Subaru Forester test drive since 2008 SUV

Dialogue with the opposition

Familiar names are habitually restrained, albeit updated design. Before us is Subaru 2006 model year.
The Legashi and Forester models have embodied many years of experience in developing all -wheel drive transmissions and compact opposite engines, with a low center of gravity. The company characterizes its car as created for high quality movement and claims that, updated, they become more harmonious and more understandable to the driver. It is impossible to prove in numbers, but you can feel, merging with a machine that understands you at a glance.
In the parking lot of the brand new Subaru. Let's start? No, we are delayed by a very stormy discussion of the appearance of the foreman. It would seem that the little things were changed, but the familiar forester became a stranger. Probably, the designers achieved this, tried to give the car more personality. In my opinion, the previous version was not, not more interesting, but more courageous. To convince myself of the opposite, I choose a car with a hobby. I remember that exactly the most powerful 2.5xt Forester I liked in one of the tests.
WITH CHARACTER!
Updating the appearance, increased from 211 to 230 liters. With. Engine power, optimized the characterization of torque. In addition, the 2.5XT version is now, in addition to mechanics, it is equipped with a four -speed automatic. And the stabilization system (Vehicle Dynamics Control) has become standard equipment. Xenon headlights appeared, increased the rear seat pillow, made additional hooks for securing goods.
He settled down in the new forever easily and quickly. Only the navigation screen is unusual, for Russia, alas, so far useless. Perhaps only the twins of the ventilation system are inconvenient. But let's better take up the quality of movement.
Here it is! The engine inhaled quietly, the left leg tensely tensed on the clutch pedal, the climatic installation rustled, adjusting. Go! A powerful jerk from the place of the second gear, the third. Uf-f-f, impressive! And if you are calmer? No, it is not in vain that the Forester motor was optimized for the moment, it turns out that the turbocharger can be traction. However, it is worth the tachometer arrow to step over 2500 rpm, the forester shows character. But the car is convenient and understandable. Effective brakes, verified handling, hard, elastic pendants. And if you choose a simpler option? After all, the two -liter version has a power increase of 33 liters. With.
In this forester, not a drop of aggression, but a sea of \u200b\u200bfriendliness. Soft, comfortable and at the same time energetic, it captivates primarily with balance. The motor is not at all angry, but so confidently does its job that the driver has no problems in the autobahn or on the mountain serpentine.
The same in handling. It seems that the tires creak early, and the trajectory is imperfect. But getting used to it, you feel: the car is simple and understandable. It even seemed to me that this version better corresponds to the plan of the forester. Of course, a 2.5xt Forester is more interesting, but this one is much more friendly.
Grains of novelty
Compared to Forester, Subaru Legashi has changed less. The details of the interior, engines and transmission were brought. Now the line of Legasi is as follows: 3.0R spec.b; 3.0R and 2.0R. The release of the version with the engine 2.5 is stopped.

The first, most angry car fruit of the factory tuning. Bilstein shock absorbers, a six-speed mechanics and a five-speed automatic, 18-inch wheels with tires 215/45R18 and, of course, sports attributes in the interior, are configured to quickly drive a chassis with shock absorbers.
Legasi 3.0R is a little easier. The basic version of 2.0R is equipped with a modernized engine familiar to the forever. With it, a five -speed mechanics or a four -speed machine.
And again I start with the top version. The interior is more built than in the forester. Here, with the turn of the key, a fluorescent combination of devices broke out. The legs felt perforated sports pedals. The gaze for a short time lingered on the intricate broken line of the machine gun selector. Can I go? Oh yes, we still have to fit the seat. Simple manipulations and a slight delay again. It turns out that the steering wheel for legalys is moved only vertically. Sitting is generally convenient, but from a car for a sophisticated driver I would like great opportunities.
Start! Undoubtedly, the car is energetic and fast. But from three liters you expect more, but here everything happens smoothly, even comfortable, with a clear smoothing of the character of the engine. Yes, it is spinning already up to 7500 rpm, and the machine holds the transmission in manual mode for a long time. But the car behaves surprisingly balanced, like a solid limousine. A noticeable dissonance to this sensation is elastic shaking on the pits and the noisy passage of small irregularities.
At first, I also did not find anything special in controllability. Turned the steering wheel felt an adequate reaction of the machine. But the more intense the riding and cooler than the turns, the more reliable the legashi behaves. Interestingly, but in these regimes I did not feel much anger: Legasi without tension passes a turn over a bend, not even screening with tires. Great!
What is the two -liter version? It has become noisier and more comfortable. In this Subaru, the characteristic sound of the opponent is heard. For some, his presence is quite frank, but the other will be happy: something real, Subarovskoye appeared.
The pendants are softer, but the car has retained reliability, obedience in management. Of course, slippers in fast bends are slightly larger, the angles of rotation of the steering wheel increased, but even the basic version of Legasi pleases with verified handling.
We go to the autobahn to feel the motor. Its even character does not cause complaints. Not a hurricane, but a sense of confidence in the abilities of the machine does not leave.
In Russia, an updated forester will appear in the fall, and soon a legashi. Prices - from $ 33,000-34,000. How many are now asked for updated engines, all -wheel drive, configured handling, creating the quality of movement.
 
 

 
 

 

 

A source: The magazine "Driving"