Although my base model Forester was equipped with antilock front disc brakes and drum-style antilock rear brakes, it cast-off speed suitably well while exercising good dynamic control, despite a mushy-feeling pedal and significant nosedive. Moving up to either XS or XT trim will place antilock disc brakes at all four-corners of the Forester. Why Subaru hasn't made
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| Subaru has included a long-travel, four-wheel independent suspension. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
the superior disc/disc arrangement, which includes Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), standard across the board mystifies and perturbs me. Again, many less expensive vehicles are so equipped. If you really must, compromise elsewhere Subaru, brakes are far too important to skimp on.
Subaru has included a long-travel, four-wheel independent suspension, which improves traction on uneven terrain by keeping the wheels in closer contact with the ground. Overall, the Forester does a good job of handling rough surfaces with a ride that's slightly more stout than that in a typical passenger car, but not at all truck-like. Also un-truck-like is the Forester's admirable agility and lively
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| Also un-truck-like is the Forester's admirable agility and lively handling characteristics, which again makes it more passenger car than SUV in nature. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
handling characteristics, which again makes it more passenger car than SUV in nature.
Subaru's Symmetrical, full-time all-wheel drive system powers all four wheels under most circumstances. Many light duty SUVs and crossover vehicles only direct power rearward when the front wheels begin slipping. In addition to supplying superior traction, Subaru claims that its Symmetrical engineering lowers the vehicle's centre of gravity by keeping the drivetrain's mass low in the chassis resulting in improved handling and vehicular stability. I can't say that the effect jumped out at me during my time with the Forester, but I am certain the principle is sound.
