Subaru Forester 2002 test drive - 2005 SUV

All photos Subaru Forester 2002 - 2005

Analogies

Teutonic, sorry, the physiognomy of Mitsubishi Outlander is the best suited to the Russian translation of his name alien. And if under the hood he has such a 2-liter gasoline engine (well, how can I not remember CR-V!), Then a forester (that is, Subaru Forester) with a manual gearbox will be almost an ideal analogue for comparison with Stranger. Not only is the purpose, size, engine volume, basic equipment and its price are close, but the drive scheme is the same: both of both are permanent for all wheels with a symmetrical center differential blocked by Wyt. Unlike most competitors who have one or another magical device that connects the rear wheels when slipping the front.

We got both cars with a rather rich equipment. Outlander in the SPORT configuration for $ 29790, which, in addition to the two anterior still two other side airbags, climate control, roof rails, a certain amount of additional small decor inside and outside, as well as cast 16-inch wheels with tires 215/65 r 16. Subaru Forester is about the same, but still plus a radio, cruise control and a huge hatch in the roof, and the wheels are not 16, but 15-inch. But also cast, with tires 205/70 R 15. If he had more additional headlights in the bumper, then the maximum equipment of the VR worth $ 31490 would be obtained.

And now an important point. When we arrived to pick up Outlander, we found it not provided for by the specification, but very beautiful 17-inch Duemila with completely highways Pirelli P6000 225/50 ZR 17. And it cannot be ignored that these wheels later had a certain effect on our assessments.

Inner thoughts
It is unlikely that anyone will doubt that outwardly Forester is not as expressive as Outlander. On the other hand, not everyone recognizes the expressiveness of a stranger adequate to his image. However, if you consider the main function of the appearance of the machine a state of Status quo among the neighbors in the stream, then, having acquired Outlander, you will definitely not lose.

It is more difficult for you to exist with the insides in it, but there is something to think about. Do you like the fashionable minimalism of a stranger, or do you prefer a classic style of the formation of a forester? Do you seem to be a solid black tree lining on the hard plastic of the Mitsubishi panel, or are you still more expensive than a soft lining and a console for a Subaru titanium? There are quite objective things. For example, it should be noted that Forester allows you to conveniently sit a long -legged driver, while Outlander provides more space for the legs sitting from behind. As well as a few more salon and baggage observations that you will find in signatures to the corresponding illustrations.

Outlander met the Moscow ring road with violent reactions to rounded ruts, protected by studded tires in the asphalt of the extreme left strip. However, this is the normal behavior of a car shod in wide low -profile rubber, and we did not draw any special conclusions from this. Unless urgently wanted to write an article about the advisability of using spikes in the city.

It seems that Mitsubishi motor builders have come new times. You will not find any traditional pickup in the region of 3500-4000 rpm. The engine confidently pulls from low speeds, then absolutely uniform acceleration in the entire range follows, down to the very tops. And the fact that the stranger's motor retains the ability to accelerate the massive body of it and after 6000 rpm is very helped out during overtaking.
The combat clarity of the movements of the gear lever contributes to intensive acceleration, but you should not drive too much: the lever will begin to rest. With the help of ancient, as an automobile world, it is easy to make sure that this sluggishness on the conscience of synchronizers, which means that the speed of switching should not be forced. To avoid

Subaru Forester is much more willing to accelerate on medium, so that acceleration is felt with the whole body. But it is inferior to the highest (after 5500 rpm) and clearly loses to the smallest: your desire to crawl into idle (for example, in a road traffic jam) drives it into a seizure trembling, which can only be relieved by the addition of revolutions or with a clutch pedal. However, you can use the lowering gear.

After Mitsubishi, the gear lever here seems to be vaguely dangling, but do not draw conclusions on this only the first impression. For by the ability to quickly switch this box, this box is quite worthy of known three -letter combinations, most often used together with the Subaru brand (meaning WRC, WRX, STI. Ed.).

At the highest speeds, it is noticeable that the stranger's motor is more powerful than 160 km/h the forester is not so zealously. However, this is not the most practical observation on multi -lane magistles often do not have to reduce speed, and normal people do not drive so quickly on other roads.

But the essence of the car in the wheel
Although these cars could, without much tension. We must pay tribute: the stability of the movement of both is excellent, regardless of the quality of the roadway. Unless, of course, do not consider the described reactions of wide -profile tires to the mentioned ruts and other screw tricks of our road profile. However, after 120 km/h and you stop noticing them. And all kinds of bumps and Outlander and Forester are swallowed completely indifferent and not only at high speeds. And the turns are written as a circuit on paper.



But further the path of the forester and the stranger diverged, and the blankets of 17-inch wheels and not at all the worst, but for some other dough, tires.

Of course, when the car is designed for 215/60, and really has tires of 225 mm of the width of the profile at a 50 percent height, it is unlikely that anyone will have to complain about the speed and clarity of the response of turning the steering wheel. Yes, and on the reactive action too. But only here are the details of the suspension shock absorbers, springs, stabilizers remained the same, and confront the Outlander rolls is weak. And in the case of a sharp, quick maneuver, such as rebuilding (obstructing the obstacle), the body begins to make transverse fluctuations that do not at all add joyful sensations to the driver. Wheel of the wheels here, the situation would be somewhat different.



Here, say, Forester. Relatively high tires, of course, smooth out the reactions of the car, and after Mitsubishi they seem slow. But they are quite adequate to turn the steering wheel, and the rolls are less. The reactive action is also good, although perhaps someone oncoming effort will seem unimportant. And with any maneuvers you feel confident.

And it was not possible to compare cross -country ability. Not only is Pirelli P 6000 it is highway tires, but also oriented, mainly on dry asphalt. And with Bridgestone Duler, which are regularly equipped with the majority of Japanese extra- and all-terrain vehicles, they cannot even be compared. So do not expect details from us about our movements in dirty launders. At some other time. And he will certainly be a beginner intrigued us. Moreover, its version with a 2.4-liter engine has already begun to be sold. And with an automatic transmission.



Text: Dmitry Filonov
Photo: Alexander Nozdrin