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Once best known for its flame-spitting, rally-bred Imprezas, Subaru’s focus now is on cars that will appeal to a far wider audience, and especially one that values go-anywhere ability and no-nonsense values above all others.

The result is a mixed bag of offerings, none of which rise beyond being average in their class but most of which have facets that make them stand out from their rivals. Core to its range are the Forester and Outback SUVs, while the Levorg is a more conventional estate.

At other extremes, there’s also the BRZ, an entertaining coupé that is let down by its price and resale values, and of course the Impreza, which comes in a variety of forms, including a hot model.

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FORESTER

The Forester's fine drive is let down by its cramped cabin and poor economy

Used Subaru Forester 4x4 2002 - 2008

Although many used Foresters are still within the Subaru network, prices are not too high. If you're looking at it as an alternative to a Land Rover Freelander or Toyota RAV4, the Forester is generally the cheaper option.

There's no worry about fuel economy, either, with the original 2.0-litre engine returning better mpg than the equivalent RAV4 or Freelander. And, although the more powerful 2.0-litre unit is more thirsty, it's only by a little.

Of the two high-performance engines, the turbocharged 2.0-litre is the better bet, as it returns almost 29mpg. However, even the 2.5's 26mpg is respectable for such a fast car.

Routine servicing costs are a little higher than a RAV4's, but insurance costs are fair as long as you steer clear of the quick versions. However, unscheduled work is dear: Warranty Direct says that average repair bills on Subarus are among the most expensive of any make's.

The Forester's fine drive is let down by its cramped cabin and poor economy

This version of the Forester arrived in the UK in the middle of 2002, was face-lifted three years later, and had a variety of different engines, but our favourite has always been the most basic model, the 2.0 X, which has all the equipment you need.

To begin with, the engine had 123bhp, but an all-new 2.5 156bhp was introduced as part of the 2005 face-lift. That made the car much quicker, but consumed more fuel, so stick to the less powerful original version, which was no slouch.

When the car was launched, the only alternative was the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that made the Forester as quick as most hot hatches. It was discontinued in 2005, so the only alternative was the 2.5-litre six-cylinder, which made the Forester almost as quick as the Impreza WRX. However, it's expensive to buy and run, and best avoided.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement. A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.

The Mazda CX-5 is firmly road-focused, but its 2.0-litre petrol engine is a strong, refined performer, making it looks good value for less than&nbsp;£25k. If you can stretch the budget a fair bit, the Audi Q5 provides a combination of comfort, driving prowess, quality and space that's hard to beat. Unlike some rivals, it can't be had with seven seats, though.

A more affordable, yet well-equipped alternative is the Peugeot 5008. It’s more than capable of coping with family life&nbsp;– and all versions have seven seats as standard.&nbsp;

Large SUV

Subaru has consistently performed well in customer satisfaction surveys, and this Forester has continued that trend, finishing joint top of its class in the 2006 JD Power survey.

The good news for potential buyers is that owners report virtually no problems with either the reliability of the car or its build quality. The only common complaint was that the stereo wasn't up to much.

Similarly, owners have posted generally positive reviews online, and no recalls have ever been issued on the Forester.

You may be concerned that Warranty Direct says that claim rates on Subarus are very high, but that's more a reflection of the number of Imprezas on their books than any weakness on the part of the Forester.

Warranty Direct's only words of caution with this car are that clutches and driveshafts can give out at 60,000 miles, and that spare parts and some repairs can be expensive.

The Forester is usually compared to 4x4s such as the Toyota RAV4 and Land Rover Freelander, but it's not quite the same sort of car. In fact, the Forester is more of a four-wheel-drive estate than an outright off-roader.

It sits a little lower than a conventional 4x4, for a start, which helps to make it such a good drive. None of the engines are short of performance, and the suspension does a fine job, providing an excellent blend of a smooth ride with enjoyable handling.

The driving position is good, too, as are all-round visibility and the space up-front. However, it's not quite as good in the back: legroom is a bit tight and it's quite a squeeze to fit three adults across the back seat. The boot is big enough for most families' needs, and the split/fold rear seats are a big help.

Used Subaru Forester 4x4 2002 - 2008 review

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