Subaru Forester 2.0D 150 CV Executive Plus, road test (Equipment, price and verdict)

Diego G. Moreira 4 December 2013 3 min.

Subaru Forester 2.0D 150 CV Executive Plus, road test (Equipment, price and verdict)

We bring the road test of the Subaru Forester 2.0D with 150 CV and a six-speed manual gearbox to an end. In this last part we tell you everything about the equipment, the safety features, the prices and our overall verdict on this SUV.

We have reached the end of the road test of the Subaru Forester, an SUV we have tested with the two-litre boxer diesel engine and a power output of 150 CV. In the first part we told you everything about the engine, highlighting the all-wheel drive and the smoothness of the powertrain, as well as analysing handling and fuel consumption.

In the second part we analysed everything about the exterior design, the interior of the Forester and the space it offers its occupants, as well as the 500-litre boot. And now, to finish the test, we arrive at the third part where we discuss the equipment, prices and overall verdict.

Equipment

We always start the review of the equipment with the safety features, which as standard on the Forester include front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags, stability control, trailer stability control, ABS with emergency brake assist, active head restraints, among other features.

In the EuroNCAP crash tests the Subaru Forester achieved five stars, with a good level of protection for adults (91%) and children (91%). The equipment is structured into four levels: Sport, Sport Plus, Executive and Executive Plus.

From the base Sport trim it already comes with: 17-inch alloy wheels, an on-board computer with a basic multifunction display, CD radio + 4 speakers + Bluetooth + USB, air conditioning, black roof rails, heated seats and fog lights.

The best-balanced trim is the Sport Plus, which adds features such as xenon headlights, light and rain sensors, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and a rear-view camera, among other items. Then the Executive adds sat nav, leather seats, electric tailgate opening, keyless push-button start, and the Executive Plus adds 18-inch wheels, a navigation system with a sound system signed by Harman-Kardon (8 speakers) and a sporty front bumper.

Among the equipment, the navigation system stands out: very complete in its functions but with very small touch buttons, not very practical to use. The sound system in our unit, on the other hand, had excellent quality.

Forester prices

Petrol 2.0i 150 CV AUT. Sport €25,900
Petrol 2.0i 150 CV AUT. Sport Plus €27,900
Petrol 2.0i 150 CV AUT. Executive €30,500
Petrol 2.0 XT 240 CV AUT. Executive Plus €39,000
Diesel 2.0 147 CV Manual Sport €28,900
Diesel 2.0 147 CV Manual Sport Plus €30,900
Diesel 2.0 147 CV Manual Executive €33,500
Diesel 2.0 147 CV Manual Executive Plus €35,000

Overall verdict

A different SUV, that is how we would sum up our impression of the Subaru Forester, because it is an SUV with qualities that are atypical in this segment. It is a car with all-wheel drive, a plus worth considering, the engine is very smooth compared with other diesel powertrains, and fuel consumption is reasonable.

It is not sporty, but for those seeking comfort at the wheel it is a car that looks after its occupants. The interior space is generous, the materials are adequate without more, there are other SUVs with better finishes (and worse ones too), although the fit and finish is correct and the interior is practical.

The starting price is high, but of course the all-wheel drive is standard and the equipment from the base version is already very complete, even our unit, which was the most fully equipped, does not have a high price when compared with rivals with equivalent equipment.

In short, the Forester is a different SUV, ideal for those looking for a bit of adventure without going to a pure 4×4 and with more than enough space for five occupants.