SUBARU FORESTER Review

Summary:

What we like: Carlike ride and handling

What we don't like: Cramped rear legroom

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SUBARU FORESTER review in detail:

Forester is almost a genuine 4WD, not just another people-mover with a couple of extra differentials.

Front and rear overhangs are relatively large and these are more likely to cause off-road hassles than anything else in the vehicle.

Performance with the base 2.5-liter engine is no more than adequate, though its generous whack of low-end torque makes the Forester feel spirited around town. The turbocharged version, on the other hand, packs a fierce punch, especially when equipped with its crisp-shifting manual transmission.

The Forester is easy to drive in the suburbs, much more so than some big 4WDs that don't have a lot more interior room. Forester's ride comfort is good, even on rough roads, and Forester can happily cruise at speed.

Those who simply want a practical 4WD with good, but not great, off-road ability will find it hard to go past this vehicle.

It has been a big success in Australia, being particularly popular with country buyers and those who love their snow skiing.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Forester an optimal "Good" rating for frontal offset and side-impact crashes and named it a top safety pick in the compact SUV class. The Subaru Forester also earned a perfect five stars in all front- and side-impact testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Forester is due to be replaced around October 2008.