaru claims to have made the biggest changes. Refinement has improved, while the suspension has been tweaked to enhance the ride quality. Engineers have also fettled the steering to make it more responsive on the road.

Even so, the Forester feels much the same to drive. This 2.0-litre turbo is nicely refined, but most buyers will favour the diesel. The stepped-cvt box remains, and despite the fact that it creates artificial ratios to mimic a conventional auto, it never feels as smooth as a dual-clutch set-up.

The engine is laboured, too. With forced induction now the norm among modern cars, many manufacturers have learnt to limit turbo lag – but it’s here where the Forester feels so old-fashioned. There is an undeniable disconnect between input and answer when flooring the accelerator, forcing you to plan overtakes well in advance. The symmetrical four-wheeldrive system will push the 237bhp XT from 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds, yet in reality, it never feels that fast.

Plus, fiddling with the three drive modes only makes the car seem more nervy, so you’re best leaving it to its own devices. There’s loads of body roll, which encourages slower progress on twistier roads, but at least the steering is relatively accurate.

The XT is the most powerful Forester in the UK, and will cost a lot to run. Subaru claims 33.2mpg economy, while CO2 emissions of 197g/km mean it’s much more expensive to tax than diesel-only rivals.

Still, the Subaru is excellent off-road. The capable X-mode all-wheel-drive system and raised ride height take the Forester where no Nissan Qashqai could dream of going. Practicality remains a strong suit, too, with a large, square tailgate that makes loading heavy items easy.

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