2025 Subaru Forester Reviews

And there is likely to be more of it so with all the top resorts reporting big falls of crisp fresh white stuff, enthusiasts are dusting of their ski gear and talking snow talk.Carsguide this week takes a look at some of the newer off-roaders and others we think are some of the more desirable partners in snow.NISSAN DUALIS Price: From $28,990IT is a big seller overseas, but the compact Dualis has been slow to take off with buyers here.But it is a competent snow companion. It's not too big, nor too small, has composed on road manners and reasonable soft-road ability.In keeping with the current crop of smaller off-roaders, the Dualis has a wagon-style design, upright driving position and cabin that will swallow a decent amount of gear.The rear seats split fold 60/40 and the four-wheel drive system has a lock function that splits drive 50/50 front and rear when the going gets tough at lower speeds.The Dualis is powered by a 102kW/198Nm 2.0-litre four that delivers acceptable, but not outstanding performance.The Ti gets standard stability control, six airbags and heated leather front seats.Tick: Compact styling.Cross: Still relatively unknown. VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN Price: From $33,990THE Tiguan is essentially a grown up Golf and takes on all the attributes of its smaller brother, adding all-wheel drive into the mix with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol or turbo-diesel engines.It's slightly longer than the Golf and comes with the 4Motion Haldex all-wheel drive system.There is no low range but the Tig will get you out of most trouble in the snow.One of the impressive things about this off-roader is its handling. Anyone familiar with the Golf will be perfectly at home.Like all VW's the Tiguan is well equipped and gets standard stability control, six airbags and optional hill-descent system.Roof rails are standard and you will need them for a luggage pod because boot space is limited. However, the rear seats do fold almost flat. If you specify leather, the front seats are heated.Tick: Badge and handling.Cross: Luggage space and firm ride. SUBARU FORESTER Price: From $30,990LIKE the previous model, the Forester is a top seller and popular among skiers.The new-generation wagon answers the criticism of limited luggage and rear seat legroom by being bigger and even more practical.However, by growing 90mm in wheelbase and up in overall size the Forester has lost some of that on-road precision that marked the previous model as a standout. Some aspects of the cabin, like the dashboard execution, are not of the quality we expect from Subaru either.Pluses are its size and 2.5-litre boxer four cylinder engines. Subaru build quality is generally good too, as is the constant all-wheel drive system.The Forester has a five-star crash rating and raft of safety features that includes anti-skid brakes, stability control and brace of airbags. Manual Foresters get hill-start assist, which stops the car rolling backwards while first gear is engaged.Tick: It's a Subbie.Cross: Soggy SUV feel. RENAULT KOLEOS Price: From $29,990TO dismiss the Koleos as just a French car over the top of Nissan mechanicals is missing the point.The Koleos is well executed, solid and safe. It has six airbags, stability control and hazard lights that come on after an emergency stop.The "All-Mode 4x4i" all-wheel drive versions also get hill-start assist and hill-descent control.In auto mode, the torque split between the front and rear is automatically determined by the amount of available grip.Entry models are two-wheel drive while all-wheel drive buyers get a choice of the smooth Renault-sourced 2.0-litre dCi turbo diesel or 2.5-litre Nissan-sourced petrol four cylinder.There's plenty of room. The rear centre armrest is removable to allow skis to be pushed through and there are storage bins under the front seats and rear floor.Like the Tiguan, the range topping models with leather get heated front seats.Tick: Better looking than an X-Trail.Cross: Renault badge. AUDI Q5 Price: From: $59,900IT seems that just about any vehicle Audi launches at the moment is a sellout.The Q5 is one of them.Smaller than a Q7, the Q5 has the same off-road attributes in a smaller sharply styled package with good luggage space via the 40/20/40 split rear seats and optional cargo barrier that separates luggage.Two petrol and two turbo diesels are available and the S-tronic seven-speed gearbox contributes to good fuel figures.Audi's permanent quattro all-wheel drive system splits torque 40/60 front and rear, which gives the car relatively neutral handling.For those looking for something bigger, there's the A6 Allroad and the Q7.Unfortunately Audi is becoming just like its German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz when it comes to equipment.Tick: Space and diesel.Cross: Expensive options. FORD TERRITORY Price: From $39,490THE Territory has just undergone a recent update to bring it into line with the rest of the Ford range.However, the cabin remains largely the same, and that's not a bad thing. It's good for a family and has seven-seater capacity.The Territory's cabin is well thought out and there is lots of storage space.Buyers have a choice of four AWD models or three rear-drive models.Stability control is standard, as are four airbags and anti-skid brakes.The TS and Ghia four-wheel drive models get seven seats as standard. Mum and Dad will also appreciate the standard DVD player in the Ghia.The reversible rear-load floor and compartment for storing wet items is handy.Tick: Practical and good looking.Cross: Getting on despite update. VOLVO XC60 Price: From $57,950THE XC60 is one of the best handling Volvo wagons around and one of the most attractive.The new City Safety feature is more than just a gimmick. The system applies the brakes if you are about to rear-end another car in low-speed situations up to 30km/h.Other Volvo strengths are the lane change warning system and blind-spot warning system. Volvo seats are renown for their comfort. 40/20/40 split rear seat is practical.There is a choice of either the 2.4-litre D5 turbo-diesel, which is about to be upgraded to a twin-turbo for better economy and efficiency, or the 3.0-litre turbo petrol six.Tick: Styling and equipment.Cross: Rattly diesel. LEXUS RX350 Price: From $81,900.THE RX350 has grown slightly, which translates into more interior room.This wagon, like all Lexus models, is packed with equipment that is optional on its rivals like satellite navigation, power rear hatch and rear reversing camera.The Sports Luxury gets active headlights that follow the curve of the road, plus a heads-up display.The safety package consists of stability control with cooperative steering function (VSC+), traction control, anti-skid brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.There is also, hill-start assist, 10 airbags and a first-aid kit.The rear seats split 40/20/40 and there is a wet-storage area in the luggage load floor. Thule luggage pods are also available.Tick: Standard equipment.Cross: Looks bloated. MAZDA CX9 Price: From $51,990It looks big and feels big but once under way, the CX9 shrink-wraps around you.It's well sorted on the road, has a host of safety gear and with seven seats, has plenty of room for the family.The cabin quality is better than the CX9 too.The 204kW/366Nm 3.7-litre V6 has plenty of poke but slurps petrol like a celebrity lining up for a free drink during Melbourne Cup week.The 60/40 split fold rear seats can be released from the luggage area.Tick: Rear seating, quality.Cross: Fuel economy. TOYOTA PRADOPrice: From $48,600THE Prado is the ideal family load-lugger if you need serious space and room for the family.It comes with eight seats and long-range fuel tank of 180 litres.The full-time 4WD system has a low-range setting for heavy off-roading.However only the higher spec Prados get standard stability control, anti-skid brakes, hill-descent control and six airbags as standard so it pays to check the fineprint.GXL, VX and Grande buyers get foglights and roof rails with satellite navigation and height-adjustable air suspension standard only on the top-of-the-range Grande.Tick: Standard and GX lack standard safety gear.Cross: Clunky styling. NISSAN MURANO Price: From $45,990THE previous-generation Murano was a sleeper.In a lineup dominated by the Navara and Patrol, it never really stood out other than a competent family wagon and its soft curves alienated many potential buyers.But Nissan hopes to change that with the new-generation Murano.The styling is sharper, the 191kW/336Nm 3.5-litre V6 a sweet engine that delivers good fuel economy. The packaging is good. The automatic All Mode 4x4-i all-wheel drive system can distribute torque on demand to where its needed.The luxury Ti gets all the fruit, from navigation system to heated front seats, reversing camera, automatic rear hatch and Bose sound system. The 60/40 split rear seats on both the ST and Ti can be flipped forward from the back of the car.Tick: Engine, equipment.Cross: Cheese-cutter grille. RANGE ROVER SPORT Price: From $90,900THE Range Rover brand has a strong following and is the preferred luxury chariot for seriously well-heeled snowgoers.Like the bigger Range Rover the Sport gets the nifty "Terrain Response" off-road system which means you just have to twist the switch to get the required off-road mode.The Range Rover Sport has real off-road capability but we don't think too many owners would ever go bush bashing in the leather-line luxury off-roader, particularly with the stylish 20-inch wheels available some models.The 65/35 split rear seats also have folding cushions and the full-size spare is easily accessible under the car. However, some of the bigger wheel/tyre options make do with a spacesaver.Tick: Luxury.Cross: Reliability.

Subaru has sold more than 105,000 Foresters since 1997, and they’d really like to keep that pace going.Available in X, XS and XT variants – each with a number of transmission options, the new Forester provides potential buyers with plenty of optionsDrivetrainsForester X and XS units are powered by a four cylinder 2.5 litre SOHC, horizontally opposed boxer engine producing 126kW at 6000rpm and 229Nm of torque at 4400rpm. The top of the range XT is a 2.5 litre DOHC boxer and puts out 169kW at 5200rpm and 320Nm at 2800rpm.Transmissions comes in the form of manual (X, XS, XT), premium manual (XS, XT), Sportshift auto (X, XS, XT) and premium SPORTSHIFT auto (XS, XT).Fuel consumption for the X and XS manual is at 9.3 litres/100kms and 9.6 litres/100kms for the auto, growing to 10.5 litres for all XT variants, with CO2 emissions ranging from 220-248g/km across the line-up.ExteriorThe new Forester is longer, wider and higher than its predecessor and has a sportier, more aerodynamic stance due to its shorter rear overhangs and a more dressed look with the chrome highlights.The base model X gets 16” steel wheels, a chrome grille and roof rails, while the XS adds 16 inch alloys, self-levelling rear suspension and a sunroof, with the XT offering xenon headlamps and 17 inch alloy wheels.InteriorThe sporty theme has also been maintained on the inside with a sweeping cockpit featuring three-dimensional instruments accented blue highlights and metallic surrounds.The cargo area and the cabin are and there are also more storage areas, cargo and luggage hooks and cup holders.Rear legroom is improved by 109mm to 965mm and front legroom by 29mm, to 1095mm.Cruise control, power steering, windows and mirrors, a multi-function dash display and 60/40 split/fold rear seats are standard across the range. The XS adds a wood grain dash, leather trim and a multi-stack CD player. Satellite navigation and MP3/Bluetooth compatibility are available in the XT only.SafetyWith a five star ANCAP crashworthiness rating to its name, the Forester is no slouch when it comes to safety. Also on the list is a comprehensive safety package, ABS, hill-start assist, active headrests, ring-shaped reinforcements around the cabin and constant all-wheel drive.PricingThe pricetags start at $30,490 for the Forester X manual and top out at $46,990 for the XT Premium Sportshift auto.DrivingIt’s hard to deny the Forester’s ability, but we took a while to warm to the XS manual we tested. However, that was less about the performance than about the looks.Its no secret Subaru have gone south in the style department – yes Impreza, we’re talking about you. So you would have thought the Suby designers, armed with pages of negative feedback, might have made some big changes with the new Forester. But they didn’t.Unlike the Impreza there are no glaringly obvious changes but in a way that’s we were hoping for. The Forester is just plain… plain.In a glass-half-full kind of way, they didn’t have much to work with. It’s not as boxy as past Foresters and appears – and is – roomier inside. And this is probably where the negatives dry up and the positive aspects begin.If you can block out the unsightly swirl in the dash design, the cabin is a rather nice place to be. The seats are comfortable and supportive and the multi-function steering wheel enables the dash to be relatively clutter-free but for a six-stacker, MP3 compatible stereo system and simple air con dials.In fact it feels more like a family saloon car than a big boofy SUV, and it drives like one too.On the go, the new Forester is up there with the smoothest and easiest drives we’ve had – across the board.Changing gears is silky and light and the 2.5 litre engine is surprisingly capable. 110km/h on the freeway was a breeze and there was only minimal tyre noise through the floor into the cabin.The Forester was nimble and light in the city, and with large viewing areas out the side and rear windows, it felt as simple to park as any car half its size.Noting the vehicle in our garage, a friend tried to pressure us into helping him move house, and – knowing it would be a good test of the car’s capabilities – we eventually capitulated. We weren’t looking forward to a weekend of lugging boxes, but the split fold rear seats allowed us to complete the job and escape in much less time than we’d set aside. And even with a substantial amount fo freight crammed into the 1660 cargo area, the Forester was far from sluggish.When you add in the effort Subaru put into making their cars safe – this one has a five –star ANCAP rating – we could understand why it keeps winning awards for being such a practical, affordable, capable and exciting family car. If only it looked the part.Verdict: 7.7/10

Here’s a party trick: Name Subaru's biggest-selling model in Australia. Impreza? No. Liberty? Nope. It's the trusty and worthy Forester

The constant all-wheel-drive is a wider and taller vehicle with more cabin space.It makes its Australian debut at the Melbourne Motor Show in February and goes on sale in March.Australia is the biggest market for the Forester after Japan, which helped secure a quick on-sale date, according to Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior.Australian specifications and pricing details have yet to be announced.The 2008 Forester, right, will debut in Europe with the world's first diesel boxer engine, a 2-litre with about 110kW and 320Nm of torque.Subaru Australia corporate affairs manager David Rowley said they had not ruled out the diesel engine for the Forester or other vehicles.“We still don't have any firm time frame for diesel, but we'd definitely be interested in evaluating the engine in various models for our market,” he said.Currently, the Forester comes with a 2.5-litre petrol engine, with a five-speed manual or four-speed sequential automatic in X, XS and XT trim levels.The new Forester's 85mm taller roof line makes the vehicle look a little gawky, but its 45mm wider stance helps balance that impression.The vehicle is also 75mm longer and, together with the 90mm longer wheelbase, should improve legroom.Inside, it appears to get the same stylish dashboard and centre stack treatment as the new Impreza.Subaru Australia also launches the Impreza STi hatch in February.It loses the big wing, gold rims and over-sized bonnet scoop but gains a menacing body shell with pumped-out front and rear guards.The six-speed-manual Subaru has gone from 206kW to 221kW from the 2.5-litre turbo boxer with 407Nm of torque and goes 0-100km/h in 5.2sec.

The Forester was launched here in 1997. It was based on the Impreza platform. Although, it didn't look much like its rather mundane family-car cousin. Its four-door wagon body gave it a completely new look, one that promised the convenience of a station wagon for a family combined with the ability to escape the shackles of the city.It had the high-driving position with the good road vision, but it didn't have the bulkiness. It was relatively light and had good road manners which made it an easy driving all-rounder perfect for the family.The Forester was primarily powered by Subaru's familiar single overhead camshaft flat-four engine, in this case a 2.0-litre unit developing 92kW at 5600 revs and 184Nm at 3600 revs. Not exactly sports car stuff, but it pulls smoothly and willingly from low down in the rev range with heaps of mid-range grunt.When raced it would accelerate to 100km/h in a little over 11 seconds and account for the standing 400m dash in a respectable 17 seconds. At the same time it would return about 11.0L/100km on average.For more zip, Subaru released the GT in 1998 and that came with a turbocharged double overhead camshaft 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine boasting 125kW at 5600 revs and 240Nm at 3200 revs. Buyers could choose between a five-speed manual gearbox and a four-speed auto trans. The Forester's system is a constant four-wheel-drive, unlike other soft-roaders which have a part-time system with drive primarily going through either the front or rear wheels.At the heart of the system is a centre transfer case with viscous limited-slip differential. When it detects a difference in the rotation speed of the front and rear axles, it automatically adjusts the torque split for optimum drive.Subaru offered three main variants of the Forester: the GX Wagon, RX Limited Wagon and GT Wagon.The GX Wagon had steel wheels, colour-coded bumpers, roof rails, power steering, cruise, power windows and mirrors and central locking. The RX Limited Wagon had all of that plus dual front airbags, air-conditioning and self-levelling suspension.At the top of the Forester range sat the GT Wagon which had alloy wheels, velour trim, leather steering wheel and hand brake knob, metallic paint and central locking.There isn't much that goes wrong with the Forester in general. While most Foresters stick to the black top around town, it is worth checking for signs of heavy offroad use. A lack of ground clearance is the thing that stops a Forester, so take a look at the underbody for damage that might have been caused by being grounded on a rough bush track. If you suspect it has been used off-road for more than the occasional trip down an unsealed road, walk away. There are plenty more out there to choose from.It's important to change the cam-timing belt every 100,000km. So make sure that's been done. While you're at it, check the service record to make sure the servicing has been done as Subaru recommends.The Forester gets good marks for primary safety with its all-wheel-drive system. Anti-lock brakes weren't available on the GX, but were standard on the RX and GT, enhancing their primary safety.Likewise, airbags were not available on the GX, but the RX and GT both had dual front airbags making them the preferred choice for secondary crash protection.

I could have felt frightened. I can remember many times of being afraid when caught in shocking conditions on the road.But out in the golden Subaru XS Forester I was sitting high and dry. I felt in absolute command of my world. I had a good view of the road. Just that little bit of elevation in the compact all-wheel-drive makes all the difference.I had good windscreen-wipers going front and back, and good headlights. Instead of the trepidation at driving in such foul conditions, I was quite enjoying myself. That's how we like it, we girls. There is nothing we love better than being in control.It was much the same story heading up into the Hills, this time in drizzly, foggy, slippery and generally lousy Hillsy conditions.The vertiginous twists and turns of Greenhill Rd were undaunting. The car hugged the road like a lover.The Forester was as friendly and affirming in the city as the country. It feels big and strong, but then, blow me down, it tucks away into narrow car parks like a little dream.This new model seems a little oomphier than the old one. I tried to find out why and got lost in a litany of tech-talk about displacement and linear motion. I let it go.After all, the big news is that they have added some much needed extra storage space – a secret compartment in the rear. My umbrella tucked into it quite nicely.We all know you can never have too many cup holders – and this one has fancy bonus ones with a wee tray which opens backwards from the centre console.That is a lovely feature for people in the rear. But, woe, front seaters. You have lost your fold-down armrests – not that most people noticed they had them.Most importantly, the Suby is really comfy and rides nicely, even over speed humps. The demister works in less than a trice. The fuel consumption seemed surprisingly low – and the quality of life on the road extremely high. It's a case of in XS and lovin' it.LOVE IT LEAVE ITSubaru Forester XS 2.5-litre manualPrice: $38,411LOVE ITThe heightThe sense of safetyThe extra storageThe fuel consumptionThe parkabilityMore oomph than the old modelLEAVE ITGiving it back

Subaru's latest incarnation of the Forester follows the path of improved manners to make the most of the SUV trend.Car makers have concentrated on providing buyers with a more civilised on-road package that can still get its wheels dirty with confidence.Subaru has taken its successful Forester – it is consistently near the top of its segment and is one of Subaru's top sales performers – and made some changes that have improved what was already a competent and value-for-money proposition. The nose is substantially altered, with a pushed-up look that may not be to all tastes, but the remainder of the vehicle is unmistakably Forester.The cabin has undergone some aesthetic changes, not the least of which is a new centre console that provides some storage as well as being an armrest – rear passengers also get two cup holders and a sliding mini-tray.While rear seat space is still at a premium, the seat base has been extended by 50mm to boost thigh support. Overall, the seats feel a bit too firm and could do with a little more lateral support, but the cabin is generally comfortable enough to spend some time in.Around town, the improved insulation from engine noise and vibration is immediately obvious, with the more powerful engine proving quite energetic when pushed, supplying the Forester with ample pace.Light steering and easy gearbox controls make the Forester an easy vehicle to drive, almost regardless of the surface.On the bitumen, the SUV behaves like a normal wagon, albeit with a little more body roll than is comfortable if hustling through the bends, but it never feels as though it is without grip.Road-biased tyres help the Forester handle adequately on bitumen, but once unsealed surfaces are encountered, its dirt road manners prove even better, despite the road-biased rubber.Rapid transit along B-grade dirt roads is easily handled by the Forester, with a tail-out rally attitude only achieved after considerable provocation.The MacPherson strut front suspension and the dual-link strut rear-end have undergone some changes to bushing, spring and damper rates, as well as changes to cross-members, and the alterations have had an effect.The all-wheel-drive grip and suspension changes have improved a driving package that was already pretty good.SMALL TORQUEPriced to goFORESTER XS starts at $34,990 for the manual, rising to $36,990 for the four-speed automatic.A luxury pack also is available, which increases the price to $38,490 for the manual and $40,490 for the auto.Power playTHE 2.5-litre, flat-four single overhead camshaft engine develops 121kW of power at 5600rpm, up from the previous vehicle's 112kW.

Here's a car that is not only a practical and comfortable small wagon, but is happy to go banging down a dirt track a rate of knots without breaking into a sweat.In the hands of a skilled driver, it is even capable of more adventurous exploits off road. 2.5-litre horizontally opposed four cylinder produces 121kW of power at 5600rpm and 226Nm of torque at 3600rpm. Power is up marginally from 115kW in line with earlier changes to the Liberty engine. The two share the same power plant. Our test vehicle was the better equipped XS model fitted with the optional four speed auto. XS gets a six stack CD sound system and a few other extra goodies. Four-speed auto is gated which means moving the change lever up and down and from side to side through a series of notches to select gears. Works well for quick down shifts to third for hills and overtaking, but it is easy to sail straight past D and into neutral when going back the other way. The engine is torquey enough that most drivers will probably be content to just leave it in D. Although it has only four gears, it has a good spread of ratios, and the car remains responsive to the throttle in most situations - although not in the same league as its turbocharged stablemate that we drove previously. The boxer engine is a little harsher than a regular in-line four, but the effect is not unpleasant and is far outweighed by the benefits. These include better balance, because the engine sits lower in the car. Boxer engines also tend to be harder wearing and more responsive to the throttle. On the downside all-wheel drives have a reputation for being a little thirstier, which is a consideration with the way petrol prices are going. Claimed fuel consumption for our test car is 9.7L per 100km. Subaru has cleaned up the exterior design of the car with trimmer, more compact lights up front and trendy clear lens tail lights down the back. Turn indicators have also been incorpor- ated into larger exterior mirrors. As with other models, the Subaru name has curiously been removed from the back. There's just the badge and Forester name, with no model designation. Inside the finish is first rate and light or dark coloured trim is a no cost option. However the metallic look plastic is prone to scratching. The suspension has also been firmed up which means less body roll in corners. Standard equipment includes temperature controlled airconditioning, side and front airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution, as well as cruise control, fog lights and 16in alloy wheels. Our test car also gets self-leveling rear suspension which is handy for towing or for carrying loads.VERDICT: Forester is a fine example of what Subaru does best. It's a compact, well engineered all-wheel drive wagon capable of serving many roles, with a pedigree that stretches back to the company's original sports wagon. Our model as tested will set you back at least $36,990. 

The new 2006 model Forester has received tweaks here and there which has improved its performance and handling.Cosmetic changes are minimal but enough to distinguish the new from the old with a new five-bar horizontal grille, slightly different bumpers, front guards, tailgate and circular lights on the rear.The mid-range XS auto ($36,990) and the range-topping XT manual ($40,990) spent time in the garage. An increase of 9kW and 3Nm for the 2.5-litre XS may seem hardly of note but the flatter torque curve gives the Forester a more sprightly feel and improved throttle response. The extra 14kW of power and no increase in torque for the turbocharged XT may seem, well, a little ordinary, but throttle response is meatier and more prompt and turbo lag is less pronounced than in the previous model. The turbo model sprints to 100km/h in six seconds and gear changes are made quick and easy thanks to the short throw five-speed gearbox.The clutch is lighter than the previous model and quite sensitive but the standard hillholder — the anti-rollback mechanism — is a dream and begs the question: why don't more manufacturers use this handy device?The Forester range retains a four-speed auto. Changes are smooth and quick but on occasions the four-speed box is left hunting.The active torque split system on the automatic is now an electronic lock-up controlled through the CPU. Torque split on the manual remains a mechanical arrangement through a viscous coupling. Ground clearance has also been improved on all models.Suspension is considerably firmer than the previous model for better handling, although ride comfort has suffered a fraction.The brake package has also been given a bit of a tweak resulting in firmer pedal feel and better feedback. Road noise is a little intrusive on gravel or wet roads. Rear-seat leg room is still at a premium when the front seats are only halfway back but the 50mm extra thigh support for back seat passengers is a lot more comfortable.The higher driving position combined with the large windscreen and pillarless doors makes for great vision front and rear.The interior of the Forester is simple, but functional and attractive, and now comes with a choice of either a beige or black trim (water resistant for even better versatility).Standard features are high in both models with a six CD in-dash stereo, climate control airconditioning, cruise control, height adjustable driver's seat, outside temperature display, power windows and mirrors, fog lights and two sunglass holders.The new Forester has seven cup-holders and a nifty centre console that folds to the rear with a sliding mini-tray for rear passengers. The Forester is one of the least rollover-prone SUVs around. Its low centre of gravity and the horizontal positioning of the engine give the Forester a weight distribution of 55 degrees to the front and 45 to the rear.The Forester's handling is still top-notch for an SUV although on the test cars it felt unsettled into a corner. Strangely, it was more noticeable in the manual version. While it is a little off-putting, it did not seem to affect the handling of the car, which maintains its line, only suffering understeer when pushed hard.The XT now gains 17-inch wheels and high intensity headlights for a better light spread. All models rate five stars for crash safety with dual front airbags and dual front side airbags.

It is a car that attracts more and more buyers with each passing year, with sales already on their way to another record this year.Subaru says the compact, five-seat all-wheel drive wagon has more diverse appeal than any other model in its lineup.Forester has as just been upgraded for the third time, with the release of the MY06 model that sees both cosmetic and mechanical changes across the range.The new model misses out, however, on the new look previewed with the larger, seven seat Tribeca that has just gone on sale in the States.The new three-piece Alfaesque front grille is also a hallmark of the new, soon to be released Impreza.But not, we can report, in the new Forester – and some would say that's a good thing.On the other hand, the MY06 model's styling is, if anything, more conservative, with less dramatic headlights and a squarer, straighter radiator grille.Clear look tail lights have replaced the old ones, in keeping with the current trend.Turn indicators have also been added to exterior mirrors.Four airbags – front and side – are now standard across the range, giving Forester a maximum five-star safety rating.In a power play for market leadership, power output is up across the range.The 2.5-litre engine that powers the X and XS models (same engine that powers new Liberty), rises from 115kW to 121kW – an increase of eight per cent.That makes it the most powerful car in its class, Subaru is keen to point out.The fire-breathing 2.5-litre turbocharged power plant in the XT jumps from 155kW to 169kW – an increase of 9 per cent (one kilowatt more than WRX).Electronic throttle control is standard across the range, delivering a crisper, more responsive feel to the pedal.Suspension, meanwhile, has been upgraded across the range, with firmer damper and spring rates, producing less pitching and tighter, firmer cornering.Inside, you get a choice of light or dark trim no matter which model takes your fancy.There was nothing particularly wrong with the old Forester and the changes that have been made will only serve to build on this fine reputation.We were able to sample automatic versions of both the XS and turbocharged XT models this week in the chilly climes of southern Tasmania.The news is all good, except for the fact that the firmer ride, while it delivers better handling, might not be to everyone's taste.Older people in particular are attracted to Forester because it's easy to get in and out of, with no mountaineering necessary.The seats are at exactly the right height to pivot and stand up when exiting the vehicle.These people might not appreciate the firmer ride.More power means quicker acceleration times, particularly in the case of the XT which now sprints from 0 to 100km/h in a flat six seconds – down from 6.4 seconds.That's almost as fast as a WRX and should further the XT's sports appeal.Normally aspirated models, meanwhile, drop from 10.4 to 9.8 seconds for the dash.The turbocharged XT is also available for the first time with a Sportshift four-speed sequential auto that allows the driver to change gears manually.XT also gets high powered headlights and 17 inch alloy wheels.New Forester is priced from $31,990 which includes registration, green slip and stamp duty – but not dealer charges that vary from dealer to dealer.