Rugged and ready
Paul Acres gives his verdict one the Subaru Forester
The Forester is not the kind of car that’s going to lure you into the showroom with its good looks. It’s true that it’s not suffered at the hands of Subaru’s design team quite as badly as some of the models that have rolled off the production line over the last decade but its chunky, utilitarian looks won’t win any style awards.
They do, however, give you a pretty strong clue as to what this motor car is all about.
It looks built to last, and it is. Family transport is rarely dressed up in such robust, go-almost-anywhere clobber.
It’s a tall car, perched somewhere between a traditional estate and a crossover, with decent road clearance and permanent all-wheel-drive that gives it a modicum of off-road capability.
That extra height does impact on the handling, however, and despite Subaru’s best efforts there remains a significant amount of body roll in corners.
You’ll always quickly discover that this is a car that does not enjoy being hustled along. It’s happy at speed on a motorway where refinement is rather good. That comes as something as a surprise given the amount of intrusive diesel clatter when you’re working the engine hard.
It’s when you turn your attentions to tight and twisty roads that the Forester’s shortcomings become more obvious.
There’s no question that, when driven within very well defined parameters, it’s stable and surefooted but there’s a very distinct lack of lateral grip, and a reluctance to turn in when pressed.
Overall the ride is good, although it can get a little fidgety over high-frequency imperfections.
The gear change is a little circumspect but, fortunately, the Boxer engine is flexible enough that you won’t have to swap cogs too frequently.
As well as the 2.0-litre diesel fitted to my test car, the Forester is also available with either a naturally-aspirated or turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engines.
The diesel, despite its cantankerous nature, is likely to be the power plant of choice thanks to its reasonably low emissions and competitive 50mpg fuel economy.
Performance is strong, but you have to go looking for it.
There’s very little urgency below 2,000rpm, but once it’s in its stride the engine pulls enthusiastically.
Despite often giving the impression that it is labouring, the diesel will reach 60mph in about 10 competitive seconds.
Very much like the exterior, the inside of the Forester will not win over many hearts with its flair. This is a cabin that very much puts function ahead of form. It is certainly robust and securely bolted together and, for most people, that would usually be enough.
All-round visibility is excellent and there’s ample room for passengers in both the front and rear.
The stereo isn’t the most up-to-date system you’ll see, and it can take a while to acclimatise to all its idiosyncrasies but once you’ve got it working, and your phone connected, it works well.
Boot capacity stands at 505 litres with the rear seats in place, rising to 1,592 litres with them stowed away.
Subaru have always ploughed their own furrow and the Forester is no exception.
It’s a workhorse, designed to do a job and it does it well. It isn’t fancy, or flash, it just does exactly what it says on the tin.