Subaru Forester 2.0i xe e-boxer sport Hybrid Large SUV
In its original configuration and for most of its long life, the Subaru Forester was an estate car, but now the vehicle carrying the model name is a large SUV.
SUVs are more popular than estate cars, and every manufacturer has at least one model in their range, as seen with Porsche, Aston Martin, and even Lotus, now building one. The more mainstream marques are Ford with its Kuga available in ultra-low CO2 plug-in hybrid form. https://www.ford.ca/suvs-crossovers/edge/?gnav=header-suvs-vhp
The Hyundai Santa Fe is larger and has an extra two seats. https://www.hyundaicanada.com/
The Subaru Forester has a 2-litre petrol engine which charges a small electric motor, and this hybrid system produces 148 bhp. The combination should power you away from junctions or lights, but the car isn't quick to accelerate, and part of this is due to the CVT automatic gearbox. It is slow to translate putting your foot down with gaining speed, and it does let the Forester down.
With Subarus, you are guaranteed pedigree handling from their four-wheel drive system, refined through their Rallying. It is one of the defining reasons people choose a Subaru, and you see Farmers, Gamekeepers, Vets and all types of owners who need a vehicle capable of venturing away from the black stuff. You feel confident the Forester will get you where you want to go, and I experienced this when I took the car off-road near the Goodwood estate in West Sussex. You do get some nifty traction aids you can engage when on variable terrain, and Forester's good ground clearance allows you to tackle real rocky surfaces, even the ever-increasing potholes.
The driving position is superb, and the cabin provides a very comfortable environment. You are high with outstanding visibility; the low dashboard top doesn't interfere with your view. The driver's seat and steering wheel allow you to adjust them to many positions; with the seat being electric, it is a breeze to find the perfect setup.
You will appreciate all the technology in the Subaru Forester, plenty of safety aids and driver assistance. As standard, a rear-view camera and a camera are mounted on the passenger door mirror to help avoid scratching the wheels. An image is displayed on one of the screens on the dashboard when you select reverse. The driver has many buttons on the steering wheel, allowing you to change media, volume, cockpit display and more.
An 8-in-infotainment touchscreen is standard in the Subaru Forester and has built-in Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. It functions well and provides all you need on even the longest road trip.
The interior provides plenty of room in the front and rear, with occupants getting plenty of legroom and headroom. You get decent storage in the doors and the centre armrest area. Rear passengers can utilise the map pockets on the back of the front seats and generous door storage.
The Subaru Forester hasn't got rear cargo space benefitting a large SUV with 509 litres available. You have room for all five people in the car to have a small suitcase but load-carrying ability increases if you fold the rear seats and utilise the flat floor of the Forester.
The entry-level XE trim gets you 17in alloy wheels, climate control, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, and LED headlights. If you choose Sport trim, the car has an orange exterior, interior highlights sat-nav, and an electric tailgate. Opt for the highest trim with XE Premium gives you diamond-cut 18-inch alloy wheels, heated rear seats., leather seats, a sunroof, and privacy glass.
Safety-wise, the Subaru Forester passed the Euro NCAP in 2019, achieving five stars. Safety aids include rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking (AEB), and lane-keeping assist.
The Subaru Forester has a five years or 100,000 miles warranty comparable with most rivals, like the Skoda Kodiaq
The Subaru Forester provides a comfortable ride, four-wheel-drive traction for solid, confidence-giving handling, and
plenty of interior space for five people. Subarus are popular worldwide because they are reliable, well-built and perform well off-road. I would have liked it to accelerate quicker, but you aren't likely to enter any races with it, so top speed and its 0-60 time are largely irrelevant. You buy the Forester because you want a good SUV to meet the family's requirements. It will get five people with luggage on holiday, or to the airport, get you to work and back day after day, and if you need to put a tree in the back after a visit to a garden centre, then it can.