Subaru Forester

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Mitsubishi, Nissan

Subaru Forester

on May 1 2013 | in Car reviews, Subaru Forester | by Alastair Sloane | with Comments Off

: Forester dashboard

: Forester exterior

: Forester console

: Forester media centre

: Forester wheel detailing

: Forester exterior

Car specifications

Prices: Six models priced between $39,990-$59,990

Engines: All with stop/start: 2-litre 110kW petrol; 2.5-litre 126kW petrol; 2-litre turbocharged 177kW petrol; 2-litre 108kW turbocharged diesel.

Transmissions: Six-speed manual, six-speed continuously variable

Fuel economy: 5.9 litres/100km – 8.5-litres/100km

Emissions: Euro V

Equipment: Includes Bluetooth wireless technology

Safety: Five-star

Factory warranty:

It’s a well sorted crossover, the Forester, an all-wheel-drive soft-roader with stronger than average credentials. There’s nothing exciting about the way it looks or performs, although the 2-litre $59,990 turbocharged variant can boogey. Forester has an honest charm, with plenty going for it. It is what it is – a four-paw workhorse with an impressive 220mm ride height and 1500kg braked towing capacity.It doesn’t have the most exciting or premium interior. The style and quality is a bit yesterday, but there’s plenty of space, especially in the rear. Everything appears hard-wearing. It’s a comfortable car to drive, if not especially inspiring. It rides the bumps well, and will reach the parts other soft roaders simply can’t.

Good
Boxer engines, quiet, comfortable ride, straightforward character

Not so good
Uninspiring exterior, plain interior

Rating 7/10

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About the Author: Alastair Sloane

Alastair Sloane has been a newspaper journalist for 50 years this year. He has had all sorts of newspaper roles along the way, including editing two dailies. He was the motoring editor of the New Zealand Herald for 16 years from 1996 until 2012. He owns a 1968 VW Beetle. Best days at the wheel include doing part of the Land Rover Camel Trophy route in Papua New Guinea, driving a Nissan Patrol over earthquake-hit roads in Guatemala, and a Ferrari Italia 458 on Enzo’s old hill-climb road in Italy.