Subaru's Forester X Hits The Spot
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday May 3, 2008
The car Subaru Forester X.
The price From $30,490.Vital statistics 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine (126kW at 6000rpm, 229Nm at 4400rpm).HE Subaru has released its third-generation Forester soft-roader. We've had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the Forester over the years. We praised the original but thought the second model lost its way in a few areas. But, as our recent five-car test showed, we're fans of the new one.SHE I didn't like the way the previous model drove. It had really ordinary grip in the wet, even though it was all-wheel-drive, but this one seems to have improved.HE Subaru has switched tyre brands and also done more testing on local roads with the new model. My main concern with the new one - before we drove it - was that the interior would be a letdown. I found the previous Foresters just a tad too small. This one seems just right.SHE I'm glad it has grown but not by too much. Most other soft-roaders in this class, such as the Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander, are bordering on medium-sized soft-roaders. To me they lose their appeal in the city.HE Vision in the Forester is good, thanks to the low window line, although it would be nice to have the option of a factory-fitted rear-view camera, just to be 100 per cent sure nothing is behind you.SHE I'm surprised Subaru doesn't have that as an option yet, considering it's so big on safety. On that point, this car gets five stars in NCAP tests and has the full safety kit standard on every model.HE Unfortunately you weren't with us on the comparison but the thing that amazed us was that, in the occupant area at least, the Forester has more shoulder, leg and headroom than the Nissan X-Trail and yet the Forester has smaller external dimensions.SHE Yes but the X-Trail has a bigger load area.HE The X-Trail's seats tumble up to create a large cargo area, the Forester seats stow under to create a flat load space.SHE Fair call but I don't like some of the materials in the cabin. To me, a lot of the plastics feel cheap and I think the centre console is unfinished. It has a lid but no front, so when you hit the brakes all your stuff flies out.HE I'm not a fan of the centre console either but, given that it shares most parts with the Impreza, I reckon Subaru will fix it as a running change. Got some trivia for you: I couldn't work out why the dash looks a bit better in the Forester than in the Impreza. It turns out it has a matt finish, whereas the Impreza has a gloss finish which looks cheaper. And the door trims are different.SHE My first impressions are pretty good. What do you think of it?HE I think it's not perfect but it puts Subaru back on the map. It has had a few disappointing cars over the past two years but this is one it has got right. It's safe, the right price and size - and drives well - and it's cheaper than the competition.
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