Subaru Forester test drive since 2008 SUV

Japanese "forester"

Subaru Forester is a new model of a Japanese company. It has been produced since the summer of this year. Presentation - at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. A completely new body. The chassis and transmission are in many ways similar to Impreza (ZR, 1995, No. 10), a traditional Opposite engine, an increased road clearance for Subaru. The result was a hybrid of a passenger station wagon and an all -resistant car. Recall that such a car Subaru outbar appeared earlier, on the basis of another model - Subaru Legashi.
The first problem that Forester threw (in Russian is a forester), how to classify him? What is it - an all -wheel drive station wagon, just slightly raised, or another asphalt rogue, only slightly lowered? Another question is to which of the categories, referring in mind the purpose, it can be attributed: a car for relaxation or a sports and utilitarian station wagon, as they write in other smart publications. Neither one nor the other was suitable: for the beach car, Forester is too strict externally, for sports, probably, not fast enough, and for utilitarian (by our standards) is too well decorated. As a result, we get acquainted with the car as it is, and then we will determine what he is - the Japanese forester.
The body is 3.8 points. Subaru had a recent concept car of Stiga not so long ago. It seems that a serial forester originates from it - a car that is clearly made not for the sake of fashion: with a fairly simple, without frills and pretentiousness, appearance, sharp lines, completely mentioning thoughts about the masterpieces of bio -design. By the way, there is something utilitarian in the form, but this does not look like a rough tin can at all. It is no coincidence that some of those who met the car did not formulate any opinion at all - a car like a car. This may be for the better. Too extraordinary often often get old, and such, at first glance, are inconspicuous even against the backdrop of descendants still do not seem to the old people.
No need to confuse the calm appearance with impersonal. It is difficult to confuse the forester with someone: he himself has his own face, and not without reason the neighbors in the metropolitan transport stream looked more likely to look back at Forester than, say, the same Imprezu-Turbo when we experienced it.
The internal volume of a large high body was somewhat disappointed - three in the back seat is clearly cramped, and the trunk is completely small: after all, under its floor is a hefty full -size reserve. The rear sofa, of course, folds, and the car turns into a cargo -passenger without any problems.
By the way, only two headrests are installed from behind, and if the three of them go, all three will miss the back of the head. But pleasant little things were pleased, which are many in the foreman: for example, sockets for including electrical appliances in the trunk or numerous boxes and boxes in the cabin. There is even a special compartment for glasses.
The driver's workplace is 3.8 points. This is Subaru! The branded features and dashes are a rod from a foreman. A fairly convenient seat with an acceptable range of adjustments, but, like on Impreza, I want to fill up the pillow, but there is only nowhere. Nice to the touch, not too thick the steering wheel of the steering wheel is adjusted in height. By changing the height of the seat and the steering wheel, you can organize two completely different workplaces: low - as in a car or rather high, almost like in a bus or an all -terrain vehicle. The benefit of the reserve of a place above the head is plenty of. The main problems, which is again characteristic of Subaru, arose with a gear lever. Its inclusions themselves are quite clear, but the moves are rather big. But this is not scary. It is worse that the lever itself frankly bends at hand, as if made of rubber, and the armrest of the driver’s chair in the raised state prevents the second gear in the raised state - the elbow of the driver’s right hand rests on it.
A review from a high car is not bad. Only now the two rear headrests standing close to each other overlap a significant part of the huge rear window. Another but was discovered in rough terrain. A long hood sometimes interferes with what is under your wheels. You don’t feel it on the highway, but when the pit appears ahead, you’ll already think about it.
Movement - 4.1 points. The Forester motor received approximately the same reviews as the appearance (motor as a motor). There is no huge reserve of power, does not press the seat in the back, but at the same time the car is very alive and far from the last in the stream. The same option, when there are no attributes of a sports car (except, perhaps, a characteristic Subarovsky either a roar, or a squeal on acceleration), but you feel on the road, if not a king, then certainly someone high-ranking. And all this with the preservation of the traditional friendliness of Subaru to the driver.
Going on a forever is simple and pleasant. On a good, even asphalt, the car does not give itself away at all - it is quiet in it, it goes softly, quickly, the steering wheel is light (of course, with a hydraulic power steering), the brakes with ABS - everything is fine. And what is this lever next to the manual brake? This, gentlemen, is a demultiper, and simply a reduced gear. The car in question, something between a passenger car and an alternate, and from the latter he borrowed a lot (not only an enlarged clearance). By the way, we have already seen a similar device on a legi universal. Well, if there is something from the rogue in the car, so you need to see what it is capable of outside the highway.
We move to the path sprinkled with small gravel and, having a little on it, we decide to a little fucked up. Ahead is a turn, a short movement of the steering wheel, and forester, raking the stone baby with all four wheels, slipped sideways. Impreza, as I recall, in such a situation responded to the actions of the steering wheel and the accelerator pedal more actively, but the forester is also good. OP! Well, the pit over the bend - you have to brake sharply. Yes, ABS, of course, a stick about the two -edges. On the one hand, if it weren’t - on the wet after the rain, even if the rocky can be stood like that! And at the same time, the braking distance is still increasing with the braking system, and therefore Subaru flies into the hole at a speed slightly exceeding what is desired. And nothing terrible happened. Having easily exceeded the irregularity, the car rolled on to itself. No roar, no knock. The suspension worked perfectly, extinguishing a very sensitive impetus.
Now let's get out for that slope. I remember that one all -wheel drive pickup tested by us dug the land while it climbed there. The pebbles under the wheels are replaced by clay, and the car immediately begins to unfold across the road. Having overcome the clay site, we go out to look at the wheels. So it is - a tread of the Bridgostone -Dyuler tire is clogged with clay, how can you not crawl to one side? On such a sole, we are not in a hill. Climb! And without much effort. And the river moved, and crawled along the rut. And in the end, it was determined for themselves that the cross -country cross -country is limited primarily by its geometric parameters - long overhangs, moderate road clearance - and also the character of tires. The traction possibilities surpassed all the expectations, although it was in difficult conditions that the shortage of traction in low -speed mode became noticeable when trying, say, to move in a bite. But even this discovery did not spoil the general impression. Of course, if the foreman was a clean all -terrain vehicle, he would have received a solid three for his off -road feats. But if you consider it a car, the forester showed just miracles of patency. And for a universal machine just what is needed.
Rinse the dirt from the wheels - and again on the asphalt. And again quickly, quietly, softly and comfortable. An ordinary passenger car, especially not remarkable. Just a car! Although, saying so about the car, we still booked a little. There is at least one remarkable moment in the Forester.
Comfort - 4.2 points. The car is unusually quiet. On the move, the rustle of tires is almost unaware, the suspension does not sound, the engine does not manifest itself. Only at high speeds with intensive acceleration, for example, is the already characteristic sound of the opposite the already characteristic sound. There are practically no vibrations, only the box lever is barely noticeable. They were seriously engaged in a decrease in noise level. One system of air fence for the motor with its many deaf appendixes of the most bizarre shape is worth it!
The suspension works great on great bumps, extinguishing very strong shocks, there are no joints and cracks on the asphalt. And only potholes and raised, according to the Russian tradition, are made to the road, above the roadway, first of all, sitting from behind.
The efficiency of the heater and air conditioning seems to be sufficient, but in the rain, if you turn off the latter, the glass is too active in producing. The finish at first glance is simple and unsophisticated, but according to a good Japanese tradition, it is made of excellent materials and with high quality.
Operation, service - 3.8 points. Consider separately the pros and cons. The asset contains moderate fuel consumption, gasoline consumption with an octane number of about 90, an established service in the capital. The liability is the presence of a neutralizer, which means a taboo on ethyled gasoline, the lack of a wide service network in the country. This situation, however, is yet characteristic of most imported cars in Russia.
Summary. We take a chance to make the assumption that Forester is one of the first, but far from the last car in the new class - exactly in the middle between cars and all -terrain vehicles. Moreover, we have an example of a very successful compromise, when the car retains the best features of both parents, almost without losing anything.
The editors thanks the Asia Alliance Firm for the car provided.
 
 
Technical characteristics of the car Subaru Forester
Dimensions, mm: length - 4450; width - 1735; height - 1595; base - 2525; The track of the front/rear wheels - 1475/1450; Road clearance - 190. Engine: four -cylinder, gasoline, opposition, located in front longitudinally; The diameter of the cylinder x the piston stroke - 92 x 75 mm; working volume - 1994 cm; Power - 90 kW/122 l. with. at 5600 rpm; The maximum torque is 176 Nm/4000 rpm. Transmission: gearbox - five -speed mechanical; Demultiper; Permanent drive to all wheels. Brakes: with an amplifier and ABS; In front - circular ventilated, behind - drum. Tires - 205/70 R15.
 
Igor Solidov
Photo by Vladimir Knyazev
 
 
 
 
 

A source: The magazine "Driving"