Test Subaru Forester 2.0D Premium 150 HP - Functional Foremost

On the road, the Forester displays solid skills.
Only his mixed tires limit its effectiveness

Driveability rather neat, diesel discreet and efficient all-wheel drive: the new Forester does not suffer criticism. But his style without much personality, inside and out, and a sparse network may leave anonymous. And it would be a shame.

The Forester you know? Not good huh ... But that's fifteen years Subaru has created, and rather skillfully.
To be successful in Europe, where diesel is essential, even the Japanese invested four years ago, in developing its range for a specific diesel block respecting its traditional and unique architecture, four-cylinder flat. Expensive, but unfortunately not really paying because Europe today is not even 10% of global sales of the brand. In France, Subaru suffers more than a sparse network with outlets mainly located near mountainous areas, where logically-wheel drive, Japanese specialty, has the most sense. Despite this difficult context, the fourth generation of the Forester can count on the renewed interest currently enjoyed by the compact SUV. Remains to keep the comparison with an increasing number of rivals, and whose style is becoming more and more polished and worked. Because if Forester does not shock the eye, it does not delight either, seeming to have been designed several years ago.

From Subaru XV, the dashboard is Classic too

Benefits
    Effective frame
    Comfort treated
    Beautiful habitability
    Discreet and efficient diesel ...
Pitfalls of
    Soft ... but in 1500 r / min
    Rolling noise
    Box closes
    Mixed tires

A lack of news even more obvious on board, where the board of any black board, the old recovery model XV (that of the Impreza was much more current!) Is completely devoid of originality and gaiety . Side sex appeal, we've seen better! And that's a shame, because for the rest, Subaru has worked very well. In slightly puffed all its dimensions (wheelbase + 26 mm, length + 35 mm, height + 35 mm), the Forester offers in its 4.60 m, a great spaciousness to easily accommodate a family. Everywhere, large storage have been designed to drag bottles, road maps and guides, games, keys, phone ... and three 12-volt sockets can charge all electronic devices. It will just be reasonable side luggage because keeping - saw - on the floor a real spare tire (puncture quickly finish off bitumen), the trunk of the Forester is limited in height. To meet a loving dominant customers, also seated amounted to 35 mm. However, the driver can also choose to sit a bit less for a better body with this SUV.

Face rivals who care more their style, the Forester
does not show great originality

Featuring a modern frame with a multi-link rear suspension and an all-wheel drive (viscous coupling to drive the rear wheels on manual gearboxes, or a new multi-plate clutch operated on CVT), the Forester demonstrated on the road of effectiveness. Its electric power steering, light at low speeds, then tightens enough to provide a good feel of the grip. At ease in the turns, stable braking in case of surprise, the Japanese is one of the most effective and enjoyable to drive SUV. All in a sophisticated comfort with shock absorbers working with progression of large deflections. Nice work. Only flats, road noise frankly higher on granular surfaces and tire design is also intended to accommodate an off-road use, which are ineffective in emergency braking, causing premature triggering of ABS.

The presence of a real spare penalizes chest height.
However, it's large

The 2.0 diesel boxer rest him equal to himself since his birth. Devoid of clicks as vibration, he remains very discreet, except during acceleration in the city where his sound a little rumbling recalls that runs on diesel. Then its 147 hp and 350 Nm of torque grant a nice flair to this Forester over 1500 kg. But this block is still not appreciate too much work under 1500 r / min, where the turbo is not enough breath. In the city and pins, so you often demote, using a control box unfortunately a little firm and not very fast. So some weaknesses, but especially a big bunch of qualities that often Forester offers reasonable rates, especially in the first level of equipment. Displayed just under € 30,000, it is one of the least expensive SUV Dacia Duster excepted. But at this rate, the Forester is going to aircon bi-zone, ignition lights and auto wipers, electric driver's seat, and especially the cruise control. For disposal, it must pass to finish Premium € 32,900 (April 2013 prices) ... "malussée" € 1,500 due to higher CO2 emissions (against only 400 € for finishing base). So, it's getting expensive to get the necessary speed controller.