Subaru Forester e-BOXER | First Drive

2 December 2019 Redazione News, Tested

Fifth Generation Comes As A Hybrid, But With More Quality And Even Improving Its Off-Road Abilities

Words and Photos by Alessandro Marrone

More than 20 years have passed since Subaru has achieved its vision of a vehicle capable of going everywhere and being used for anything. In 1997 the first generation Forester in fact laid the wheels on the road for its first time and from that day on it has never hidden its incredible qualities even far from the asphalt, thanks to some of the key points of the philosophy of the company, still maintained on this fifth generation that promises in no uncertain terms to inaugurate a new era for one of the very few SUVs that do not fear adverse road conditions. I’m talking about the proverbial symmetrical all-wheel drive, which is maintained along with Eye-Sight technology with which Subaru aims to eliminate fatal on road casualties in the shortest possible time. The big news, however, lie in the engine, since the new Forester (and with it also the XV) is the first Subaru to have a hybrid engine, a sort of meeting point between mild-hybrid and full-hybrid with a small electric motor located inside the gearbox, the CVT 7-speed Lineartronic, the only option available on the all-new generation.

After the International launch happened in Riga, I have been able to get back behind the wheel and confirm the impressions I had during my first drive. Renewed as far as the exterior concerns, Subaru still manages to keep intact that sober look able to feel at ease in two worlds so close, sharing a relevant ground clearance, but at the antipodes for philosophy and on board necessities. The world of off-road vehicles and that of SUVs show that they can live together thanks to the fact that the fifth-generation Forester is able to embrace incredible off-road capabilities thanks to the updated X-mode, to a traction capable of pulling you out even when dealing with the most unlikely paths and the help of the electric motor that mainly comes into play where the combustion engine needs it. It is therefore not a car with which you will be able to cruise kilometers in EV mode, but rather a way to slightly limit fuel consumption of the 2-liter 4-cylinder boxer and take advantage of the pros (including tax-like stuff) associated with hybrid propulsion.

If the front end is the one that changes less compared to the previous model, the low belt line leads to a completely new rear, where a black profile joins the two light clusters and properly update the tailgate of the new Forester, which takes less than half the seconds for opening and closing. Still in the luggage compartment, under the loading floor and in place of the spare wheel, we find the small battery pack, sheltered by a structure always obtained under the same floor. Listing all the new things would be distracting, but know that once you get on board it is impossible not to notice how the choice of materials and assemblies have played a role of primary importance for Subaru, with soft plastics on the whole console and a sense of precision clearly better than before. In front of the driver we find an instrumentation with two analogical elements (tachometer and speedometer) with the on-board computer that we already know right in the middle. Then, in the center of the dashboard there’s the 8” touch display through which to manage the infotainment system and satellite navigation, while air conditioning remains controllable by keys and physical knobs, which is not a bad thing at all. Above it, on the other hand, there is the second display, which has 8 different screen modes and allows you to monitor, for example, navigation, percentage use of the heat engine and the electric motor, inclinometer and any other parameter useful for driving on road and in off-road activities.

Going back to the engine, Subaru confirms that it has been renewed for a good 80%, all with the utmost attention to the environment, pulling out 150 horsepower and 194 Nm of torque, certainly not ideal for traffic light blasts, but more suitable for a relaxed drive and to maneuver in some rough path immersed in the Euganean Hills. The Big Bang Theory’s nerds, or those who like to be particularly pampered, will surely appreciate the DMS (driver monitoring system), which is a system that automatically recognizes who sits at the wheel and thus sets his preferences for seat, steering wheel and climate control, also warning in case of distraction and tiredness. Among the other items related to safety, we also have RAB (reverse automatic braking), useful in order to avoid accidents when maneuvering in reverse.

The fifth generation Forester confirms the role of a fundamental project for Subaru, always at the forefront in terms of safety and capable of impressing with its ability while facing rough and muddy terrains and steep mule tracks. One aspect that surprised me the most is the sense of inner peace and precision that now the car finally puts at disposal on the road, with a better soundproofing of a generously proportioned passenger compartment, both for people and things. The Forester is already available and only as a hybrid, where you can choose between 3 different versions – Free, Style and Premium, with prices set at € 35,500, € 38,500 and € 43,000 respectively, confirming once again how the brand intends to remain competitive, despite offering a really complete package from every point of view.