Prices And Insurance Ratings Announced For New Forester

Highly competitive prices and lower insurance costs have been announced for Subaru’s totally new Forester – on show at the British International Motor Show (NEC Birmingham, 23 Oct-3 Nov, Stand 2440, Hall 2).

Despite extra equipment, the new Forester sports-utility will cost £20,745 on-the-road for the turbocharged 177 PS 2.0 litre XT model – the same price as the previous Forester S-Turbo.

The range starts at £16,195 OTR for the Forester 2.0 X – up by only £700 – with the higher-spec ‘All Weather Pack’ model costing £17,995 – a £245 increase. Automatic versions are £1,000 extra as before.

However, equipment levels are much higher with, for example, the addition of climate-control air-conditioning for the 2.0 X and alloy wheels for the ‘All-Weather Pack’.

This is an addition to new features such as: active front head-restraints; a dual-stage passenger airbag; rear limited-slip differential, remote central-locking with shielded deadlocks and a Thatcham Category One alarm/immobiliser.

In fact, UK-inspired security upgrades plus easier-to-repair accident-damage parts will lead to lower insurance costs for the new car.

The ABI has just announced that the Forester XT is classified at 15D instead of 17D and the Forester X is only 11A compared to 12D/13D for the previous Forester base and ‘All Weather Pack’ model.

The new Forester also now leads the petrol SUV class for fuel consumption and emissions despite featuring full-time all-wheel drive.

For example, the Forester 2.0 X manual is 4.5 mpg better than before on the Extra Urban Cycle at 42.2 mpg and has a CO2 figure of 204 g/km.

It means that for 2002/3, company car drivers will be taxed at 22 per cent of the car’s value under the new ‘Benefit In Kind’ rules instead of 27 per cent for the previous Forester.

The 2.0 XT also has better economy and lower emissions plus the appeal of a 177 PS engine giving unheard of performance for a SUV in this class with a 7.9 second 0-60 mph time and top speed of 125 mph for the manual.

Key improvements for the new Forester are a fresh, stylish body design with greater presence and a high-quality, tactile interior featuring much improved rear seat space.

It also boasts even better ride and handling for a genuine sporty-car feel despite retaining considerable all-terrain ability.