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Subaru Forester 2016 review

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EXPERT RATING
7.0

Likes

  • Quiet cabin
  • Comfortable and compliant suspension

Dislikes

  • Lacks responsiveness
Marcus Craft
Contributing Journalist
26 Feb 2016
4 min read
7 Comments

Subaru's staple SUV maintains its cred with suspension upgrades and a quieter cabin. Marcus Craft reports.

Facing a wave of new rivals, Subaru has given its stalwart Forester SUV a mid-generation tweak that includes a quieter cabin and suspension upgrades to boost stability.

Pricies are unchanged, starting from $29,990 for the Forester 2.0i-L manual and climbing via $39,490 for the 2.5i-S CVT auto. Top of the range is the $47,990 2.0XT Premium auto.

Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior describes the changes to the Forester, now in its fourth generation, as "extensive" for a midlife update and cites "a raft of technical improvements".

Deft touches in the cabin of the 2.5i-S run to leather trim (including steering wheel and gearshift), colour multimedia screen and heated front seats. Premium variants get driver's seat memory function.

Exterior styling changes include a grille that has been tweaked across the range to fit in with a classier looking front end. There are new design 18-inch alloy wheels, re-profiled front bumper, LED headlights that turn with the steering and daytime running lights.

This model also has Subaru's comprehensive EyeSight driver assist, with safety features such as lane-departure warning, as well as an automatic tailgate and Siri compatibility.

Senior expects Forester to maintain its monthly sales average of 1000 examples despite the arrival of new or revised versions of the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4 in recent months.

He regards the reduction in cabin noise and vibration as among the Forester's most significant improvements. To achieve this, Subaru used thicker glass in the side windows, amended the body structure and door seals to reduce wind noise and even added cushioning to each end of the instrument panel.

Subaru claims a 5 per cent reduction in cabin decibels; we can't confirm that but it was impressively quiet. Over back-country bitumen, dusty backroads and potholed tracks, noise intrusion was not an issue.

The suspension and steering improvements are conspicuous. The steering feels well-weighted, light and responsive, allowing the driver to punt the Forester along dusty roads at some pace with no fear of overdoing steering inputs.

Subaru has been giving its SUV suspension the Aussie real-world treatment for ages, so it's no surprise that when you drive a Forester on a bush track here, the vehicle feels comfortable and compliant.

Thanks to the altered damping and spring settings, the Forester displays safe and settled behaviour at all times on test, through fast sweeping dirt-road corners, surprise undulations and with a few emergency braking tests (to simulate country kangaroo pop-ups) thrown in for good measure.

As the sun drops, we take this Forester, at more considered pace, on washed-out logging tracks. We go slow to avoid real kangaroos, of which there are plenty at this stage of the day.

The Forester ambles along, with X-Mode engaged, over numerous substantial obstacles with no wheel-slip, all paws smoothly in action. It's lots of fun.

Back out on the road and at speed, however, there's a lack of responsiveness in this petrol Forester as the CVT, while trying to save fuel, busily holds it back.

Subaru Forester 2016: 2.0i-L

Engine Type Inline 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency 7.2L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $13,420 - $17,600
Safety Rating

Verdict

The Forester is not quite a bona fide off-road tourer and not quite a completely gentrified city-goer, which leaves it in its own SUV niche-within-a-niche.

But above all it's a fun drive, always has been and now there are more reasons to enjoy it.

What's new

Price - No changes to Forester pricing.

Technology - 2.5i-S (and 2.0XT) get steering responsive headlights.

Driving - Suspension reworked for better ride, steering wheel angle reduced for improved handling.

Design - Tweaked front grille, 18-inch alloy wheels.

How do you think the updated Forester compares to the RAV4, Sportage and Tucson? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Click here to see more 2016 Subaru Forester pricing and spec info.

Pricing Guides

$19,456
Based on 191 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$10,990
HIGHEST PRICE
$33,990
Marcus Craft
Contributing Journalist
Raised by dingoes and, later, nuns, Marcus (aka ‘Crafty’) had his first taste of adventure as a cheeky toddler on family 4WD trips to secret fishing spots near Bundaberg, Queensland. He has since worked as a journalist for more than 20 years in Australia, London and Cape Town and has been an automotive journalist for 18 years. This bloke has driven and camped throughout much of Australia – for work and play – and has written yarns for pretty much every mag you can think of. The former editor of 4X4 Australia magazine, Marcus is one of the country’s most respected vehicle reviewers and off-road adventure travel writers.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$10,990
Lowest price, based on CarsGuide listings over the last 6 months.
For more information on
2016 Subaru Forester
See Pricing & Specs

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