X Marks the Spot
In its latest guise it is better than ever too, a recent facelift extending beyond the cosmetic and going so far as an all-new engine design. It is somewhat overdue it must be said and this powerplant (still a unusual, horizontally-opposed four cylinder unit) is far superior to its predecessor when it comes to driveability as well as fuel consumption/emissions.
A look at headline numbers doesn’t reveal much though and power and torque are not dissimilar but get behind the wheel and you’ll find yourself using third gear where the previous engine would’ve required a down change to second gear. This, and an ability to increase speed effortlessly from low rpm, makes it a far more user-friendly proposition.
Fittingly, the Forester model which revealed these characteristic so forcefully was badged X – denoting the entry-level model in the range and identified as such by steel wheels and unpainted mirrors and doorhandles. Sometimes a base model best reveals a vehicle’s intrinsic worth and it is certainly the case with the Forester – it even has roof rails, so that additional equipment can be carried or a roof box used to expand the luggage capacity.
While the cheapest in the range (trading at R295 000 at your friendly Subaru dealership) the X certainly isn’t Spartan. Importantly, it not only has four-wheel-drive, but manual transmission versions also have low-range gearing, which along with the generous ground clearance give the Forester real off-road ability unrivalled in the segment. Sure, it isn’t designed for hard-core off-roading but it’ll certainly go places that other soft-roaders won’t.
Apart from the zesty new drivetrain, owners can also look forward to features like an updated sound system with Bluetooth, cruise control, and a steering column that adjusts both up and down, and in and out. The luggage compartment is designed with practicality in mind and the rear seats can be folded in a jiffy to facilitate the carrying of large items. When the seats are in use, the backrest angle can be tailored for additional comfort. In addition to well-positioned tie-down hooks, there’s both a light and a 12 Volt outlet in the luggage compartment. Lifting the carpeted floor reveals a full-sized spare wheel – none of this driving around with a silly-looking ‘marie biscuit’ after damaging a tyre for Forester owners.
Finally, I was really impressed with the Forester’s frugality. Over a period of the last couple of months I’ve actually had two X models and in both cases the fuel consumption readout had settled into the region of around 8.5 litres per 100 km – no too shabby for a 2.5-litre, four-wheel-drive station wagon.
All in all, a pleasing new take on an old favourite. If you want a real lifestyle vehicle but are on a tight budget, you could do a lot worse but it would be hard to do better.
