- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
177kW, 350Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 8.5L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto (CVT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2013)
New car review: Subaru Forester XT Premium
Way back when all 4WDs were behemoths, Subaru was already tinkering around with much more compact, car-like iterations of the breed. So in many ways you could credit it with planting the seed that grew into today's fascination with SUVs.
But carmakers haven't been as quick to copy another Subaru idea, the high-performance compact SUV. In the mainstream, its turbo Foresters stand alone and you really have to start looking to upmarket Europeans to find a comparable blend of performance and utility.
That hasn't stopped the Japanese manufacturer going all-out with its new fourth-generation Forester turbo, or XT. It's more powerful, better equipped and reckoned to be even better to drive while also being easier to live with, safer, cleaner and lighter on fuel.
What do you get?
There are two XTs. The base one, just called XT, starts at $43,490 plus on-road costs, or about what you pay for a topline non-turbo petrol or diesel Forester.
It's not as lavishly appointed as those less frisky Foresters but still gets dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, 18-inch alloys, sunroof, six airbags, stability control, reversing camera and a five-star ANCAP rating. And a strident new turbo engine under the bonnet compensates for any equipment shortfall.
For the full Forester whammo of performance and toys you need to step up to the XT Premium tested here, which kicks off from $50,490.
That's a lot of money for a mainstream compact SUV but it does groan under the weight of almost every conceivable toy, including leather, power-heated seats, sat nav, auto headlights/wipers, auto tailgate, keyless entry/start and a Harmon Kardon premium stereo.
Subaru's new EyeSight driver-assist system, which combines features such as adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and lane-departure warnings, is also part of the package.
The former feature, though, seems a touch too keen to wipe off speed whenever a car enters its field of view, while the latter is prone to annoying phantom warnings.
What's inside?
Inside, the XT is just another fourth-gen Forester, so don't expect edgy design or the primarily black colour combo to lift your mood.
But it's nice and roomy up front, with good vision, an airy feel and admirably tidy fit and finish. The seats are plush, there are plenty of handy stash spots, the switchgear is easy to use and instruments are models of clarity.
Back-seat occupants, too, get heaps of space and a nicely comfortable bench, while the boot – thanks to one-touch seat folding – is as versatile and user-friendly as you could hope for.
The boot's high floor, however, does mean the Subaru's ultimate 405-litre capacity fails to threaten upper reaches of the compact SUV class. But you do get a full-sized spare.
Under the bonnet
The XT has traded a 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine of its predecessor for a new 177kW 2.0-litre direct-injected unit. It cranks out more power and torque but uses nearly 20 per cent less fuel, with a similar reduction in emissions.
Like many Subarus these days it drives all wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). That features an eight-speed manual mode activated by paddle shifters, some compensation for the fact a manual isn't available.
Two-pedal setup or not, the XT is a serious performer that surges towards the horizon when the throttle is floored while delivering quiet, effortlessly flexible response in lazy driving.
Like all CVT-equipped cars, there isn't a lot of drama in the way it just steps up the revs and goes. But switch Subaru's SI-drive system to Sport# and it shifts to a more engaging through-the-gears pattern.
There's not much bad that can be said about the XT's 8.5L/100km official economy rating and we weren't a million miles off with a 9.7L/100k test average. Unlike more pragmatic petrol Foresters, though, it uses 95RON premium unleaded and there is no auto stop/start system to reduce fuel use around town.
On the road
The previous-gen XT was notoriously mushy to drive. This new one is still not the sharpest handling SUV on the block but it is more agile and better tied down through the bends than before.
It steers transparently, is nicely balanced and shrugs off lumpy surfaces without fuss, which – combined with its responsive engine – means it's able and entertaining on tarmac and unsealed roads.
The Subaru does a similarly decent job of cosseting occupants with its quiet, supple and well-controlled ride. Tyre noise, while noticeable on coarse-chip, isn't pervasive.
The Forester is also quite happy to get dirty thanks to its good ground clearance and X-Mode system, which plays around with the brakes, traction control and centre/rear differentials to help it plug on confidently in slithery conditions.
Verdict
The new XT offers tangible advances in packaging, safety, sophistication, driving nous and efficiency over its predecessors that not only make it the best Forester turbo yet but a very good thing by any measure.
It's not a one-way street. Not everyone is going to like the blocky exterior, dour cabin and the EyeSight system's peculiarities. Questions can be asked of the shallow boot, the Premium's price and whether it's as sharp to drive as it could be.
Those kinds of concerns, though, ultimately carry less weight than its attractions. If you need the practicality of a compact SUV but aren't willing to give up on driving fun just yet – and have no desire to fork out on a prestige badge – the Forester XT should be on your shortlist.