| A Week at the Wheel | Cambs, England | Subaru Forester |

Inside & Out:

As per the previous generation Forester - and indeed the rest of the current Subaru line-up - the new car is rather bland and anonymous. It definitely looks more modern and appealing than before but the tall body and lofty suspension still combine to give it a top heavy look.

Subaru's focus has shifted of late to raise the standard of its oft-criticised interiors and the new Forester benefits from this accordingly. The dash features the prominent spread wing design found in all Subarus now - intended to echo the new grille style on the exterior - and the layout and materials are a major step forward from past offerings. As ever, the Forester benefits from a roomy interior with the elevated roof line paying back handsomely in terms of masses of head room.

Engine & Transmission:

Subaru's latest range of boxer engines is probably the strongest line-up ever fielded by the marque. The four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine fitted to our test car is effectively the entry level choice for the larger models, but is no less impressive than the others, being smooth, refined and well mannered. However, it does need to be worked hard via the slick shifting five-speed 'box in order to deliver its full performance and economy suffers directly as a consequence.

Running the car back-to-back with the new diesel Legacy drives home the diesel engine's advantages against the less muscular petrol unit. The 2.0-litre four feels a little gutless and lacks the low- and mid-range shove so easily accessible in the diesel car. Assuming Subaru's pricing policy applied to the Legacy diesel carries over to the Forester range as well, then it's hard to form an argument for the petrol Forester; the diesel trumps it in every aspect of performance that the majority of users would find important.

Ride & Handling:

Given the SUV remit the Subaru Forester is intended to fulfil, the strength and breadth of its dynamic talents always come as a surprise on first acquaintance. That high stance, body and ride height does lead to quite a lot of body roll but for the most part the chassis feels well honed and composure is never an issue thanks to a nice neutral balance and the grip levels afforded by the 'intelligent' all-wheel drive transmission. Overall, the on-road manners are excellent and although we never pushed the off-road capabilities of the Forester beyond brief excursions up small farm tracks, there's little reason to doubt the car is capable of all that most owners would expect of it.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

If, in your measure of value, practicality is a heavily weighted factor then the Forester represents very good value for money. Subaru's latest interiors are far better than before but this still only makes them average rather than class leading. However, some features do feel at odds with the Forester's ethos - one could easily forego keyless entry and start for example. Running costs, for the petrol model at least, are likely to take a significant hit at the hands of the sub 30mpg economy, we found 25mpg to be typical in day-to-day usage.

Overall:

Models such as the Forester are often overshadowed in the Subaru line-up by rally specials, but it shouldn't be forgotten that many of the brand's core abilities are most effectively showcased in the SUV. More distinctive looks may strengthen its case further but as a rugged workhouse for town and country alike the Forester remains a capable offering. No doubt the diesel version will be even better.