Subaru Forester

For:

Growth spurt has freed up plenty of space, while the Forester is also good value for money.

Against:

Lack of a diesel engine is the biggest bugbear, but dull looks and questionable interior aren’t far behind.

Overview

There was always something delightfully quirky about the Subaru Forester.

For a company that specialises in four-wheel drive and initially plied their trade in the UK with utilitarian vehicles, it may be a surprise to learn that the Forester was Subaru’s first ever attempt at going off-road when it was launched in 1997.

Still, at least they timed it well, with the first generation model going on sale to take on the likes of the Land Rover Freelander and Honda CR-V that had just arrived to shake up the industry.

Even then, it wasn’t a strict 4x4. With its low ground clearance and boxy estate-like proportions, the Forester bypassed the popular ‘rugged’ theme and tempted buyers with the promise of Impreza-like performance in a rather more practical package.

Ten years and several facelifts later, the Forester is to finally be replaced by the second-generation model, which comes just in time for another new wave of SUV first-timers, including Ford, Volkswagen and Renault.

Moving away from quirky and instead towards mainstream, the Forester is now a more obvious rival to the latest Freelander and CR-V, but has that come at the expense of the very things that made the first generation such a success? We find out.

Design – 6/10

While the Forester was never exactly pretty, its unusual ‘butch estate’ proportions did at least make it stand out from the crowd, even if its rivals otherwise towered over it.

There will be no risk of that happening again though as the first thing you notice about the new model is how much larger it is. Growing in all directions, the Forester sits next to its rivals proudly like never before thanks to chunky bumpers and a tall ground clearance.

And yet, in the process, the Forester has lost all identity. It seems ironic that, given its considerable growth spurt, that the Forester has become more forgettable thanks to an anonymous family face and an ordinary profile. Similar to the Mitsubishi Outlander from some angles, the Forester however lacks the neat touches that make its rival stand out more.

There are some nice touches, such as the ridges above the wheelarches and the stylised taillights but, in all, the Forester lacks attention to detail in what is becoming an increasingly important, and dynamic looking, sector.

Behind the Wheel – 6/10

Despite the rather unflattering comments made about the Impreza’s interior, Subaru are nonetheless persevering with it by lifting the same fascia into the Forester.

This means the Forester inherits all of its foibles, most notably the patchy build quality. Indeed, while everything seems durable and well screwed together, the plastics used feel cheap to the touch and look too shiny, bringing the whole atmosphere of the interior down significantly.

Considering it is a point raised on the £12,495 Impreza, it is shame to be using the same complaints on a car that is almost £22,000 at the top end. Compared to a Honda CR-V, the Forester lacks an upmarket finish and looks dull.

This is a shame, because the interior is an otherwise comfortable place to be, with all the controls being well placed, while the dashboard is a lesson in simplicity to use.

On the Road – 6/10

Other than the uninspiring looks and disappointing interior, the Forester’s biggest stumbling block will undoubtedly be the lack of a diesel engine in the range from launch.

While Subaru have developed their 2.0-litre turbo diesel with the specific intention of placing it in the Forester, it is not available yet and will make a huge dent in Subaru’s hopes to challenge their rivals in a market where ‘derv’ models account for a huge amount of sales.

So, for the time being, the Forester makes do with the sole 148bhp 2.0-litre petrol unit that also appears in the Impreza and Legacy.

However, while the engine spins freely in both of those models, the heavier weight of the Forester harms its performance and, with 0-60mph taking 11 secs, it shows. With the lack of a low-down torque from a diesel, the engine feels strained under pressure, which in turn harms economy and emissions figures as you’re forced to press on.

It is also disappointing to drive, the Forester’s larger dimensions – and taller ground clearance especially – meaning it lacks the eagerness of its predecessor. Indeed, while the taut Impreza-based chassis is in evidence at times, it feels loose round some bends and doesn’t seem as polished as that on the new Ford Kuga.

Running Costs – 6/10

Until that diesel engine comes along, the Forester will only be bought by the dwindling few for whom only a petrol drinking unit will do.

In that case, the Forester acquits itself well against its similarly powered rivals. Producing a fair combined economy figure of 33mpg, the Forester is also relatively clean at 198g/km of CO2 emissions, which, surprisingly, is less than that emitted by the smaller, lighter Impreza.

Furthermore, Subaru’s are made of tough stuff and the Forester should be no exception, particularly as it comes endowed with the Impreza’s well-proven mechanicals.

Value for Money – 8/10

Interestingly, given the intended move upmarket, the Forester has not gained too much in the way of pounds, with the entry-level X model coming with a tag of £17,995, which is just over £300 more than its predecessor.

It comes well kitted out too, with all round airbags, climate control, a CD-Player and even cruise control as standard, although, rather unusually, it does lack alloy wheels. Nonetheless, with the £21,895 XS variant adding nothing essential, the X is therefore the pick of the range.

Also, if you like the Forester’s sober looks then you’ll be pleased to learn that used car buyers are expected to do so too. Looking better in the metal than it does in pictures, the Forester may not have so much showroom appeal, but its reliability and practicality make it a safe used buy instead. As such, residuals are anticipated to improve on the previous models' 35% retained value after three years.

Practicality – 8/10

Disappointingly, Subaru have decided against developing the Forester as a seven-seater so as not to tread on the toes of the larger Tribeca.

This is a missed opportunity for Subaru though as it would have given Forester a chance to stand out from its rivals and at least provide a reason for its boxy dimensions. Still, the advantage of sticking to the regular five perches is that the Forester is one of the most spacious cars in its class. Moreover, with plenty of head and legroom, as well as a large boot that can extend up to 1,595 litres, the Forester at least wins the family vote.

Verdict – 6/10

Although it was never the best off-roader out there - or even the best estate - the Forester has always been the subject of affection thanks to its unashamedly quirky nature.

It means we can’t feel quite as enthusiastic about the new model, which has traded individuality in favour of something far more conventional. And yet, it still isn’t a class leader either.

On the plus side, the Forester is spacious and is quite good value too, but it isn’t very fashionable looking and the interior doesn’t feel as though it is the worth the price you are paying for it.

Just like Subaru did with the Impreza, the Forester plays it far too safe and doesn’t move the game forward in any particular way, which is a shame because, in such a tough market place, it needs so much more to lure the consumers their way.

• Best Model: 2.0 X (£17,995)