Subaru says it has upgraded the cabin and soundproofing of its tough Forester without altering the asking price.
If you need a company car that is just as handy off the road as it is on it, then the Japanese manufacturer’s best-selling model in the UK could be just the thing.
Three engines to choose from
As you’d expect from Subaru, both petrol and diesel units are the horizontally opposed “boxer” configuration, which means you get a characteristic sound and smooth power delivery along with a much lower centre of gravity.
The 2-litre diesel will be of most use to a fleet driver, which we reckon will cost in the region of £110-£120 a month in company car tax depending on specification for a 20 percent tax payer.
There are manual and “Lineartronic” automatic gearboxes on offer, the latter taking the form of a CVT ‘box which delivers a unique driving experience.
Great when the going gets rough
The Forester is equipped with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive, and enhanced with “X-Mode” in automatic cars.
This system includes hill descent control to slow your progress on a slippery slope and tunes the traction control for better performance.
On the road Subaru says it has improved the ride quality and agility along with refinement in the cabin.
This comes from updated suspension settings at the front and rear, which should make the Forester better at tackling our lumpy UK roads.
A new steering rack comes with a faster ratio, meaning you have to turn the wheel less to make manoeuvres.
Prices unchanged
The upgraded Forester goes on sale in April 2016 and costs the same as the old one. Despite this, Subaru promises a range of new materials and technology inside the car to modernise and improve passenger comfort.
You get more soft-touch materials, new piano black and metallic trim, and a higher-resolution TFT display.
Thicker glass is used throughout to help reduce wind noise while the seals around the frames have also been uprated. All of this means the new car should be quieter on the move than the old one.
LED lights with adaptive front lighting system are available, with lamps that rotate left or right as you turn the wheel.
In addition you get front, side, curtain and knee airbags, Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control with trailer stability, and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive technology.
