► Subaru’s perennial Forester driven
► Recently updated with more safety tech
► Only model in UK is e-Boxer hybrid
Subaru remains a small outfit in the UK, but arguably keeps a presence here largely because of this very car: the Forester. It’s now been on sale for more 27 years, ferrying families to all corners without much fuss or trouble. We drive the latest version.
At a glance
Pros: Hugely practical, feels tough, comfy
Cons: Noisy engine, slow, plain to drive
What’s new?
Subaru’s boxy, boxer-powered family SUV was given a light tweak in 2022, injecting some fresh tech and some updates to the formula. It was a relatively light touch, though, mainly focusing on expanding the reach (and, quite literally, the view) of the car’s EyeSight driver assistance system. The brand’s driver monitoring system – one of the first to hit the market (and one we tested back in 2020), but a bit of technology that is now mandated on all new cars in General Safety Regulation 2 rules – has been given an update to include gesture control for certain interior functions like climate temperature adjustment.
That’s about it, though. The Forester is still quite an old-school SUV compared to most other cars in its segment – its focus is much more on function.
What are the specs?
The Forester only comes with one non-plug-in hybrid powertrain in the UK, labelled as an e-Boxer Lineartronic. That boils down to a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre flat-four engine, e-motor and battery pack all working together, with power being sent via a continuously variable transmission to all four wheels. Subaru’s ‘Lineartronic’ transmission is fundamentally a CVT, but one that has programmed-in ‘steps’ to mimic gearchanges.
Every Forester features four-wheel drive, and comes with various drive modes via its X-Mode switch, including ones for going off-road. That powertrain operates much like a conventional hybrid like Toyota offers. The e-motor can drive the Forester e-Boxer at very low speeds – good for parking and traffic, for example – and it will help provide a torque boost for the engine at higher speeds.
Three trim levels are available: XE (from £37,990), Sport (from £40,090) and XE Premium (from £40,990). Basic XE is reasonably well-equipped, with heated seats, Subaru’s vast suite of driver safety and assistance tech via its EyeSight technology and a perfectly sophisticated infotainment system. Sport (which may take the award for most optimistic use of that word for a trim level, given there is no performance differences) is mostly about visual tweaks including black alloys, orange trimmings inside and out, sat-nav and a powered tailgate. XE Premium throws in a sunroof and leather upholstery but does without the Sport’s orange trim and black wheels.
What about the interior?
Tough, functional and relatively old-school. The shape and positioning of the car’s silhouette means quite an upright driving position and a good view out, and the seats are softly padded and quite comfortable. Our test model was a Sport, which includes several bits of orange trim to brighten up the cabin.
Subaru’s message of functionality is most obviously felt in the cabin; materials used are designed to give the impression of durability, rather than one of premium-ness.
Analogue dials and a chunky steering wheel sit directly in front of you, with a reasonably-sized glossy screen for your infotainment needs and a smaller display inset into the top of the dashboard that provides extra info. A welcome amount of physical switchgear is inside, including a full suite for the climate control and a set of quick-access buttons for the infotainment. A clump of them also feature on the centre console to control the car’s drive modes.
Space is a huge green tick for the Forester. Tonnes of it is available, even for tall adults behind tall drivers, in the second row. The boot also feels large, with 509 litres available with the rear seats in place or 1779 litres with them folded flat. Subaru also says the Forester can tow up to 1870kg.
How does it drive?
It doesn’t get off to a flying start when you turn the ignition on, with the naturally-aspirated boxer whirring to life with a gruff and tinny engine note. In fact, at any speed or rev amount, this is not an engine that you’ll enjoy revving – it feels strained and coarse.
That feeling isn’t helped by the fact that the e-Boxer’s powertrain isn’t especially potent or sprightly. Its focus on fuel economy is felt here, with high revs from the engine and a bit of gentle e-boost not really amounting to any great deal of acceleration or progress. Even those programmed-in ‘steps’ in the CVT transmission don’t really feel like they add anything. You also have to be extremely gentle to keep the Forester in electric mode, with the engine kicking in after a small additional push of the accelerator.
But the whole driving experience is perfectly reasonable. The steering is a little rubbery and there’s plenty of roll in hard cornering, but this isn’t a Civic Type R. What’s pleasing is the ride – it’s plump enough to absorb enough of the largest lumps in the road and the wheels aren’t so large they’re finding small ones either. Despite the Forester’s boxy shape, wind noise is well damped.
We’re also inclined to believe the WLTP fuel efficiency claims, having completed mixed-road journeys that hovered around the 35mpg mark. A 35mpg fuel figure isn’t exactly great given this is a hybrid, but it is one that will meet its claims.
Before you buy
It’s an odd one, really. The Forester is a likeable car but, in most categories or by most metrics, you’re walking into life with a Subaru knowing that there is a ton of competition in this segment – and most will likely best the Forester in some way.
For the circa-£40k price tag of a Forester Sport or XE Premium, you can have a seven-seat Skoda Kodiaq – a car that will get at least similar fuel economy, drive smoother, seat two more people and feel more up to date inside. Ford’s Kuga will almost certainly get better fuel economy than it, and will drive much more sweetly – as will VW’s latest five-seat-only Tiguan.
Verdict: Subaru Forester
Subaru’s long-living Forester is an anachronistic nod to those still looking for a family car to be the ultimate utilitarian item. Most rivals will best it in terms of how it drives, or how efficient it can be, but Subaru continues to carve itself a small niche of those looking for their family car to be no-nonsense, spacious and useful in all scenarios.
Want something that’ll pose and look good as you slink through the suburbs? Look elsewhere. Want something that’ll last forever and tackle anything you throw at it? This is in with a shout.