Forester named UK’s Mid Range SUV of the Year

In one of the hardest fought battles, 4x4 Magazine in the UK has awarded the new 2014 Subaru Forester class honors in the annual 4x4 of the Year issue. They subjected 30 different 4X4 vehicles to a wide range of tests both on and off-road to determine the winner. The new Forester was the ultimate SUV in the mid-range and the title-holder for 2014.

That’s quite an accomplishment for the newly-designed Subaru Forester. It competed against SUVs like the Range Rover. To get to the 4X4 magazine’s final decisions, they looked at each vehicle’s on and off-road ability, its overall competence, and they also considered value for money, and whether the vehicle is fit for purpose. This year’s event was held at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, a fantastic venue for off-road testing.

Nigel Fryatt, Editor of 4x4 Magazine, said: “Subaru’s latest Forester impressed us both on and off road. This version is fresh, good-looking and a great drive. It has ‘good for its class’ approach and departure angles and with the automatically controlled X-Mode system, the Forester maintains its competent off-road ability and bad weather credentials. That it is also great to drive on the road is the bonus that grabbed the class victory.”
 
The Forester is a global vehicle and also popular in the U.S. and Australia. The 2014 Forester went on sale in the UK in May and has seen increasing sales. Buyers are also impressed with the new crossover with sales up 75 per cent year-on-year. They are impressed with its improved performance, safety and efficiency and a more spacious and better appointed cabin.
 
The gas-powered turbo XT has been the top seller in the range with its 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection engine and X-Mode hill descent system. The diesel variant is the next model buyers are choosing in the UK with its fuel-efficient diesel Boxer engine.

Paul Tunnicliffe, Managing Director of Subaru UK, talked about the most recent award.  “We are delighted with this recognition. The Forester has always been popular with owners who need a car that is highly accomplished off-road but also entertaining on it, and the decision by 4x4 Magazine’s expert judges is testament to the car’s varied abilities. Customers should also take comfort from our enviable reputation for reliability and durability, five-year, 100,000-mile warranty and rock-solid safety credentials.”

This isn’t the first global award for the new Forester. It recently won  “Best Car to Buy 2014” by U.S. automotive publisher High Gear Media and also Motor Trend magazine’s 2014 Sport/Utility of the Year. Now, after subjecting the new Forester to a wide range of tests both on and off-road, UK’s 4x4 Magazine awarded Forester class honors in one of the hardest-fought categories in its annual 4x4 of the Year issue.