Subaru Forester diesel auto 2015 review

Lucky last in the Subaru range to receive the new CVT style auto is the Forester - the diesel Forester that is.

But it's been worth the wait because the CVT delivers quiet, smooth performance that leaves the driver wondering if in fact it is a diesel. There's no higher praise than that.

The only Subaru to miss out on the CVT is the BRZ sports car that retains a traditional six-speed auto. The reason of course is that it's a shared model with Toyota, with a Subaru engine and Toyota transmission - the two come off the same production line.

Value

Explore the 2015 Subaru Forester range

• Subaru Forester 2015 review
• Subaru Forester diesel auto 2015 review
• Subaru Forester 2.0D-L 2015 review

Prices for the auto start at $35,490 for the 2.0D-L or $41,490 for the the up market 2.0D-S.

All Foresters now feature a new multimedia system with a wide array of functions, including speech recognition.

A revised interior adds to the wagon's appeal.

Emphasis has been placed on the design and appearance of the components that occupants used most often

Design

In the makeover particular emphasis has been placed on the design and appearance of the components that occupants used most often - the centre panel controls, steering wheel and air vent grilles.

Their shape and the silver and piano black colour scheme give the car a more modern, premium appearance.

Pride of place is given over to a new 7-inch touch screen panel. The tablet-like touch screen supports flick, pinch and double-tap operations.

The system also features phrase or dialog-based voice recognition and you can list selections (from song or phonebook lists) using steering wheel switches. Using your mobile is made easier, through verbal command of numbers or contacts.

The system is underpinned by a six-speaker audio system, with an aux and two USB jacks, plus a 12 volt power outlet in the centre console box.

We're big fans of Subaru's CVT

Technology

The 2.0-litre turbodiesel delivers 108kW and 350Nm, the latter from a low 1600 revs.

We're big fans of Subaru's CVT, especially the way it slips seamlessly between stepped and stepless operation.

Subaru quantifies this by saying anything more than 65 per cent pressure on the accelerator pedal invokes 7-speed stepped mode.

This in turn delivers a much sportier kind of drive, the kind we're used to and like.

The new oil pump rotor gear shape reduces oil pump noise, lessening noise on the road.

Although the CVT comes with gear change paddles the diesel misses out on engine auto stop-start that is fitted to petrol models.

Ground clearance is a creditable 220mm, it comes with a full size alloy spare and can tow an 1800kg load.

Safety

No problems here as Subaru is very proactive when it comes to questions of safety. 

With seven airbags, a rear-view camera and an arsenal of driver assist systems the Forester scores a full five stars for crash safety from ANCAP.

Driving

This is the entry level 2.0D-L model.

I'm not sure about the burnished bronze finish of our test vehicle, but the inside is a big step up over the old model.

The spare wheel which sits at an odd angle and eats into the limited luggage space

The Forester comes with cloth trim and dual climate air. I don't mind the cloth, but satnav would be nice and so would a digital speedo for quick reference in and around the city.

Rear legroom is good, but the spare wheel which sits at an odd angle and eats into the limited luggage space.

In terms of performance the car is so quiet and smooth I couldn't believe it was a diesel.

During my time with the Forester, fuel consumption came out at 8.0L/100km, more than the promised 6.3L/100km figure.

This is disappointing in the context of the CVT, whose prime requisite is to find the balance between power and economy. To put this in context, the 2.5i petrol mode with a CVT that we drove two years ago also returned 8.0L/100km.

New X-Mode, standard on all CVT variants, features hill descent control to improve grip and traction in low speed, slippery conditions.

Having said that the 17 inch alloys are fitted with 225/60 series Yokohama Geolanders, a tyre we have found does not perform well in the wet.

The upmarket model with 18s on the other hand gets Bridgestones.