Brief Test: Subaru Forester 2.0 and Unlimited SAAS CVT // In Search of the Acceptable
In general, the Subaru brand has practically dried up on the Slovenian market. It is looked after by the Italian headquarters for southern and eastern Europe and only four vendors offer Subaruje to our customers. Well, this year is still better for Subaru than last year, the number of sales increased from 35 to 57 (by the end of October). This time around, the Forester we drove is new, at least for our editorial team, since we have only tested diesel versions so far. Gasoline is now, of course, more relevant, and gradually Subaru will completely abandon the diesel drive. Some of the credit for this change undoubtedly belongs to the current uncertainty about how European countries will generally behave. But Subaru also had quite a few quality assurance issues with some examples of its diesel engines.
The Forester is actually one of the base Subaru's, along with the Impreza is also the longest in their offering (the Legacy is no longer offered). Starting with their first "real" SUV, it has gradually changed from generation to generation, as has the market for it - in Japan or the United States. Now we're getting it in Europe too, the current one will be available for at least another six months, the new generation already on the other side of the pond probably won't be available for the European market until the second half of 2019.
All of this actually speaks in favor of my thesis from the introduction: Forester in tried and tested version will be a rarity on our roads, anyone who wants something special can choose it.
In fact, Subaru also has something in common with a much more famous brand - Porsche. Both brands are now the only ones to have motors "swear sideways" on opposite rollers (i.e. V at 180 degrees). A feature of Subaru is also all-wheel drive, to which symmetrical all-wheel drive is added due to the low center of gravity and the central position of the engines. Lineartronic is another brand of CVT continuously variable transmission.
Our Forester surprised us mainly with a very complete package (this was also known below the line of the total purchase costs). With the accessories already mentioned (all-wheel drive, automatic transmission), the customer in the Unlimited SAAS package really gets everything that is otherwise possible with Subaru. Some pretty advanced safety aides (which Subaru refers to as EyeSight by one label) are worth mentioning.
The tall seats and ample roominess are also worth mentioning, but larger passengers will be more satisfied with the longer seats. The well-established Forester also did not perform well on poor quality roads. In fact, the Subaru's driving comfort could be described as slightly better. The noise is also worse. Otherwise, at low revs, the engine runs quiet and quiet, almost perfect for easy propulsion and enjoyment. But when combined with the continuously variable transmission, it starts to rumble loudly as soon as we push the accelerator pedal a little harder. Then the engine runs too loudly and the transmission keeps the engine at higher rpm for too long (otherwise there is no acceleration). Then the problem of increased fuel consumption becomes even more obvious.
In the current version, we recommend the Forester for phlegmatic people who do not want to progress quickly, and everyone else is likely to generate a lot of anger in a short time due to a combination of unsuitable properties. This spoils the perfectly acceptable impression of a slightly different, but certainly very richly equipped car.
Subaru Forester 2.0 and CVT Unlimited SAAS
Basic data
| Test model cost: | 38.690 € |
|---|---|
| Base model price with discounts: | 30.990 € |
| Test model price discount: | 38.690 € |
Costs (per year)
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - boxer - petrol - displacement 1.995 cm3 - maximum power 110 kW (150 hp) at 6.200 rpm - maximum torque 198 Nm at 4.200 rpm |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | four-wheel drive - transmission variator - rubber 225/85 R 18 V (Bridgestone Turanza T005A) |
| Capacity: | top speed 192 km/h - 0-100 km/h acceleration 11,8 s - average combined fuel consumption (ECE) 7,0 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 162 g/km |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1.551 kg - permissible total weight 2.000 kg |
| External dimensions: | length 4.610 mm - width 1.795 mm - height 1.735 mm - wheelbase 2.640 mm - fuel tank 60 l |
| Box: | 505-1.592 l |
Our measurements
| T = 17 ° C / p = 1.028 mbar / rel. vl. = 55% / odometer status: 3.076 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 11,9s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 17,9 years ( 125 km / h) |
| Fuel consumption according to the standard scheme: | 7,5 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 41,1m |
| AM table: | 40m |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 6rd gear | 59dB |
evaluation
In the Forester, a few less pleasant features spoil the perfectly acceptable SUV experience.
We praise and reproach
easy driving at low revs
spaciousness and flexibility
cabin noise during acceleration
driving comfort on bumpy roads
reaction time with automatic opening of the tailgate
