Quick Spin: Subaru Forester XT Premium

What is it?

It's the top-of-the-range new Forester. It comes with a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine that has an impressive 177kW of power. But it also comes equipped with Subaru's new EyeSight accident avoidance system.

What does it say about me?

That you previously owned a WRX but have a family now.

What doesn't it say about me?

That you're not tempted by the influx of new SUV nameplates that compete with the Forester (more on those later).

What colours does it come in?

There are nine to pick from. The stand outs are “Venetian Red Pearl”, “Deep Cherry Pearl” and “Marine Blue Pearl” - the classic Subaru blue.

If it were a celebrity, who would it be?

Bruce Willis. Started off as an action hero, has become more sophisticated with age but still capable of playing rough.

Why would I buy it?

It has the practicality of an SUV - big boot and roomy back seat - and the performance of a hot hatch.

Does it cost too much?

At more than $50,000 it's the most expensive Forester you can buy. It's also priced above its nearest rivals, in terms of size and performance, but it is fully loaded with equipment - including the EyeSight system.

Will I get a deal?

Given the enduring popularity of the Forester (it's consistently one of the best sellers in its class) it's unlikely you'll save thousands. But given the highly competitive nature of the mid-size SUV market it's worth playing hardball.

Is it safe?

It's as safe as Subaru can make it. Every safety item the company has is in the XT including EyeSight, which uses two cameras mounted at the top of the windscreen to detect obstacles and their closing speed. If it detects a collision it will sound a warning tone. At low speeds it will also apply the brakes to try and avoid, or at least mitigate, any impact. It also acts as a lane departure warning and lets you know if a car in front has moved off at the traffic lights. But like most technologies it has its pros and cons. While it undoubtedly reduces the chance of an accident, the system can go off unnecessarily at times which can be annoying and lead you to ignore it.

Will it get me noticed?

Despite the nice looking 18-inch alloy wheels the XT doesn't really stand out from the rest of the Forester range, let alone crowded streets.

Will I get carjacked in it?

Well the WRX used to be a favourite of ram-raiding criminals, and maybe they've got families now and need a bigger car. But on a serious note, all Foresters come standard with an alarm, immobiliser and DataDot security.

How's the cabin ambience?

An improvement of old model, which looked and felt cheap. The new Forester has soft touch plastic on the upper half of the dashboard, a nice full-colour infotainment screen on the top of the dash and a clean, practical design. The seats are comfortable and there is loads of headroom in both the front and the back.

What's the stereo like?

It's a nice Harman Kardon system with eight-speakers, is compatible with with CD, MP3 players and Bluetooth audio streaming. The 6.1-inch infotainment screen also displays the navigation.

Does it go?

It's not as fast as a hot hatch but it's quick for an SUV. Subaru claims it will do the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds, and to put that in perspective the WRX does it in 5.3 seconds. However, the similar-in-concept Volkswagen Tiguan 155TSI will do the sprint in 7.3 seconds. But whatever the numbers say it feels like a quick car thanks to that meaty 350Nm of torque.

Does it like corners?

More than your average SUV. It stays reasonably flat in the bends and feels stable, giving you confidence to push on. And the all-wheel drive system helps you get the power to the ground when you are accelerating out of corners.

What about bumps?

Generally it soaks up the smaller bumps well but larger imperfections jar the suspension.

What about service stations?

On paper the XT looks good thanks to its small engine and CVT gearbox, but in the real world we couldn't get near the official combined urban/country figure of 8.5L/100km, or even the urban 11.2L/100km.

Would you buy one?

It's very expensive for a Forester; at $50k it's in the same ballpark as similar-sized entry-level Audis and BMWs, but it is fully loaded with gear and is fun to drive. If I wanted a fast Forester the regular XT is $7000 cheaper and has the same driving experience but misses out on luxuries like the Harman Kardon stereo, heated seats, smart key and EyeSight.

What else should I consider?

Despite the seemingly endless number of compact SUVs, genuinely sporty (as opposed to sporty-looking) SUVs are a bit thinner on the ground. Volkswagen's Tiguan 155TSI packs the same punch as the out-going Golf GTI and undercuts the XT on price, starting at $42,990. The Audi Q3 2.0 TFSI has the same 155kW engine as the Tiguan but starts at $56,000. Not quite as fast, but fun to drive, compact and versatile is the BMW X1 sDrive20i at $46,900. But there are plenty of diesels with plenty of torque that could compete, including the Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring ($46,680) and the Range Rover Evoque that begins at $53,395 for a five-door turbo diesel.

The Spin

“The Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium takes SUV luxury, safety and capability to a whole new place.”

The Translation

This is all the best best stuff we have, but it will cost you.

The details:

Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium

From $50,490 plus on-road and dealer costs

Vitals 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, 177kW, 350Nm, CVT, AWD, 8.5L/100km