Subaru Forester Diesel 2015 Review

The Forester has grown considerably from the Impreza-based wagon Australians fell in love with 15 years ago – figuratively and literally.

The current model is a tall, boxy SUV with few of the compact wagon character traits that earned the Forester its 'right size' reputation. You only have to park it alongside any of its rivals to see how big it has become – and compared to the "SUV tough, car easy" original is taller, wider, longer and (318kg!) heavier.

But with age has come a kind of maturity return buyers appreciate. It's almost as if the car has grown with them, offering more practicality and a more mellow choice of drivelines [Ed: although we admit to missing the original Forester GT a lot]. Chief in the line-up is the Boxer Diesel, now hooked up to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for the first time.

Offered with the choice of two trim grades (D-L and D-S), the oiler models are priced mid-way along the Forester range. Subaru also offers a choice of two petrol units, which are familiar to the previous iteration.

But it's the entry-grade diesel that's the subject of this test, and during our week with the Forester we had few calls to criticise the horizontally-opposed four. Its square bore (86mm x 86mm) design doesn't exactly offer an abundance of torque off the line, but the CVT masks that deficiency well. From step-off the Forester Diesel provides smooth, linear acceleration to highway speeds and is prompt in its reaction to throttle inputs when called to overtake.

Pleasingly, the stepped action of the transmission under heavier throttle inputs (more than 65 per cent) also serves to eliminate the drone typically associated with CVTs. Couple this with additional sound suppression material around the transmission itself, and the only driveline noise evident is a subtle 'chatter' from the engine at idle.

But for all its refinement the 2.0-litre direct-injected engine is not the most efficient of the current crop of mid-size SUVs. Subaru claims a combined cycle figure of 6.3L/100km but on test, and travelling mostly highway miles, we couldn't better 7.2. For reference, Subaru quotes an extra urban figure of 5.5L/100km.

And it's not like we could pin the issue on the Forester Diesel's lack of an idle stop-start system (which is available on petrol models), as we didn't spend any real time at the lights. In fact, considering most of the week's driving was undertaken with two adults on board and at highway speeds we'd say most of the issue is related to the Forester's hefty 1633kg kerb weight, making for a rather disappointing average.

Also disappointing was the quality of the infotainment system and some of the interior's materials. The sound of the Starlink six-speaker 7.0-inch touchscreen system is tinny at best, with no improvement noticed from changing the settings. Radio reception is also quite weak, and though the 2.0D-L does arrive as standard with Pandora compatibility, USB connectivity, sat-nav, Bluetooth and a single CD player there are better examples of entry-grade audio systems amongst the Forester's rivals.

The abundance of hard-wearing, hard plastics throughout the cabin are likewise a little lacklustre. It could be argued that the durability of these surfaces reflects the outdoor aspirations of Forester buyers, but there are competitors that balance the needs of buyers with a little more polish. In reality the interior speaks of cost-cutting, rather than any real endeavour to place function over form.

Having said that we're certain there will be buyers that appreciate the fuss-free layout of the dashboard, and the cabin at large. The Forester's ergonomics are quite good in the scheme of things with most of the controls falling easily to hand. However, the driver's seat feels artificially high, almost contrasting the spacious and sensibly set second row.

We found the dual-zone HVAC system well calibrated to the open, boxy cabin, maintaining not only the desired temperature, but also keeping the windows free of condensation without the need to continually hit demist/AC. The heated seats were also a welcomed touch, as was the inclusion of ventilation outlets to the second-row seats and the Forester's wonderfully well-metered rain-sensing wipers.

It's those little things that add to the Forester's sense of security away from the black top. On a particularly wet weekend in central Victoria the Forester's excellent outward visibility added to the confidence provided by the all-wheel drive system, giving a secure feeling in spite of the slippery, pot-holed terrain beneath.

The Forester's strut (front) / double wishbone (rear) suspension tune feels right at home on lumpy gravel roads delivering a buttery ride and ample clearance (220mm). It's a ride that doesn't come at the detriment of on-road handling, however, and in this way the new-generation feels better sorted than its immediate predecessor. The X-Mode low-speed all-wheel drive system and hill-descent control also aid traction when the going gets a little tougher – and we'd wager would be ideal come ski season.

Couple these qualities with a turning circle of 10.6m, four wheel disc brakes, electrically-assisted steering that feels ideally weighted regardless of road surface, and the Forester certainly clawed back a few of the brownie points it had lost in other areas.

The Forester 2.0D-L arrives as standard with the expected level of electronic driver aids, seven airbags and a five-star ANCAP safety rating, but does not come with Subaru's EyeSight driver assist system (with autonomous braking) found on selected other variants.

Of course you can't mention the Forester in the same review as the CX-5 and RAV4 without noting its after-sales support. Shorter service intervals of six months or 12,500km (whichever comes first) and a three-year / unlimited kilometre warranty border on the short side of average nowadays; as does its three-year / 75,000km capped-price servicing schedule and 12-month roadside assistance scheme.

As we said at the outset, the Forester is a vehicle that has evolved to meet the needs of repeat buyers. If you've lived with one before you'll no doubt be at an age where the changes reflect your expectations quite well – though it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to attract new buyers to the brand.