Subaru Forester 2.5 auto 2013 review

The Forester is a long time favourite with Aussie motorists. But it's a very different car than it used to be, more of an SUV than a jacked-up wagon. The formula remains the same, however  all wheel drive and a boxer engine despite the extra load this places on fuel consumption.

VALUE

Prices for Forester start at $30,990 for the manual 2.0-litre model. Our test vehicle was one step up from here, the 2.5i with a larger 2.5-litre engine plus a CVT style auto for another $2000 -- but it still gets steel wheels. If you want a manual, then you're relegated to the smaller engine and vice-versa.

It gets quite a bit of equipment, but there are some niggles... no one touch blinkers in this model and the Bluetooth connection to our mobile phone was a bit hit and miss.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

The new turbocharged XT model now gets direct injection, but the 2.5-litre engine we tested remains multi-point injection. There's nothing wrong with this in view of the results it manages to achieve after plenty of tweaking but direct injection must be just around the corner. The 2.5 litre engine produces 126kW of power at 5800 revs and 235Nm of torque from 4100 revs.

Naturally aspirated Foresters are now fitted with auto stop/start which contributes to better fuel consumption. X-Mode, engaged at the push of a button, is designed to assist the driver to maintain control in off road conditions up to a speed of 40km/h. The tow rating for this model is 1500kg.

DESIGN

It is 35 mm longer, with a 25 mm increase in wheelbase, but has lost something in the appearance. Sorry, but we think the previous model looked better. An aluminium bonnet helps to reduce weight and lowers the centre of gravity, while rear bumper corners have been designed with aerodynamic efficiency in mind, together with the large underbody covers, including mudguards and air flaps.

SAFETY

Five stars. Subaru has been a major proponent of safety and they won't sell a car here unless it scores five stars in crash tests. Seven airbags are now standard too.

DRIVING

It's easy to get in and out of, with a high driving position and excellent all round vision. The seats are comfortable if a little hard. It was all looking rather good until we encountered some wet roads. Fitted on 17 inch steel wheels, the Yokohama Geolander G91s on this car are truly atrocious.

Pushed with any enthusiasm the car suddenly developed ice skates and a terminal case of understeer, that no electronics rescue. We couldn't believe it. But, over the same roads in dry conditions, it was a completely different story, with the sort of grip you expect from an all-wheel drive Subaru.

The auto is rated at 8.1 litres/100km. After more than 800km behind the wheel the trip computer of our car was showing 8.0 litres on the knocker  impressive. Interestingly, the 2.5-litre Mazda CX-5 that we drove recently also returned exactly 8.0 litres/100km (with all the Skyactive fuel saving gear).

VERDICT

Love the car hate the tyres. Subaru knows its stuff, all they need to do is hire a stylist with some flair and it would be game, set and match.

Subaru Forester 2.5i
Price: from $32,990
Warranty: 3 years
Engine: 2.5-litre 4-cyl petrol, 126kW/235Nm
Transmission: 6-speed CVT, 4WD
Thirst: 8.1L/100Km, CO2 187g/km