We recently put the all-new redesigned Subaru Forester 2019 through its paces around a race circuit and over bumpy hills. Here's what we loved about this super safe, fam-friendly SUV ride...
Navigating our fair island and beyond with kids in tow can be one of life’s greatest parenting challenges… especially when relying on public transport to whisk ourselves, a toddler, new baby and day bags the size of an elephant around town. Owning a car here in Singapore is rather on the expensive side, it’s fair to say, so we’ve long been lamenting the buying vs leasing a car debate. But having just been to Taiwan to check out and test drive the redesigned, all-new and oh-so-fam-friendly Subaru Forester 2019, we’re thinking we might just have to juggle our budget so we can throw our kids, our dogs, our shopping and our prams into this super safe, reliable SUV on an everyday basis…
The geeky things you need to know
We’ll be honest, the technical and engineering side of a car isn’t something we’re experts on, but it’s good to have an idea of what makes an SUV – or indeed any kind of car – a good option for your family’s lifestyle. Here are some of the key things you need to know about the redesigned Subaru Forester 2019:
Eyesight driver assist technology (EyeSight)
The award-winning driver assist tech literally gives you an extra pair of eyes for the road: perfect when you’ve got kids arguing in the backseat, doing their level best to distract you! In a nutshell, this technology will alert you with a buzzer and flashing indicator on the dash, as well as brake for you to reduce impacts and avoid possible collisions. We tried it over-and-over, and although it was a little daunting being told to drive into a wall, guess what? The car did all the work and collision was completely avoided every single time. The system will also alert you if you start drifting in your lane, and will automatically adjust your speed to keep a set distance from vehicles ahead. #impressive
Direct-Injection Boxer Engine
It sounds snazzy, and it really is: expect more power, superior balance, greater stability and better cornering. Driving made easy and comfortable, right there.
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Subaru are the inventors behind SAWD, and this nifty feature means that the symmetrical layout combined with a flat engine and transmission balanced over the front axle provides optimum weight distribution with a low center of gravity. Did you get all that? Basically it drives really well using all four wheels (or two!), even when navigating roads that suddenly turn into rivers during rainy season.
Auto Vehicle Hold (AVH)
We’ve all done it: put the car into the wrong gear and narrowly missed driving into a wall or another vehicle. No need to worry about this anymore! With the AVH, human errors (aka mummy being frazzled) are corrected because the car takes over and keeps the SUV stationary when your foot is removed from the brake pedal. You won’t be moving anywhere (much less into a wall) until you want to.
Auto-Lock Boot Door
It’s the little things that go a long way… heading out with your arms full of kids and all their stuff is definitely a juggling act. Step forward the auto-close, auto-lock boot which needs nothing more than a press of a button to close and lock it. Easy: even with a toddler tucked under each arm.
Our verdict
We got to put all these features to the test when we joined the launch party earlier this year, and not only did we put the Subaru Forester 2019 through its paces, but we drove several other SUVs so we could make some comparisons, including the old Subaru Forester. Hands down, the Subaru Forester 2019 was by far the comfiest, safest drive of them all. Here are some of the things we loved:
- A wide field of view which gave great visibility all round.
- It’s super stable: even on the sharp corners of the racing circuit we drove on, this SUV handled perfectly and glided to the finish line with zero drama, despite the obstacles thrown in our way.
- Muddy steep hills, big puddles of water? Pah! No problem! Even driving on just two wheels over rocky terrain was a doddle.
- That pre-collision braking system was our absolute fave feature. Keeping the kids safe is always the number one priority, and with the best will in the world, distraction is inevitable at times. We tested this feature over and over and it only ever ended with one result: crash aversion every time.
- The cavernous boot and ample space were also a big win. There can never be too much room in an SUV when you have small ones in tow…
When is it hitting Singapore roads?
The official launch of the Subaru Forester 2019 here in Singapore is happening on 26 October 2018, so not long to wait now, folks. Full deets of price, availability and all the other essential info will be released at the same time, so we’ll update just as soon as news comes in!
Like this story? Here are more we think you’ll find useful:
Travelling in taxis with kids: how to stay safe
Car seats for all families: our picks
Lightweight strollers to make travel easier
The best bus routes for a fun tour of Singapore
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