Driving the Subaru Forester Turbo

MANILA, Philippines - The Subaru Forester Turbo is my favorite SUV. (There goes my credibility.) But why shouldn’t it be? It’s well-built, has generous cabin space, and most importantly, goes from 0 to 100 kph in 7.9 seconds. That’s about as quick as a Porsche Cayenne V6. Yup, I’ve got my priorities straight.

Sure the current Forester’s rounded and more mainstream styling looks a lot homier than its angular and more purposeful-looking predecessor, but the overall package is just so overachieving, it’s hard not to get indelibly impressed.

Size-wise, the Forester competes against the likes of the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson. Slap on a turbo, though, and suddenly the Forester is a delectable (and much more versatile) alternative to the Lancer Evo and Impreza STi pocket rockets. It’ll blow away any SUV this side of a Porsche Cayenne, thanks to its 230-ps (with a stunning 320 Nm of torque from a very accessible 2,800 rpm) super-smooth turbo-intercooled 2.5-liter flat-four which rockets this Subie to a top speed of 207 kph. This powerplant is mated to a smooth-shifting 5-speed automatic transmission with “+” and “-” manumatic function.

Of course, at P1,758,000, the Forester Turbo retails for a substantial P400,000-500,000 more than its Japanese competition. (The entry level Forester 2.0 goes for P1,378,000.) But if you want maximum bang for the buck, the Turbo is the only way to go.

Overall fit and finish, inside and out, is top notch. Its state-of-the-art full-time Active Torque Split Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system is among the most sophisticated in its segment – very capable and very effective, on or off the road. Handling is sure-footed, thanks to its well-tuned front MacPherson strut/rear double wishbone suspension, advanced Vehicle Dynamics Control System, and meaty 225/55R-17 tires.

Passenger and cargo space is impressive too, even if the Forester is shorter than the CR-V, RAV 4 and X-Trail (it’s longer than a Tucson). I particularly like Subaru’s seats and steering wheels; the supple leather seats are comfy yet very supportive even during long drives or sporty maneuvers while the steering wheel is just a joy to grasp. The driver’s seat is 8-way power-adjustable while the one-touch-folding rear seats split-fold 60:40. The drilled aluminum pedals are a cool, racy touch.

There are lots of storage areas and cupholders for road trips. The tailgate has a big opening to facilitate loading of big cargo while the reconfigurable cargo area even lets you secure your stuff when you attack those high-speed curves. Foresters have an impressive 2,000-kg towing capacity. Yup, it can tow anything weighing more than two tons.

As far as audio systems are concerned, Subarus remind me of BMWs in that they both always have superb-sounding premium sound systems, regardless of which model you buy. The Forester boasts a true audiophile-quality 180-watt 7-speaker, 6-CD in-dash audio system with automatic speed-sensing volume adjustment and available SRS Labs and SRS CS Auto technologies. Satellite audio control switches on the steering wheel let you seek and scan radio stations, adjust the volume, and program the cruise control without taking your hands off the wheel.

The Forester also has a moonroof whose opening is actually bigger than some so-called panoramic moonroofs. Yet another nifty feature is the Engine Start/Stop push button. The Forester Turbo’s security system lets you unlock the front doors and tailgate, start the engine, and drive off – without taking the key from your pocket..

Last but not least, there is a very useful digital multi-information display atop the dashboard that tells you average and real-time fuel consumption, driving range with remaining fuel onboard, average speed, among others.

The Forester’s extensive list of safety features include dual front airbags, side airbags for front seats, curtain airbags for front and rear passengers, active headrests for front seats, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, and Brake Assist.

The good

• Iron fist-in-a-velvet glove turbo engine

• State-of-the-art all-wheel-drive system

• Excellent build quality, inside and out

• Lots of safety features

• Bluetooth/iPod-enabled audio system

• Cool dual exhaust system

• Huge moonroof

The bad

• No paddle shifters

• Ride is a bit harsh when encountering dips and bumps on the road

• Some body/chassis noise seeps into the cabin (lack of sound insulation?)

• Guzzles gas to the tune of sub-5-kpl figures

The verdict

• Easily the most overly capable SUV/crossover in the market.