Subaru Forester

The rugged mid-sized SUV is back for a sixth time, with hybrid power, all-wheel drive and a revised cabin

- Jordan Katsianis

Price: £42,995
On sale: Now
Powertrain: 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid
Power/torque: 134bhp/182Nm
Transmission: CVT automatic, all-wheel drive
0-62mph: 12.2 seconds
Top speed: 136mph
MPG/CO2: 34.8mpg/183g/km
Size (L/W/H): 4,670/1,830/1,730mm

IT'S a tough job to stand out from the crowd of mid-sized SUVs, but Subaru arguably created this segment and the new Forester strikes a different pose against most rivals.

This new, sixth-generation model joins the UK market with a single hybrid-assisted powertrain in three trims. These start with the Limited from £38,995 and rise to £42,995 for the Touring model; a mid-range Field model splits them, at £40,440.

Limited trim gets 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, heated and power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, an 11.6-inch touchscreen display, 360-degree cameras and wireless charging.

The Touring adds features such as a panoramic sunroof, larger wheels and heated rear seats. The Forester's four-cylinder boxer' petrol engine is linked to a hybrid system and CVT transmission.

Between them the new drivetrain helps improve economy and emissions, both of which are typically troublesome for this historically thirsty engine. Subaru quotes combined economy of 34.8mpg.

That isn't particularly good for the class but seems accurate in the real world. Just as with Toyota's hybrid systems - with which this powertrain shares much of its technology - Subaru's set-up is more efficient in low-speed driving, where you'll see figures climbing close to 40mpg. On the motorway, though, higher engine speeds and less assistance from the e-motor drop it back into the mid-30s.