Subaru Forester (97-03) - Review

Review by Parkers on
Launched in the UK a month before the Land Rover Freelander, the Forester was showing the way forward when it came to combining on and off road ability and agility. Although the Forester is more conventionally styled it has as much ground clearance as a Freelander and a proper low-range gearbox on non-turbo models. Certainly worth considering for part time off roaders.
2.5 out of 5

Safety

A good level of standard safety features includes driver and passenger airbags, plus ABS brakes, The ‘All Weather’ version adds side airbags to that spec. Seat belt pretensioners are standard on both models. Security is taken care of with remote central locking with a transponder key engine immobiliser. There is no alarm.

NCAP Test

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4 out of 5

Reliability

Subarus have been a farmer’s favourite for many years and the four wheel drive system and flat four cylinder engines have more than proved themselves.

Car check problem points

Body

Damage from off-roading.

Engine/Gearbox

Damage to interior trim and upholstery.

Other

No problems reported.