It is crazy how you can almost list a “Top 10” of vehicles you know or like and somehow finish it without ever mentioning Subaru. Does that mean the brand is really bad, or does it simply mean no one talks about it enough? One thing is for sure: people need to start talking about this badge because I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Subaru Forester.
So, what exactly is the Forester?
This is the brands answer to the likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan, Hyundai's Tucson or Mazda with the CX-5. Enter a car that offers up good looks which I feel is right up there with its competition, an awesome sense of family and everyday practicality coupled with surprising off road capabilities, the Forester is a literally go anywhere kind of car.
Im going to spare you of the "The golden age of Subaru" where I rant on about how the brand had a strong racing and performance orientated background because that would only dull the good product that this vehicle is and represents. Little do people know but this nameplate is actually the best selling vehicle for the brand and so as you would imagine, large investment goes into improving and upgrading the recipe that makes this vehicle a success.
This new 6th generation Forester is touted as the best one yet, gleaming on the headline is the brands ever versatile Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive which makes driving through different kinds of terrain a bit easier for the vehicle. That is also backed up by the vehicles class leading safety which the vehicle has in the form of both ADAS and in the form of the robust underpinnings.
Dimensions & running gear
- Length, width, height, and wheelbase are 4,655mm, 1,830mm, 1,730mm, and 2,670mm, respectively.
- Tracks (Front/Rear): 1,565mm/1,570mm.
- Kerb weight ranges from 1,595 to 1,645kg (dependent on derivative).
- Tyres and wheels: 225/55 R18 (Touring, Sport and Premium).
Let us begin with the looks which are quite important in the South African market
Now, I will be honest, this car is far from a head-turner. It let me blend into traffic quite quickly. But for those who did take a glance, they seemed to have exactly the thought I mentioned at the beginning of this story: “Wow, I didn't know Subaru made them like this.”
Our unit was finished in a Cashmere Gold Opal color palette which shimmered and sparkled a bit in the light giving the car a subtle touch of class in a rather understated manner. This is quite ironic since Subarus are more lifestyle and adventure based because at heart they just love the dirt and are always willing to get their hands dirty, this is seen by the inclusion of black cladding which covers almost every aspect of the vehicle. This cladding is not a aesthetic touch no sir, these work for real.
The front of the new gen gains a new fascia design which helps the car look a lot more modern as the cars predecessor was beginning to look quite long in the tooth. Expect to see a new bumper below a bolder and more define front grille which is supported by compact LED headlights and Subaru’s latest star-cluster emblem. I am a fan of this continuous brushed steel element that interconnects the grille with the lights cleanly making the car just feel that more modern to look at.
The car rides on 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels which suit the understated character of the Forester. More importantly, there is plenty of rubber between the wheels and the road, which becomes useful when the road eventually gets less friendly. Up top the vehicle benefits from a sunroof, not a panoramic glass top which is still quite good judging by just how big this opening is, besides the retractable glass segment sit two roof rails which again are not for aesthetic and can take on the adaption of additional luggage, a surfboard or even a accessory Thule storage kit.
The rear also experiences a change over the previous outgoing Forester by ditching bulky lights setup in exchange for a more slimmer packed lighting arrangement kind of like you get in the smaller Subaru Crosstrek just with an addition of a black accent which runs the length of the entire bootlid as to signify a lightbar effect.
The interior is new but it in a more simplified manner
This space is very well thought off and had a great sense of "we know our client" when being equipped. The first thing that I actually noticed was the presence of rubber matting on top of the existing car mats for that added layer of protection since the vehicle is going to owned by people who are active in the world of hiking or traveling on dirty roads.
The same thinking applies to the seats, which gain spill-resistant polyurethane material on higher trims such as the Premium. It makes sense when you consider the typical Forester buyer: families, hikers and people who aren't particularly concerned about keeping their vehicle away from dirt.
On the dashboard, you will now find a portrait style 11.6-inch display which I thought I would have a problem with operating since I am not used to the orientation however the icons and fonts on screen are quite big allowing for ease of use even whilst driving. I, the driver had an analog dial set with a configurable little screen in the middle that had viewing options of fuel averages, cardinal points and a cruise control radar display. It certainly was a nostalgic seeing analog dials in this day and age and kept a sense of "If it isn't broken, don't fix it" mentality and I support that, fully.
The display supported wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and voice control. I enjoyed a quick bread for soul session via the 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system that you gain as standard on standard on the range-topping Premium Flagship. Oh and d USB-A/C charging for passengers was available.
Subaru have went out and flexed their brain muscles with the car by involving a Driver Recognition system. This system uses facial recognition to save up to seven drivers’ preferences, including seating and mirror position, as well as climate control settings. There is also a driver-monitoring system that watches for signs of distraction or fatigue.
This all sounded marvelous on paper. Then it became one of my biggest pet peeves.
I couldn't switch it off, and it would beep whenever I looked away for what it considered too long. That became particularly irritating when performing something as normal as checking my mirrors before changing lanes or doing a 360-degree visual check around the vehicle.
Bench mark safety
South Africans have been alerted by recent news of the countries favorite cars being put in the spotlight for not being as safe if at all. Whilst this might look like a personal attempt at bashing certain OEMs, it is also a good move for companies to not ever skimp out on an vital point that all the people of Mzansi are provided with safe and solid offerings to choice from, safety is not a choice but it should be a criteria that determines whether a car stays or goes.
Subaru are not one to skimp out as things seem, as this is one of the best brands that always have catalog of good safety. The Forester debuts latest EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology bringing a more wider field of view and faster processing. EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology brings along features like Pre-Collision Braking which worked quite nicely, Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centring, Autonomous Emergency Steering, Lead Vehicle Start Alert, and Pre-Collision Throttle Management.
The drive of the vehicle
This car provided such a smooth refined and comfortable drive, which was so enjoyable especially in the cabin. Steering feel is on the money in terms of feel, not too light but just right. This paired with the generally planted body of the vehicle meant I always had control over it and felt whenever I was traveling over uneven, harsh surfaces which the car made a impressive deal of soaking up imperfections on.
The car also benefits from improved NVH levels thanks to a smarter sound-insulation installed between the engine and occupant cell which results in a quieter cabin, which means you spend less time listening to Subaru’s signature 2.5-litre BOXER® engine. But the engine noise was a bit apparent since the unassisted powerplant did feel a bit gutted when accelerating hard especially on inclines but upon catching more speed up it began to feel "more at ease."
In this generation, the engine produces 136kW and 247Nm via a a Lineartronic CVT with 8-step manual mode, which means there are usable with paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. I used these paddle shifter as a test of course to see two things, are they legit as do they actually work to change gears, they did apparently, and to see if when you engage the manual mode, are you on your own or will the car actually hold a gear and it did!! Not exactly ground breaking but to meet something that comes off as gimmicky but ends up working is well appreciated nowadays.. what with the increase of fake exhaust outlets, not saying any names..
The ride of the vehicle was very composed and tolerant when traversing the tricky roads of Mzansi and this is probably thanks to the rims being adorned in more than enough rubber. Nothing about the Forester's drive feels complicated. There is no attempt to make it feel like a sports car, nor does it try to overwhelm you with artificial steering weight or aggressive responses. You start the car, select a gear and set off. It just works.
The 496-litre boot also came in handy when I had to transport three drawers for repairs. The trip took me across a stretch of gravel, and the Forester's combination of good ride quality, usable space and easy manners made the whole exercise surprisingly effortless. It is the sort of vehicle that doesn't need you to think too much about what you're asking it to do
My biggest criticism came down to fuel consumption. During my time with the car, the 63-litre tank translated to roughly 470 km of indicated range. That's not disastrous for a vehicle of this size, but it is thirsty enough to become noticeable, particularly if you're planning long family trips where luggage and passengers are part of the equation.
It is, however, priced very competitively
Forester 2.5i Premium: R830,000 - For better context, the likely rivals are price as follows Toyota RAV4 2.5 VX AWD priced around R834 200, Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TSI 4Motion R-Line: Priced around R852 600.
Warranty & Maintenance Plan
All Subaru Forester models are backed by a 5 years / 105 000km extendable to 7 years / 150 000km Maintenance Plan that is extendable to 150,000km; 15,000km service intervals and Subaru Assist roadside support.
So, should you care about Subaru?
In conclusion, the Subaru is quite the worthy contender for your attention on the simple fact that the Forester doesn't need to shout. It has all the makings of a good vehicle that is perfect for the family, outstanding safety for all occupants, and a spacious interior that should keep everyone comfortable and safe on long trips.
There is the added benefit of the car being able to go overlanding, should the task be asked of the vehicle, thanks to the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Fuel consumption could certainly be better, and the driver-monitoring system became an irritation during my time with it. But neither issue managed to overshadow what I liked most about the Forester: it simply felt like a vehicle that understood its job.