Subaru Forester 2013 Review

2013 Subaru Forester

OVERVIEW

Better handling, improved visibility and scads of new technology - lane departure warning, radar-based automatic cruise control with braking, X-Mode off-road system and an auto tailgate - are all bonuses. That the vehicle is slightly larger with more interior space is another boon. Plus there's improved safety features, a new CVT automatic, funky LED driving lights, the list goes on.

But the reality is that Forester needs to bring its A-game to the ultra-lucrative medium SUV market segment if it wants to retain its status as a key player in the market, as several soft-roader rivals have also been recently overhauled. The new Honda CR-V and Mitsubishi Outlander have just landed, the Mazda CX-5 is currently outselling everything in this class, including Nissan's evergreen X-TRAIL, and the fourth-generation Toyota RAV4 will launch a month after this Forester in February 2013. The question is, can Subaru's former top-seller still cut the mustard?

All models, starting with the entry-level 2.0i, are fitted as standard with a reversing camera, climate-control air-conditioning, Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity, a six-speaker single CD stereo with USB port and steering wheel audio controls, cruise control, automatic idle-stop system in non-turbo models, a cargo blind, centre rear armrest, roof rails, power windows/mirrors, three 12-volt power outlets, a full-size spare wheel and, on the base model, 17-inch steel wheels.

The 2.0i-L adds Subaru's SI-Drive technology, which provides two driving modes - intelligent (frugal) and sports (thirsty) - and is also included on the 2.5i-L and 2.5-S models.

Next model up is the 2.5i, which is expected to be popular as the most affordable variant with an automatic transmission. It also adds dual-zone climate control and X-Mode off-road control. Subaru says around 80 per cent of sales will be for automatic variants. At this stage the 2.5-litre models are offered exclusively with CVT autos, while the 2.0-litre petrol and turbo-diesel models are manual-only. There is talk of a CVT diesel coming in future, which will be presented first on the Outback, but it has not been confirmed for the Forester yet.

The 2.5i-L gets the same kit as listed above, but adds a few bits of chrome to the interior, a leather-clad steering wheel and gear knob, gearshift paddles, colour-coded wing mirrors with integrated indicators, front fog lights, tinted rear windows and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The 2.5i-S is the big-daddy model (until we get details of the turbo-petrol XT model) and thus gains the cool stuff, including everything mentioned previously plus an automatic tailgate, eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, oversized sunroof, heated seats and mirrors, leather seat trim, rain-sensing wipers, satellite-navigation, automatic xenon headlights, keyless entry and engine ignition, 18-inch alloy wheels and Subaru's EyeSight safety suite.

The latter delivers the kind of safety tech normally reserved for premium luxury cars, comprising two radar 'eyes' located either side of the rear-view mirror. They control several functions, including radar-based cruise control - which works very effectively - pre-collision braking that can automatically slow the car if it detects an imminent collision, plus a lane departure warning system that beeps if you cross a line. The system is very sensitive and went into a beeping/warning frenzy when we took it up a dirt road. It can be switched off.

Lastly there are three diesel models which will naturally come with a price premium, but have slightly improved kit compared to the petrol models to compensate. The Forester 2.0D gets the same equipment as the entry-level 2.0i but adds dual-zone climate-control and 17-inch alloys. The 2.0D-L and 2.0D-S roughly follow the petrol designations, with the former getting adding chromed inner door-handles, colour-coded mirrors, front foglights, leathered steering wheel and privacy glass.

The 2.0D-S is the range-topping oiler and as such comes with the auto tailgate, sunroof, leather, two powered front seats, auto wipers, xenons, sat-nav and EyeSight.

We tested the six-speed manual gearbox with the diesel models, and it offers good shift feel and more control over the engine than the auto, while the new CVT is best described as seamless. Like most CVTs, the auto feels like it slips a bit when it's worked hard, but it's one of the better offerings out there, responding promptly to initial throttle input and delivering good efficiency during highway driving.

Three engine types are offered, 2.0- and 2.5-litre petrol boxer engines, and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel boxer engine. The diesel engine is a common-rail direct-injection unit, while the petrol models make use of older-tech multi-point fuel-injection.

The entry-level 2.0-litre boxer produces 110kW/198Nm, while the bigger 2.5 petrol makes 126kW/235Nm. Fuel is consumed at a rate of 7.2L/100km  in the latter and 8.1L/100km in the former, representing fuel consumption reductions of 22.6 and 12.9 per cent respectively.

Subaru says part of the new Forester's efficiency gains come from the new exterior design, which despite looking more angular and blocky is 11 per cent more aerodynamic, with a drag co-efficient (how easily it cuts through the air) of 0.33Cd - down from 0.37Cd.

We didn't get to drive the 2.0-litre manual version, but the CVT-equipped 2.5-litre petrol engine delivers adequate acceleration. The engine has no trouble motivating the vehicle's 1519 to 1549kg mass but won't raise any eyebrows from a standing start. Subaru reckons it takes 9.3 seconds to accelerate to 100km/h, more than half a second quicker than its four-speed auto-equipped predecessor, at 9.9 seconds.

However, overtaking cars on the freeway requires consideration and concentration because roll-on acceleration from 90km/h is not rapid.

While the CVT drones a bit under hard acceleration, the Forester's cabin is well sealed against external noise, including from the CVT and the boxer engines. The paddle-shifters seemed like a waste of time, however, as every time I nailed the throttle it flipped back into 'D' and, like most pulley-based autos, just held its engine rev as the car gathered speed.

For the record, the heaviest vehicle in the range is the diesel, at 1600kg, but it actually feels the most responsive of the lot thanks to its big-ticket torque output. Power output from the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel is 108kW/350Nm, which is not class-leading but healthy enough to hustle the Forester along at a good clip with a little help from the six-speed manual. The diesel revs cleanly for the most part and delivers a decent torque hit, but struggles a bit at low revs and suffers from some turbo lag.

For example, heading uphill in second gear at 1500rpm, just before peak torque at 1600rpm, the turbo was struggling to puff and the engine was labouring heavily. This sort of low end lag is unexpected in a modern diesel. Fuel consumption is rated at 5.9L/100km for the diesel - the most efficient in the Forester range but not quite as frugal as the CX-5 diesel auto.

Though all Foresters are packaged with what Subaru calls Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the auto and manual models get different set-ups. The manual models get a mechanical centre differential with a viscous coupling that apportions torque 50:50 front:rear, while automatic models get an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch that splits torque 40:60.

The new X-Mode system is standard on CVT 2.5-litre models and, in lieu of any form of low-range gearing like Suzuki's Grand Vitara, is designed to give automatic Foresters sharper off-road teeth, to go with the car's more rugged appearance and its class-leading 220mm ground clearance.

Punch the clearly labelled X-Mode button and the system works by smoothing out throttle mapping and tweaking the centre differential. AWD clutch pressure is increased by around 25 per cent, controlling differential rotation between front and rear wheels to improve traction, says Subaru. It operates at speeds up to 40km/h, and the system will automatically detect a decline and initiate hill descent, which operates at up to 20km/h.

The X-Mode system worked well (helped by the impressive ground clearance) on a short off-road loop during the national launch and certainly provides automatic versions of the Forester with more scope for heading bush, but we'll need to do a more thorough test of the system to find its limits.

Independent suspension all round ensures good road holding and tidy handling, while clever shock absorber tuning delivers very good ride quality. Front suspension is MacPherson strut-type, rear is double wishbone independent and both ends have been tweaked for this new generation. The springs are slightly stiffer, which means the Forester has even more car-like handling and rides seamlessly over small to medium fractures in the road surface when combined with the more rigid body. Even on dirt roads the ride is smooth. It's an impressive mix.

It's got an appreciably high riding position and with improved visibility thanks to redesigned A-pillars, provides an excellent view of the road ahead. There's a number of digital screens to relay vital and non-vital information to the driver and passengers, and the instrument panel looks great, with simple but elegant dials for a touch of sportiness. Soft-touch dash plastics make a welcome return and like most of the controls, the multi-function steering wheel is clearly labelled and easy to use.

Seat cushioning and comfort levels are good for the most part thanks to increased interior room and, though it's still a five-seater, the middle rear seat has a fold-out armrest (with cup-holders), which reduces the middle seat's comfort considerably.

The 2013 Forester is a big step up from its predecessor in terms of packaging, with a lot more room for all passengers due to larger external dimensions and better use of space. Measuring 4595mm long, 1735mm tall and 1795mm wide, it's 35mm longer and taller, and 15mm wider, which delivers much more rear seat legroom. Even with a six-foot driver sitting up front, I had still had plenty of legroom in the rear.

But the Forester is still no full-size SUV, so getting three burly adults across the back seat is easier said than done and there's no rear vents either, but the improvement in cabin space compensates somewhat.

Another big step forward for the Forester's cabin are noise levels, or lack thereof. It's a very quiet car thanks to improved sound deadening materials around the transmission tunnel and wheel wells, and this adds to the car's premium feel.

The boot is bigger at 422 litres seats up, 1481 litres seats down, the latter achieved effortlessly by two release buttons within easy reach from the tailgate. There's also a couple of shopping bag hooks to secure groceries and what not.

The auto tailgate on top-shelf models is a great touch too, and can be operated from the driver's seat via a button on the dash pad. It also has a height levelling system, so if you have a long kayak on the roof, for example, it won't extend into it.

Lastly, the inclusion of three 12-volt sockets is good to see, improving practicality when you go bush by allowing several accessories to be plugged in at the same time.

Subaru Australia boss Nick Senior says the two main rivals are the RAV4 and X-TRAIL, which happen to be the segment sales leaders in 2012. Mr Senior says the Forester will aim higher too, and that vehicles like the Volvo XC60, BMW X3 and Audi Q5 will also be targeted by the upcoming XT model, a "fast luxury" turbo version of the Forester.

ON THE ROAD

We only drove the six-speed manual turbo-diesel and CVT-equipped 2.5-litre petrol models during the long-lead launch, a good two months ahead of its on-sale date of February 1, but even these pre-production models showed a clean pair of heels, navigating the Canberran countryside with effortless ease.

The 2.5-litre range-topping 2.5i-S delivers decent acceleration and though I'm no fan of CVTs, the new Subaru gearbox is one of the better units out there, with rapid response to throttle inputs and a fairly muted acoustic whine. Both the petrol and diesel models are quiet vehicles and though the diesel will deliver better fuel economy, I'm not convinced it's the better powerplant, with turbo lag leaving bottom-end power delivery a little to be desired.

Thankfully both models handle well, which comes as a bit of surprise considering the buttery ride on offer. Subaru has worked some kind of mechanical magic on the Mk4 Forester, because while the cabin is isolated from all but the largest pot holes you'll drive over - sealed roads or not - it still navigates corners with ease and keeps the driver feeling connected to the road.

Being a taller vehicle with more ride height than previously there is a moment of bodyroll as the car changes direction into a corner - perhaps more so than the slick CX-5 - but it leans progressively and before you know it you're back on the gas and the Forester is accelerating through the corner with plenty of confidence.

The electric power steering system means light inputs are all that is required to turn the car. It suits slow-speed manoeuvres more than high-speed sweepers, but it is par for the course and suits the car's attitude.

The high-mounted seats, increased ride height and pushed-forward A-pillars contribute to a very clear view of the road ahead and all the car's controls are straightforward and easy to reach.

The EyeSight system is effective, particularly the radar-based cruise control and automatic braking systems which make freeway cruising a cake walk. At times the system got a little annoying, what with all the beeping and buzzing noises, telling me a car was detected, or I was crossing a line to overtake. Certainly not a big issue, but after weeks of these noisy intrusions some might resort to switching them off, regardless of their safety benefits.

As mentioned earlier, the X-Mode system on CVT models does a good job in maximising traction on loose, slippery surfaces and the hill descent system is also pretty handy for steep declines. Will it be enough to convince more buyers of proper 4WDs to take it for a test drive? It's unlikely, but at least it provides the SUV with improved off-road capabilities.

The new Forester isn't without fault, but there are many more positives than negatives here and the familiar mid-size SUV nameplate will continue to be the best-selling Subaru in Australia, ahead of the brand's popular new Impreza-based XV crossover. Three previous generations have already racked up 170,000 sales in this country since 1997 and, even in the face of some seriously good new alternatives, the MY13 should solidify the Forester's reputation as a calm and composed all-rounder.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...