Subaru Forester 2.5i-L 2016 Review

Subaru Forester 2.5i-L
Road Test

The Subaru Forester has been a perennial favourite in the SUV segment since 1997 and this 2016 update offers just enough to continue interest in the company’s best-selling model. It retains its practical size and quality, offers inoffensive styling inside and out and, spanning a price range from $29,990 to $54,990, continues to represent value for money. If there’s a downside, it’s that the Forester lacks the refinement found in other vehicles in this class.

A relatively early entrant into the sports utility vehicle segment, the Subaru Forester has contributed to the shift in buying patterns that’s seen drivers move away from sedans and wagons to SUVs.

The Forester is now ubiquitous in country Australia, where it makes perfect sense as a rugged, family-lugging all-purpose wagon.

Updated for 2016, the new Forester is more evolution than revolution, but Subaru’s best-selling model is likely to generating strong interest with an affordable price point and transparent servicing costs.

On test is the 2.5i-L model featuring a 2.5-litre petrol engine paired with a nominally six-speed constantly variable transmission. Generating 126kW and 235Nm, the engine sounds relatively agricultural on start-up and becomes quite noisy under acceleration.

Add the whine from the Subaru’s CVT when under load and the Forester creates a fair amount of clatter which intrudes into the cabin. This is despite engineering changes which Subaru claims have improved noise, vibration and harshness levels by approximately five per cent.

The performance from the CVT itself is not particularly satisfying. Under load, the transmission insists on holding a low gear, revving the engine to uncomfortable levels and necessitating the use of the manual paddle-shifters to change up a gear.

This is very noticeable on steep inclines and creates a frustrating sensation for the driver. Even though this is the non-turbo petrol engine, it still has more than sufficient power to tackle hills and feels like it is being retarded by the transmission.

It’s a trait that suggests you are driving a country vehicle rather than a refined SUV. It simply presents as a more agricultural proposition than a Mazda CX-5 or Kia Sportage. As drivers continue their march from car to SUV, it’s likely they will be looking for nicer drivetrain performance.

Thankfully, from a ride and handling perspective, the Forester performs well. It’s no dynamic powerhouse, but this all-wheel-drive SUV acquits itself well both on sealed roads and on the gravel surfaces where it is likely to spend most of its time as a country hack. Subaru has improved damping in the front struts and rear shock absorbers and has succeeded in delivering a comfortable ride on a variety of road surfaces.

Subaru also claims handling response has been enhanced via a change in front suspension stiffness – however the steering is quite light and feedback is not quite as direct as it could be.

Inside the cabin it’s all quite utilitarian but everything appears to be very hard wearing, with a combination of colours and materials that contribute to a subdued look. Dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning in the front is a plus at this price and storage options throughout the cabin point to a vehicle which is functional and can accommodate all that a country-living family will throw at it.

The design of the dash is enhanced with the inclusion of a standard seven-inch touchscreen which features large, easy to use controls. A reversing camera is also standard on all Forester models, presenting a clear image that includes reversing guidelines.

Bluetooth pairing through the touchscreen interface is simple and devices can be connected via USB. However the USB sockets are located in the deep central storage bin below a removable coin tray which needs to be shifted every time you plug in or remove a cable. It’s a flaw that can become quite an annoyance unless you have a spare cable to leave in the car.

Practicality is much better throughout the rest of the cabin. The Forester is spacious, offering five seats with plenty of rear legroom in the second row. When the rear seats are up, the luggage capacity is a generous 422 litres. The boot is not entirely flat however and tilts towards the rear, as the spare wheel well is angled slightly to accommodate the rear differential. We found this meant objects carried in the rear had a tendency to fall over easily, so shopping needed to be carried in boxes, rather than loose bags.

The rear is a very suitable spot for furry members of the household, however, offering a large comfortable area with good vision through the back windows and over the rear seat. Access is also excellent, with the entry level at a height that is easy for most pooches to manage. We’ve found larger SUVs to have a much higher entry, making them less practical for families with dogs. The Forester is a delight in this regard.

For a retail price of $32,990 plus on road costs, the Subaru Forester 2.5i-L represents good buying. It’s a capable car and offers all-wheel-drive capability where some of its rivals at this price point are only two-wheel-drive. But its interior does feel a little basic compared to, say, the Mazda CX-5.

The engine and transmission are not the best in the segment and if you can step up to the diesel or the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine you are likely to get a very different driving experience. That said, for a robust SUV that can face the challenges of country life, the Forester continues to deliver.

Following its practical approach to its cars, Subaru also offers some of the most comprehensive information to owners on servicing requirements that we’ve seen in any new vehicle.

A glance through the service book outlines exactly what is due every 12,500km or six-month service interval throughout the vehicle’s lifetime. A guide in the book states expected service times so customers know how long the service should take and what is required to be replaced or inspected. As the industry moves to condition-based servicing, or storing service histories and schedules online only, Subaru is a great example of a car company that’s offering genuine servicing-requirement clarity for customers.

Given that vehicle servicing is a significant part of the ownership experience, Subaru’s approach is to be commended. Even though servicing costs aren’t capped, there’s no confusion as to what is required, and when.

2016 Subaru Forester 2.5i-L pricing and specifications:
Price: $32,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 126kW/235Nm
Transmission: Six-speed constantly variable
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 187g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport AWD (from $35,790 plus ORCs)
>> Mitsubishi Outlander LS 4WD (from $33,490 plus ORCs)
>> Kia Sportage Si Diesel (from $33,990 plus ORCs)