Subaru Forester test drive since 2008 SUV

On three whales

This is always interesting for new items, and when they are declared in such a fashionable class as all -terrain vehicles, SUVs, crossovers all the more. So, verified by the sympathies of the consumer Toyota-Rav4 and Honda CR-V against newcomers Subaro-Forester and Citroen C-Crosser.
Honda CR-V 2.4 L, 166 hp, 5-speed automatic, Executive equipment, 1,079,000 rub.
Subaru Forester 2.5 L, 172 hp, 4-speed automatic, complete equipment, 1,116 100 rubles.
Citroen C-Crosser 2.4 L, 170 hp, variator, equipment Exclusive, options, 1,143,000 rubles.
Toyota RAV4 2.4 L, 170 hp, 4-speed automatic, Sol equipment, 1,113,000 rubles.
A spacious universal body, all-wheel drive, road clearance, which allows not to be afraid of small obstacles of three whales, on which the Russian (and not only) popularity of such cars is based. No, of course, there are still addictions to large engines, automatic transmission, leather interior decoration, xenon and other attributes that gives rise to an individuality. Perhaps that is why today's rivals, everything is flaunted by the selection with powerful engines with a volume of 2.5 liters, boast of a variety of interiors, the originality of their transformation. As for granted, hatches on the roof, climatic attitudes, often separate, and other and the third row of seats, of nothing growing in the trunk.
In a word, being filled with originality or, conversely, familiar, traditional solutions, no one wants to give in positions. After all, all of them, newcomers or, conversely, fighters with a kind of Bestseller, in the past, present and, possibly, in the future. So, verified by the sympathies of the consumer Toyota-Rav4 and Honda CR-V against newcomers Subaro-Forester and Citroen C-Crosser.
OBJECTIVE REALITY
Family features inherent in the first RAV4, albeit beach-and-minded, but causing delight with its telled sled abilities, are still noticeable in it. Toyota now looks preferable in dark or neutral colors, is in steady demand not only in a weak half and serves as a true reference point when compared with competitors.
Saturating the salon with solid plastics, expressive instruments, comfortable pedals, levers and toothblaires with a dinked ergonomics, the creators were so carried away that they decided to save on the rest. And therefore, without developing something new, they took, for example, and loaded a separate climatic installation with an additional set of numerous functions and buttons. A rusted driver's seat with a short, nondescript pillow, a very modest range of longitudinal movements, was lifted up: you sit high, but even a person haunts a person completely non -heroic proportions. It is clear that due to this they cut out an additional place for the rear passengers, but, running ahead, I note that it is also closely in comparison with competitors.
The community of a 170-horsepower engine and, it would seem, not the most modern 4-speed assault rifle is pleasantly surprising. This is where to talk about the continuity of generations: after all, the current RAV4 performs the driver’s commands sharply, spring, with a spark. This degree of activity has to even be restrained, carefully acting an accelerator, otherwise the car directly jumps after the careless movement of the right leg. Alas, you can’t call sound accompaniment ideal. It is worth the arrow of the tachometer to get to 2500 rpm, the Toyota salon is filled with an annoying roar that does not know how to keep the motor.
And the pendants are rather merciless to those inside. Hard, energy-intensive, they are not afraid of serious pardon in an adult way, giving RAV4 an all-resistant flavor. However, the car is too jumping and harsh on ordinary irregularities, which, of course, is quite tiring.
The controversial sensations are alienated by electronics controllability. In ordinary life, the car is boring, but kind and reliable in management. He frankly does not like quick turns, demonstrating directly the cult of insufficient rotation, partly characteristic of all generations of the crossover. However, when the system of active steering comes into business finally, the car unexpectedly becomes almost ideal under the neurostenic howl of a bib, it is surprisingly eager to be a given path. Why then are these grimaces at the entrance to the turn, and they also have a sound show?
In the manager's suit
Truly, according to external data, this is now not a forester, but at least the deputy minister of forestry. That's just the individuality of the features in the current forester, alas, did not increase: against the backdrop of competitors, his new suit is rather a solid, expensive uniform.
To say that the creators saved on the interior decoration of the crossover means to throw out only part of the emotions. Perplexity precisely this feeling dominates the first acquaintance with the gray-fingering interior of the machine.
It is in Toyota that the eyes and other senses mainly coincided in opinion. In the Forester, an understanding of the correctness, logic of sensations comes late. A compact, grip steering wheel adjustable in both directions. Soft at first glance, but a comfortable and comfortable seat with huge control ranges after RAV4, a supply of space around. And just an openwork front stand of the body, huge burdocks-mirror and low glazing line the key to excessive visibility. But there is still a huge hatch on the roof, a spacious rear sofa, where you sit freely, a leg on your leg, and a lot of little things that allow you to feel very convenient.
The presence of a sport mode in a four -speed assault rifle is more likely an attempt to give out to be valid. The engine and transmission are well sharpened just under a calm, moment ride. In these modes, Forester, perhaps, is not as active as Toyota, but light, mobile, besides indulging in acoustic comfort. But he does not like sharp manners. The box immediately hangs in search of the desired transmission, and the engine does not show the proper temperament at high speeds.
The chassis settings are perhaps the most burning problem of the new Forester. Fans have always appreciated him for real sled, almost improvised opportunities. Now the car has become comfortable, and so that, swaying on bumps, causes seas diseases. Of course, the forester will be out of competition on the launch. But at high speed, a series of asphalt waves completely removes the car out of balance, forcing to regret too soft shock absorbers.
Such miscalculations, of course, were reflected in handling. Even the pride of Subaru for decades cultivated all -wheel drive suddenly began to graze in front of such an impositional settings of pendants. On a flat road, Forester maintains mutual understanding with the driver, but in a bend, even falling on small potholes, turns into a shell that has lost a clear trajectory, scaring others.
That's what an unexpected development of a career ...
One in three faces
Perhaps for a real Frenchman he is too monolithic and gloomy. A kind of big and nasolated iron, which is inside of which, all the time you get confused in the names, until the last, not believing that in front of you is not an old familiar Outlander XL, but an unknown C-Crosser.
A bright, slightly clumsy in this strict leather interior, a combination of instruments, a steering wheel, unlike competitors, adjustable only in the corner of inclination, a wheel of choice of transmission settings The first thing that comes to mind: they are with a Forester as brothers, white and black. Moreover, (may Afro-Americans forgive me!) In accordance with the laws of the C-Crosser genre, larger, assertive, even worse. It attracts attention with a combination of dark tones and crimson-red shades of highlight. Beckoning expressive forms of a driver's seat. But in fact, it turns out to be an ordinary good, which is easier and more accessible than expected. Say, the seat, although convenient, is no better than Subarovsky, and the surrounding plastics are similar in texture and look richer only thanks to the winning color scheme. In fact, praise in this car, first of all, deserves what you do not pay attention to at first: a capacious and original transformable luggage compartment, the third row of seats, thoughtful places for small things, sprouts and even a small refrigerator.
Like the White Brother, he is most responsive and friendly with a calm balanced ride. And the point is not only that the variator is too bored at high speeds, just the motor and transmission best understand each other in the zone of optimal torque. Here, a basso-roding C-Crosser really looks like a moving invigorating, but it is worth drowning the accelerator on the floor, all its energy is slowly dissolving in a strained, endless roar. Well, this is the specificity of the variator, which significantly affects sound accompaniment. Indeed, at medium speeds, the car does not bother at all, but it is worth gasping, and then only hold on.
The pendants meticulously count small irregularities on the road, loudly and indignantly telling their size and quantity. On gentle waves, the car behaves quite comfortably, although more than I would like to repeat the profile of the road; With increasing speed, it strains with sharp vertical accelerations.
In the management of C-Crosser is reliable, but leisurely and a little heavy. He seems to think about each of your movements by the steering wheel, makes it possible to feel the weight of the deed. However, having made a decision, the car becomes sensitive, and the only thing that it does not like sharp changes in the selected trajectory.
Harmony of forces
At first, you won’t understand what features dominate in the appearance of the latest version of Honda CR-V: either an ordinary station wagon, or crossovers. You look at large shapes, massive racks and a body substetrician, well, just a SUV. And in the profile rather a wagon, and even on such wheels that are directly lost against the background of external proportions.
The nit -picking and reasoning quickly end, it is worth comfortable in the cabin. It turns out that not every Japanese dreams of rationality. At least, in this configuration, CR-V makes it possible to feel that, within the framework of the allotted budget, plastic, of course, will remain rigid, but they will have colors, shades, the texture of materials will change. And the skin on the seat will cease to resemble surrogate, gather soft folds in the places of bends, carefully and gently taking your body into your arms. Perhaps for someone such trifles. But when the car so zealously professes its own style, then the usual, traditional filling looks completely different.
At the same time, Honda is by no means devoid of convenient and thoughtful driver's paraphernalia. Bright, expressive devices, ergonomically verified and at the same time interestingly compiled controls, a rich set of adjustments. Even the seats and those are not only sympathetic, but also surprisingly hospitable. And the rear passengers completely shy from delight, because only Foreter could provide a similar freedom of placement.
At first, acceleration literally envelops passengers, bringing clear associations with the C-Crosser. But when the arrow of the tachometer is selected to the four thousandth mark, something changes inexorably. The unobtrusive baritone of the motor suddenly develops into a roar, and the car, like a pre -launched one, rushes forward. In this shot, such a song is felt, such a song that you can summarize this Honda with closed eyes.
There are solid associations with a car in my head. Here the pendants habitually prayed along the joints and cracks of the asphalt, then the body is elastic and at the same time gently noted on gentle waves. However, the potholes appeared more serious and here Honda, sweeping away, finally betrayed herself, demonstrating not at all the easy elasticity of the chassis, and a little later, when the road became smoother, again quietly turned from a crossover into a car. It’s unusual somehow, but I like it, especially since the CR-V is controlled at all like rivals: it is easier, more understandable at the same time writes turns no worse than Subaru, much more transparent to the driver than Toyota, and not as heavy as Citroen . In a word, good!
Sustainability stock
Regardless of the degree of model novelty, these cars still pay attention to. Someone with envy and irritation: they say, they traveled here. Others, on the contrary, with interest. And then it is really nice to temporarily feel not so much with a ruble millionaire as the owner of an expensive, but the necessary vehicle in Russia, capable of solving many problems. Let each of the participants in this test do this in his own way, with a new emphasis on his own whale, the more interesting comparison. Someone will conquer the balanced charm of Honda CR-V. Others will be interested in the excellently equipped cargo-passenger compartment of the C-Crosser or a little controversial, but perfect for bad roads, the smoothness of the forester. Well, the maximalism of the dynamic qualities of Toyota RAV4 is seduced by others. Choose._x0008_
Cars for the test are provided: Toyota Motor Rus, Subaru Motor, Peugeot-Sitro Rus and Honda Motor Rus.
Toyota Rav4
The third generation of the popular crossover was represented in 2005 in Frankfurt, and in 2007, a car with a 2.4-liter engine began to supply to Russia.
Engines: gasoline 2.0 and 2.4 liters (152 and 170 hp).
Gearbox: 5-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic.
Complete: Moon, Moon Plus, Sol.
Price in Russia: 901 0001 113 000 rub.
+ A pleasant interior, thoughtful ergonomics, expressive dynamics, high energy intensity of suspensions, comfortable luggage compartment.
- mediocre seats, visibility, comfort, crowded behind.
General assessment 7.8
There are still a lot of advantages in this car, but there are also disadvantages, let’s say, age.
Subaru Forester
The new generation forester took place in the Detroit Forestry Forester in January of this year. At the end of May, sales in Russia started.
Engine: gasoline 2.0; 2.5 and 2.5 l of turbo (150; 172 and 230 hp).
Gearboxes: 5-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic.
Configuration: seven levels of equipment
Price in Russia: 923 6001 303 600 rub.
+ Good visibility, spacious interior, comfortable, adapted for bad roads
- Spartan interior, small trunk, inconsistent handling and smoothness
General assessment 8.1
Having become the main forester, he cannot decide what qualities the most significant in the new position is.
Citroen C-Crosser
The base model of the Mitsubishi-agile XL. The French version was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007. In the spring, sales in Russia have begun.
Engine: gasoline 2.4 liters, diesel 2.2 HDI (170 and 160 hp).
Gearboxes: 5-, 6-speed mechanical, variator.
Complete: Comfort, Exclusive.
Price: 963 5001 142 500 rub.
_x0007_ + spacious trunk and salon with wide possibilities for transforming, excellent brakes, large road clearance.
- Tough on minor irregularities.
General assessment 8.2
A typical good, who knows a lot about rest and travel; In addition, the XL label corresponds to the best as possible.
Honda CR-V
The third version of the popular SUV debuted in the fall of 2006. In 2007, she appeared in Russia, and a little later she got a 2.4 liter gasoline engine.
Engines: gasoline 2.0 and 2.4 liters (150 and 166 hp).
Gearboxes: 6-speed mechanical, 5-speed automatic.
Complete: Comfort, Elegance, Executive.
Price: 862 0001 079 000 rub.
+ Convenient seats and controls, comfortable, spacious for passengers and cargo, expressive sled abilities.
- It is inconvenient to transfer the leg from gas to the brake.
General assessment 8.5
The capabilities of the crossover are very reasonably combined with individual and to a good level, the settings of a passenger car.
We carry goods
Since crossovers are listed as station wagons, they are simply required to have capacious and easily laid out luggage compartments. The discovery of this test Citroen C-Crosser: he does not just have a cargo compartment, but a whole complex of intense and non-standard solutions for the traveler. So, on the folding side it is very convenient to while spent time in bad weather. If necessary, the rear seat can be folded entirely by pressing the only toggle switch inside the trunk. And this, of course, is only an addition to the adjusted and the corner of the tilt of the pillows and backs of the rear sofa.
Honda and Toyota offer approximately the same set of transformations and movements of the rear seats, with the only difference being that the CR-V cargo compartment is almost 100 liters more.
Well, Subaru-Forester is primarily conservative, his trunk can be increased only due to the backs folded separately. The compartment is wide, but small, which noticeably limits its capacity.
Sergey Voskresensky: It means newer. Sellers easily convince us that any new product is perfection itself, which means we must pay. It seems to me that this test partly refuted such statements, emphasizing that any, the latest product did not always ripen to the ideal.
Sergey Voskresensky
Photo: Alexander Kulnev.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 

A source: The magazine "Driving"