What's the difference?
The sixth-generation of Subaru’s Forester has landed and while the new hybrid versions constitute the biggest news of this batch, the petrol-only variants should not be ignored.
The five-seat mid-size SUV has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder 'boxer' engine, Subaru’s well-regarded 'symmetrical all-wheel drive' system and some new changes inside and out.
So, does the top-spec Touring offer the best value-for-money in the petrol Forester line-up?
Read on.
Mazda calls the new CX-70 its "flagship" five-seat SUV, which also makes it yet another flag-bearer for the brands relentless push up market as part of its 'Mazda Premium' strategy.
It might have a different badge, but it's really a five-seat version of the brand's biggest and most expensive offering, the seven-seat CX-90.
And, for reasons that will become clear in a moment, it's something of a bargain, at least in the context of Mazda's plush large SUV range.
How so, you ask? Read on.
The MY26 Subaru Forester packs plenty of punch in terms of standard features, a roomy and functional interior and overall driveability. Sure, itβs not the most exciting vehicle to drive on- or off-road but to get stuck on that is to miss the point entirely. This is a decent all-rounder with a solid background and an AWD system that long ago set the gold standard for vehicles of this type.
In a tough mid-size SUV market segment aimed more at those intent on driving through car parks rather than adventuring through national parks, the Forester offers greater versatility than most and should not be ignored.
For mine, the CX-70 is the pick of Mazda's premium SUV range, and if you can survive without a third row of seats, it's significantly cheaper than its CX-90 twin, too.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.