Subaru has dropped a 2.5 litre engine into its Forester SUV and given it a GTi-beating performance. So now you don’t have to spend six figures to buy a Porsche Cayenne if you have to get from one puddle to the next in jig time.
The Forester is one of our favourite SUVs here at ‘Motors’ but suffers on two points when weighed up against the more mainstream competition like Toyota’s Rav4, Land Rover’s Freelander, Hyundai’s Santa Fe, Honda’s CRV and Nissan’s X-Trail.
The first is an incredible thirst and by giving us an even bigger engine with buckets of power I doubt a saint could return decent MPG. Subaru quote an average consumption of 25.7 mpg, I think that’s a bit optimistic.
The Forester despite its chunky large looking exterior is deceptively small inside. The low roofline and high ground clearance (195mm) means that the seats are mounted in a conventional car-like way so rear legroom is a little cramped for adults.
Those two niggles aside I love this 211bhp machine.
Up until now there was only a two-litre normally aspirated version (X – 125bhp) or two-litre turbo charged petrol (XT – 177bhp) engined range topper.
The new ‘Daddy’ is a very quick car with a top speed in old money of 140mph. It can sprint too, reaching 100Km/h (62mph) in just six seconds. Power is delivered to the permanently engaged AWD (all wheel drive) drivetrain through a six-speed manual gearbox (there is no auto option with the 2.5).
The engine block is shared with the Legacy and features reduced NVH (noise/vibration/harshness). The unit is still meaty and the exhaust will rasp and bark a bit when pushed, which is nice.
The high driving position and excess of power is a great combination especially in town. You get the best of both worlds being able to see any gaps in traffic plus you’ve the power to safely negotiate them.
Subarus are workhorses and the new Forester has upped its towing capacity to 2,000Kgs (Braked). In the UK the Forester was crowned 2004 ‘Towcar of the year’ (I really need to get out more!).
There are new alloys and a nice Momo steering wheel that is slightly smaller in diameter thus adding to the sporty feel. The engine is (as ever with Subaru) a ‘Boxer’ unit and I don’t have to tell you how the low centre of gravity enjoyed by having horizontally opposed cylinders makes for entertaining handling (sorry I just did!). Leather seats and plenty of toys make time in the cabin pass pleasurably.
At a fiver under forty three grand it seems like a lot of cash and it is but you get far more than a car: you get a refined genuine working vehicle that feels like it outlive any family car.
The Subaru Forester 2.5XT is a go anywhere car that has a pedigree a Cruft’s winner would be proud of, I just wish I owned a filling station.
