4×4 Magazine UK – August 2019

30 | AUGUST 2019 4x4

on the ¾oor console, which engages
a traction management system
designed to send torUue where it’s
needed to keep the Zehicle moZing
oZer rough ground. It does this
using the brakes, which is nothing
new, but the results are pretty
effectiZe, which is an improZement
on some such systems. =ou’d
choose a diesel engine for this kind
of work, and you certainly wouldn’t
choose a CVT gearbox, but eZen in
the form tested here it plods along
capably enough.
A sensibly sized set of tyres
helps here, too. The *orester we
tested was on 2260R1s, which
haZe enough sidewall height to be
able to find traction where others
would fail, and their proportions
look in keeping with the Zehicle’s
styling. No doubt you can get bigger
alloys on to its hubs, but we think

a lower-profile tyre would look

wrong on it as well as doing nothing

for its ride and tractability.

The *orester is priced at †2,1

as tested, which isn’t that much

for such a well made car but does

sound on the steep side when you

consider its age. The model that

replaces it will be altogether more

sophisticated, with a new platform

and more modern driZetrains, and

it’ll be safer too ̄other 7ubarus

already using the company’s new

architecture haZe posted world-

leading safety scores.

As it is, the Zehicle tested here

lacks a number of the intelligent

safety assists which buyers are

now starting to take for granted,

including the big one, autonomous

emergency braking. It does haZe

7ubaru’s Eye7ight system, which

uses stereoscopic cameras to scan

for hazards, and while we find this

a little trigger-happy at times it

certainly plays a part in making the

*orester a car you’d trust with your

family’s safety. The new one will be

more trustworthy still, howeZer.

Based on what we’Ze seen with

7ubaru’s current <V, which uses

the new platform, the next-gen

*orester will be a lot more modern,

better on the road, safer and, no

small matter, Nust as capable off-

road. It’s likely to be priced higher,

but that

will be

offset by

lower

running

costs. It

can be

expected

to carry

the same

excellent fiZe-year, 100,000-mile

warranty as this one, too.

The *orester remains an 7UV

that does many things Zery well.

But it’s feeling its age now. Its CVT

gearbox would single-handedly

remoZe any chance of 7ubaru

getting its hands on our money,

but eZen leaZing that to one side

there are better options out there.

;aiting for the new *orester to

arriZe might Nust turn out to be the

best of the lot.

The Forester’s 2.0-litre petrol engine is smooth and very

revvy, and with 150bhp and 146lbf.ft it’s capable of shifting

the vehicle with enough zest to pass muster. What lets it

down is the CVT automatic gearbox bolted to the back

of it, which needs a ridiculous amount of winding up. Just

pulling away from stationary is a chore, especially when

you’re facing uphill, and putting your foot down to

overtake mainly just provokes a gale of shrill revving noise.

The transmission does have a manual over-ride using

paddles behind the steering wheel – but when you have to

use these by default, it’s not the sign of a box that wants

to be your friend