Subaru Forester   Women's view

Cant Make Up Your Mind Between A Rugged 4x4 and Something More Car-Like? Subarus Latest Forester Is For You. June Neary Tries It

To be honest, I expected Subarus Forester to be much more rugged than it is - but then the name caused me to jump to conclusions. This is not a car for lumberjacks, more for ramblers and picnickers. That said, after an enjoyable weekend visit to the coast, my family and I decided that the all wheel drive Forester had a good deal going for it.

It has been said that this car is Subarus response to compact sports utility 4x4s like Land Rovers Freelander, Hondas CR-V and Toyotas RAV4, but for buyers who want something more car-like. After all, the majority of us only head for the hills at weekends, leaving five days of the week at least when were driving in towns, sitting in traffic jams or pounding along motorways to the next appointment. What impressed me most about the latest Forester was the attention to detail in the finishing. There are umpteen handy storage spaces inside, ideal for busy families everywhere.

I was particularly taken with the sunglasses pocket above the rear view mirror how often have you left yours on the passenger seat, only to find them squashed by an unsuspecting passenger or sports bag? My husband found the tie-down points in the boot area really handy, too. Theres also an invaluable cover, which just pulls across to hide any valuables you have to leave in the car. Although youre not as high off the ground as in a real off-roader, the Forester is loftier than Subarus other four-wheel drive cars which makes driving that bit easier. The seats are reached via an easy sideways shuffle and are extremely comfortable.

I appreciated the fold-down armrest when I wasnt driving, but it got in the way a bit when it was my turn to take the wheel. We picked up my sister and her husband on the way to the sea and they squeezed into the back with a seven-year-old, manageable for a short hop but the rear seat is really only designed for two, our only mildly negative observation about the cars practicalities.

Subaru, of course, have made their name in producing rally-proven cars. The Forester is based heavily on the mechanicals and suspension of the mid-sized Impreza turbo, the car that has earned Subaru so much World Rally Championship success, and its great fun to drive. The engine I tried, however, is a 156bhp 16-valve, 2.0-litre four-cylinder taken from the non-turbo Impreza, yet it still offers brisk performance.

Zero to sixty takes just over eleven seconds, with a top speed that we refrained from reaching of 122mph. The cars high-speed stability was for me surprisingly good, given its extra 200mm ground clearance compared with traditional family estates. If you want to go faster, theres also an XT version equipped with a 2.5-litre turbo with 230bhp.

In this Forester, 0-60mph takes 5.7s making this one of the fastest 4x4s around.

The current Forester (priced from £17,677) looks a little less cereal packet than the old car. There are revisions to the front wings, bonnet, bumper, grille and headlamps, giving what Subaru sees as far greater road-presence and visual dynamics. Larger wheels plus design changes at the rear are all aimed at making this Forester look taller, more imposing and closer to a conventional SUV. Inside, the designers have tried to incorporate a range of useful touches.

For example, a multi-function centre console between the front seats now offers a multitude of uses. These include an armrest which slides forward, hinges vertical and flips backwards creating a small table. It also slides far enough rearwards to provide the rear-seat passengers with two cup-holders. The console also has a console pocket able to hold four CDs, while a 12-volt power outlets allows driver and passengers to recharge their mobile phones.

You wont buy a Forester for all its gadgets however or for its luxury ambience. The key appeals are the 200mm of ground clearance and the promise of as much four-wheel driving ability as you can probably cope with. Compact and wieldy, its big on practicality, roomy, versatile and, if recent customer satisfaction surveys are to be believed, almost impeccably reliable. Whichever Forester you select, the design features a lower centre of gravity than any of its full-time four-wheel drive rivals, yet it still offers that extra ground clearance - over say a Legacy - that could make all the difference on bumpy tracks.

Subaru learned the value of this in the forests of Carlisle, the gravel of New Zealand and the snow and ice of Scandinavia.

For sheer family practicality the Forester, in my book, would be hard to beat. It might not win hands down on price but that rugged feel could well be the deciding factor. So, if you fancy one, dont hold back.