Superb Subaru Forester XT

Sheldon Williams, Gleaner Writer

The 2013 Subaru Forester XT turned in an impressive performance during a test drive by Automotives last Tuesday. The vehicle boasts a symmetrical all-wheel-drive capability that allows it to adjust to any road condition, which I was eager to test.

Before I hit the road, though, public relations and marketing manager at Kingston Industrial Garage Ltd (KIG), Dawn Green, watched over a thorough inspection of the SUV in the company's Spanish Town Road parking lot.

At first glance, the XT appeared to be a commodious driving unit - what many Jamaicans often refer to as a 'big vehicle'. I was not disappointed, as the substantial appearance is matched by the vehicle's interior. The boot space has capacity for large cargo. Additional space is also achievable by folding the rear seats flat.

The space is 862mm high and 1,160mm wide, but the most impressive rear feature is the A look under the bonnet at the engine.

Left: The powered tailgate makes accessing the boot a snap.

automatic rear-gate lift, which opens and closes the door with the touch of a button strategically placed on the instrument panel.

The driver and passenger doors have been widened from previous years, allowing easier entry and exit and also contributing to the interior room. My entry into the cabin and slipping behind the steering wheel was hassle-free. Legroom and headroom were just as commendable (and I am not short).

The engine started almost silently with the press of a button (this is the wonderful keyless access life). The XT boasts a redesigned layout with higher seating, which provides better visibility through the windscreen. I had no problems putting the vehicle in gear, as the shifter handle was easy on the palm and responded smoothly. A shift boot has been included to generate a more luxurious feel.

The instrument display is impressive. The instrument cluster and high-quality multifunction display showed the vehicle's vital signs clearly. What I admired most was that the fuel level was displayed in bars, which replace the accustomed needle.

SMOOTH JOURNEY

The Forester drives smoothly and the journey along Spanish Town Road, St Andrew, allowed opportunity for testing the braking, which was impressive. The side mirrors, now placed onto the door panels, offered impeccable viewing and enhanced the line of vision - especially handy on a dual carriageway.

The hill ascent and descent capabilities were put to the test on Queen Hill and, in an effortless display, the XT climbed the steep slope without a hiccup or labouring.

I did not even have to make use of the X-Mode ability, which offers another option to a driver when traversing challenging terrain. With the push of a button, X-Mode takes control of the engine and transmission, among other components, to safely navigate bad roads and even the steepest of hills with poise. There is also hill descent control that automatically keeps the Forester at a constant speed.

The XT's shock-absorbing mechanism easily dealt with all potholes.

The Subaru Forester XT comes equipped with several newly introduced features. The most obvious change is that the customary bonnet scoop is not visible. It has been placed under the bonnet. Under that smooth bonnet is the turbocharged version of Subaru's new 2.0 litre FB20 boxer four engine. The XT also offers a lineartronic CVT transmission paddle shift and a 240hp/350nm-torque engine performance.

Other notable offerings of the XT are the power sliding, tilt-adjustable glass sunroof; a telescopic, adjustable steering wheel with audio remote controls switches; and electric rear-window defogger with timer.