Subaru Forester 2019 Long-Term Test #1

Subaru buyers are not easily fooled. The 'newish' Subaru Forester may look like the old one, but improved packaging on a modular platform, reduced running costs, longer warranty and increased engine output have compelled a lot of buyers to pick up a new Forester from their friendly local Subaru dealership.

For the year to date the Forester has sold 12,614 units – over 3000 ahead of the previous model for the same period in 2018. It's a rare accomplishment in a market that has declined by eight per cent so far in 2019. The result not only makes the Forester the only model in Subaru's local line-up to sell better in 2019 than it did the year before, it also means the Forester is Subaru's most popular model, nudging aside the XV from the top spot.

That's in spite of a $1500 price increase this year for the long-term test vehicle, a Subaru Forester 2.5i-S, matching the specifications of the vehicle evaluated alongside a Forester 2.5i Premium back in January. The earlier review goes into some detail concerning the Forester's driving dynamics, which mostly don't warrant rehashing.

One point that does warrant mentioning, however, is the respective fuel economy. Last time, the Forester used slightly less fuel over the week – "high nines" – but finished the week this time bang on 10.0L/100km, which included about 40km of freeway driving. That discrepancy could have been due to cooler weather conditions for the long-termer, or holiday traffic for the seven-day test vehicle.

This Forester was afflicted with none of the rattles encountered previously. It remained as quiet overall as the other test vehicle in every respect. In fact, the earlier car's CVT whine under full load was missing in this car. That suggests either of two possibilities: Subaru has fixed the problem since driving the original car, or the CVT can vary in quality and performance from one car to the next. We hope it's the former.

After a few days I handed the Forester over to my wife, a veteran Subaru driver.

Her summary?

"I like it."

She found the Forester a convincing example of that (long debated) selling point – the high driving position. Not only did she commend the Forester for its excellent view ahead in traffic (that's the debatable bit), but she also appreciated the Forester's all-round field of vision and the high hip-point, which facilitates easy access to the cabin. Chalk one up for high-riding wagons in the suburbs.

Control placement and instrument legibility are beyond reproach; the Forester is not the sort of vehicle that requires in-depth study of the owner's manual before setting off. Subarus have generally been easy to drive – although not always straightforward when it comes to infotainment functions – but the Forester takes this 'driving for dummies' approach to new heights.

Major instruments can be read at a glance and controls (right-hand indicator stalk, electric parking brake switch, starter button and automatic transmission) follow conventional ergonomic practices from mainstream automotive design.

The Forester is practical and convenient for passengers too, providing cupholders for four, bottleholders (for the smaller variety of bottles) in the door bins, plus a coin-holder in the centre console and a deep, lidded bin below the centre armrest between the front seats.

There are enough power supply options on board to suit most families, starting with a 12V outlet in the boot and including two recharging USB ports in the rear of the centre console and two data/recharging USB ports in the bin below the centre stack.

About the only thing to count as a minus is the Forester's seatbelt for the centre seat position in the rear. As with other Subarus that seat five, the Forester's belt deploys from the headlining and has to be clipped into two buckles. It's annoying if you have to use it once, but those owners who are constantly folding the seats down for larger loads and then raising the rear seats to accommodate three passengers, must find it a real hassle.

Subaru should have anchored that belt behind the seat, at the base, and draped the sash belt over the squab – as other manufacturers do.

On a long drive across town the Forester was quiet and comfortable, not only for the two adults in front, but also the 17-year old seated in the back. And he's over 180cm tall.

The packaging of the Forester leads one to question the need for the Outback from the same stable, as good as the larger Subaru SUV is. Rear-seat accommodation in the Forester is more than adequate for even the tallest of passengers.

As is usually the case with the best medium SUVs, the Forester promises years of reliable service – and the family won't outgrow it.

carsales.com.au aims to make your choice of vehicle easier. Our Editorial section does this via our mix of news, international and local launch reviews, as well as our seven-day tests.

From time to time we also take the opportunity to spend even longer with a vehicle. These longer-term tests can be as short as a couple of weeks, but more recently we’ve settled on a three-month period as indicative of ‘normal’ ownership.

Long-term tests give our staff writers and contributors a chance to get to know a car as an owner would. While the car is with us, we pay for fuel, the servicing, and generally use and live with the car as a new owner would.

We believe long-term tests give car buyers a deeper insight into the vehicle on test, but also the qualities behind the brand and nameplate. The extended period also allows us to touch base with the dealer networks in question.

It comes as no surprise that manufacturers tend to have a love-hate relationship with long-term tests. Three months is plenty long enough to fall out of love with the latest and greatest, and start to nit-pick — just like real owners do.

Price: $42,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 136kW/239Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined); 10.0L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 168g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2019)