Subaru has upgraded the Forester for 2016 with claims of improved safety, convenience, comfort and refinement. The upgraded Subaru Forester has arrived across the brand’s Irish dealer network this month and prices for the range start from €36,995 for the 2.0 Diesel X model.

Every Forester comes with Subaru’s signature core technologies, which include symmetrical all-wheel-drive and the latest-generation four-cylinder ‘Boxer’ engines, which they claim contributes to the low centre of gravity for better road holding and handling.

The most obvious change is an exterior and interior refresh. The front grille has been updated with a new ‘wing’ motif grille mesh, while the front bumper has been reshaped.

The wraparound headlamps now feature a new black base paint finish, for a sharper appearance. The 2016 model comes with new LED combination lamps at the rear.

High-resolution displays

On the inside, new materials and technologies have been introduced. The interior is finished with more soft-touch materials, new piano black and metallic trim, higher-resolution TFT displays, and new upholstery, with leather as an option.

Subaru has a series of Forester modifications to improve cabin refinement. Thicker glass is used in the doors and new front quarter lights at the base of the A-pillar are claimed to reduce wind and other cabin noises.

More sound-absorbent material is used in the window and door seals to further reduce noise levels. There is additional soundproofing material around the dashboard, particularly where the dashboard meets the base of the windscreen and in the front passenger foot well to minimise noise intrusion.

The new Forester is claimed to be safer using new headlamp technologies, which include LED lights with Adaptive Front Lighting System. This new feature allows the headlamps to rotate left or right into corners as the driver turns the wheel. Subaru claims that this has improved the Forester driver’s night visibility, particularly useful in poorly lit rural areas.

Other standard safety equipment on every Forester model includes twin front, side, curtain and knee airbags, Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control, Subaru’s electronic stability control system with trailer stability, and Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive technology.

Hill Descent Control

The 2016 Subaru Forester features a range of modifications to improve ride quality and agility, and ensure greater refinement for passengers. Subaru has updated the suspension settings to give a more comfortable and refined ride, particularly over broken or choppy surfaces.

There is a new control system which includes Hill Descent Control, which Subaru claims makes traction better than that of the outgoing model. And there is a new steering gearbox to quicken the steering ratio and give improved reactions to steering inputs.

The engines remain unchanged with the 147bhp 2.0D turbo-diesel engine being the most popular in Ireland. There are five models in the 2016 Forester range, starting at €36,995 for the diesel 2.0D X and €37,995 for the petrol 2.0i XE Lineartronic auto.

All Forester models now come with the Subaru brand’s extended five-year, 160,000km warranty.