Subaru Forester Reviews

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.

Subaru's concept for the soft-roader was simple, brilliant even. Of the light-duty four-wheel-drives available, the Outback and Forester offer the best blend of city manners and bush brawn.Model watchThe Forester was launched here in 1997. It was based on the underpinnings of the Impreza passenger car, but didn't look much like its family-car cousin. Its four-door wagon body gave it a new look.The Forester was primarily powered by Subaru's familiar single overhead camshaft flat-four boxer engine, in this case a 2.0-litre unit developing 92kW and 184Nm.When pressed it would accelerate from rest to 100km/h in a little over 11 seconds and do a 400m dash in a respectable 17 seconds.For more zip Subaru released the GT in 1998 and that came with a turbocharged, double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine, boasting 125kW and 240Nm.  Buyers could choose between a five-speed manual gearbox and a four-speed auto trans, both sending the drive to all four wheels.The Forester's system is a four-wheel-drive system, with drive going to all wheels, all the time, unlike other soft-roaders which have a part-time system, with drive primarily going through either the front or rear wheels.  And it works well on road or off.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, 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, central locking, and, from 2000, a sunroof and heated front seats.In the shopThe Forester is not showing any serious weaknesses.  Generally, the Subaru mechanicals are solid and reliable and little goes wrong with them. The flat-four engine has stood the test of time and shows nothing that is likely to cause a headache later on.A word of caution on the GT with its turbo motor. While the Subaru turbo has few problems and survives some pretty tough punishment in the WRX, it's worth going to the trouble of having an independent check on the GT, just to be sure it hasn't been given a hard time by an enthusiastic driver.Check the engine oil and look inside the oil filler for sludge that might suggest a lack of servicing. Turbo engines, in particular, need more servicing, and more frequent oil changes than a normally aspirated engine.Although these cars tend to do little off-road work it's worth having a close look underneath for signs of bush-bashing. Look for damage to the underbody, brackets, exhaust, suspension and steering. Walk away if you suspect it has spent a lot of time off the black top.Crunch timeSubaru's all-wheel-drive system gives the Forester decent primary safety, allowing you greater ability to escape a potential crash situation so the Forester gets good marks for primary safety.  ABS wasn't available on the GX, but was standard on the RX and GT adding to their primary safety package.Likewise airbags were not available on the GX, but the RX and GT both had dual frontal airbags making them the preferred choice for secondary crash protection.Rating15/20 Good round-town manners with the ability to go places off-road make the Forester a sensible buy.Subaru Forester 97-02Look for Signs of damage from heavy off-road useGood resale valueCheck for evidence of regular servicingHandles dirt roads and bush tracks with easeReliable engine and transmission

The Subaru Forester has always been one of our favourite four-wheel-drives.And a favourite car, too.The boxy baby Suby will never take you to the top of the toughest trail, but it's a top choice for people who need a car but enjoy the fun that comes with a 4WD.The Forester has always had its shortcomings, led by the cramped back seat, but it has the edge – for us – over its rivals, mostly because it's more car-like and comfy than a Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.The Forester also picked up points when it picked up punch as the turbocharged GT, even if it didn't have the all-out go or grip of the WRX cult car. It was too gangly in the suspension and turbo lag also cut its appeal.But Subaru has done a substantial update on the latest Forester, even if it has lost the sexy GT badge and picked up an XT label instead.The newcomer has been given more go, which works well with the bigger and bolder Forester II body, as well as substantial tweaks on everything from headlamps to air-con.It's still a good deal, priced from $39,490 for a five-speed manual gearbox or $41,490 for a four-speed self-shifter. There is also a big list of extra kit – from a rear roof spoiler at $389.68 and fender flares at $363.15 to a Rola bicycle holder at $225.83 and a cargo net at $165.21. A fully-loaded automatic with the Luxury Pack will cost $44,990.To put things into focus, the Forester line-up now starts at $31,490 for the 2.5 litre X model, while a Toyota RAV4 starts from $27,600, a basic X-Trail from Nissan is $31,990, a four-cylinder Hyundai Santa Fe is $29,990 and the cheapest of the Honda CR-Vs is $31,990.The Forester XT makes the pace for the Subaru corner with a new 2.5-litre turbo motor that makes a romping 155kW of power and 320 Nm of torque.That's one-third more power and 50 per cent more torque than the basic four-cylinder engine, and awfully close to the original figures from the early days of the WRX.The driving force in the XT includes a limited-slip rear differential, anti-skid four-wheel disc brakes and self-levelling rear suspension. The safety systems include twin airbags with a two-stage inflator on the passenger's side, active front head restraints and – Subaru's signature item – the "symmetrical all-wheel drive".The equipment list is even more impressive, with 16-inch alloy wheels, a six-stack CD sound system, cruise control, electric windows and mirrors, and even automatic air-con.Our favourite items are the front-seat armrests and the outside temperature gauge.On the roadWe got a surprise when we uncorked the new Forester flagship for the first time.The turbo bites with a kick that reminds us of the slingshot start of the original WRX. It was a whoo-hoo moment.Subaru says the XT will run a 0-100km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds, and we believe it.It also makes it the most spritely of the compact all-wheel-drives and helps justify a price that's higher than that of many of its rivals.It's easy to jump the $40,000 hurdle for a well-equipped Ford Escape or Mazda Tribute with the lot. But the engine is not the only attraction in the latest Forester.The suspension has also been firmed and flattened to make the XT less like a roly-poly four-wheel-drive truckster and more like a car.You still sit up high in the "command position" but the view doesn't tilt when you tackle a turn.The XT also has a better cornering balance than the earlier car, signalling its limits earlier and without hinting that it would be happier to just shuffle off the road.It now responds with more front-end grip if you lift the accelerator, and – if you want to go a bit wild at a closed course – it will slide from the rear but recover quickly with good grip and surprising traction.But that's at the limit, and few people push the Forester that hard.Even so, it's nice to know it will give you an early and obvious warning if you overcook things, particularly on the sort of slippery gravel and loose dirt roads the Forester is likely to tackle.It still doesn't have the sort of "crawler" low-range gears that would please serious 4WD explorers, but these people should be looking first at the X-Trail, or even a baby Suzuki Jimny, for rock hopping and mountain climbing.The turbo torque in the XT means it will grunt up serious slopes and it has better ground clearance before and the extra grip that comes with the limited-slip diff.The engine also makes the XT a swift overtaker and a confident and easy highway car with almost no sign of the dreaded "turbo lag".It makes boost from little more than 2000 revs and pulls really hard from 3500. And there is always that (whisper it) WRX-style hoot if you push to the redline and hammer through the gears.We also enjoyed the cabin comforts, equipment and headlamps.The latest Forester also has better visibility and more space in the tail, and is quieter than the first model.It's a pity the back seat is still upright and cramped for adults, but Subaru says most Forester buyers are singles or youngish families who can always graduate to an Outback when they need more space.We liked it before, and we like it even more now.

It takes just 6.4 seconds and you are not only doing 100km/h but side by side with the likes of the Mercedes C32 AMG or the Nissan 350Z. And, right on the bumper of V8 counterparts.No, you are not in the Porsche Boxster S but Subaru's new 2.5 XT Forester, the soft-roader with a pile of grunt and style to match.Power flows from the turbocharger with no lag and an extremely responsive right pedal.This is helped by Electronic Throttle Control which does away with the accelerator cable, replacing it with an electronic connection between pedal and throttle for more responsive control.Gear changes are made quick and easy thanks to the sporty-feel five-speed gearbox, with short throw just in case the power is not enough to make you feel like you are in a sports car.The clutch is heavy, as you would expect from a turbo, but this is offset by hillholder, the anti-roll back mechanism that one can only wish will some day be standard on every manual.The all-wheel-drive takes the Forester to the next level in terms of handling and responsiveness on and off the beaten track.The XT is just as comfortable on the road as off.And comfort is a key of the XT package. Whether it be negotiating the ever growing pot holes on the suburban street or rougher terrain the independent suspension evens out the ride.While the XT xould benefit from 17 inch wheels the standard 16inch 215 Yokohama Geolander tyres still allow responsive and accurate handling.Unusual is the positioning of the steering wheel which is tilted backwards more than usual.The seating position is upright and high making it easy to negotiate tight spaces while the wagon is not too long to make parking tedious.The Forester XT sits at the top of the Forester food chain with the 2.5 X, the 2.5 XS and XS luxury priced underneath. The interior has been widened an extra 1.45cm with more room to stretch your legs in the front and rear.The interior has more than enough features including cup holders, overhead consoles, centre console and cargo power outlets but without the clutter.There are plenty of pockets and gadgets and the boot easily handles a full load of shopping or all your gear, that would require some cars to add a trailer.The instrument panel is clear and easy to read limiting concentration loss and averted eyes.The Forester XT is priced between $39,490 (standard manual) and $44,990 (luxury automatic).The 4 cylinder DOHC intercooled turbo with AVCS produces 155kw @ 5600rpm and 320Nm @ 3600rpm which after 14.8 seconds sees you 400m from the cars still lagging behind at the lights.It is a little guzzly on the gas.It is claimed the XT is an economical 11.2km per litre but testing showed a little higher, hovering around 13km per litre. The luxury model found its way into our garage which boasted full leather trim, dual front and side airbags and a sunroof that bathes not only the front occupants but the rear as well.Yet, the standard model is nothing to sneeze at with ABS with Engine Braking System, 6 stack CD, cruise and climate control, power everything, 16 inch alloys, sporty fog lamps and roof rails as standard.The XT might be at the top end of the price bracket but as a whole package is reasonably priced.The luxury pack is especially appealing offering the style, performance and comfort of a fully imported sports car but with a tag that comes in cheaper than most top of the line family sedans.

Like cupholders. To adults, they're useful pieces of hardware. To kids, or at least, my kids, they're works of art.And the Subaru Forester has the best cupholders yet. The one which comes out of the dashboard, my 11-year-old son informs me, "spreads out like a bird's wings". Better still is the double version which springs to life from behind the centre console "like a pair of handcuffs".So my kids think the Forester is just about the best car I've brought home.They're not the only ones.Subaru is selling the Forester in record numbers and, cupholders aside, it's not hard to see why.More than 6500 have been sold this year making it close to a top-seller in the off-road market. The launch of an upgraded and updated model in June has further boosted those figures.The 2002 version gains a bigger, more powerful 2.5 litre version of the Boxer engine, producing 112kw and 223Nm.The Forester has also been refined inside and out -- nothing drastic, mind you.The car's popularity isn't hard to fathom. It's comfortable. It's capable. And it's pleasant to drive. It gives a high level of off-road capability, yet in a package which still drives like a family wagon, is easy to park and won't send you broke every time you fill it up.The Forester is an interesting mix. It's not outstanding in any particular way yet does just about everything well. It's an unobtrusive car, one that tends to sneak up on you. When I first drove it I suspected the performance was a little sluggish -- until I glanced at the speedo and realised how effortlessly the car skips up to, and beyond, the speed limit with a minimum of fuss.The more I drove it, the more I appreciated the flexibility of the engine, coupled in this case to a pleasant-enough five-speed manual gearbox. I suspect it would be even better with the four-speed auto.The understated performance is typical of what you get with the Forester. It seems to do everything just a little bit better then you realise.It's not a huge -- shorter than a full-sized family wagon and not as tall as most 4WDs -- yet it's roomy enough for two adults, three kids and lots of stuff in the cargo area.To compensate for the car's lack of overall size, Subaru has made use of every available space. There's a series of little storage bins beneath the floor of the luggage compartment; a good-sized glove-box with a special spot for the service manuals to maximise the usable space; more storage in the centre console and also in the dash, plus smaller trays and bins in doors and about the cabin. Overhead, there are even two handy flip-down spots for sunglasses.The Forester retains the driveability and road manners of a passenger car, with the added grip of constant 4WD, but still has a dual-range transfer case and enough ground clearance to make it a genuine off-roader.Its chunky, boxy body shape means the Forester is not as sleek as its stablemates, the Outback and Liberty wagon, but Subaru has done enough with the exterior trim to still make it look attractive -- it's a marked improvement on the previous model.There is excellent visibility, particularly when reversing because of a lower-than-usual window panel in the rear cargo door.There's a nice six-stack CD/stereo, although I found the volume control would never allow me to find a happy medium between too loud and too soft. The circular, soft-touch climate controls are stylish and effective.Upholstery is functional. I might even be inclined to tip in the extra $3000 to get the luxury pack with leather seats and other goodies like side airbags and sunroof.Automatic transmission is another $2000 option on the Forester, although the five-speed manual is no hardship, apart from a slightly heavy clutch.SUBARU FORESTER XS* DETAILS: Mid-size five-door 4WD wagon, 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder 112kW engine; fuel consumption 10 l/100km (city cycle).* FEATURES: Dual airbags, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, climate control airconditioning, 6-stack CD, cruise control, power windows, steering and mirrors, 12 volt power sockets.* COST: $34,490 (auto $2000 extra).* RIVALS: Toyota RAV4 Cruiser ($35,440); Nissan X-Trail Ti ($35,990).* FOR: Well-built, capable off-roader well-suited around the city.* AGAINST: Upholstery could be a little more inviting.* SUMMING UP: Not hard to see why the Forester is a favourite for Aussie families.