Beautiful but tough and strong
TRAVEL, LIFESTYLE AND FOOD BLOGGER MATILDA RICE’S 2018 SUBARU FORESTER
What do you like about the Forester?
I love how high it is off the ground. I’ve never driven a car this big before. And it’s got great pick-up; passing lanes are a dream in the Forester. The leather interior feels luxurious. It’s an automatic, but seems to have the power of a manual, so you get the best of both worlds.
What does being a Subaru ambassador involve?
It involves promoting the car I’m driving through different events and media, and also showing people what the Subaru brand is about. I will also try out a few of their other models, like the XV.
Why a Forester?
Subaru wanted to showcase the new Forester, and how it works with an active lifestyle as well as being big enough for a family.
How does it fit your lifestyle?
I’m a big fan of the outdoors, and going on adventures, and the Forester is perfect for that. Whether we are going paddle boarding or camping, or heading out west for a trail run, we can fit everything we need in there and it drives like a dream on any surface as it has all-wheel drive. I notice how the vehicle sticks to the road, and I also didn’t realise that all Subarus are all-wheel drive.
How much can you fit in?
A lot. I like to keep it as clean as possible since it’s such a nice car, so I try not to keep too much junk on the inside, but the main things in my car without fail are: sunglasses, chewing gum, wet wipes, togs and towel. (You never know when the urge to go for a swim can hit.)
How many kilometres do you drive in a week on average?
I drive it around the city more than anything else, but that’s starting to change now that we live in Warkworth and there’s so much to explore up here. We also drive to Lake Rotoiti a lot, so that clocks up the kms. On average, I’d say
I do around 350km a week.
If you had to describe your car as a well-known person?
I would describe it as someone like Lisa Carrington. Beautiful but tough and strong.
Favourite car, apart from this one, that you’ve owned?
I had a Chery J1 a few years ago. It was my first “brand new” car, so I was proud of it. My friends used to take the mickey because it was so tiny (my partner Art Green couldn’t drive it as his feet were too big for the pedals) but I had a soft spot for it. Long story short, it ended up falling apart and I got a whopping $250 when I sold it.
Any other vehicles in your garage?
Art’s Subaru Outback, which is also white.
If you could drive a famous road?
Art and I drove part of the Pacific Coast Highway in America last year. Part of Big Sur was closed when we were there, so I’d like to go back and do the whole thing again. We were in a huge campervan, so it would be cool to do it in something a bit sexier.
Best road trip in this car?
Down to Lake Rotoiti with Art. We stopped for the quintessential real fruit icecream on the way. I haven’t had the Forester for a full summer yet, so I’m looking forward to doing lots of roadies.
Five favourite driving songs?
Corrina Corrina (Bob Dylan); IfI Had a Tail ((Queens of the Stone Age); Stop Draggin’ My Heart
Around((Stevie Nicks); Pretty Pimpin ((Kurt Vile); Cold Little Heart( (Michael Kiwanuka). Favourite movie car scene? You can’t beat the car scene in the opening credits of Wayne’s World where they’re driving around singing Bohemian Rhapsody.
Electric and driverless cars?
I think electric cars are fantastic and good for the environment. I’m not so sold on driverless cars, I like to be in control on the road, but I can imagine it would be amazing for a lot of people, like the elderly or people with disabilities who can’t drive. Subaru is launching a hybrid model late next year, which will eventually lead on to electric. I’m looking forward to testing them out.