Family wagon or hatch hunter?

As a package the S-Edition is a tad pricey, but it offers the combined pleasures of an easy-riding Mum’s taxi, sporty Daddy brag-wagon and a safe, weekends away family hauler which is super on tar and fun in the dirt…

Nope, this is no ordinary Subaru Forester with a stuck-on bonnet decoration. This one has sharp teeth and real muscle, so don't even think about taking it on because you are likely to come an embarrassing second.

As it whizzes past you might spot the discreet red S-badge stuck onto its bum which is the medal that gives this wagon the right to swagger. Just in case you don't know, the badge warns you that under its air-scooped bonnet lurks the same high-performance chunk of machinery that powers the scorching WRX sedan.

Cool for commuting, but...

Yep, the very same 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer engine that thunders out 193kW of power and 347Nm of torque transmitted to Subaru's race and rally track winning all-wheel drive system - all of which converts to a zero to 100km/h sprint time of about 6.5 seconds and a top speed of just under 230km/h

The S comes standard with a five-speed automatic transmission which is cool for commuting but a little slow on the uptake when you are running a little late for your tee-off time or squirting into a gap in fast-moving traffic. It definitely is also not the mode in which to take on the boykies with the sideways caps in their loud-mouthed hatches. For that, the S has paddle shift on the steering wheel which is quicker, although still not quite as slick and fast as you would expect from Subaru.

Your BlueTooth audio controls.

In fact, the rather sleepy transmission is the only thing I didn't really like about this R449 000 flagship Forester. As for the rest of the package there is very little else on the road that scores so well in so many departments.

The hot Forester's roadholding is superb, once you get used to the rather top-heavy lean in the corners and become re-acquainted with Subaru's renowned sporty chassis, stability control and all-wheel tarmac hugging grip.

Steering on this wagon is also impressively sharp with very little hint of the kind of understeer one would expect from an all-wheel drive chariot.

Good at getting down and dirty

However, the beauty of this beast is that it is not just a confident strider on tar. Head for the dirt and dust and its good roadholding and high ground clearance provide a comfortable, relaxed, quiet - and dust-free ride, thanks to good sound and dust insulation. What's more, its rapid progress happens without a hint of a rattle or squeak because like all Subaru vehicles the S-Edition is solidly screwed and glued together.

A little dual climate control ensures everyone's comfortable...

Although it is no ways a blue-bearded off-roader (it doesn't even have low range transmission) this sporty SUV will even tackle brief stretches of the type of badlands normally the preserve of the Land Rover and Toyota toughies and cope reasonably well with an experienced bushwhacker at the helm.

Hah Soh! All the goodies - and super on safety

Being a versatile urban and dirt warrior the interior is comfortable, if typically Japanese all clacky plastic and scattered knobs, dials and gauges. The rather, umm, bright blue, accessory-shop look of the S-edition's seats won't be to everybody's taste, but at least they are nicely off-set by goodies such as a sun roof, reversing camera, a super cool sound system with tweeters, sub-woofer, seven speakers plus all the high tech Blue tooth, iPod etc capabilities your heart desires. You'll also find a multi-function aircon, cruise control,60/40 split rear seats and a boot big enough for big boy toys, plus kit bags and cases.

...And the SportShift ensures snappy gear changing.

Subaru has always been top-class when it comes to passenger protection and the Forester is armed with ABS with EBD and BA, a one-touch power door lock, side impact safety intrusion bars, traction control, vehicle dynamics control, airbags galore (dual front, dual front side, dual intelligent side curtain airbags) and Isofix adapted child seat anchors and rear door child locks.

Besides the in your face air scoop on the bonnet the rest of the S-Edition's exterior make-up include sporty 17-inch alloys, roof rails, a snazzy, slightly sinister black front grille, a cheeky rear spoiler, embedded front fog lights and bat wing side mirrors that are both attractive and practical.

So, as a package the S-Edition is a tad pricey, but it offers the combined pleasures of an easy-riding Mum's taxi, sporty Daddy brag-wagon and a safe, weekends away family hauler which is super on tar and fun in the dirt... and let's not under-estimate the Yacht Club chat cred of THAT red S badge!

Specifications.

Subaru Forester Car Review - Kelley Blue Book

2011 Subaru Forester Review

Subaru Forester 2011

2011 Subaru Forester Model Comparison