2.0i XT Lineartronic 5dr SUV

Brilliant all-rounder

I'm not usually a review writer but, having driven BMW, Lexus and Mercedes vehicles for years, the switch to the Forester XT has been a revelation. The build quality, engineering and capabilities really are first class and the car is so much fun to drive. I've used it both on and off-road and really can't fault it's abilities. It feels very surefooted in all conditions and inspires confidence when driving in bad weather and in the recent snow. I'm just surprised that so few review/comparison type sites list it as an option to consider against many of the other SUVs on the market!

The interior is well equipped and a nice place to be, It feels much more spacious than you'd expect in this size of SUV and both front and back areas are comfortable on long trips.
There's plenty of space in the back and the reclining rear seats are a useful touch, especially when the children get sleepy :)
Some of the plastic isn't as 'touchy-feely' as you'd get in a Mercedes or BMW but it feels like it will last a lifetime and cope with anything that's thrown at it.
Where the interior feel does matter, the mix of soft-touch materials and leather feel high quality and durable. As the car hasn't developed a single rattle or squeak in 7000 miles of driving,(unlike my last two Mercedes!) I have to say the interior materials and cabin build are spot-on!

As everyone mentions, the electric tailgate is slow, but having had similar on a previous car, I've now got the knack of knowing when to push the fob button so that it's fully open when I arrive at the car :)
One gripe I do have is that the liftable boot floor doesn't have a locking mechanism, which makes it difiicult to pack coats etc. underneath. All solved with a couple of bits of velcro but I'm surprised that wasn't done at the factory.

The engine is just superb, very responsive with loads of pull. The multiple gearbox modes definitely get the best out of it, and make it easy to live with whether on motorways, in town or off-road.

The only downside is it's not the most frugal vehicle when it comes to fuel. However I've been regularly achieving 29-31 mpg on my daily drives and up to 40 mpg on motorway slogs, which is reasonable considering the weight/engine/my heavy foot! and not a million miles away from the official figures.

Overall, it really is a great car. Well done Subaru!

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