April 22, 2015 – The Subaru Forester might not be as modern-looking as some of its rivals but it’s still a stylish crossover that’s extremely robust, practical, reliable and good to drive.
Exterior: 5/5
The Subaru Forester might not be photogenic, but the Japanese compact crossover is actually quite eye-catching in real life thanks to a very rugged and sporty exterior design that sits on some seriously good-looking set of wheels. The Forester definitely stands out in the crossover segment.
Interior and Comfort: 4/5
The Forester has a very simple and neat-looking interior that isn’t spectacular in any way; it features a mix of soft and hard plastics, which makes for a decent cabin. Occupants can easily get comfortable as the Forester has some pretty comfy front and rear seats with plenty of space available for everyone; there’s also generous cargo space. A rearview camera and a four-speaker audio system with a USB port are standard, and there’s plenty of options available including dual-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and pre-collision braking.
Performance: 5/5
A variety of engines is available in the Forester, including a 2.0-liter engine with 150 horsepower, a 2.5-liter unit with 170 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 250 horsepower – all of which offer plenty of power with no signs of struggle. The Forester is a super composed and comfortable ride that feels steady on most road surfaces; the standard all-wheel drive system offers plenty of grip as well.
Safety and Reliability: 5/5
The Subaru Forester is one of the safest cars on the market as it earned a five-star rating in Euro NCAP, IIHS and NHTSA crash test and it has plenty of safety features including a full range of airbags, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Daytime Running Lights, Child Safety Locks and Traction Control. The compact crossover should perform exceptionally well in reliability thanks to Subaru’s great record.
Source: www.wheelers.com.lb