“Subaru says it’ll do the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.9 seconds, but this feels faster than that.”
I know I’m stating the obvious here, but there really is no such thing as the perfect multi-purpose car. Finding a vehicle that adequately addresses the contradictory demands of a family-size load lugger, a sports car and an off-roader is simply nigh-on impossible, but that doesn’t mean manufacturers don’t try to build ‘em.
Case in point: Subaru’s Forester. With permanent all-wheel-drive, a rugged and spacious wagon body and generous ground clearance, the Forester line is squarely targeted at those who want to get a little closer to nature – so long as they can return to civilization by nightfall. Throw in the turbocharged EJ25 flat-four motor from the WRX, and you’ve got the Forester XT (nee GT), a sports-oriented version of the surprisingly large soft-roader.
So, with the XT, has Subaru managed to come up with a package that can deliver sporty performance and solid off-road ability that’s still comfortable enough with a full load of children and shopping on board? We got our hands on the 2008 Forester XT Premium to find out.
Important things first: performance. The Forester’s 2.5-litre boxer four generates 169kW and 320Nm of torque, exactly the same output as its smaller brother, the WRX. It’s a smooth powerplant and one that’s willing to rev. Power delivery is fairly linear, although you still get that characteristic push in the back as it comes on boost around 3000rpm. Ours was fitted with a four-speed automatic with Subaru’s Sportshift tiptronic system (note: photos show manual version), which blunts performance somewhat but makes it a doddle to manoeuvre in traffic.
Even with the auto fitted, the Forester XT is surprisingly quick. Subaru says it’ll do the 0-100kph sprint in 7.9 seconds, but this feels faster than that. My advice though? Leave the selector in ‘Drive’, as the tiptronic system is more of a frustration than a performance aid. Besides, the plus-minus gate is the wrong way around, with rearward tugs of the gearlever producing a downshift rather than an upshift, and, though it’s not alone with this set-up, it’s just plain wrong (right, Mike?).
However, while the Forester’s straight line performance may be impressive, it quickly falls flat once you introduce it to a corner or two. Spring-rates are fine, but it’s terribly under-damped. Mid-corner bumps and undulations unsettle the Subaru easily, and off-camber corners are especially tricky to negotiate at speed in the tall Forester.
Thicker swaybars and harder damper settings would no doubt help the 1525kg Forester’s cornering ability, but to add these would likely damage its ride quality, which really is quite good during more sensible suburban driving. Bumps and potholes are dispatched with a muffled thump and manoeuvrability is good, while steering is nicely weighted too. The cabin gets a little noisy at speed thanks to that boxer motor up front and the large empty cargo space out back, but it’s certainly nothing that’ll burst your eardrums on a long drive.
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Nice honest write up boys. I’ve driven the latest Forester and I agree with your views. Good car.
good review guys, but how do you compare this to RAV4 V6.
i have driven the RAV4 V6 and its a bloody good drive apart from corners but thats normal in any SUV apart from the CX7.
i personally feel they are one step behind in transmission.
they should have liberty’s 5 speed auto.
None of us have driven the RAV4 V6 yet bruzzer, so we can’t comment on how the two compare. Next Toyota we are looking at is the TRD HiLux in a couple of weeks, an altogther different beast.
this was a good review, with an awesome car, my mate loves this SUV and so do i
ILY Subaru!
Thanks for a fine review fellas.
I’m looking to purchase at present, and the Forester is at the top of my list.
Your timely information helped get closer to a decision.
And because you’re suggesting a Gravatar, was it mentioned that I enjoyed your review?
Good honest write up. Just as well you drove an atuomatic. All subarus inlcuding the new ones have an inherent clutch shudder with manual gearboxes. As an owner, It is the most annoying thing and something that is not detected when testing the vehicle. Cheap plastics, cabin noise and the most unconfortable seats makes the subaru a mile away from closing in on their competitors. My Subaru will be an ex subaru in 2009.
Great article…. totally agree with all but one thing. I have had the good fortune to go in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S alas 2005 model and in truth porsche has cracked both perfomance track car quality and 4.7 sec…. truly breathtaking on road handling which is abnormal for a car that size….but what was more suprising was that it was an absolute animal off road. Totally master in both worlds. I didn’t believe it was possible because in turth I am not an SUV man as I believe that they cannot do either well until Porsche proved me wrong and until the other half decided we are having children…. so on my budget I believe the Subaru seems to get overall good ratings from all reviews I have read thus far. Thank you for an honest write up.
At 1525kg, the Forester XT is no lightweight. The first Rav 4’s were 1295kg and the second 1345kg by way of comparison. Current Ravs nudge 1700kg. Why are so called compact SUV’s getting much bigger and heavier when families are getting smaller and fuel is going through the roof.? Beats me.
Well, we’ve been driving her for about 11 months now. We shifted away from the guzzling big Ford Territory Ghia AWD to the 09 Forester XT Premium; we were trying to find something a little more economical and practical for city driving. Interior wise it was much of an upgrade in quality not in size. With the Nav/DVD system we’ll no longer get lost and passengers can enjoy a movie or two on the long drives (Handbrake mod). The only thing that was disappointing is there is no auto ambient light sensors (it was a luxury that we started to get used to) or reverse sensors which would have been handy, cornering isn’t so good (in fact the big’O territory was much better); a bit of a let down considering its sister is a wrx, no auto dimming rear mirror, the sub woofer isn’t that good, the rear retractable boot cover doesn’t fit into its storage spot under the rear floor (due to the XT’s wheels being bigger). Otherwise its good Value for what it is but if I had to choose again I would get another territory or look over at Mitsubishi.