Subaru can well be attributed with starting the soft roader revolution when it launched its very first Forester wagons in 1997.
This was a constant four wheel drive vehicle and unlike other 4WDs at the time looked and handled more like a car.
A high roof line and moderate road clearance made the Forester an instant hit with many suburban families. It was such a user-friendly car for taking the kids to soccer or going away on holidays it was snapped up by many people.
A high build standard and safety of constant four wheel drive made the Forester the €thinking person’s four wheel drive€.
Now we have the fourth generation Forester hitting our streets. These days it has quite a lot more competition in the soft roader scene yet there still that quality feels that help Sabaru stand out in the crowd. It’s also why the Forester retains such a strong market share and strong customer loyalty.
This newest Forester offers plenty of innovation and keener pricing. The base model kicks off from $30,990 with a 2.0 ltr engine. Automatic Continuous Variable Transmission CVT adds $2000, however, also gives you the extra powerful 2.5 liter engine, which is better for towing.
Normally, aspirated automatic Forester 2.5i, 2.5i L and 2.5i S models feature the new generation 2.5 litre engine. Meanwhile the Forester 2.0 diesel variant comes with a six-speed manual, but not the automatic transmission.
Towing ability is enhanced through Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and Towing Stability Control (TSC). The petrol models can tow up to 1500kg (braked) or 750kg (unbraked) while the diesel yet you tow up to 1800kg.
A major improvement for 2013 is Auto Stop Start on all the aspirated engine models. For an extra $1500 you can also get the Eyesight System, which keeps an eye on the road and automatically brakes the car to avoid crash. Eyesight also warns against lane-departure and locks the car’s speed to the car in front.
Also, with the Auto CVT you get X-Mode which helps the Forester handle better and safer on difficult road surfaces.
The new Forester provides good quality interior finish, five passengers seating and a new auto cargo door with improved legroom. Headroom is already one of the best in class.
Exterior styling has also been smartened up with lower rear roof line and a wider wheel arch. Lots of goodies are included in the CVT like Bluetooth, cruise control, automatic air-con and sever airbags.
