Subaru Forester XS 2003 review

Like cupholders. To adults, they're useful pieces of hardware. To kids, or at least, my kids, they're works of art.

And the Subaru Forester has the best cupholders yet. The one which comes out of the dashboard, my 11-year-old son informs me, "spreads out like a bird's wings". Better still is the double version which springs to life from behind the centre console "like a pair of handcuffs".

So my kids think the Forester is just about the best car I've brought home.

They're not the only ones.

Subaru is selling the Forester in record numbers and, cupholders aside, it's not hard to see why.

More than 6500 have been sold this year making it close to a top-seller in the off-road market. The launch of an upgraded and updated model in June has further boosted those figures.

The 2002 version gains a bigger, more powerful 2.5 litre version of the Boxer engine, producing 112kw and 223Nm.

The Forester has also been refined inside and out -- nothing drastic, mind you.

The car's popularity isn't hard to fathom. It's comfortable. It's capable. And it's pleasant to drive. It gives a high level of off-road capability, yet in a package which still drives like a family wagon, is easy to park and won't send you broke every time you fill it up.

The Forester is an interesting mix. It's not outstanding in any particular way yet does just about everything well. It's an unobtrusive car, one that tends to sneak up on you. When I first drove it I suspected the performance was a little sluggish -- until I glanced at the speedo and realised how effortlessly the car skips up to, and beyond, the speed limit with a minimum of fuss.

The more I drove it, the more I appreciated the flexibility of the engine, coupled in this case to a pleasant-enough five-speed manual gearbox. I suspect it would be even better with the four-speed auto.

The understated performance is typical of what you get with the Forester. It seems to do everything just a little bit better then you realise.

It's not a huge -- shorter than a full-sized family wagon and not as tall as most 4WDs -- yet it's roomy enough for two adults, three kids and lots of stuff in the cargo area.

To compensate for the car's lack of overall size, Subaru has made use of every available space. There's a series of little storage bins beneath the floor of the luggage compartment; a good-sized glove-box with a special spot for the service manuals to maximise the usable space; more storage in the centre console and also in the dash, plus smaller trays and bins in doors and about the cabin. Overhead, there are even two handy flip-down spots for sunglasses.

The Forester retains the driveability and road manners of a passenger car, with the added grip of constant 4WD, but still has a dual-range transfer case and enough ground clearance to make it a genuine off-roader.

Its chunky, boxy body shape means the Forester is not as sleek as its stablemates, the Outback and Liberty wagon, but Subaru has done enough with the exterior trim to still make it look attractive -- it's a marked improvement on the previous model.

There is excellent visibility, particularly when reversing because of a lower-than-usual window panel in the rear cargo door.

There's a nice six-stack CD/stereo, although I found the volume control would never allow me to find a happy medium between too loud and too soft. The circular, soft-touch climate controls are stylish and effective.

Upholstery is functional. I might even be inclined to tip in the extra $3000 to get the luxury pack with leather seats and other goodies like side airbags and sunroof.

Automatic transmission is another $2000 option on the Forester, although the five-speed manual is no hardship, apart from a slightly heavy clutch.

SUBARU FORESTER XS

* DETAILS: Mid-size five-door 4WD wagon, 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder 112kW engine; fuel consumption 10 l/100km (city cycle).
* FEATURES: Dual airbags, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, climate control airconditioning, 6-stack CD, cruise control, power windows, steering and mirrors, 12 volt power sockets.
* COST: $34,490 (auto $2000 extra).
* RIVALS: Toyota RAV4 Cruiser ($35,440); Nissan X-Trail Ti ($35,990).
* FOR: Well-built, capable off-roader well-suited around the city.
* AGAINST: Upholstery could be a little more inviting.
* SUMMING UP: Not hard to see why the Forester is a favourite for Aussie families.