SUBARU FORESTER XT: A golden oldie—and a fast one too
Still, its styling has aged reasonably well and it doesn’t look as dated on the road as its years would suggest. That, plus it’s the only vehicle in its class that can be ordered with a turbo engine (in the P2,048,000 XT variant) that gives it performance to rival or even beat true sports cars—not to mention leave its crossover competitors in the dust.
BEST-IN-CLASS POWER
That feat is quite easy to accomplish with the XT’s turbo 2.0-liter boxer motor, which develops a rousing 241ps and 350Nm of torque, enough to rocket the Forester to 100 km/h in around seven seconds. That’s fast. The downside? Just the expected penalty in fuel consumption from the high-performance turbo engine.
There is slightly less responsiveness from this generation’s Lineartronic CVT gearbox (which at least helps improve fuel efficiency) compared to earlier Foresters with conventional automatics. But the tradeoff of improved fuel economy will probably be deemed well worth it by most. Noteworthy, too, is the Forester CVT’s use of a more direct-acting chain drive (for improved responsiveness) as opposed to most other cars’ CVT’s, which use a belt to transfer engine torque to the wheels.
REFINED AND WELLCRAFTED INTERIOR
Of course, everyday drivers don’t spend the bulk of their time trying to set fastest quarter-mile times. Especially in the city, Filipino drivers often end up steaming in traffic—which means that the cabin they find themselves confined for hours on end had better be roomy and offer numerous comfort and convenience features. The Forester delivers in this regard. Its tall, upright body style offers generous, if not class-leading (wheelbase is a shortish 2,640mm), space for both passengers and cargo.
Another plus is Subaru’s consistently high levels of fit and finish inside. The leather is plush and well padded. All the switches and levers and buttons operate with welloiled smoothness. NVH is very close to the low levels you’d hear and feel in luxury cars. The Forester XT variant is far from inexpensive at a hair over P2 million, but it delivers with commensurate luxury and refinement. (The Forester range starts at a more affordable P1.548 million for the normally aspirated 2.0i-L model.)
ACCOMPLISHED ONROAD DYNAMICS
Subaru has always been at the forefront of all-wheeldrive technology—and the Symmetrical AWD hardware (and software) of the Forester is second to none. Ride quality of the front MacPherson strut/double wishbone rear suspension is on the firm side, but still far from harsh or stiff. It soaks up bumps and potholes effortlessly— the result of very well tuned springs and dampers as well as a rock-solid chassis and body structure (which also helps the Forester earn its coveted five stars in just about every crash test). Medium and high-speed handling is a walk in the park, again thanks to the confluence of all the aforementioned features and attributes. Tires are a generous 225/55R-18 size.
A cool and useful feature is the Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) that adjusts the engine and gearbox modes (Intelligent, Sport, or Sport Sharp) to suit the driver’s driving style and road conditions. This is one feature that others might think is just a gimmick but really works very well. For trickier off-road conditions, there’s X-Mode and Hill Descent Control.
Notable features from its generous specifications include steering-responsive headlights, rain-sensing wipers, headlamp washers, fog lamps, panoramic power moonroof, keyless entry and push-button start, cruise control, 8-way power driver’s seat, three 12V power outlets, dual-zone climate control, X-Mode, Hill Descent Control, Vehicle Dynamics Control System, Active Torque Split AWD, front/side/curtain airbags, 8-speaker 440W Harman/Kardon touchscreen premium audio system with Bluetooth/USB/Aux connectivity, and steering wheel audio controls, among many more.
All told the Subaru Forester may be among the oldest models in its class, but if you’re talking flagship variants/budgets and are into sheer power and performance, the turbocharged Subaru Forester XT is still the only game in town. Its well-crafted interior, over-achieving all-wheel drive system, and impressive overall versatility actually become the icing on the cake.