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Subaru Forester

Subaru has released its latest Forester. Michele Lupini discovers how the newcomer bests a great pedigree

We have long been Subaru fans – not only of the testosterone-rich WRC-bred (and that’s no lame call line, promise) WRX and STis, but also the rest of the range, all of which benefit that special Subaru magic of boxer-engined Subaru symmetrical all-wheel drive to set them fully apart from just about anything else on the road.
The Forester is one of those special Subarus and it’s just been replaced with an all-new fifth-generation model. We had the privilege of driving for a week or so and we are, as usual, impressed by the newcomer and its progress once again over the outgoing model.

First a bit of history
But first, allow us to indulge you in a little Forester history…
A pioneering crossover SUV, Forester was first presented as the Streega concept at the ‘95 Tokyo Motor Show. Forester itself hit the road for the first time in ‘97, also making its way to the South African market twenty-one years ago. 
Boasting a higher command driving position than its Impreza, Legacy or Outback siblings, the taller and boxier Forester however carried over Subaru’s traditional boxer four engine and symmetrical all-wheel. Interestingly, unlike its early Toyota RAV4, Daihatsu and Suzuki Grand Vitara rivals, the Forester's World Rally Championship genes and a low center of gravity meant that US lawmakers did not require the Subaru to carry a ‘risk of rollover’ sticker….
That first Forester not only impressed us with typical impeccable Subaru symmetrical all-wheel drive road manners on tar and gravel, but the brand-new crossover also excelled in a tough 4x4 shootout against some pretty rugged kit back in ’98, impressing us with its ‘long-drop’ suspension that enabled Forester to drive anywhere that certain rivals with greater ground clearance and kudos went, letting its wheels down to gain traction, where certain other wannabe rivals just stood spinning their aviating wheels.

Special niche
The market soon took to Forester, which quickly established its own special niche with a typical galoshes-clad mink and manure set already steeped in Subaru Legacy tradition now able to step up to the more off-roadable Forester. That was also way over on the other side of a young brand already famous for its WRC-bred rice rocket clique. 
Forester duly evolved through a 2001 facelift before an all-new Impreza-based second-generation Forester arrived in 2003 complete with a 170kW Turbo version for the other cap-the-wrong-way-round Subaru type and in 2004, Subaru even launched a Forester STI. 
A facelift followed in ’06 before the third generation arrived in 2009, as Forester began to move away from a traditional wagon design towards becoming a proper crossover SUV. Larger in just about every dimension and featuring a sloping roof line with more cargo space, suspension was redesigned for better handling and a smoother ride, The previous one also introduced a fair whack of new tech, from the option of paddle shifter controlled Lineartronic high-torque continuously variable transmission with X-Mode all-wheel drive control to even further boost driving in any road conditions and regardless of the driver’s skill level.
"A World Car of the Year 2019 candidate, new Forester has already enjoyed praise and recognition from media across the globe, including the Japanese 2018 Good Design Award"

Eye-opening safety
Subaru’s award-winning EyeSight driver assist system also debuted on certain models. EyeSight offers several driver-assist technologies including pre-collision braking and throttle management; adaptive cruise control and lane departure and sway warning, by way of stereoscopic CCD cameras mounted either side of the rear-view mirror…
The previous model also benefited revised, sport-oriented suspension and wheels in a longer and wider car on a slightly longer wheelbase for increased interior and cargo space. 
Now, 21 years down the road, the fifth-generation Subaru Forester is here, based on all the many virtues of the first four, new Forester is the most spacious and most refined to date. Boasting improved EyeSight driver assist technology and latest X-Mode with Deep Mud capability for the first time on a Subaru, the all-new fifth generation is built on the latest Subaru Global Platform to offer best space, off-road capability, advanced safety and features in a Forester yet.
The 2019 Forester also builds on its long history of award-winning safety with a stiffer and stronger chassis and adds Subaru's latest EyeSight and LED low and high beam headlights to make it the safest yet. 
Premium Forester models come standard with that latest EyeSight tech that has now earned itself a US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for twelve years on the trot, along with a highest possible ‘Superior’ rating for front crash prevention. Forester now comes standard with seven airbags including advanced front, front seat side, pelvis and torso bags, side curtain and driver's knee airbags.

 "Forester is underpinned by that undeniable Subaru boxer symmetrical all-wheel drive advantage that delivers balanced and peerless handling and road holding”

Symmetrical AWD tradition 
Powered Subaru’s latest  115kW 196Nm 2-litre boxer four engine, the latest Forester horizontally-opposed direct petrol injection mill is 80% new and brings enhanced responsiveness. All models are now paired with Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT and Forester is as ever, equipped with Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive with active torque vectoring. 
You will recall way up top, we noted that the first Forester enjoyed the advantage of an exceptional low centre of gravity and that has not changed either. See, that boxer-four mill is not only half the height of a conventional engine, but it also allows that symmetrical all-wheel drive with its viscous coupling centre differential to be mounted as low as possible in the chassis to ensure unbeatable dynamics, stability and control, just in case you thought that this superb drivetrain was just another gimmick. It’s actually a very real advantage…
The new one also delivers major improvements in ride, handling and occupant comfort, while a stiffer architecture brings better steering precision, ride comfort and even boot space advantages, over and above its obvious occupant safety pluses.

X Mode ability
The premium model New Forester is also the first Subaru to benefit new two-mode X-Mode off-road throttle control, leaving the driver only to steer in difficult snow, deep mud or sand conditions. X Mode monitors wheel-slip on all four wheels and should one or more begin to slip, the system applies the brakes to the affected wheel to see drive transferred to the opposite side of the car.
Subaru’s driver-selectable Intelligent SI-Drive powertrain performance management system is another Forester novelty now enhanced to allow the driver to tailor the vehicle's throttle characteristics between smooth and economical ‘Intelligent’ or responsive and tuneful ‘Sport’ driving.
A World Car of the Year 2019 candidate, new Forester has already enjoyed praise and recognition from media across the globe, winning the Japanese 2018 Good Design Award that recognises how Forester has evolved from what was once a Subaru weakness to now deliver the highest interior quality, an advantage now considered a real brand strong point. 

"Subaru’s high hopes for Forester are well founded – it is quiet and rides impressively, while that low centre of gravity brings a certain wieildiness and security at the helm"
Fully stacked
Of course, new Forester packs in everything the modern crossover owner expects and a hell of a lot more. Underpinned by that undeniable Subaru boxer symmetrical all-wheel drive advantage that delivers balanced and peerless handling and road holding, new Forester enjoys latest generations of all those significant Subaru highlights from Lineartronic to X Mode to EyeSight.
I’d say Subaru’s high hopes for the newcomer are well founded – there is little road noise and Forester is quiet on the cruise thanks to good powertrain and outside noise isolation. It rides impressively thanks to damping - that also trades comfort and handling off very well, while that low centre of gravity brings a certain wieldiness and security at the helm.
Steering is accurate and the brake pedal responsive to see Forester to a stop straight and quick, while X-Mode will dig you out of some serious off-road challenges without the need for all-terrain tyres. So, while this all-new Forester’s on-road refinement is still masterly, it also has off-road credibility to make most soft-roader rivals cry.
Available in South Africa by the time you read this, the new Subaru Forester not only boasts a quite impeccable pedigree, but it is also the best of its breed yet. Don’t overlook this one if looking for a proper little crossover –  there is no question that it belongs at or near the top of your short list…

Images: Marcella Lupini