Test drive: Subaru Forester Eco Hybrid, evolution is the engine that improves any species

We attended the presentation and test drive of the Subaru Forester Eco Hybrid, the brand’s first hybrid car, built on the premise of keeping its DNA intact

The Subaru Forester is a benchmark among the firm’s models, which takes the Pleiades constellation as its logo. And indeed, if we were talking about the main star of that cluster, the brand’s crossover is the most popular vehicle thanks to having reached 4 million units built.

Over five generations and more than 20 years on the roads, dealerships and garages of its owners, this car has shown different bodies and powertrains.

But it is true that, compared with the previous one, between the fourth and the fifth generation, the exterior differences are subtle, so much so that you might think it is a “facelift” or restyling.

Nothing of the sort.

To begin with, the new Subaru Forester is born from the new Subaru platform, the SGP, which means that the cars already available at the dealership are completely different from those that have replaced them.

In fact, one of the first impressions of its differences and merits came as soon as we started the test drive of the Subaru Forester Eco Hybrid, right from getting in.

The habitability and comfort of the hybrid Subaru Forester

This car feels more spacious and welcoming. Thanks to the new architecture, it offers nearly 13 cm more width for its occupants and, thanks to the generous glazed area, increases interior brightness. This is even more so in the Executive Plus pack, which includes a sunroof, offering a habitability based on comfort, versatility and an attractive, elegant design.

Once again, the driving position is one of the strong points when enjoying the car. With full seat and steering wheel adjustment, the wide view offered through the windows, the mirrors and the support cameras covering blind spots, it is hard to find critical blind areas.

Moreover, on the move, especially on fast roads, although we will address the handling during the Subaru Forester Eco Hybrid test drive, the seat of whoever commands this versatile vehicle enjoys both its comfort and its ergonomics, as well as its effectiveness in terms of support.

As does the passenger seat, which has greater freedom of movement and air in front of itself. The rear seats, for 3 occupants, can accommodate three smaller adults or two average-sized adults without compromising space. On the contrary, when two people travel in the back, the rear pillars do not compromise rear habitability because, from the headrests of these seats to the boot opening, the drop of the roof dome only slopes towards the floor once the roof and the rear wheel arch meet an imaginary line perpendicular to the ground.

Again, thanks to the height of the loading lip and its shape, the boot offers a fantastic loading and unloading of luggage which, despite hiding the electric battery of, let us remember, the first Subaru hybrid marketed, not only does not compromise its volume compared with the generation it succeeds, but increases the available volume by up to 4 litres, for a total of 509 L.

Subaru maintains its commitment to technology relating to the protection and safety of its occupants and of those around the vehicle, and during the Subaru Forester Eco Hybrid test drive we were able to check the novelties in terms of assistance systems that intervene in critical situations.

Highlights include the Reverse Automatic Braking, which stops the car when it detects an object behind while reversing, for example during parking manoeuvres, or the Driver Monitoring System, with facial recognition, which not only can identify up to 5 different users of the car but also configures the car according to their preferences and settings for seat position, mirrors, information screens and climate control, allowing personalisation depending on which of these 5 people recognised by the system sits in the driver’s seat, avoiding manual adjustment of these settings.

A system that works as a watchdog for certain behaviours, such as loss of eye contact with the road if the driver looks away, or lowers the gaze or head, warning that fatigue or distraction at the wheel may be occurring.

The information and entertainment system continues to rely on the three usual screens: a TFT behind the steering wheel, the one located at the top of the dashboard, which now includes information such as that of the electrical storage and drive system and some further parameters like the car’s inclination. The main one, located in the centre of the central console, maintains its commitment to not having its own navigator but, as a counterpoint, allows connectivity to the mobile phone for devices with Android or iOS systems, which makes up for this shortcoming.

But let us get to where the Subaru Forester Eco Hybrid test drive truly makes sense.

Subaru Forester Eco Hybrid, a true all-terrain vehicle

And I like to differentiate between “todoterreno” (off-roader) and “todo terreno” (all-terrain).

Something that, throughout the generations of the Subaru Forester I have been able to drive, has always shown me that this vehicle is a versatile car, suitable as a family car on long journeys or as a touring vehicle until conditions become complicated, and then it is necessary to resort to one of the still surviving kings of off-road.

That is to say, I consider the Subaru Forester to be a car suitable for all types of terrain: asphalt, dirt, mud and even snow. But the new one is even better than the one we had the opportunity to test earlier this year, the one fitted with, and for the last time for this model, the bi-fuel LPG system as an alternative fuel.

Despite incorporating an electric system, this does not interfere with the way the boxer engine works in combination with a Lineartronic gearbox, which distributes the work to all four wheels through the Symmetrical AWD all-wheel drive system, supported by a sensational active torque control, according to driving demands.

The overall result is a car that retains the character of the opposed-cylinder engines that deliver the necessary power to each wheel efficiently, but which is now even more effective and fun to use.

The car, thanks to the electric motor, which provides 16.7 CV of power and is integrated into the gearbox, delivers its power in a coordinated manner together with the 2.0 combustion unit of 150 CV, which improves low-end response and provides support in moments such as acceleration while moving, or when acting as an active propulsion aid at the start of motion.

The result is an engine that, over more than 100 km covered mainly on fast roads with significant gradients and changes of pace, and on interurban roads, reached a consumption of 8 litres.

But, as if that were not enough, I enjoyed this car most on asphalt when the route became more winding, because although the electric system adds 110 kg of extra weight, its placement allows a more balanced weight distribution (60-40), and this translates into greater composure, typical of other kinds of bodies.

It slides very well and holds its line with great assurance on the rear axle, which accompanies the movements of a front end whose steering feels slightly more precise and lighter, but without being vague, which encourages pleasure at the wheel.

Enjoyment also comes from the advantages of the new construction platform, which mean a 100 percent increase in chassis rigidity, 70 percent for torsional rigidity and 40 percent in terms of energy absorption but, above all, where it is noticeable is that it reduces body roll by 50 percent.

Now the car is even more stable in tight or abrupt bends or when fighting lateral inertia, the Achilles’ heel, along with aerodynamic efficiency, of much of the current catalogue of SUVs on the market.

The Lineartronic automatic gearbox, despite being one of the less exciting elements for those seeking more dynamic driving, behaves more pleasantly and less stridently than in other cases where it is not paired with a hybrid system.

It is true that during the hybrid Subaru Forester test drive I noticed moments when, for example at 1,500 rpm, the engine sound was more strident than expected for what the tachometer needle showed, but in favour of the new gearbox, using the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel relieves, speeds up the gear sequence and is appreciated when you prefer to manage the gearbox yourself rather than let the intelligent system take control.

A hybrid car that loves to enjoy nature

And if the car is enjoyable on asphalt, the place where the Subaru Forester Eco Hybrid test drive is most worthwhile is off it.

Given the environmental conditions we experienced, the dirt tracks we travelled were muddy, with deep ruts and several water pools to cross.

Conditions in which the new Subaru Forester showed us that it meets and demonstrates a tremendous capability to behave with more than dignity, overcoming situations where others would be unable to poke their nose through, partly, as always, thanks to the combination of the boxer engine and all-wheel drive.

It should also be noted that the units used during the Subaru Forester Eco Hybrid test drive were fitted with summer tyres to demonstrate that, although it is the tyre chosen by most customers, even with a tyre intended for a very different use than the one given to the car, it not only “gets out of the scrapes” proposed but does so with ease and comfort, since the suspension and chassis absorb with great competence the rigours of driving over rough terrain.

For those interested in other types of tyres, aimed at more adventurous use and signed by Yokohama, it is possible to choose and request other models when placing the purchase order.

Conclusion

The new Subaru Forester Eco Hybrid, which, as I mentioned at the start of the text, is already available on sale at the brand’s dealerships, begins its commercialisation with a price from €34,350 for the base trim, the Sport Plus, but which, thanks to the current campaign, drops to €32,450 and includes:

• EyeSight Preventive Safety
• Permanent Symmetrical AWD
• X MODE with VDC downhill control + TCS + Active torque control
• 7 Airbags
• Blind-spot and rear traffic alert
• 17″ alloy wheels
• Dual-zone climate control with rear vents
• 7-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters
• Adaptive Full LED headlights
• Electric driver’s front seat
• 8″ multimedia with rear camera
• Apple CarPlay + Android Auto

If you choose the Executive trim, which, according to the impressions gained on this Subaru Forester Eco Hybrid test drive, is the most balanced trim in terms of value for money, it is priced at €35,150 thanks to the campaign discount and adds:

• Driver Monitoring System
• Reverse emergency braking
• Side view monitor
• Smart keyless entry and start system
• Automatic tailgate
• Electric front seats with memory function for the driver’s seat
• High beam assist
• Rain sensor
• Driver’s seat memory
• Tinted rear windows

Finally, the equipment of the Executive Plus hybrid Subaru Forester costs €36,650, and compared with the Executive it incorporates:

• Leather seats
• Automatic sunroof
• PIN code access

In any case, the price of the hybrid Subaru Forester is a real incentive when buying a versatile and effective car wherever it is used.