Subaru Forester test drive since 2008 SUV

Foreg, sit down, two!

Fantastic Four. Can a completely updated Hyundai Tucson surpass the standard (Honda CR-V), a newcomer from GM (GMC Terran) and a winner (Subaru Forester)?

In May 2008, when we last compared compact crossovers with four-cylinder atmospheric engines, the completely new third-generation Subaru Forester deftly bypassed all its rivals: Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Saturn Vue and Toyota Rav4. Luck? Hardly. Soon after, the small but brave Subaru bit a very large piece of the pie: the title is the best SUV year.

However, some time has passed since this grand victory, and Forester only rested on the laurels, not going to change anything. Under the hood, he has the same 2.5-liter 170-horsepower opposition motor, with the same four-speed automatic and an unchanged AWD drive system. The crossover market, on the contrary, has undergone significant changes since then, replenished with new strong players. For example, Rav4 became noticeably more powerful, receiving 179 horses instead of the previous 166, and the number of CR-V grew from 166 to 180. Beginners appeared: twins from GM, Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain, as well as the second generation of Hyundai Tucson. The brainchild of GM received at its disposal a direct injection system and 182 horses with a flow rate of 7.35 l/100 km on the highway, and a handsome man from South Korea 176 hp. and 7.58 liters per hundred.

To find out which of the crossovers is the winner in a fierce battle, we returned the current champion and banned him with a more powerful CR-V, updated Terrain and promising Tucson. Since Rogue failed the last qualifying tour and did not provide any significant changes, this time they did not invite it. Well, for Saturn Vue 2009 was the last model year. As for Equinox and Rav4, we wanted to get both, but the idea failed, since neither one nor the other is produced with four -cylinder engines in combination with all -wheel drive. Perhaps next time we will be more lucky.

In the meantime, let's concentrate on this test. As a result, the winner may greatly surprise you.

Best SUV last year

As we have already mentioned, Forester in this test was originally designated as a favorite that won our hearts some 12 months ago. But this is a lot, during this time a lot can happen. For example, last year's winner can now finish the fourth in a comparative test of four cars. (Before you begin to scribble angry letters with accusations against us, let me remind you that the lion's share in the conquest of the Forester title fell on the shoulders of the 224-horsepower set of XT). This is not to say that we no longer love, do not value and do not respect Forester, we are very far from this. Rather, in the light of new offers, we love, appreciate and respect it a little less than before.

In a test held in May 2008, 170 hp Forester with a consumption of 11.76/9.04 l/100 km allowed him to practically lead the entire class of crossovers. In the fun company of 2010, these indicators lower it to the bottom of the list. In addition, we tested in 2008, Forester 2.5x Premium weighing 1,500 kg, accelerated from zero to hundreds in 9.9 seconds, which for a whole second is better than Vue. After 22 months, the subject 2.5x limited weighing 1,502 kg was much faster (9.3 seconds), and yet more slowly more than the rest of the dough participants. If before the 4-speed Subaru machine was at the level, now it was suspiciously incompetent. Four -speed automatic? Our editor -in -chief, St. Antoine, Subaru, ask, what are you talking about? Hyundai, for example, has six speeds for a long time. If four speeds are enough for the forced XT, then atmospheric X this is clearly not enough.

It was helped to take the main prize of the best SUV year by another: his ability to tow 1,090 kg, 22 cm clearance, lateral acceleration 0.81G, a diameter of a turn 10.5 m and the cost of $ 25,294 the best indicators in the class at that time. Now we got an even more worthy Forester worth $ 26,690, a 2.5x limited equipment equipped with a navigation system, a premium audio system and satellite radio, and all this for less than $ 30,000.

It seems that in 2011 Forester expects a significant update, a new variator instead of a four -speed machine and fresh design, both outside and inside. To remain competitive, he needs it like air.
All-Terrain

After a trip to Terrain, I regretted that we did not choose Equinox, said Mike Connor, an employee of the publication. I like how GMC is going, but I don’t care how it looks. In general, it is long and bulky, while Chevy looks neat and tightened. The assistant web editor Scott Evans notes: I like the style of the interior, although the salon feels close. The hatch hidden in the roof, small windows, wide racks in a circle and an immense central panel all this causes a feeling of claustrophobia. The resource editor Truck Trend, Ellison Harwood, adds: a good six -speed automatic transmission, but I personally like to switch the speeds manually, with the help of steering wheel switches, and not with these stupid ones + and from the side of the speed lever. Are you catching the course of our thoughts? In Terrain, we like a lot, but

The first and main cost. With such bonuses as a navigation system, a rear view camera, a leather salon, 18-inch wheels, Bluetooth, hatch and electric drive of the fifth door, Terrain is well packed. He has the highest cost of the basic configuration of $ 29 945 and the maximum equipment will cost you the most $ 34,170. And here is the first kick from the opponent: Tucson offers the same thing, except for the rear door, which can be dispensed with, at the cost of the cost of $ 4,680 less.

Then, the rather pale results of our tests are added to the fire. Despite the highest capacity and the best expenditure on the highway, Terrain failed to demonstrate either the fastest overclocking or a worthy praise for economy. Accusations? Yes, let it be accusations: Terrain is 328 kg heavier than Forester. And the style is also heavy for perception. The exterior design is a real mystery, according to St. Antoine. Square wheel arches? The gap between the wheel and the body turned out to be just huge.

If you close your eyes to an awkward appearance, Terrain impresses on the course. St. Antoine noted a soft suspension, with good control and a clear steering wheel. Evans adds: I would call it the most sports car in the group, since it is best behaved on an asphalt highway. If it were not for its high cost, disappointing dynamics and incredible mass, Terrain would have scored more points. But it's too significant if.

 
Under the sun tucson
Tucson is the first Hyundai crossover designed and assembled in Europe, and this is noticeable. This is the re-rotation repeaters integrated into the side mirrors of the rear view, and the signal about the change of the strip (triple blinking of the corresponding light bulb), and the streamlined design, and the collapsible 18-inch cast wheels of Tucson extensions of personality, which could arise only on that coast of the Atlantic Ocean. And we like her. Everything is simple here: it is the most attractive car in the group, both inside and outside. Moreover, the new Tucson is a cut above the previous generation model both in design and in terms of performance, Evans believes. St. Antoine adds: I like the streamlined sides of him.

Hyundai was aimed at creating a high -class style and succeeded in this. It was also the task of making the car sports and recognizable, and the designers also coped with it well. Obviously, Hyundai decided to make a new Tucson at a very aggressive dynamics sports, Connor believes. The test results confirm this. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h (8.8 seconds) and time on the quota (16.7 seconds, speed 133.3 km/h) the best in the group, and lateral acceleration (0.79G), eight (28.5 C, lateral acceleration 0.58G) and a complete stop with 100 km/h (36.58 m) are inferior only to the weightless Forester. In addition, of all Tucson cars tested in this test, Tucson demonstrated the smallest chips on slalom, which can be safely written off on a hard suspension.

But these rigid shock absorbers, to our displeasure, have a weak side. On the road, an overly aggressive Hyundai rather conveys all irregularities than absorbs them. The suspension is extremely stiff, but not as assembled as that of Honda or GMC, says St. Antoine. He did not arrange our judges and the electric power amplifier. The steering wheel seems artificial and excessively twitching, Connor believes. With the exception of the suspension and the steering wheel, as well as the second -rate plastic in the cabin and the stitching of the seats, there were no shortcomings. The 2.4-liter engine is energetic and assembled, the six-speed gearbox is smooth and responsive, and the price causes shock and a thrill. Try to find another sports crossover costing less than $ 30,000, with Bluetooth and a high -quality acoustic system, navigation, panoramic hatch, leather seats with heated, satellite radio and a steep rise system. Let me help you a little: you can’t find something else.

Over the next two years, Tucson will inevitably inherit a 2.4-liter engine from Sonata, with direct fuel injection with a capacity of 200 hp. And if Hyundai, moreover, will correct a hard suspension and artificial steering wheel, then the rivals will have to be very difficult.

 
High accuracy
This is the case when Honda specialists did everything right, says Harwood about CR-V. In fact, Honda continues to surprise our demanding company. The 2.4-liter DOHC 2010 2.4-liter DOHC power unit, characterized by higher compression (10.5: 1), large in size inlet valves and a more voluminous release, as well as increased to 180 livestock, causes in other 16-platens undisguised envy. I love this engine, Evans admits. It easily spins and provides excellent traction in the entire speed range, so that there is a feeling that CR-V is the most frisky in the group, although in fact it is not.

Perhaps, from behind the steering wheel praised for organicity, and the ideal weight that makes Honda control on the winding of the Gorny Selvoda Gorpentine, the true pleasure, according to St. Antoine, Honda, is felt deceptively fast. And unlike Tucson, at times excessively hard, the Honda suspension was moderately soft, responsive and obedient, on any type of road surface. The best car is outside the road, and on the asphalt too, Evans believes.

Inside the rich, perfectly executed salon, where we found a navigation system, a rear view camera, Bluetooth, satellite radio, leather seats with heating, automatic two-zone climate control, Honda talents continued to delight us. Amazing elegance for this price category, notes Harwood. The best materials in the interior decoration in the group. Honda has everything, from the quality of the skin to the quality of each plastic part in the cabin, an order of magnitude higher than that of rivals. Connor notes: an excellent interior, a feeling of mass of free space, spacious, adjustable back seat back, the largest trunk (I love this shelf) and a lot of departments for storing things in the central console.

Of course, it was not without small shortcomings. A five -speed machine, for example, has no manual mode and switches rudely, which was not noticed in Tucson. Some considered the brake pedal too sensitive, medium design, and the CD chamber for 6 disks is morally outdated. But this is all insignificant.

According to quality, high -quality interior materials, accuracy in the design of parts, I would count this car to a higher class, says St. Antoine. Harwood describes Honda as follows: this is not just a successful solution for the crossover, it causes completely different emotions. He satisfies all needs. And it is true.


1st place: Honda CR-V 4WD Ex-L
The collected suspension, high -quality materials, the perfect engine.

2nd place: Hyundai Tucson Awd Limited
A hard suspension and a slurred steering wheel, otherwise a quick and assembled crossover worthy of your attention.

3rd place: GMC Terran AWD SLT-1
The newcomer from the GM is perfectly packed and does not let me get bored, although it is too expensive and heavy.

4th place: Subaru Forester 2.5x Premium Pzev
Archaic four -speed gearbox and small capacity: the former champion is aging.

Source: Motor Trend