With an award-winning engine and having received numerous acclamations since the inception of the third-generation (SH) Forester, this car remains an epitome of well-engineered mini SUVs over a decade later. Despite being launched in an auspicious fanfare, it was not enough to see the marque of a vehicle still grounded in reality gleaming in metallic blue paint; the distinctive itch for a test drive was overtly noticeable among the overwhelmed motoring enthusiasts.
The forester has been a car offering the best of both worlds, being superbly utilitarian yet with the comfort of an urban sedan. It is sturdy and rugged, but the handling falls nothing short of the brilliance of a passenger car. Previous models have had some engine gasket issues, but such have been addressed in the models beginning 2010. This car doesn't have the largely overrated STI branding, but that doesn't mean its performance is wanting. The only downside here is a reduction in horsepower, though the real effect is hardly noticeable if you have not driven a turbocharged Forester before. Braking power is as efficient as in the Brembo 4-piston calipers standard in previous sport models and the independent double wishbone rear suspension has been redesigned for better handling and a smoother ride over the previous generation. "Sportshift" has been included mated to a four-speed computer-controlled automatic transmission, being a full-time AWD. This means that torque split is divided among rear and front differentials in a systematic manner, with power being sent to the wheels that need it. For example during hill climbing when weight shifts to the car's rear, power is sent to the rear wheels to counter it and when going downhill the power is sent to the front wheels giving the car precise driving preferences. This helps not only in handling but also the car's traction is significantly improved.
Available models
The repertoire here seems to be thinning out for Subaru, with trim levels coming in X, XS, XT and S-Edition. X is the base model, XS the premium, XT the turbo version while the S-Edition is a limited production model. The X trim has a 2.0L EJ20 petrol engine with Active Valve Control System (AVCS) matched to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox while the XS, XT and S-Edition have a 2.5L engine with similar features. And for the first time, Subaru has introduced a new discordant engine. It is still horizontally opposed (pistons are flat and opposite each other instead of being upright), but this time powered by diesel instead of gasoline. This new powerhouse is called the Subaru EE with a six-speed manual gearbox and is available in Europe, Japan and in the U.S
