Subaru Forester 2.0i e-BOXER
When you become a father, your perspective on "mobility" shifts overnight. It’s no longer just about 0–100 times or how sleek a car looks in a city reflection. Suddenly, you find yourself measuring door opening angles, calculating trunk liters for strollers, and prioritizing something that used to sound boring but now feels vital: Safety and Peace of Mind.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to take the Subaru Forester 2.0i e-BOXER in the Adventure trim for a thorough test. For a modern dad living in Austria, where the hills are steep and the weather is unpredictable—this wasn’t just a car test; it was a stress test for our family routine.
The First Impression: Built for Reality, Not Just the Showroom
The "Adventure" trim immediately tells you what this car is for. With its blacked-out design elements, green accents, and robust roof rails, the Forester doesn't try to be a fragile city SUV. It looks like a tool, a high-quality, dependable tool.
As a dad who believes in Growth and exploring the outdoors, I appreciated that I didn't feel like I had to "baby" the car. It’s built for mud, snow, and the inevitable chaos that comes with a toddler. The ground clearance is a secret hero for parents: it makes strapping a child into a car seat so much easier on your back. You aren't bending down into a low sedan; you are working at chest height.
The Interior: A System for the Modern Family
The inside of the Forester is where Subaru’s "Form follows Function" philosophy really shines. In my work with The Modern Dad Project, I often talk about creating systems to make life easier. The Forester is essentially a mobile system.
Visibility is King: The first thing you notice is the glass. The pillars are thin, and the windows are huge. You have almost a 360-degree view. When you are maneuvering through a tight parking spot with a crying baby in the back, that visibility reduces your stress levels significantly. You feel in control.
Space & Car Seats: We tested the rear bench with a standard reboarder. Many SUVs in this class force the front passenger to push their seat all the way forward. In the Forester, there was plenty of legroom left. The doors open nearly 90 degrees, which is a detail you only appreciate once you’ve tried to navigate a bulky car seat through a narrow gap in a crowded parking lot.
On the Road: Safety as a Foundation
The e-BOXER system is a "mild hybrid," meaning it supports the engine during start-up and low speeds. It’s not a racing machine, and it doesn't try to be. It’s a cruiser.
The Hilly Terrain Test: Living in a hilly area, Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is a game-changer. You can feel the mechanical grip. Whether it's a gravel path or a wet mountain road, the car feels planted. It gives you a sense of "Unshakeable Stability, a core value for any father protecting his family.
EyeSight Technology: Subaru’s driver assist system (EyeSight) is one of the most honest on the market. It doesn't beep at you unnecessarily, but it’s there like a silent co-pilot. Knowing the car is watching the road for me allows me to focus more on the journey and less on the stress of the commute.
The Honest Opinion: What I Liked & What Could Be Better
As always, I want to give you an honest perspective. Here is the breakdown:
✅ What I Loved:
The Build Quality: Everything feels like it will last 20 years. It’s rugged, easy to clean, and rattle-free.
The Practicality: The trunk is square and easy to load. The "Adventure" water-repellent seats are a lifesaver for spilled drinks.
Visibility: Best-in-class view. It makes driving less tiring.
Safety Credentials: It’s consistently rated as one of the safest cars in the world, which is the ultimate priority for a dad.
⚠️ What to Consider:
Infotainment: The screen and interface feel a bit "classic" compared to some ultra-modern rivals. However, it’s very easy to use while driving because of the physical buttons. It’s reliable over flashy.
The CVT Transmission: When you accelerate hard on a steep hill, the engine revs quite high and can get a bit loud. But once you reach your speed, it’s incredibly smooth and quiet. It encourages a more relaxed, "present" driving style.
Final Verdict: The Dad’s Anchor
The Subaru Forester Adventure isn't about status or showing off. It’s about reliability. It’s the car for the dad who wants to know that no matter the weather or the terrain, his family will get home safely.
In the end, we often get caught up in the "next best thing" or the most expensive tech. But as I always say:
"While striving for more money, don't forget to stay happy."
Staying happy means spending less time worrying about your car’s reliability and more time enjoying the destination with your kids. The Forester allows you to do exactly that. It’s a partner in your family’s growth.
A special thank you to Subaru Austria for providing the Forester for this review. It was a pleasure testing the vehicle in real-world family conditions. [Ad / Press Car]