Subaru scores in the big outdoors
SUBARU’S reputation for producing top not 4x4s has been underlined with the Forester SUV being honoured in Britain’s leading driver satisfaction study.
The recently upgraded SUV was rated the eighth best vehicle of all to own in the 2016 Driver Power survey run by Auto Express which examined no less than 183 models currently on sale in the UK.
Brian Walters, director, research and insights at Driver Power said: “In 2016, the Subaru Forester Mk4 performed brilliantly, improving in six of the 10 Driver Power judging categories. Owners of the Forester rate it highly for its reliability, practicality, ease of driving, and build quality.”
The Forester – and Subaru’s other off-road stalwart, the Outback – have stamped their mark on the ‘activity’ sector of the car market as vehicles which are both practical and capable.
The Forester for 2016 is on sale now and pricing remains unchanged for all trim levels in the updated line-up, with the range starting from £25,495 for the 2.0i XE model and £26,995 for best-selling 2.0D XC models.
Like the Outback, every Forester is equipped with two core Subaru technologies – Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive, giving sure-footedness in all conditions and the latestgeneration four-cylinder Boxer engines, contributing to the low centre of gravity enhancing balance, road holding and handling.
The range of engines remains unchanged with a choice of three 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engines – a 150bhp naturally-aspirated 2.0i petrol engine and a 147bhp 2.0D turbo-diesel unit from Subaru’s FB family of engines, and a 241bhp direct injection turbocharged petrol unit.
All existing safety equipment on offer is fitted as standard to every model in the Forester range, including twin front, side, curtain and knee airbags, Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control and the all-wheel drive technology.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard on 2.0i and 2.0D models with an optional Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission. Lineartronic is standard on XT models, equipped with the 241 PS DIT petrol engine.
Improvements have also been made to the interior of the Forester which is now finished with a higher proportion of soft-touch materials, new piano black and metallic trim, higherresolution displays and new cloth and leather upholstery options and Subaru’s new seven-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system.
Meanwhile, the latest Outback – the fifth-generation model – is a real step up from previous versions.
The interior has been completely revamped with the use of high quality materials throughout giving the Outback a genuine premium feel.
The range has new infotainment and satnav systems and the cabin is considerably bigger too.
Subaru has also upped the game in terms of hi-tech safety features and a new feature on the Outback is the car maker’s Eyesight collision avoidance technology which employs stereo colour cameras to monitor the road and traffic ahead.
The cameras are located in front of the rear view mirror to detect vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and other potential hazards.
On Lineartronic CVT automatic Outbacks this feature comes as standard.
Trim options are SE and SE Premium and the SE comes with automatic LED headlamps and washers, cruise control, active torque vectoring, 17-inch alloys, heated front seats, electric driver’s seat and privacy glass. There’s also a touchscreen info system with sat nav, audio, smartphone connectivity and a rear view parking camera.
The Outback is available either with a 2.5-litre petrol engine priced from £28,315 or a 2.0-litre diesel costing from £27,850.