Subaru FORESTER 2.0 Xirs
Looking For A Compact 4x4 With More Of That Elusive X-Factor? Subaru May Have Something To Interest You In The Forester 2.0 X. By Andy Enright
Compact 4x4s have come on leaps and bounds in the last few years with several manufacturers now building some respectable metal. Trouble is, theres still something of a stigma attached to them. Cynics sneer at their lifestyle pretensions, denigrating them as Barbie Trucks or Salon Chariots. Subaru have deliberately steered clear of this sort of image with their Forester, a car that ploughs a resolutely rugged furrow.
The X model represents an unpretentious entry level to the Forester range.
Its certainly an interesting concept, blending the practicality of an estate with the all-wheel drive utility of a true off-roader. Of course, the Forester is an exercise in compromise but Subaru have managed this balance better than most. The Forester X is a model which doesnt get the column inches of its more powerful turbocharged XT siblings, but it nevertheless merits consideration. With better economy and a far lower asking price, the X model is a compelling value proposition.
Two 2.0-litre variants are available, the basic X, priced at £17,620 or the leather-trimmed XE which retails at £20,520. Equipment levels are fairly generous, the standard car being fitted with twin airbags, headlamp washers, remote central locking, heated mirrors, electric windows all round and a CD-based stereo. Roof rails, metallic paint, a height adjustable drivers seat and climate controlled air conditioning are also part of the Forester X package.
Should you want a little extra, the XE adds cruise control and heated front seats, plus that leather trim. Theres a fresh look to the latest version of this car. There are revisions to the front wings, bonnet, bumper, grille and headlamps, giving what Subaru sees as far greater road-presence and visual dynamics. Larger wheels plus design changes at the rear are all aimed at making this Forester look taller, more imposing and closer to a conventional SUV.
"The Forester X represents the most direct link to the sort of cars that established Subaru"
Under the bonnet, the latest four-cam naturally-aspirated 2.0 litre boxer engine is the most powerful in its class, improving on the previous 2.0-litre variants top speed by 10 mph to 122 mph and slashing the 0-60 mph time from 11.1 seconds to 9.
4 seconds. This substantially beats all 2.0 litre petrol SUV rivals such as the Nissan X-Trail, Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4, yet the Forester offers similar fuel economy and exhaust emissions with, for example, 37.7 mpg on the Extra Urban Cycle.
One thing that certainly needed improvement on this car was the rather plasticky interior. Some effort has been made in this regard and, at the same time, the designers have tried to incorporate an extra range of useful touches. For example, a multi-function centre console between the front seats now offers a multitude of uses. These include an armrest which slides forward, hinges vertical and flips backwards creating a small table.
It also slides far enough rearwards to provide the rear-seat passengers with two cup-holders. The console also has a console pocket able to hold four CDs, while a 12-volt power outlets allows driver and passengers to recharge their mobile phones. The loadbay now has a clever luggage-restraining system. This includes four hooks for holding a net and bar hangers to allow karabiners and hooks to be attached to form a hammock-type net.
All of these restraining devices are fitted below the conventional load-cover, enhancing security. In order to improve rear-seat comfort, the seat base has been extended by 50 mm, while front seat fore and aft adjustment is now via an easy to access full-width towel bar. Finally, in keeping with its active lifestyle role, the Foresters seats and doors feature water-repellent material. Despite wanting to make the latest Forester look like more of a serious off roader, Subaru didnt want it to handle like one.
Hence a series of dynamic improvements aimed at producing sharper driving responses and less of a rolly polly ride. Strengthened suspension mounts and revised spring and damper settings better control wheel movement best appreciated when undertaking sudden lane-change movements. As before, the Foresters front and rear struts are fitted with rebound springs which reduce pitch and better control body roll. The coil springs and damper valves have been fine-tuned, geometry tweaked and suspension bushing revised to give a linear response to the slightest of steering movements.
As ever, self-levelling rear suspension is standard and brings with it the advantage that the ground clearance for covering unmade tracks and rough terrain remains constant even when the car is fully laden with passengers and luggage. Moreover, thanks to larger 16 ins wheels with 215/60 tyres, this 2.0-litre model has more ground clearance, 205mm to be exact. The Forester X represents the most direct link to the sort of cars that established Subaru.
No nonsense, unpretentious all wheel drive estates that were just as happy fording a stream or battling up a boggy trail as cruising in the outside lane of the M1 have always been the companys bread and butter. Many other small 4x4s can also claim to offer the best of both worlds but ask yourself this question. Where do they look most at home? If the answer is caked with mud on a Welsh hillside, the chances are youre a Forester customer. If its laden with shopping bags on the single yellows outside Asda, then Subaru may not be able to help you.
Facts At A Glance
CAR: Subaru Forester 2.0 X
PRICES: £17,620-£18,620 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 11
CO2 EMISSIONS: 220g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 122mph/ 0-60mph 9.4s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 23.0mpg / (extra urban) 37.7mpg / (Combined) 30.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, ABS, full-time 4wd
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4450/2006/1590mm
Compact 4x4s have come on leaps and bounds in the last few years with several manufacturers now building some respectable metal. Trouble is, theres still something of a stigma attached to them. Cynics sneer at their lifestyle pretensions, denigrating them as Barbie Trucks or Salon Chariots. Subaru have deliberately steered clear of this sort of image with their Forester, a car that ploughs a resolutely rugged furrow.
The X model represents an unpretentious entry level to the Forester range.
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Two 2.0-litre variants are available, the basic X, priced at £17,620 or the leather-trimmed XE which retails at £20,520. Equipment levels are fairly generous, the standard car being fitted with twin airbags, headlamp washers, remote central locking, heated mirrors, electric windows all round and a CD-based stereo. Roof rails, metallic paint, a height adjustable drivers seat and climate controlled air conditioning are also part of the Forester X package.
Should you want a little extra, the XE adds cruise control and heated front seats, plus that leather trim. Theres a fresh look to the latest version of this car. There are revisions to the front wings, bonnet, bumper, grille and headlamps, giving what Subaru sees as far greater road-presence and visual dynamics. Larger wheels plus design changes at the rear are all aimed at making this Forester look taller, more imposing and closer to a conventional SUV.
"The Forester X represents the most direct link to the sort of cars that established Subaru"
Under the bonnet, the latest four-cam naturally-aspirated 2.0 litre boxer engine is the most powerful in its class, improving on the previous 2.0-litre variants top speed by 10 mph to 122 mph and slashing the 0-60 mph time from 11.1 seconds to 9.
4 seconds. This substantially beats all 2.0 litre petrol SUV rivals such as the Nissan X-Trail, Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4, yet the Forester offers similar fuel economy and exhaust emissions with, for example, 37.7 mpg on the Extra Urban Cycle.
One thing that certainly needed improvement on this car was the rather plasticky interior. Some effort has been made in this regard and, at the same time, the designers have tried to incorporate an extra range of useful touches. For example, a multi-function centre console between the front seats now offers a multitude of uses. These include an armrest which slides forward, hinges vertical and flips backwards creating a small table.
It also slides far enough rearwards to provide the rear-seat passengers with two cup-holders. The console also has a console pocket able to hold four CDs, while a 12-volt power outlets allows driver and passengers to recharge their mobile phones. The loadbay now has a clever luggage-restraining system. This includes four hooks for holding a net and bar hangers to allow karabiners and hooks to be attached to form a hammock-type net.
All of these restraining devices are fitted below the conventional load-cover, enhancing security. In order to improve rear-seat comfort, the seat base has been extended by 50 mm, while front seat fore and aft adjustment is now via an easy to access full-width towel bar. Finally, in keeping with its active lifestyle role, the Foresters seats and doors feature water-repellent material. Despite wanting to make the latest Forester look like more of a serious off roader, Subaru didnt want it to handle like one.
Hence a series of dynamic improvements aimed at producing sharper driving responses and less of a rolly polly ride. Strengthened suspension mounts and revised spring and damper settings better control wheel movement best appreciated when undertaking sudden lane-change movements. As before, the Foresters front and rear struts are fitted with rebound springs which reduce pitch and better control body roll. The coil springs and damper valves have been fine-tuned, geometry tweaked and suspension bushing revised to give a linear response to the slightest of steering movements.
As ever, self-levelling rear suspension is standard and brings with it the advantage that the ground clearance for covering unmade tracks and rough terrain remains constant even when the car is fully laden with passengers and luggage. Moreover, thanks to larger 16 ins wheels with 215/60 tyres, this 2.0-litre model has more ground clearance, 205mm to be exact. The Forester X represents the most direct link to the sort of cars that established Subaru.
No nonsense, unpretentious all wheel drive estates that were just as happy fording a stream or battling up a boggy trail as cruising in the outside lane of the M1 have always been the companys bread and butter. Many other small 4x4s can also claim to offer the best of both worlds but ask yourself this question. Where do they look most at home? If the answer is caked with mud on a Welsh hillside, the chances are youre a Forester customer. If its laden with shopping bags on the single yellows outside Asda, then Subaru may not be able to help you.
Facts At A Glance
CAR: Subaru Forester 2.0 X
PRICES: £17,620-£18,620 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 11
CO2 EMISSIONS: 220g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 122mph/ 0-60mph 9.4s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 23.0mpg / (extra urban) 37.7mpg / (Combined) 30.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, ABS, full-time 4wd
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4450/2006/1590mm
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