What is it?
The fifth-generation Subaru Forester, now on sale in the UK, is the first European Subaru to offer petrol-electric hybrid power.
We drove it in prototype form at a proving ground earlier this year. Now comes the chance to see how it works in right-hand drive, out in the real world, and to run a critical eye over its now-confirmed vital statistics.
This is one of a few Japanese hybrid SUVs that have come along over the last couple of years, all of them out to prove that they can be a viable alternative to what many still consider the default-option diesel family 4x4. If you’re one of the many in question, take a moment before you roll your eyes. Electrification remains conspicuously high on the political agenda, after all; as a trend, it isn’t going anywhere. Moreover, benefit-in-kind (BIK) bands are set to tighten quite dramatically next year as the UK company car taxation system makes the full switch to WLTP CO2 test figures, giving fleet drivers very good reason indeed to dump a conventionally powered alternative for a low-emissions hybrid.
So, has this Subaru come along just at the right time to save your tax bill? Not quite. With or without its relatively low-impact hybrid powertrain augmentation, the new Forester probably would never have been the first hybrid SUV for a thrifty company car driver to test drive, for reasons we’ll get to. Even so, it’s disappointing to find out just how weak the money-saving case for ownership of this car might be.
It may not plug in to charge, but that doesn’t seem to do Toyota or Lexus any harm. And it has very limited electric-only running potential, which may or may not bother you either. But the real disappointment is that it emits 154g/km of CO2. So, even by the outgoing NEDC Correlated test measure, it would have only very narrowly avoided the top 37% tax band come next April anyway. And rated by the new, even tougher WLTP test numbers that will actually be applied? Well, Subaru isn’t legally obliged to declare them yet, but as far as it’ll make any difference on your P11D, this car might as well be running a BRM V16 on Holley carburettors. A 37% liability is as bad as company car tax gets.
What the Forester has in order to begin to make up for all of that is Subaru-brand off-road capability, of course. It has 220mm of ground clearance and proper mechanical full-time four-wheel drive, as well as 1800kg of maximum towing capability and self-levelling rear suspension, all of which certain rivals don’t even approach. Ironically enough, it sounds like the right mechanical specification for an uphill struggle.
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Subaru Forester e hybrid
I'm retired, I'm not bothered about speed, I live in the lake district, I want a vehicle that can handle snow ice, frequently flooded roads, farm tracks and unpaved roads.
I value safety for family and pedestrians as well as off road capability, in my family we are all tall so we value leg and head room. I want good space in the back for the dogs.
For the above reasons I think the Forester is the best bet. Sure I'm disappointed with the small electric motor and battery, the price is a problem but I understand why it's been increased. I've looked at so many other vehicles.
Its a real shame
Subaru used to have vehicles that people actually wanted to own, but that would also perform above the class standard, have bulletproof reliabilty and great dealers (even if they were spread a bit thin), even if the quality wasnt the best, you knew it would last, and they also had a firebreathing monster if you was that way inclined. They really now seem to have given up the ghost in the UK/Europe at least, but I dont know if thats the fault of the importers or the parent company, because they offer a far better range elsewhere, and they sell vety well in America.
This latest Forester simply isnt good enough.
re: Its a real shame
Yes, Subaru do seem to have lost the plot in recent years. I think they are are producing cars purely for the American/Canadian markets, not bothering about Europe, which is a shame.
At least they could import the odd interesting driver's car, but dont bother with that. Considering how popular fast estates are, yet Subaru killed the Legacy 3.0R, dont have a fast version of the Levorg. A Performance SUV, used to be a 2.5Turbo Forester, or an STi in Japan, now everone has a performance SUV, where is Subaru's?? They just seem to be well behind the curve on trends.
Subaru performance vehicles
But Subaru do make a performance version of the Levorg. They make a 2.0 296 BHP STI version that they sell in their home market in Japan, Asian and Australian markets.
It's the U.S.A. and Europe who they won't sell these vehicles to for some reason.
Odear
So dire you wonder how much longer Subaru will import them. I mean £37k for a car that struggles to hit 60 in much under 12 seconds, enough on it's own to say "next".
xxxx wrote:
Thats exactly what i was thinking. And not great fuel consumption either. pointless
It's not pointless. Obviously
It's not pointless. Obviously all the status-driven suburbanites will sign the PCP for an Evoque instead. But if you need a genuinely dependable rural vehicle then this is a great choice. Subarus are hugely popular in North East USA because they just keep going regardless of surface or weather.