Subaru Forester

Overview

One of the very functional SUVs and crossover available in the market, the Subaru Forester has received a number of accolades for its sheer capability and practicality. The Forester recently arrived in its fifth generation, which now comes with a number of modern technologies and features missing in its previous avatar. The Forester is being offered in three different variants (2.0 i-L, 2.0 i-P and 2.0 XT) and seven paint schemes – Ice Silver, Dark Grey, Crystal White Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Sepia Bronze, Jasmine Green and Quartz Blue.

Interior & Features

The Forester might look a bit drab on the outside, but when it comes to interiors, things take a welcoming turn for betterment. The overall interior cabin looks modern with premium quality materials used.

The Subaru Forester now gets an all-new steering wheel with broad spokes and buttons integrated on it, and so is the newly designed instrument console with an all-new colored MID screen in between. The center console looks large and wide, thanks to the presence of a large touchscreen infotainment system as well as vertically placed AC vents adjacent to the former. While the upper portion of the center console gets another screen for off-road data on display, the lower portion gets buttons for dual-zone automatic climate control with a piano black finish.

Given its large dimensions and five seating layout, the Subaru Forester gets plenty of cabin space as well as boot space on offer.

Exterior

In this new fifth-generation avatar, the Subaru Forester does manage to look fresh and premium, thanks to the addition of new cosmetic features. However, the overall styling is still very safe and simple and might not evoke the sense of desirability in the first glance, owing to the lack of muscularity in its design.

The front profile of the Subaru Forester consists of a sleek hexagonal front grille with chrome bordering and a chrome bar in between of it. The sweptback headlamps now come integrated with projector headlamps and daytime running LEDs wrapped around them. The L-shaped garnish for the front fog lamps do add some character to the otherwise plain looking front bumper.

The side profile of the Subaru Forester looks quite plain, with the lack of any prominent character line robbing off the visual drama by a big margin. However, while the large side glasses do translate into a sense of increased space on the inside, the chrome garnish below them as well as on the lower portion of the doors is a nice touch.

At the rear, the Forester again looks quite staid with simply styled sweptback tail lamps, however, the rear roof spoiler adds a sporty flavor to the rear design.

Ride & Handling

Maintaining the legacy of the previous generation Foresters, the overall driving dynamics of the new Forester is right at the top of the game. Underpinned by a monocoque frame, the Subaru Forester gets Macpherson struts at the front and double wishbone at the rear, with disc brake setup on all four wheels. The Forester is also blessed with full time four wheel drive, which makes it equally capable on the surfaces off the tarmac.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

Under the hood of the Subaru Forester is mounted a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. Coupled with a standard CVT gearbox, this engine is capable enough to pump out a maximum power output of 150 PS, while the top speed of this new Forester is rated at 192 kmph.

Braking & Safety

The list of safety features of the Subaru Forester is quite long, with the vehicle getting front, side, curtain and knee airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, ISOFIX child seat mounts and vehicle dynamic control system.

Verdict

The Subaru Forester keeps function over form with its capable machinery under the skin. While its overall exterior design might not turn many heads, the interiors feel premium and upmarket. Adding to it, the traditional Subuar traits of impressive performance, as well as driving dynamics, are carried forward in this new version as well.