The Forester sees Subaru continuing to play by its own rules, producing another practical and robust workhorse — with only the odd concession to today’s fashions.
Subaru is a manufacturer that has always gone its own way. For most of the time that’s worked — fitting most of its cars with four-wheel-drive and bulletproof boxer petrol engines plays especially well in Scotland where driving conditions frequently need a bit of extra surefootedness.
The boxer engine layout (where the pistons sprout horizontally from each side of the crankcase rather than sticking straight up from the top of it) is unique to Subaru.
It has many advantages, including lowering the car’s centre of gravity which, when combined with four-wheel-drive and a good chassis, has given their cars limpet-like road-holding abilities.
Their insistence on maintaining this layout meant it took them until 2008 to get their first diesel to market, however, but when they did it was a goodie.
The 2.0 litre boxer unit is now one of the most highly praised diesels on the market.
Here, it’s fitted to the Forester, Subaru’s most SUV-like model now that the decent but unloved Tribeca has bitten the dust.
It powers the Forester from 0-62 in 10 seconds dead and top speed, thanks to its un-aerodynamic shape, is only 115mph. Yet it feels much faster than these figures suggest — there’s loads of low-down grunt, which combines with the high grip levels for a sure start.
There’s a hint of old-fashioned diesel rumble on startup, but once it’s warm it’s a very quiet unit. Fuel economy is just over 44mpg, and I easily bettered 40mpg even with mainly in-town driving.
The Forester range starts at £19,995 for the 2.0 litre petrol in its most basic X spec, and I drove the XSn, which weighs in at £25,735.
It comes with black leather seats, satellite navigation, touchscreen controls, a large electric sunroof, aircon and keyless startup.
One of Subaru’s strengths has always been ride and handling, and the Forester is no different. It copes with potholes and ruts, and despite its height remains flat and composed even through very tight corners.
In a rare sop to public opinion, Subaru have departed slightly from the wilfully boxy and utilitarian shape of the old Forester, adding in a few curves and at the same time making it bigger and more SUV-like.
They haven’t gone over the top though — it’s still more practical workhorse than fashion icon, which I rather like.