Subaru Forester Review - 2.0i-S ES (High Spec) CVT

And now for something completely different.

Well it is and it isn't, you see the new Forester is indeed familiar – but I assure you it’s been rendered better in every way. Still, it offers similar performance and capability to its four predecessors – that’s five iterations over its 20-year lineage during which period I wouldn’t exactly say the styling has deviated too much.

But what really differentiates the Forester from other modern SUVs is its non-urban stance, the way the Fuji firm has forgone the tinsel and chintz. Crucially it has also avoided the firm rides of the curb-hopping clan and opted instead for a compact utility vehicle that can actually go places.

They’ve done this with their hugely capable symmetrical all-wheel drive system, now armed with hill descent control via their advanced new X-Mode system and an impressive 220mm ride height.

So, ornithologists, this is still your dream ride.

Getting on with it

Ours is the 2.0 litre (115kW/196Nm) high spec model with a CVT (continuously variable transmission), naturally aspirated and frugal at least – rated at 7.6l/100km for the average fuel consumption cycle.

And with that we’re glad Subaru have put that old bug bear to bed. I refer to that issue of fuel economy. Whereas typically a drivetrain with permanent four wheel drive and a burbling boxer engine rowed through five or six manual cogs would gorge itself on unleaded, now thanks in part to the (somewhat droning but now forgivable) Lineartronic CVT, some tweaked aero and a stop/start system that kills the flat motor at the lights, figures across the range resemble what you'd find in a 2WD rival with an inline four. That's fantastic!

Getting to drips with AWD… Not 4WD?

To better illustrate 4WD you should just look at the more popular term for it – that’s 4x4.

If that conjures up images of rugged bakkies and SUVs climbing up slippery gravel inclines and crawling through gnarly riverbeds then you've already begun to make the distinction between it and AWD, a less complex system also tasked with divvying grip up between all four wheels for better traction.

On a 4x4 vehicle you'll sometimes encounter part-time 4WD with a more frugal two-wheel drive mode (usually rear) marked as 2H or 2L modes with 4L reserved for when you need the extra traction for example on a dirt road or even a soaked highway. Many modern 4WD SUVs will make that switch automatically making them similar to the AWD systems that are growing increasingly common on more urban-friendly SUVs and crossovers like this Subaru Forester 2.0i-S ES. Making it more road-centric too, lighter on fuel and heavy on traction.

Smartened tech

We’ve always been spoilt for choice with connectivity options what with Bluetooth, USB and the humble auxiliary cable for mating our smartphones to our cars. But phones have become even more intelligent over the past five years – and ditto their four-wheeled counterparts.

Thus, our test Forester has risen to the challenge with gusto and that means screen sharing. Android Auto and Apple Carplay ensure total synergy between your two favourite handheld machines and having played with it for a week, I can attest to its ease of use. One less reason to take your eyes off the road? Yes please.

There’s quite a lot of technology sewn elsewhere into the nervous system of the new Forester too including dynamic acronyms such as ESC, TCS, LSD, ABS, EBD and BA all pertaining to traction and braking of course, enabling it with a 5 star NCAP rating – thanks also to its ‘best of class’ seven airbags.

Aboard its cabin it is similarly tricked out with reverse camera, keyless entry, push to start and powered rear tailgate. It’s a pleasant cabin too, typically Subaru (grey) but featuring some nice detailing and a large greenhouse for letting light in and endowing the driver with great outward visibility. It’s roomy too, which my family of five really appreciated.

A driver’s verdict

Perhaps the Subaru Forester’s best party trick is the way it flattened the undulating, rutted dirt roads like a rolling pin, then continued unabated, devouring the polished Tarmac on our test route. It’s an accomplished chassis, this one, and a car I enjoyed pedalling every day I had it.