The new Subaru Forester is now available with a diesel engine for the first time.

Critics have cried out for it and Subaru reckons the diesel variant will claim 80 per cent of total Subaru Forester sales to help the all-wheel drive car overtake the Subaru Impreza as its number one model in the UK.

Web Editor Adrian Higgins road tested the diesel engined Subaru Forester, near Cork on the West Coast of Ireland.

Subaru Forester slide show

The fact it warrants its own launch event indicates what a hugely important car the diesel-powered Subaru Forester is for the Japanese carmaker.

Expected to account for four out of every five Subaru Foresters sold in the UK, its predicted popularity is expected to see the 4x4 overtake current top seller the Subaru Impreza.

The new generation Subaru Forester, launched in April 2008, saw the car’s existing marmite looks updated to compete more directly with other compact SUVs including the Nissan X-Trail, Land Rover Freelander and Toyota RAV4.

Just as the Impreza’s distinctive but somewhat dated saloon style was revised to win more mass market appeal so the formerly boxy Subaru Forester’s looks now conform more to the direction of its rivals (though the signature Scooby bonnet scoop remains).

Improved refinement

However, critics were as concerned by what was – or rather wasn’t - under the bonnet as with the new visual direction and buyers were advised to keep their wallets in their pockets until the 2-litre petrol model was joined by the promised 2-litre diesel.

Well, now its here and we got the opportunity to test car, engine and the new six speed gearbox it is mated with.

The first thing which becomes apparent is how quiet the new engine is – there’s nothing agricultural about the power plant dropped into this farmers’ favourite.

And refinement isn’t the only quality boasted by Subaru’s landmark engine, first introduced to the Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outback ranges in April.

Admitting the petrol-only option left it trailing its rivals Subaru now says it has leapfrogged the opposition with:

• Class-leading fuel economy of 44.8mpg
• Class-leading emissions and car tax of 167g/km (£170 a year)
• Class-leading range of 620 miles
• Class-equalling insurance group 9

Good headlines for the Credit Crunch era and the fact it only adds to the driving experience makes it easy to see why Subaru think diesel will account for 80 per cent of Subaru Forester sales.

Despite enjoying an extra 10mm ground clearance the new Subaru Forester’s diesel boxer engine sits 10mm lower than before, further exploiting the low centre of gravity its distinctive shape lends itself to.

Improved gearbox

And delivering 147bhp with 258lb/ft of pulling power at just 1,800rpm means the diesel-powered Subaru Forester has plenty in store when it comes to overtaking.

The six-speed gearbox is new and preferred to the fewer ratios offered by the petrol version (five on the manual and four on the automatic) and though we found changes didn’t slot home as snugly as we would have liked, familiarity could see this issue fade.

There is a premium of around £1,500 on petrol models and as always when considering the price differential it is worth calculating how many miles you will cover before the difference is paid off through improved fuel economy.

However, this clearly is not the only gain for buyers opting for the diesel Subaru Forester who will also find the power at lower revs a much better option than the petrol, especially those looking to use its 2,000kg towing capability.

Faster – higher top speed

A ten second 0-60mph time and 115.5mph top speed also improve on the petrol model.

And this is one SUV which, as Subaru fans would expect, has the driving potential to mean the diesel engine is there to be exploited.

Built on the same platform as the new Subaru Impreza, it is longer, taller and wider than its predecessor and handles lightly and nimbly through corners with the reassurance of Subaru’s renowned all-wheel-drive system to lend a hand if required.

And yet the Subaru Forester still provides the comfort expected of SUVs while a higher driving position underlines its move to compete more in the mainstream.

It’s still great fun to drive, but the increased dimensions also takes care of practicalities with more space for people – it feels very roomy inside - and luggage, with 450 litres of boot space, up from 383 litres.

Subaru Forester slide show

Well-equipped

While the exterior has moved towards the looks offered by rivals, the interior is still very recognisably Subaru, which unfortunately means the speedo-centred information display looks dated and the plastic trim doesn’t impress.

But couple the extra space with the long sunroof our mid-range specification model features as standard and these niggles fade into the background.

The new Subaru Forester diesel is available in three trim levels: X, XC and XSn. All models feature alloy wheels, heated mirrors and windscreen wipers, front and rear electric windows, curtain, side, driver and passenger airbags, cruise-control, climate-control air-conditioning, radio/CD player, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, all-wheel drive, self-levelling rear suspension as well as anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution.

XC trim adds roof rails, 17-inch alloys, roof spoiler sunroof and 6CD-player while the XSn trim adds satnav, leather seats and push-button start.

It all adds up to a package which suggests Subaru might well be on the money with their prediction that the Subaru Forester diesel is on the path to becoming its most popular model.

We’ll still miss the love/hate looks of its predecessor but coupling the new Subaru Forester with a diesel engine has been both long overdue and well worth the wait.

The new Subaru Forester diesel is great to drive, practical and very economical.

Subaru Forester slide show