Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester

Average. The quirky old Forester was a bit of a cult classic - especially the raucous 2.5-litre turbo version - but as Subaru pushes hard to be recognised as a more mainstream global brand, this new model's gone all sensible.

They've replaced the old jacked-up estate car - the choice of many a land owner for charging around country estates - with this more conventional looking SUV. In fact, the new Forester's really a soft-roader. Perhaps that's no surprise, given how popular the pseudo 4x4 segment of the market has become in recent years. The only problem is it's now a direct rival for established contenders like Honda's CR-V, Toyota's RAV-4 and the Land Rover Freelander. So how does the Forester stack up in this company?

Well it's appealingly priced for a start, with on the road costs beginning well below the rivals we've mentioned. It's also roomy inside, so it's still a very functional machine, if not as utilitarian as its predecessor. Subaru has equipped it generously too, with air conditioning, leather seats, sunroof and cruise control all standard on the higher-end XS model which comes with four-wheel-drive and is the pick of the range.

Available with front or four wheel drive, engine options for the Forester at launch are limited to a 146bhp, 2.0-litre petrol boxer unit which really lacks the punch needed to compete in this segment. We won't get the petrol turbo with this model either, because it doesn't square up with EU emissions regulations. All is not lost though, because Subaru's world-first boxer diesel engine, which performs extremely well in the Legacy and the Outback will be available from the end of 2008.

An automatic gearbox adds £1000 to the list price which, when coupled with the smooth but gutless 2.0-litre, is something to avoid. The manual version has a dual range anyway, helping the Forester to be more capable off-road and, perhaps more poignantly, when towing where it has an impressive 2000kg load limit. It's a definite contender for the Caravan Club's car of the year...