Subaru Forester Sport Hybrid

Overview

SUBARU Australia introduced its all-new Forester towards the middle of last year, the popular medium-sized SUV offering four petrol-only and three hybrid variants, including the Sport Hybrid tested here (from $54,990).

With higher pricing than before, but also with more standard equipment across the board, the Subaru Forester range offers key enhancements that include 220mm ground clearance, standard X-Mode, enhanced suspension tuning and new dual-pinion steering for improved precision and response.

Subaru says the Forester is “purpose-built to tackle Australian roads and terrain with confidence” and is equipped with advanced safety and the latest infotainment tech’ standard across the range.

The new Forester will compete in the biggest new car segment against Australia’s top selling passenger car, Toyota’s RAV4 and the likes of Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail, not forgetting a rash of Chinese offerings and middling European brands.

Of great interest is what Subaru refers to as the next-generation, strong and more efficient Hybrid e-Boxer system (not PHEV) that packs more punch than the earlier 2.0-litre hybrid now with 145kW of combined power representing a 31.8 per cent boost over the outgoing version with instant torque and according to Subaru, over 1000km of range.

The Hybrid e-Boxer uses a planetary gear set transmission instead of a CVT as per petrol models and is a “pivotal step” in Subaru’s electrification program comprising an Atkinson/Miller cycle 2.5-litre Boxer engine with a 90kW electric motor and 1.1kWh battery to deliver what Subaru says is a smoother, quieter and more responsive driving experience.

Instant torque in hybrid variants is said to further enhance grip and low-speed control.

The carried over 2.5 petrol powertrain is good for 136kW/247Nm output.

Fuel consumption figures quoted are 7.9 litres/100km for ICE variants and 6.2L/100km for the heavier HEVs, while towing capacities are 1800kg (braked) for the petrols and 1200kg (braked) for the hybrids.

Subaru Australia says the next-generation Forester is the strongest, smartest and most capable iteration yet “re-engineered to deliver greater everyday usability, enhanced efficiency, and even more confidence on and off the road.”

The model-walk features four petrol-only variants: Forester AWD, AWD Premium, AWD Sport and AWD Touring and three powered by Subaru’s most advanced hybrid powertrain yet: Forester AWD Hybrid, AWD Hybrid Sport and AWD Hybrid Touring.

Subaru says the entire line-up is re-engineered inside and out and includes more features as standard… range-wide resulting in a significant boost in spec’ even to the entry Forester AWD over the outgoing 2.5i AWD.

As anticipated, all variants utilise Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive that delivers constant traction to all four wheels for all-weather control – an always-on system that shifts power to where it’s needed most.

Two transmissions are used: an eight step CVT in the petrols and a planetary-gear-set-based system in the hybrids called a TH2B Hybrid Transaxle.

Inside is remodelled to elevate comfort, connectivity and cabin refinement with desirable features across the range including: 11.6-inch high-definition infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Qi wireless smartphone charging pad, 12.3-inch digital driver display (on select hybrid variants), 360-degree Surround View Monitor, uprated cabin insulation and vibration damping for reduced interior noise and ergonomic seating for more comfort.

Headlining the vehicle’s safety is Subaru’s latest-generation EyeSight Driver Assist technology that is now standard across all models featuring a new wide-angle monocular camera offering a wider field of view.

Also in the safety package is a new emergency driving stop system, Subaru Vision Assist, a driver monitoring system and nine airbags.

As a reference point the new base model Forester AWD’s key tech specs are: a horizontally-opposed (boxer) 2.5-litre four-cylinder, petrol engine, Lineartronic CVT with eight-speed manual mode, symmetrical all-wheel drive, auto stop start, smart key and push-start ignition, Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) with two modes (Intelligent and Sport), X-Mode with hill decent control, Vehicle Dynamics Control System (VDC) and tyre pressure monitoring system.

On the outside the entry level model runs 18-inch gloss finish alloy wheels in a new design, dusk-sensing self-levelling LED headlights with auto off, door mirrors – heated and power-folding, front cornering lamps, front and rear wipers with front de-icer, front LED fog lights, rear LED fog light, FORESTER embossed on rear garnish, roof rails, rear spoiler, and steering responsive headlights.

The new entry model is further equipped with cloth seat trim, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, a leather steering wheel with silver stitching, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, heated front seats, one-touch electronic folding rear seats, 60:40 split folding rear seats, and a comprehensive array of entertainment, technology and safety features (but with no native sat nav or driver monitoring system).

As expected, higher spec’ Forester variants have superior equipment and more features.

Subaru continues to offer the Forester with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with eight years or 160,000km on the high voltage traction battery (where applicable). Three- and five-year service plans are available at the time of purchase; the Subaru range further offered with a capped-price servicing program.

Scheduled maintenance intervals set at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

Driving Impressions

There are a few things that you notice when driving familiar roads that you don’t always pick up on a carefully curated launch program…

In driving the Forester Sport Hybrid on home turf this week, we noted a couple of less desirable characteristics boil through to the surface – characteristics we didn’t observe during the car’s New Zealand launch.

Of course, the fundamentals of the Forester remain unchanged. It offers a willing petrol-electric hybrid driveline, sorted ride/handling compromise, and a sensible cabin accommodation in both the first- and second row.

But in our time with the car this week we observed some quality niggles we hadn’t noticed earlier.

The first, and perhaps most abundant of these, is the level of road noise in the car. Tyre drone is evident and wind noise observable, particularly at highway speeds. Couple this with a little bit of door-in-jamb movement and a couple of trim rattles, and you begin to suspect that perhaps the level of build quality is not what it once was.

To its credit, the Forester cabin offers a decent blend of hard buttons and on-screen controls, though the latter can be a little clumsy and difficult to navigate with far too much information present at each menu page – and indeed on the instrument panel as well.

This results in something of an issue for the Subaru’s driver monitoring system. Glance down for a second too long – or make a head check when approaching an intersection or changing lanes – and the system ‘dings’ to remind you that your gaze should be fixed rigidly ahead.

There are similar ‘dings’ when using the adaptive cruise control system. Each time another vehicle enters or exits the Forester’s path it chimes with an annoying ‘ding’. Speed limit changes? Ding. A corner appears? Ding.

It’s tiring to the point that you switch off the ADAS technologies that are meant to assist you and drive the car without them.

And it is not the only technology gremlin we noticed in our time with the car. In the first day or so we could not get our iPhone to connect with the car’s infotainment system (an issue we did experience on launch); though this did seem to remedy itself as the loan wore on.

What did not resolve, however, was the function of wireless charging pad which refused to charge our phone for any more than a few seconds at a time.

Now, Subaru isn’t alone in offering tech’ that’s not quite up to par. But honestly, we’re worried these are issues Forester buyers will be ‘stuck with’ until a facelifted model arrives.

We’re also worried that they’re concerns that will turn potential buyers away from what is an otherwise well sorted vehicle with a ride/handling tune that is very well suited to Australian roads.

Simply, we can’t think of another vehicle in this segment that is as agile as the Forester on the sealed stuff, and as competent away from it. Driving on unsealed country roads and sandy tracks we found the X-Mode all-wheel drive system faultless. Grip is continual and ride comfort excellent, ensuring you’ll get further than you can than in any of the competitors listed above.

We found the throttle response to be excellent in off-road environs, and the transmission calibration excellent. But feel the petrol-electric system could be a little more economical than it was on test, our week with the Forester Sport Hybrid returning a 7.0L/100km result.

Disappointingly, the Forester’s high beam headlights are not really up to the task of night-time country driving. Having stepped out of the Nissan Qashqai just the week before, it was marked how different the headlight performance of the pair was. Subaru really needs to address this issue if it’s to keep ahead of the curve.

And that’s really a sentiment that describes the Forester rather well. This is a good car that return buyers are likely to see the value in. But one that when compared with other cars in its class is not at the level it should be.

We strongly suggest doing your homework before laying down your hard-earned to make sure you’re buying a car that suits your needs – and not just because it once enjoyed a solid reputation.