Subaru Forester 2020 Long-Term Test #2

Regular readers will know we’ve had a MY19 Subaru Forester 2.5i-S in the long-term garage for some time now. And with Subaru buyers being a loyal lot, we reckon there’s more than a few who will realise the Forester range received a minor update around the same time we took delivery of our Horizon Blue-coloured wagon.

They’re changes that although small are far from trivial, and add to the included value of the $42,740 (plus on-road costs) Forester 2.5i-S. For MY20 variants we find heated seats and a wiper de-icer standard on 2.5i-L, 2.5i Premium and 2.5i-S models. The licence plate light switches to an LED type, while the rear-seat warning light moves to the instrument display.

The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is also upgraded for 2020, while a larger-diameter rear differential is fitted across the range. Pricing for the MY20 Subaru Forester 2.5i-S jumps $250 (to $42,990 plus on-road costs). The Forester range is priced from $34,640 to $42,990 (plus ORCs). As we said, pretty good value.

Beyond the lengthy equipment items and safety inclusions Forester offers, it’s the day-to-day liveability of this mid-size SUV that shows why it remains a popular choice. To the end of November 2019, the Forester was the sixth best-selling SUV in its class.

The wagon-like profile of the Forester means it’s an easier vehicle to get in and out of, while the boxy proportions of the glasshouse provide not only outstanding vision compared to other SUVs of its ilk, but also more usable cargo space.

Looking at the figures and the Forester’s boot tells only half the story. It’s ‘on paper’ dimensions (498-1768 litres) are par for the course when it comes to Medium SUVs. But in practice, the Forester’s upright stance gives its cargo area a more ‘cubic’ layout that readily swallows all manner of odds and ends.

The lower lip height and squared-off cargo area also prove beneficial to dog owners like me. It’s an easier SUV for dogs to jump in and out of, the high ceiling height and generous floor space of the Forester’s cargo area a boon for larger dogs that most mid-size SUVs struggle to accommodate.

As well as serving the four-legged member of my family over the Christmas break, the Forester was also pressed into duty as a reconnaissance (or ‘recce’) vehicle for an upcoming tarmac rally.

For those unfamiliar with the recce process, it’s basically a slow drive of the course used to note information a navigator will use to inform the driver during the race. It’s a time-consuming and at times repetitive process that requires an ‘office-like’ workspace from which to take notes. The Forester served this role really well.

Being afforded a clear view out of the car and having a tight turning circle (10.8m) meant the Forester was perfect for the job. It’s a roomy and comfortable cabin that feels purpose-made for rally reconnaissance, the air-conditioning superbly capable and the provision of 12V and USB outlets more than adequate for our on-board timing equipment.

Spending long hours in the cabin and taking countless notes can take its toll on navigator and driver, so having a relaxed and roomy cabin – with supportive and comfortable seats – is an underrated indulgence. In short, the Forester really helped the hours tick by smoothly.

The varied nature of the driving I experienced in the Forester during my loan mightn’t seem to mean much, but it does show just how flexible and efficient Subaru’s 2.5-litre direct-injected Boxer (horizontally-opposed cylinder configuration) engine can be.

In mostly rural settings, quite often a long way from the nearest service station, it’s reassuring to know that the range offered from the Forester’s 63-litre fuel tank will see you right. According to the brochure the Forester can return up to 1000km from a fill on the highway cycle, and in real-world testing (and in mountainous terrain) we came pretty close.

I also appreciated the fact the Forester runs comfortably on cheaper (91RON) regular fuel. In out-of-the-way locations it can be hard to find premium fuel, so having regular petrol available means I don’t have to carry jerry cans and refuel on the side of the road. It’s a great time saver and a lot safer too.

With fuel prices rising to $1.60/litre or more over the Christmas break I was appreciative of the Forester’s ability to go the extra mile, and was grateful to not be putting my hand in my pocket for premium petrol. Over a couple of thousand kilometres, the savings really stack up.

The Subaru Forester does a lot of things right, but you don’t have to spend too much time in the hot seat to know there’s room for improvement. The new Subaru Global Platform (SGP) has notably improved body control and stability, and on rough and unsealed roads the Forester rides comfortably.

That said, it is let down by the fitment of tyres that have to “do it all”. An all-terrain tyre might suit the aspirations of ‘rough and ready’ Forester buyers, but I doubt they’re ever used to their fullest – and on sealed roads the Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport (225/55R18) protest noisily at quite a low threshold, which doesn’t inspire confidence.

In precipitous terrain (in fact part of the reconnaissance trip took in Mount Baw Baw, Australia’s steepest sealed road) the Forester’s brakes also felt a little wanting. Descending extended steep grades saw the pedal travel lengthen as the smell of warm brake pad material and hot steel filled the cabin.

Using the transmission (engine braking) to assist deceleration helped only marginally, and the fitment of better pads and/or fluid are recommended to anyone keen on using their Forester in challenging terrain, or when towing.

We also noticed a few plastic rattles in the cabin of the Forester, and found that the combination of continuously variable transmission and hard-working four-cylinder engine make for raucous progress in hilly terrain. The engine itself is also the subject of a current recall related to the positive crankcase ventilation valve. Click here for more info.

It’s all a little bit of a shame given how well the Forester performs elsewhere, but shows that the cessation of Subaru’s diesel and turbocharged engine offerings are a notable omission in what’s an otherwise capable mid-size SUV. Let’s wait and see how the hybrid range performs when it lands in March.

Visit carsales again soon for more long-term updates on the MY19 Subaru Forester 2.5i-S.

Price: $42,740 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 136kW/239Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined); 8.4L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 168g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2019)

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