Subaru Forester review: The practical new Forester proves there’s more to a car than just looks
Subaru's new SUV is genuinely unstoppable but it can also double up as a perfect family car
SOME cars are so beautiful they can literally make your heart race.
Their silky curves compel adoration from millions, finding space on bedroom walls across the world and becoming the headline act on shows such as Top Gear.
Even the smell of a V8 engine can have the same intoxicating effect as a sweet perfume.
The Subaru Forester is not one of those cars. The bods at Subaru won’t be offended by this.
Since the Forester arrived in 1997 it’s never boasted pageant-winning design, yet it’s one of the best-selling Subarus ever.
Subaru knows its market. It looks at the droves of rival SUVs which have arrived since and thinks “meh.”
As far as it’s concerned Nissan can chase punters with the innovative design of the Qashqai.
It shrugs its shoulders at the Peugeot 3008’s sumptuous interior.
The Forester is unapologetically “normal” looking.
That’s not to say it is a normal car.
The Forester is the founder of the modern SUV craze, the grandaddy of the soft-roader.
Originally built on the same platform as the Impreza, it was one of the first to combine the utilitarian skill sets of a 4x4 — more space, ground clearance, all wheel drive — with the usability of a normal car.
The road handling is tight and refined enough to live with on the M25, but it doesn’t have to reverse when Tarmac gives way to a river crossing or muddy field.
It sent a flare into the sky for the rest of the industry — everyday folks living everyday lives want small 4x4s.
The 2017 Forester is a pleasing mix of its traditional strong qualities, with a few tweaks and tech additions to help it compete in a treacherously overcrowded market.
It’s still solid and well built, with an unbeatable AWD system which could traverse the Andes while towing a bungalow.
And the signature Subaru boxer engine still powers it, which affords a lower centre of gravity than a traditional engine, enhancing its wet-weather stability.
That boxer engine also means it’s safer in the event of a crash — a huge selling point for the parents who snap up SUVs.
Because the engine sits lower, in a head-on collision it drops down into the crumple zone, rather than get forced straight backwards towards the cabin.
So it removes itself from harm’s way at the same time as soaking up the hit.
But in the new model, safety is taken to a new level with the addition of Subaru’s EyeSight system.
Blind spot monitoring, lane departure and rear cross traffic alerts are all included in the package, as well as automatic rear braking high beam assist.
Such a full complement of (genuinely useful) tech clashes with the Forester’s look, which can be described as “functional” at best.
If I was being uncharitable I would describe it as boring.
But that leads me back to my original point.
Subaru couldn’t give a flying proverbial about that.
Pretty cars aren’t what its customers are looking for.
The new Forester has been treated to near front and rear lights, and a slightly more handsome grille, but that’s about it.
Two-wheel drive SUVs are all the rage these days, a popular choice with those who just want the added space and safety of a bigger car, plus value-attractive design.
But the Forester comes at the same market from a different angle — sod what it looks like, let’s make a SUV which is genuinely unstoppable, which can also double up as a family car.
And that’s why I love it.
Key facts
Subaru Forester
- Price: £26,495
- Engine: 2.0 litre diesel
- Economy: 43.5 mpg
- 0-62mph: 11.8 secs
- Top speed: 119mph
- Length: 4.6 metres
- CO2: 150g/km
