A new Subaru Forester arrived this week – the fifth generation of an SUV that was pretty much a pioneer when it first arrived in 1997 – SUV’s back then represented 10 per cent of the market, 21 years on and that figure has risen to 42 per cent and growing. The latest Forester loaded with new technology, bigger in the cabin, and now with just one naturally aspirated 2.5-litre petrol engine, a revamped seven-step CVT automatic and with prices that now start from $37,990 drive-away, a price lift of $3,390. A four-model all-wheel-drive Subaru Forester range that differs little visually in a body that offers new found cabin width and rear storage. Still, one of the few medium SUV with a full–sized spare. This latest Forester offers much polish on road, ride and steering give it a quality feel and its sensibly spec’d with either 55 or 60 series tyres on 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels depending on model.
Go back 7 or 8 years ago and the Forester was the best-selling medium SUV however competition in that time has intensified and it currently ranks around 8th . This new Forester will no doubt once again lift its popularity although from my point of view it’s a shame Subaru has not freshened it more from a styling sense. The dash and instrumentation is also very busy with too many surfaces and finishes, the centre binnacle also to small and hard to read on the run. This aside, the new Subaru Forester is a big step up. I’m David Berthon

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