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Subaru Forester News Forester News - Forester Reviews - Forester Specs - Forester Photo Gallery - Forester History | |
| Home » Subaru Forester News » Test-driving the Subaru Forester 2.0 XE | ||
| 10/06/2006 In use, the AWD system gives loads of grip, although drivers used to backing off to negate understeer will find that the Forester needs some throttle to get it back into line - a trait of the 4WD system. As befits something with off-road aspirations, the Forester (pictured) offers a low-range gear ratio, activated by a lever on the transmission tunnel. Those expecting a tree-stump-pulling low gear for tackling near-vertical slopes will be disappointed, though, as switching to low range only raises the gearing by around 1,000 revs. Although this does give more sprightly acceleration than the "high" setting, it's hard to see the point. Maybe because the Forester's normal gearing is exceptionally long, making the boxer engine's excellent top-end poke inaccessible - it's quite common to find yourself dropping into third at 70mph for a rapid overtaking manoeuvre - that the designers decided to offer a little help. In effect, the low ratio is like an old-fashioned overdrive - but in reverse. Then again, one of the reasons for the Forester's high gearing might be to try to make it more economical. A combined 30.4mpg from our 2.0-litre manual test car is only just acceptable in this age of diesel dominance and the Forester doesn't yet come in an oil-burning version. Inside, it has a sharp, minimalist design. My 2.0XE test car came with gorgeous heated leather seats as standard, a panoramic glass roof, cruise control plus a six-disc, in-dash CD system. Ranging in price from under £18,000 to less than £25,000 (OTR), the Forester beats any German competitors on price, while its excellent handling and performance give it the edge over more conservative Japanese rivals. Factor in Subaru's now legendary customer satisfaction ratings (the marque regularly tops the annual JD Power survey) and the quirky-but-fun Forester looks like very good value.
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