Review
I have owned manual, low-slung performance hatchbacks and coupes all my life. All that changed when my firstborn arrived. I went on the lookout for a SUV that fits all my requisites; power, comfort and liveability.

My shopping list included the XC60, S60, Tiguan and the Forester.

My first impressions on the test drive was how much you could see out of this thing, visibility is top notch on the Forester. Together with the super smooth 2.0DIT engine, it made for a very comfortable experience, like gliding on the roads. The interior was super quiet, good if you like it that way (or if you keep it in 'I' mode). Switch to 'S' or 'S#' and immediately the engine roars to life when you put your foot down. Dual personalities to match driving for the city and (NS) highways.

Compared to the other SUVs that I have tested, the Forester manages to keep it's composure when turning, probably due to it's boxer engine which has a lower CG. There is still some body roll which is inevitable to these class of vehicles.

Interior is a step forward for a Subaru, although the competitors offer more luxurious fittings. However, everything is where it should be. Loads of space for occupants in front and behind.

Stereo is so-so, with USB and iPhone compatibility. Boot space is huge with thoughtful controls to drop the rear seats. Auto-tailgate is a godsent, even if it operates a little slowly.

The design is a little too over enthusiastic, but it grows on you over time.

For safety, it has a 5 star euro ncap rating and even ISOFIX points for the little one's car seat. The brakes are a little weak for the heft of this vehicle and do require a bit of stomping before the vehicle slows down, would definitely need to invest in an aftermarket set.

It seems like Subaru made a conscious attempt to make a well-engineered SUV that can take almost everything you can throw at it. Being made in Japan, it just feels very well put together, with the doors and switches operating with Germanic efficiency.

In light of the crazy COE and car prices in Singapore, look past the Subaru badging and you'll find yourself with a star performer that represents superb value for your dollar. I know I did as I purchased it over it's competitors.

What I like
Great visibility.
Complete package of space, power, safety, usability and drivability.
Spacious interior.
Smooth engine.
Well planted ride.

What I do not like
Quite a heavy car. While strong enough, the brakes require some serious stomping to stop the car at speeds.

Review
Went to catch a glimpse of the facelift some weeks ago but didn't have time to write review till now.

The first look of it is "Subaru, you are back with the 'garang' look". It give me the Grr...on its front.

Interior has improved from cheapo stuffs to slightly more premium feel which makes you ok to pay for it other than for its engine performance.

Driving it was a breeze I must admit, the punch of the boxer engine still makes Subaru the choice among Jap makers for this price.

I was only using I-mode or Intelligent mode and the umph of the engine roars (softly this time) to life when I throttle it and do overtaking on the test route. Wonder if it will have more power if I switch to S or S+ modes.

I guess Subaru hears from drivers, FINALLY auto rain sensors, auto headlights and even electric tailgate is given.

Their display screens are intuitive too and easy to navigate.

Parking was easy too as with guidance of reverse camera (if I didn't remember wrongly).

Overall, its a good SUV to get, if you have a budget against other makes like XC 60 or so.

What I like
The punch of the engine
Its acceleration
Better interior in quality material compared to previous
Smooth change of gears even on normal drive mode (I-mode)
Electric Tailgate (Nice)
Auto headlights and auto rain sensors (finally I see both in an Asian make)
Better intuitive screen display
Sunroof included too

What I do not like
No rear aircon

Review
Glad to be the first reviewer for the Subaru Forester 2.0XT on SGCarmart ! I was actually also looking at continental cars like Volvo and VW, but eventually decided on this because I find it's more value-for-money. Also, I had good experiences with the Subaru Legacy when I was working in the USA, so I'm not averse to this brand. Collected the car in Mid June 2013.

The engine packs a punch and drives smoothly and effortlessly, a vast difference from the 1.6L Altis that I drove previously. In particular, when you engage the S# mode, you feel "dangerous" as the car just insists on accelerating with abandon. The keyless entry, the automated tailgate, and the sun roof are nice touches. I also like the exterior appearance which is rugged and sporty.

The interior is surprisingly roomy given it's a compact SUV, and the backseat passengers have lots of leg room. This is in addition to the cavernous "cargo" area at the back. The USB and Bluetooth functions enable me to play music and make phone calls from my iphone - nice!

The Subaru Forester is a "niche" car model in SG, (although it's popular in the USA) with competitors like the Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4. Owning the Forester gives one a feeling "non-conformist"...not necessarily a bad thing ! I'm enjoying it so far.

What I like
1. Powerful engine performance.
2. Roomy interior.
3. Sexy exterior.
4. Features galore like sun roof, automated tail gate, keyless entry, USB ports, Bluetooth, Kardon Harmon sound system.

What I do not like
1. The interior finishing feels somewhat "cheap" at times, with plastic-y surfaces in many parts. Its interior is certainly not as polished as the continental cars.
2. The car does not feel as "smooth riding" as the regular saloon, rather bumpy at times, possibly because it's a SUV and stands taller.
3. This is still to be determined as I have not used up my first tank of petrol yet - but the petrol consumption looks to be somewhat less than 10km per litre for sure.
4. The driver seat does not have "memory" for its electric adjustment.
5. No dedicated air con duct at the back.