The Subaru Forester ticks all the boxes for a capable, compact SUV

A compact SUV doesn’t come much pokier than the Subaru Forester 2.0XT. The mid-lifecycle refresh of the fourth-generation model is more powerful than any of its Japanese and South Korean rivals, with a 2-litre, 4-cylinder boxer engine that produces 241 horsepower and 350 Newton metres of torque.

Compare that to the Toyota RAV-4, with a 2-litre engine rated at 150 horsepower; the Maxda CX-5, whose 2.5-litre engine outputs 192 horsepower; and the latest Kia Sportage EX Premium, equipped with a 184-horsepower, 2.4-litre engine. The Forester also beats the much more expensive Lexus NX200t, which is powered by a 2-litre turbocharged 238-horsepower engine.

Subaru isn’t shy about doing things its own way. That includes the symmetrical all-wheel-drive system with trademark boxer engine in its SUVs. Like all of Subaru’s turbocharged boxer engines, it is characterised by a low-pitched rumble when pushed.

The Japanese company likes to boast that the system is more balanced, enhances traction and provides a high level of control, ensuring safety for the driver and passengers. It also makes the vehicle more fun to drive, the carmaker says.

However, motorists have different ideas about driving fun. Driving a new Forester down a multi-lane highway in the New Territories is not the kind of driving fun I have in mind. The traffic is heavy, and the fact many road users ignore the “keep left” signs and dally in the fast lane means the Forester is frequently weaving between lanes. It does so effortlessly, however, with a minimum of steering angle input – although the steering is not particularly quick.

Although no one would buy a Forester for its acceleration, its ability to hit 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds is impressive for a compact SUV. The vehicle has been widely praised for its engaging driving, thanks largely to that aforementioned four-wheel-drive system, but I beg to differ. It feels less smooth in city driving compared to some SUVs with front-wheel drive, while the combination of relatively generous ground clearance (220mm) and a set of all-season Bridgestone Dueler H/L tyres means it cannot tackle a series of tight and fast sweeping corners as well as, for example, a Subaru WRX.