Subaru Forester 2.0D XSn

From £22,200
Subaru's SUV gets the engine it's always deserved

Our Verdict

Subaru Forester 2008-2013

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester avoids the glam detailing of most other soft-roaders and sticks to traditional 4x4 spec

Julian Rendell
22 September 2008

What is it?

The long-awaited diesel version of Subaru’s soft-roader, set to dramatically broaden its appeal.

Until now, the Forester’s considerable charms have always been tempered by its petrol-only choice of powerplants, but the arrival of Subaru’s flat-four turbodiesel should dramatically improve its appeal.

Despite using the same powerplant as the diesel Legacy, the diesel Forester is rated at 147bhp, 3bhp less than its bigger sister.

Apparently – and ironically – the Forester’s gaping bonnet scoop doesn’t let air flow as freely as the more subtle vent on the Legacy.

Underneath the Forester shares its platform and four-wheel drive system with the Impreza, which means struts at the front and a multi-link for the rear.

Like most of its soft-road rivals, it does without any off-road aids, Subaru having binned the low ratio transfer box of the old Forester.

What’s it like?

Decent to drive, if a bit bland to look at. Critically, the diesel engine brings some much-needed zip to the Forester’s mid-range performance – and also adds a pleasing compression-ignition take on the familiar Boxer ‘thrum’.

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Subaru quotes a 10 second 0-60 time, but the Forester diesel actually feels keener and quicker than that.

The chassis is well-mannered, with decent grip, good balance and sufficiently confident body control to ride bumps with aplomb.

The steering feels a bit numb when you really push on, but otherwise it drives as tidily as a taller Impreza.

Dynamically the 2.0D’s biggest weakness is the gearchange quality from the new six-speed ‘box. It suffers from both a long throw and an obstructive quality, in stark contrast to Subaru’s normally sweet-shifting manual ‘boxes.

The company says it’s aware of the problem and that a fix is already in the pipeline.

As with petrol versions of the Forester, the interior can best be described as workmanlike with some pleasing shapes but hard plastics. At least it will wipe clean: the Forester feels far better-suited to work than most of its road-biased rivals.

Subaru claims the Forester returns 44.1mpg on the combined economy cycle, and CO2 emissions of 170g/km are extremely competitive for the segment.

Should I buy one?

The Forester has finally got the engine it’s always deserved. And, in creating a diesel version, Subaru has created an interesting and justifiable alternative to the large number of ‘me too’ soft-roaders currently on sale.

The diesel is the stand-out model in the range, and although it commands a sizeable premium over its petrol sister, it’s undoubtedly the better car.

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Comments
7

jelly7961

24 September 2008

Diesel all very worthy I'm sure. I prefer my XT STi model with 296 hp and almost 40 mpg on a long trip yesterday afternoon. It is fun to pull up to a Merc or BeeEmVay and floor it from the lights. They scratch their heads because here in Australia, there are no badges on Subaru (Other than Liberty or Forester) No one has any idea how much you have spent and what you have under the bonnet. Also, that diesel must be pretty heavy - I took mine over a weighbridge yesterday and it was 1550 kg with a full tank and me (100 kg) sitting in it.

Anyway, I am having so much fun with this little machine at the moment - and the best thing? Unlike our previous SL no one wants to vandalise it!

Penny9966

24 September 2008

Glad to here of another Aussie Subaru owner.

[quote jelly7961]They scratch their heads because here in Australia, there are no badges on Subaru [/quote]

Thats why I love my Liberty, most think it is a 2.5i Heritage

My Forester XT is the new shape, and although it is not currently on my drive (my brother in law and I swapped for a month, and am loving his Tribeca, however am missing the XT like hell!). The Foresters are solid work horses that can be a pleasure to own, and I am actually looking forward to getting behind the wheel of a diesel one. I can understand why the diesel was placed in the Forester, and hope it can become a more mainstream car in the UK to rival the likes of CRVs, X-Trails etc.

theoriginalshoe

27 September 2008

Great to read about you guys enjoying your Foresters in Oz (where, unlike here, they're considered pretty small!) I lived there for 5 years (until this year) and a good mate loves his, which he reckons is really chuckable and an absolute hoot!

Encouraging to see Aussies finally waking up to the value of downsizing; now all we have to do is get you to love diesels as much as we do... ;)

www.eco-trainer.net

Penny9966

28 September 2008

[quote theoriginalshoe]

Encouraging to see Aussies finally waking up to the value of downsizing; now all we have to do is get you to love diesels as much as we do... ;)

[/quote]

I love the Aussie V8s but could never see myself owning one. I have been very sad over the past 9 years and only owned Subaru's, and now I definately have the bug of AWD (you can drive these cars in the wet the same as you would in the dry) and boxer engines. I am actually holding off with the replacement of my current bug eye Impreza for the next few years to wait and see if Subaru Oz decide to bring a diesel Impreza to the range. If they do I will be heading down the showroom the very next day. Watch this space...

theoriginalshoe

29 September 2008

[quote Penny9966]I am actually holding off with the replacement of my current bug eye Impreza for the next few years to wait and see if Subaru Oz decide to bring a diesel Impreza to the range[/quote]

Well, I am imprezed (pun intended). If I give you my mate Corey's number, will you take it round to his joint for a blast? We might finally convert him! (Btw, what state are you in?)

[quote Penny9966]I love the Aussie V8s but could never see myself owning one[/quote]

I was exactly the same. But when a Clubsport R8 with sports induction and exhaust exploded past my Fiesta, I was sorely tempted to dispense with pragmatism and get one! Ah, just thinking about it gives me goosebumps (don't tell Corey)...

www.eco-trainer.net

Penny9966

1 October 2008

Haha yeah we shall wait and see. The only other car that might grab my attention is the Suzuki SX4 (because I head to the ski fields alot AWD is a must). I test drove one a few months ago and really liked it, and will try and get one for a long weekend. But it will be hard to part from the boxer engines...

Watch this space...

LuxForester

4 October 2008

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