Test Drive - Subaru Forester

The spirit of this road warrior and the iron-hearted, four-wheeled travel companion it calls home can trace its lineage back to a time when cars were spoken of as tools, not fashion accessories masquerading as SUVs. When the first Subaru Forester emerged in 1997, it was clear Subaru had no intention of creating a soft, front-wheel-drive grocery-getter. No! They assembled a boxy, rugged brute with a boxer engine, ground clearance akin to a tractor, and the attitude of a farmer after his third sauna beer.

Today, the Forester has reached its sixth generation, its squared-off frame stretching roughly 20 centimeters longer than the original. Yes, it’s bigger and more comfortable, but at its core, it remains the same no-nonsense workhorse, the kind that greets mud, rain, or deep snow not as obstacles but as opportunities to prove its mettle.

On the outside, the new Forester is a blend of practicality and a dash of masculine swagger. A bolder, more imposing grille and those sly, squinting LED headlights give it a face that practically growls, “I’m ready—wherever the road takes us.” The flared wheel arches add an air of muscular defiance, as if daring you to plunge it into the nearest bog—because, let’s be honest, that’s exactly what it was built for. The 220-millimeter ground clearance isn’t just a number—it’s a statement. Without it, the Forester simply wouldn’t exist.

Take a step to the rear, and you’ll see that Subaru’s designers have held their course. The taillights have grown sleeker, connected by a tasteful dark trim, but don’t be fooled—this is still a proper off-road steed, not some soft-roading crossover whose plastic-clad rear bumper suggests the most rugged adventure it can handle is a minor brush with a parking lot curb.

Step inside, and you won’t find an over-the-top, ostentatious display of luxury. Instead, you’re welcomed into a spacious, light-filled, and refreshingly honest cabin that feels more like a well-worn but rock-solid countryside sofa than a sterile, glass-and-steel city lounge.

Subaru’s designers have done their best to ensure that technology enhances rather than overwhelms the human experience. Yes, the center console now boasts an 11.6-inch, tablet-like full-HD display that gleams like a miniature home theater, packed with all the latest wizardry from wireless Apple CarPlay to Android Auto. But, bless the engineers—vital controls like volume and climate remain proper, tactile knobs, ones you can adjust with gloved hands, in the dark, or even half-asleep, without diving into menu mazes like a sailor lost in the depths of a sinking submarine.

And the steering wheel! A beautifully ergonomic masterpiece, where every button sits exactly where your thumbs expect them to be—no chaotic scattering of controls like a daycare center post-lunch break. Behind it, old-school analog dials gleam with the clarity of a fine watchmaker’s handiwork—uncluttered, easy to read, and mercifully free of the industry’s latest obsession with turning dashboards into overcomplicated digital Christmas trees. The Forester knows exactly what it is and doesn’t pretend to be anything else.

As for materials and build quality, Subaru hasn’t cut any corners. Everything your eyes and hands meet feels reassuringly solid, like a well-crafted leather boot that outlives its owner.

Speaking of seats: these masterpieces absorb road imperfections and cradle your back like an expensive massage chair. The front seats’ slimmer shoulder and headrests improve rear visibility—handy for checking whether your kids are still onboard or have quietly slipped out the back to feed the wildlife.

In the rear, passengers get a few extra centimeters of legroom—just three, but as any seasoned traveler knows, a single extra inch can make all the difference. Fold down the rear seats, and the cargo area expands to a cavernous 1,720 liters—enough to swallow four large suitcases, two Labradors, a full case of beer, and possibly a small-sized mother-in-law. In other words, everything an average person might need for a proper weekend getaway.

Practical touches abound, from grocery bag hooks to smart cargo tie-down points. And yes, the tailgate now opens with a simple foot wave—so when you return from the store, hands full, there’s no need for a juggling act with your keys.

Beneath the hood, Subaru has nestled a 2.0-liter gasoline-sipping boxer engine, delivering 136 horsepower, bolstered by a modest 17-horsepower electric motor. That gives you a combined 153 horsepower and 182 Nm of torque—numbers about as thrilling as a retiree’s ballroom dance class, but let’s be honest: the Forester was never meant to be a show-off.

The electric motor isn’t here to break records; it’s a trusty sidekick, assisting with parking and acceleration. Subaru had no interest in plug-in hybrids or massive batteries—why would they, when their primary market is the U.S., where electrification is about as welcome as a tofu burger at a Texas barbecue?

That boxer engine, however, brings an inherent advantage—its low center of gravity lends the Forester remarkable road stability, making it surprisingly agile in corners despite its otherwise laid-back demeanor.

Now, let’s talk about traction. The Forester’s all-wheel-drive system is always engaged. No gimmicky “rear wheels only wake up when you’re already stuck” nonsense. Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD and Active Torque Vectoring (which subtly brakes the inner wheel in corners) ensure that the Forester grips the road like a cat clinging to a curtain—securely, confidently, and without hesitation, even when that road is half gravel and half a slippery, rain-soaked quagmire.

True, the Forester comes equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Subaru rather grandly dubs the Lineartronic. Now, CVTs are often likened to vacuum cleaners—push the throttle, and the engine hums monotonously at high revs, much like your neighbor’s weed trimmer disturbing a peaceful Sunday morning. But Subaru has done a commendable job here—the transmission cleverly simulates seven virtual gears, meaning that in everyday driving, you won’t be plagued by that incessant droning. That said, if you decide to stomp on the gas pedal, you’ll still hear that familiar scooter-like whine—a not-so-subtle reminder that the Forester is best driven with a measured foot.

As for speed—well, let’s just say the Forester is in no rush to get anywhere. The sprint from zero to 100 km/h unfolds in a leisurely 12.2 seconds, unlikely to set your pulse racing. But then again, Subaru never built this machine for Nürburgring glory. The top speed is a modest 188 km/h—enough to earn the undivided attention of local highway patrol but leaving you firmly in the slow lane on Germany’s Autobahn, counting passing trucks for entertainment.

Yet, the Forester’s true ace up its sleeve isn’t speed—it’s its unshakable off-road prowess. With a ground clearance of 220 mm, it tackles potholes and bogs like a tractor plowing through a springtime field. Thanks to Subaru’s X-Mode system (offering dedicated snow and mud settings) and the updated Hill Descent Control, the Forester confidently scales steep inclines and creeps down treacherous slopes, even when the road ahead resembles a logging trail more than a civilized passage.

Subaru has also reinforced the body structure, refined the suspension, and cut cabin noise by about 39%—and the difference is tangible.

On the safety front, the Forester is like an overprotective grandmother who won’t let you leave the house without a scarf, a hat, and at least three pairs of wool socks—just in case. At the heart of it all is EyeSight, Subaru’s dual-camera driver assistance system, now sharper than an eagle that’s been fasting for a week. Subaru has upgraded EyeSight with a wide-angle monocamera and a forward-facing radar—meaning that the Forester now has more eyes than a fly, constantly scanning everything ahead, behind, and to the sides.

In total, there are 15 driver-assistance functions, including five completely new and seven enhanced features. The most remarkable of them all? The Emergency Driving Stop System—an innovation that ensures that if the driver suddenly faints or drifts off into an unplanned nap on the highway, the Forester takes control. First, it attempts to rouse the driver with gentle brake taps and warning sounds, but if the human behind the wheel remains unresponsive, the car will bring itself to a safe stop.

But Subaru doesn’t just intervene in emergencies—it’s proactive. A driver monitoring system keeps an eye on your eyes, and the moment you start gazing anywhere but the road, the car lets out a polite but firm beep, snapping you back to attention.

Then there’s the classic safety arsenal—adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and an automatic braking system that detects everything from pedestrians and cyclists to suddenly braking cars ahead.

For parking, Subaru has equipped the Forester with a 360-degree camera that offers a better view of your surroundings than a NATO satellite spying on a Russian military base. And if that’s not reassuring enough, the Forester is packed with nine airbags, including a special center cushion between the front seats that prevents driver and passenger heads from colliding in an accident.

The importance of the Forester to Subaru cannot be overstated—it’s their bread and butter, with one in every three Subarus sold proudly wearing the Forester badge. And while its size and design may cater primarily to the grand, supersized tastes of American consumers, Subaru hasn’t forgotten about its European audience. Whether you're a forest ranger or simply someone who values a no-nonsense vehicle that won’t leave you stranded in snow or mud, the Forester delivers. It’s practical, dependable, and blessed with exceptional all-around visibility. This is not a car that pretends to be something it’s not—it simply does what it was built to do: get you from point A to point B, even when there isn’t a single meter of asphalt between them.