2.0iXE

A pleasure to own and drive.

Designed by engineers not stylists and it shows. The flat four engine is wonderful. The suspension is superb - it shrugs off our Third World road surfaces unlike so many other cars. The visibility is great and you can see the corners of the bonnet. Not too wide, but roomy, comfortable and safe. The steering is sharp with good feel of the road and the handling great for such a tall car. The instruments and the multi-function leather-covered wheel are excellent. The gearbox is a bit notchy going into second on my car. The clutch is good. There is a proper handbrake, not an electric gizmo which will cause trouble in the years ahead. There is a space saver spare wheel - a full-size is available. The AWD system is permanent unlike most others' Haldex FWD plus RWD with time lag. I get 33-37mpg with no DPF worries ( I have spoken to an owner of a diesel Forester who had just that). First service is £236. The heater and demister are good as are the heated seats. There is some road roar from the meaty 60 profile Geolander all season tyres on coa*** surfaces, but otherwise the Forester is quiet. I do not like the automatic wipers nor the beep-beep horn. The engine idles at 1800rpm for a few minutes on cold start. Not a car for the city but in its element on the open road- or on rough tracks. Fault-fee from new.

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