FIRST AUSSIE DRIVE
ALTHOUGH the 2019 Subaru Forester is all- new, meeting it feels a bit like catching up with an old pal. There’s a sense of familiarity and dependability that creates an entirely different kind of appeal to that exuded by ostentatious luxury and performance cars.
The fifth-generation Forester is built on the company’s new Global Platform which supports electrification and will soon underpin the first-ever hybrid Forester, yet initially, the Forester range has been pared back.
In its previous generation, the Forester was offered with atmo, turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines and manual and CVT automatic transmissions. For now, though, every 2019 Forester has a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four bolted to a CVT. The 2.5i and 2.5i-L open proceedings with respective pricetags of $33,490 and $35,490, but only the 2.5i Premium ($38,490) and 2.5i-S ($41,490) were present at the launch, showing off their more generous equipment.
Headlining the technological upgrade is a new Driver Monitoring System, which uses a camera to scan the driver’s face. Not only can the system recognise up to three different users and set their preferences, including seat position and favourite radio station, it also continuously monitors the driver for drowsiness and distraction. Reach down for your phone or start to nod off and the Forester slaps you on the wrist with audible and visual alarms.
The new system joins Subaru’s proprietary EyeSight stereoscopic camera technology, which is now standard range-wide, and enables autonomous emergency braking as well as a host of other driverassistance tech.
While many SUVs talk the off-road talk with pumped arches and a raised ride height, some of them offer very limited ability beyond sealed roads. The Forester has always been one of the better SUVs for light off-roading, but we were deprived of a chance to test that reputation with the drive route delivering little more challenging than slippery but smooth gravel.
There was no need to engage the Forester’s X-Mode system, and its permanent symmetrical all-wheel drive only made its presence felt when the cornering enthusiasm was dialled up.
For hitting the blacktop, though, the Forester is stoic and a loyal companion. Its 136kW is entirely adequate for the suburbs and for highway cruising, but overtaking had us fantasising about forced induction and a variant wearing the coveted STI badge. We would settle for a return of the GT.
The new Forester’s cruising ability is a real strength, with a ride quality that walks a line between smooth and comfortable, and alert and confident. Further pluses include low cabin noise and a commanding view out the windows for both front and rear occupants, to keep every member of the family happy on tour.
The Forester’s CVT does a decent job masquerading as a conventional auto with its ratio steps and is free of CVT drone on a light throttle.
A compelling list of practical features seals the Forester’s value equation, with cavernous occupant space in the second row, a 498L boot which is widened to 1300mm, and a new infotainment unit with an 8.0in touchscreen in upper variants.
Without parking the 2019 Forester next to a previous-gen version, you might not believe much has changed, but there’s a significantly better SUV lurking behind the new Forester’s endearingly familiar face.
DANIEL GARDNER
PLUS & MINUS
Innovative safety; vision out of front and rear; cabin comfort
Sole atmo engine only adequate; no performance variant planned
Model Subaru Forester 2.5i-S
Engine 2498cc flat-4, dohc, 16v
Max power 136kW @ 5800rpm
Max torque 239Nm @ 4400rpm
Transmission CVT
Weight 1546kg 0-100km/h 9.5sec (estimated)
Economy 7.4L/100km
Price $38,490
On sale Now
Subaru Global Platform helps increase rear legroom by 65mm. Flat sections at the corner of the rear seats allow easier roof loading. Quicker-opening powered tailgate in 2.5i Premium and2.5i-S opens to larger boot.
Reverse Automatic Braking features in Forester 2.5i-L, 2.5i Premium and 2.5i-S. Improved approach and departure angles complement X-Mode for light off-roading. Top Foresters get 18-inch wheels; entry pair roll on 17s.
In a pair of Forester firsts, DAB radio now features as standard, as does an electric parking brake. LED headlights are also standard across the range and are ‘steering responsive’ (directional) for all but the base variant.
OR TRY THESE...
If the Subie’s light off-roading ability appeals but you want to get dirtier, the Jeep could be your SUV. A 200kW V6 gives it a decent power advantage ... with matching thirst.
Comparable power from a 2.5-litre atmo petrol four and a road-biased all-wheel-drive system. But it’ll cost you more to have a spec level equivalent to that of the Forester.