Overview

AS THE current Subaru Forester approaches the end of the road before a “new” model arrives this year, Subaru Australia is marketing the current model hard even resorting to tapping the legendary STI nameplate… in a car that has very little in common with the broad perception of what STI is/was.

To us Subaru Tecnica International (STI) spells performance above the mainstream derived from international motorsport experience.

It means a hike in power, firm sporty suspension, bigger Brembo brakes, sticky tyres, quicker steering, and a somewhat in-your-face appearance heightened by the addition of a coffee-table-size rear wing.

That has now transitioned from fire breathing WRX performance cars into a “trim level” on the medium size Forester STI Sport…an SUV with a modicum of actual mechanical enhancements.

Selling for $48,640 excluding on-road costs, the Forester STI Sport we drove offers everything expected from a mainstream Subaru: a solid build, supple ride, tidy dynamics, a decent amount of standard kit, and undoubted reliability.

But it won’t pin back your ears under acceleration or give you a crick in the neck after hard cornering.

The model tested rivals Mazda’s CX-5 G25 GT SP from $50,310, the slightly cheaper Nissan X-Trail ST-L 4WD at $47,290 and the Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid at $48,910, all prices excluding ORCs.

It’s based on the Forester 2.5i S AWD, with no upgrades to the ubiquitous four pot petrol boxer engine that is good for 136kW and 239Nm output fed full-time to all four wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The unremarkable powertrain is in other garden variety Subarus where it is perfectly suited.

The Forester STI Sport is pitched at buyers wanting a sportier looking model with AWD and a badge for bench racing, but Subaru has snuck in a “precision” suspension tuned by STI focusing on the front and rear dampers that complements the car’s all-wheel drive system, bestowing it with what Subaru says is “elevated handling for a sharper, more responsive driving experience”.

You can pick the STI Sport model from the outside by its dark grey, high-lustre 18-inch alloy wheels, black front grille, Crystal Black side and rear garnishes, black door mirror caps, roof rails, fog light garnishes and front and rear under guards, along with the iconic STI badge.

On the inside we find a Black & Bordeaux (red) colour scheme to the Nappa leather-accented seats, door trim, centre console and instrument panel. Facing the driver is an STI-branded instrument cluster and red stitching is applied on the steering wheel and instrument panel adding a sporty feel.

Subaru says the STI Sport AWD “continues the legacy of the Forester as an all-around performer, engineered for adventure and built to meet the diverse needs of Australian drivers”.

Available colours are Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Magnetite Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Silica and Offshore Blue Metallic.

Driving Impressions

Though not expecting much, the test vehicle proved us wrong with an engaging drive feel, decent engine performance and a high level of practicality.

It has some annoying ADAS features that require the usual deselect to retain your sanity every time you drive but on the other side of the coin it has simple to use controls winning the Forester some brownie points.

More brownie points for its competence as an everyday transporter that can see some light off-road duty.

But please Subaru get rid of the Driver Monitor system that incessantly and sometimes incorrectly taps you on the shoulder (metaphorically speaking).

The infotainment system may be outdated to some but is in fact easy to use and logical while hard button climate controls are welcome instead of filing through screen menus.

The large sunroof is superfluous as far as we are concerned and pinches headroom as well.

The Forester has a full-size spare under the rear floor adding a sense of certainty to ownership in a time of space savers or useless inflation kits.

Like the car itself, connectivity options are dated with wired smart phones and USB-A ports but Bluetooth works quickly and sat nav is hard wired, but we always link to Waze anyway which offers a better service and safety reports.

Engine performance is good as the Forester offers up strong linear acceleration across a wide engine speed range, assisted by the impressive, aptly named Lineartronic stepped CVT that feels more like a sports-calibrated conventional fluid auto in operation.

The flat four donk generates minimal noise or vibration only announcing its presence under hard acceleration which is a pleasant accompaniment to the exercise.

It isn’t the most economical ICE out there recording an average 9.0 litres per 100km combined on test; however that’s tempered by the fact that it consumes cheaper 91 RON petrol.

Towing capacity is 1800kg braked which we were not able to test during our one-week assignment.

The STI’s tweaked suspension delivers in spades in terms of ride quality and dynamics achieving a near perfect compromise between the two that is unusual in a mainstream runabout wagon such as this.

As well as urban commuting and freeway cruising, we took it down some bumpy gravel tracks, through muddy puddles, over rocky outcrops and on the sand all of which fell easily within the scope of the vehicle.

There is a limit though delineated by ground clearance and the highway terrain tyres.

It is comfy inside with decent size seats that offer supple padding and an ergonomic shape with full adjustability on the front. The three rear pews are similarly comfortable to occupy though the middle isn’t as good as the outside.

The large load space is handy, flat and expandable if required.

Other details are pleasing including the premium audio and bright, white LED headlights with additional cornering lights. Parking is simplified thanks to camera and sensor assistance and the turning circle is good at around 10 metres.

Multiple driving modes for on and off road are provided all of which exhibit significantly different calibrations to suit their purpose.

Would we buy one is the question.. and unless it’s runout priced, the answer is we’d probably wait until the “new” model arrives later this year and it would be a hybrid that potentially uses a lot less fuel with similar or even better performance.