Used Subaru Forester 4x4 2002 - 2008 review

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.