Price as tested: £21,520.00
Range price: £17,620-£24,990
Insurance group as tested: 13
Insurance group range: 12-17
Tested: July 2006
Road tester: Adrian Higgins
Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 88%
Looking for a 4x4 that won’t break the bank, offers great handling, a comfortable ride and doesn’t look like everything else on the road?
Perhaps it’s time you considered the Subaru Forester. Read on for the full review.
Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor | Rivals
Like a Tardis. We’re not saying it’s an old police box with Billie Piper inside, but it is deceptively spacious for its dimensions, and understated. However, If you like your 4X4 to have a bit of bling you might be disappointed – the Forester doesn’t figure highly in the poser-bility stakes.
8/10
The Forester makes fantastic use of light and space to give the impression you are actually sitting in a much bigger car. The ride position is good and the quality of materials inside is top notch with cream leather and sunroof giving it a much more expensive feel than the price tag would suggest.
9/10
The Forester looks good but make no mistake the practical considerations of a 4X4 have not been forgotten. Driver and passengers get plenty of room and it can also act as a good workhorse with a maximum 1629 litres of space to be exploited.
9/10
4. Ride and Handling
4X4s sometimes score lower on the handling at the expense of the vehicle’s bulk and high roofline. The Forester designers however, ensured this off-roader had a low centre of gravity Boxer engine which pays off with superb handling that doesn’t come at the expense of the ride. Top notch.
10/10
Buyers can choose between a 2-litre and a turbocharged 2.5-litre. We drove the 2-litre version, which even though the junior partner performance wise, still manages to get from 0-60mph in 9.4 seconds (add another two for the automatic). Go for the 2.5-litre manual however, and you’ll see that figure shrink to a staggering 5.7 seconds. Top speeds are 122mph and 134mph respectively. VROOM!
10/10
Choose one of the 2-litre models and you’ll be looking at a respectable 30.4 mpg average fuel consumption, rising to a possible 37.7mpg when run economically. The temptations of choosing the livelier 2.5-litre model will knock that average figure down to 19.8mpg. Tax for the respective models will set you back £190 and £210 per year. Owners from new get a three year/60,000 mile warranty plus three years’ paintwork and 12 years’ anti-corrosion cover. There is also three year’s free membership of Subaru Assistance.
7/10
The Subaru Forester scores fantastically well on Auto Trader’s Reliability Index with the only reported problems being axle and suspension-related. Driver satisfaction surveys also give the Forester glowing reports.
10/10
8. Safety
All
7/10
Once you have chosen between the 2-litre engine and the 2.5-litre model there are two trim options to choose from. Everything you would expect comes as standard: CD player, air conditioning and electric windows. Higher specification models also feature leather interiors and sunroof. Sat-Nav is available as an option.
8/10
Being great. The Forester is a 4X4 with character, it feels more expensive than it is and it handles well, boasts a great ride and looks smaller than it feels. We were reluctant to give it back after a week.
10/10
Rivals
You might want to consider:
Mitsubishi Outlander
Land Rover Discovery
Nissan X-Trail
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