Forester cuts a fresh path

Can an all-new Subaru Forester help the Japanese firm to rebuild its UK presence?

As Subaru’s top-selling model worldwide, the Forester is a vitally important car for this brand, with more than 3.9 million examples being produced - though only 10% of those have landed in the hands of European customers. While the smaller Subaru XV has overtaken the Forester in the UK sales charts, the Japanese firm expects that to change with this all-new version, thanks to a host of new technology and electrification.

WHAT’S NEW?

Despite looking similar to the old Forester, this is an all-new model that represents the fifth generation of this SUV. First up is the fact it sits on a new platform, known as Subaru

Global Platform. These new underpinnings allow for the Forester to be electrified with a new e-Boxer mild-hybrid setup. Elsewhere, there’s more passenger space plus nifty features such as a reversing camera washer - if you’ve ever been in a car with a dirty camera, you’ll know how irritating this is. UNDER THE BONNET?

Subaru will no longer offer a diesel engine, meaning the sole option is the new e-Boxer powertrain. This is Subaru’s first venture into electrification with this mild-hybrid setup, which generates energy while the car is decelerating and allows for it to run solely on electric power up to around 25mph. Subaru claims fuel economy figures of 34.7mpg and emissions of 154g/km. HOW DOES IT LOOK?

The designers haven’t made a great deal of change to the Forester, with bosses admitting it wasn’t “styled to win beauty contests”. Instead, this is an evolution of the previous car - incorporating LED headlights, new gloss black styling details and a two-tone panel above the rear lights. A range of new all alloy wheels are introduced and a Jasper Green paint colour. WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? Jump inside and it’s immediately clear that this is a model favouring durability over luxury, though the quality has improved with plenty of soft-touch plastics, with selected versions getting vibrant textured plastics. The seven-inch touchscreen (fitted as standard) is also simple and intuitive to use, and the layout is largely very good, wheelbase THE VERDICT

The car is a refreshing change in the SUV world - favouring durability, exceptional practicality and off-road ability over a premium interior. Improvements to the cabin and lay out have only enhanced the model further to its core buyers, while the levels of standard safety kit are outstanding. The Forester is an excellent family SUV with go-anywhere ability.