Subaru Forester 2.5 XTEn

Well, as most of the UK came to a standstill last week due to the flurry of white power, nothing stopped me from doing whatever I wanted or go wherever I wanted. You see, my test vehicle was the big bold Subaru Forester with an even more intelligent All Wheel Drive Transmission.

Yes, just like the TV advert, there was me in this Forester turning up to school, kids all excited as the prospect of a giant snowball fight with their friends, to find the gates closed and one shivering teacher informing the die hards like us, that due to lack of staff, the school is shut.

Well maybe all teachers should be issued with the Subaru Forester I say with gritted teeth, as it took every ounce of my parenting skills to pacify my children that they would have to stay at home.

So, yet again I will argue the case of the practicality of large cumbersome gas guzzling vehicles such as the Forester because they can and did get my children safely to school. This is thanks to the Forester’s ‘quick thinking’ full time AWD that splits power equally to both front and rear thus enhancing extra agility through corners.

However, as soon as a slip is detected, such as this day when the snow came, in milliseconds and without me really knowing anything about it, the Forester distributes torque to the axle with the most grip, ensuring all occupants safety. The Forester now boasts an even better suspension offering a shaper more consistent steering feel along with enhanced cornering so a little thing like snow, may cause all the major transport networks to grind to a halt but it did not stop me. I was driving what can only be described as the best crossover sports utility vehicle on the market today.

So I made the most of this and took the distraught children and puppy over to the Ashdown Forests where they played for hours making snowballs, making new friends while I basked in the attributes of the Forester.

The new subtle facelift sees the Forester gain a bolder stronger look than its predecessor making it look taller and more imposing. But do not be deterred even by the deeper more prominent front grille under the bonnet that goes on forever because inside, bursting at every seam, are features galore such as the multifunction centre console between the front seats that includes an armrest which slides forward, hinges vertical and flips backwards creating a small table that can slide far enough rearwards to provide the children with cup holders alongside a 12 volt power for there games or my phone charger. As if I was going to get stuck in the snow in this car.

Other useful storage solutions come in the form of two sunglasses holder fitted above the rear view mirrors, most compartments have sensible lids and storage nets are fitted to the both front doors, front seat backs and passenger side of the transmission tunnel. Much better than ‘pockets’. The Forester would not be complete without its famous ‘washing-up bowl’ in the boot floor, just be careful where you put the months shopping bags, so large is this boot, and don’t mistake the French stick that has fallen into the umbrella’s special compartment.

Ensuring the optimum driving position is a height adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable and heated drivers seat while keeping the cabin cool is automatic air conditioning. Sat nav kept us on the right road, which is a shame, as the six stacker CD player would have kept us supplied with music for hours. The large electric sliding sunroof floods the cabin with light while the electrically folded door mirrors proved very useful in the seemingly shrunken parking bays.

At the heart of the Forester is a 2.5 litre engine mated to an automatic gearbox and had a top speed of 133 mph, with acceleration from 0-60 mph just 7.3 seconds considering it's a heavy vehicle. Fuel economy turned out to be a respectable 26.9 mpg on a combined cycle then it goes downhill a bit with insurance group of 17 and CO2 emissions of 250 thus a falling into VED band G. Ouch!

Being a Subaru, the active and passive safety measures are second to none and include Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, four channel, four sensors ABS plus large diameter ventilated front and rear discs. Active front head restraints reduce the risk of whiplash and the passenger airbag is dual stage allowing progressive protection during less sever impacts and total deployment in a more serious crash. Large side airbags are also standard protecting both the torso and head.

Furthermore, the body is extremely strong with high tensile steel panels combining strength with good energy absorbing properties and of course, the ability to avoid a potential accident in the first place is well catered for by the symmetrical AWD system and agile handling. . Subaru is perhaps not a manufacturer one would equate for family vehicles but the Forester is a true good all rounder. No thrills or spills in this Car. No wins at the beauty contests. You get an honest sold reliable AWD car that will see you out of any trouble, mated to an exceptionally practical and functional interior while surrounded by excellent life saving safety features. By far not the cheapest of cars with prices starting from £17,650 rising to £26,500 with my test cars standing in at £26,500. But it was worth it just to see the look on other mums faces struggling to get anywhere on that beautiful snowy day.

Jackie Violet