Subaru Forester 2.0D 150 CV Executive Plus, road test (Engine, performance, handling and consumption)

When buying an SUV, you have to distinguish between those with an off-road vocation and those that simply offer an SUV design and a high driving position but don’t perform as well once you take them off the tarmac. Subaru remains faithful to its principles, and the Forester is much closer to a off-roader than to a typical SUV.

The secret lies in its permanent all-wheel drive (which is never disengaged), and alongside the traction come the M+S mixed-tread tyres, which always offer greater guarantees off the tarmac. Are you looking for a spacious car for skiing? Do you enjoy venturing along tracks and somewhat more demanding terrain off the tarmac? If you answered yes to the above and don’t want to give up comprehensive equipment, good interior space and comfort on the road, the test of the Subaru Forester 2.0 D 150 CV that we bring you today should interest you.

Engine and performance

The engine we have tested in the Forester is a boxer engine of two litres with 150 CV of power. We have discussed boxer engines more than once; the name refers to the layout of its four cylinders (horizontally opposed, with a lower centre of gravity as well), resulting in a powerplant with fewer vibrations, less noise and smoother running.

When you drive a typical turbo diesel and then get behind the wheel of the Forester with its boxer diesel engine, you notice the smoothness this powerplant offers. Response is good; from 1,700 rpm it already begins to pull, although at low revs it lacks strength.

The greatest strength arrives between 2,500 and 3,500 rpm, with a torque of 350 Nm. The engine’s sound is another point in its favour, since it is not very obvious that it is a diesel and the noise level is low.

Paired with the engine is a six-speed manual gearbox, with a correct feel, although with a bit more precision the result would be much better.

Handling

The Forester is geared towards comfort, with suspension set up for the occupants’ comfort and for when we decide to leave the tarmac. The mixed-tread tyres are not the best for rallying, nor is that what they are intended for. This, combined with the smoothness of the powerplant, makes the Forester a very comfortable car for long journeys.

If we get a little more dynamic, the car doesn’t have the typical inertia of a 4×4, so it holds its line, and the ESP is always there to maintain control at all times. The engine’s power and response let us overtake without problems and even enjoy a spirited drive.

Interior soundproofing is good; the engine is no longer very noisy, and the Subaru Forester is also well insulated from the outside. The steering feel is correct, and the braking system works well, although we feel the pedal feel could be improved (though that is a matter of getting used to it).

Off-road performance

It has many of the elements needed to be a good SUV. First of all there is the permanent all-wheel drive system, which distributes power to all four wheels at all times and is a real guarantee compared with automatic traction systems that often act too late.

To the traction system you must add the mixed-tread tyres, so the Forester has a good traction response on almost any type of terrain; it is an interesting car for those who often go to the snow, and the traction system offers a good response on low-grip surfaces.

Not all other SUVs have traction, and most of those that do don’t distribute power to the remaining wheels until one wheel has already lost grip; this delay can be vital to avoid getting stuck, something that does not happen in the Forester or other models with permanent all-wheel drive.

The weak point, and the reason we must not forget that it is an SUV, is its ground clearance, which is not particularly high, so when taking it through very demanding terrain you must be careful with the underbody.

Consumption

Consumption is penalised by the all-wheel drive system, although the figures are correct. On the motorway, on our usual route, it recorded an average consumption of 6.8 litres per 100 km. On main roads it normally sits around 6.5 litres per 100 km.

Getting below six litres on main roads is difficult. In town the figure rises to 8.5 litres per 100 km.

In the second part of the test we will analyse the exterior design, the interior and the space it offers its occupants.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverSubaru Forester7 versions · from 39,900 €