Subaru’s Forester compact SUV was recently updated. Along with cosmetic tweaks, revised standard features, price adjustments and an all-new 2,5-litre petrol boxer petrol engine, the 2011 model year Forester is now also available with the marque’s eagerly-anticipated 2,0 turbodiesel engine. Recently, we had the 2,0D Premium model on test.
The exterior changes aren’t particularly noticeable though – save for a more distinctive style to the front grille, turn indicator repeaters in the side mirrors and different wheel designs.
Inside, it’s all familiar Impreza fare. By now most of our testers have become accustomed to the swooshy facia design and general layout, and though it’s very neat and tidy and makes the driving experience very “car-like”, we’re still not big fans… The perceived quality takes a bit of a knock because of the mixture of hard plastics used throughout and secondly our test unit rattled – especially from the door panels and toward the rear of the cabin. That unfortunately spoils what is otherwise quite a good, spacious cabin with an impressive standard specification list, including automatic climate control and an eight-way electrically-adjustable driver’s seat.
The Forester doesn’t sound like any other diesel too, which is a good thing. Yes, there’s that unmistakable clatter, but it’s intertwined with that characteristic off-beat drumming of a horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine – making for quite an interesting aural note.
Depress the clutch and you have to almost muscle the six-speed shifter into gear. The lever is reluctant at first, especially when selecting reverse, but as the car’s fluids warm up it becomes a bit easier, but there’s no questioning that you have to be firm in selecting ratios, what with the all-wheel drive being of the permanent variety. On that topic, I was quite surprised that this model didn’t come equipped with a low-range selector. Apart from there being more-than-adequate torque on offer, low-range is available in the 2,5 petrol models, and would inspire more confidence is this diesel model, if not for hardcore off-road exercises, then just light off-the-beaten track duty.
The 2,0 turbocharged boxer produces 110 kW at 3 600 r/min and 350 N.m of torque at 2 400 r/min – exactly the same outputs as in the Outback. Peak power may not be outstanding, but the ample torque on tap boasts a fairly flat curve for optimum progress in lower gears and reasonable grunt higher up the ratios.
Considering the Forester’s one and a half ton mass, as well as the low power output and “heavy off the line” all wheel drive, a 10,6 second zero to 100 km/h scrabble is nothing to scoff at. And overtaking acceleration is similarly decent – the diesel Forester managing to find tractability to get from 40-60 km/h in 15,36 seconds – something that wasn’t doable in the Outback, as it resulted in heavy jerking on every attempt. At freeway speeds the torque figure comes into its own with 6,45 and 6,64 second hauls from 80-100 km/h and 100-120 km/h in sixth, respectively. In fifth, those figures are reduced to 5,01 and 5,53.
The Forester is available with a plethora of safety features too, like dual front, side and curtain airbags, Isofix childseat points on the outer rear seats, TCS and VDS traction control and stability systems, and ABS with EBD. Despite the big rear differential, and mostly thanks to the raised suspension, cargo room is generous with 336 dm3 available with the rear seats in the upright position – increasing to 1 392 dm3 by folding the rear seats.
The Forester 2,0D Premium (and standard 2,0D for that matter) relies on 50 ppm “clean diesel” to operate optimally, but for your effort to find the right pumps to fill up at, you’re left with the knowledge that the diesel Forester is one of the greener SUVs out there. We managed 6,6 litres/100 km on a real-world fuel run and according to Subaru this Forester only emits 167 g/km of CO2.
It’s on the expensive side at R399 000, but the Forester 2,0 D Premium is chock-a-block full of features that might be optional on rivals. The only extra item I would have is sat-nav. For your money you also get a three-years/60 000 km service plan and a three-years/100 000 km warranty.
