Category Archives: Vehicle type

AWD, Motoring, Subaru, SUV/4X4

Still going strong…with more to come

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Subaru Forester e-Boxer

By Bill McCarthy

When discussing the many pros, and yes a couple of cons of Subaru models, the word Sport rarely comes into the equation. With the exception, of course, of the firecracker rally star the Impreza WRX.

‘Sport’ is a regular description in the lexicon of motor manufacturers, and usually suggests an upgrade in performance, which is not the case on Subaru’s versatile, go virtually anywhere SUV.

The Forester, due to be upgraded in a couple of months, offers superb off-road capability, excellent practicality and bulletproof reliability. 

A car much favoured in the rural community it is built on the firm’s Global Platform and features the two litre eBoxer self-charging hybrid power unit.

Its boxy and robust styling remains, although the rougher edges have been smoothed out and this Sport version offers various cosmetic changes.

Including splashes of colour, aluminium pedals, sport upholstery with coloured stitching and  flashes, smart 18-inch alloy wheels, and body-colour folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals.

It features red (some say orange, but it looks red to me) flashes, contrasting with the blue colour on this model, below the doors, roof bars, grille and to the rear and yes, it does give it a more sporty profile. 

The theme continues inside with red trim to the steering wheel  and transmission selector, while the sports seats add the red (or orange) stitching.

Sport also features steering wheel paddle shifters, and there are upgraded LED lights.

The driver’s seat is electrically operated and provides a commanding view through spacious glass areas, creating a comfortable atmosphere.

So cosmetic changes really and yes an aesthetic improvement, but the Forester is more about practicality, its off-road capability and offering something more traditional.

The interior remains functional, slightly dated, but for many, including me, that works. Fancy Dan touch screens with haptic buttons and sometimes distracting graphics deliver a hi-tech feel, but the solid, non-nonsense rotary dials and stalks are still favoured by Subaru drivers.

But there are still enough hi-tech gizmos, with  a central eight inch display controlling major functions like infotainment, navigation and smartphone connectivity, plus a 6.3-inch real time driver display.

There’s a wealth of standard features, including  the usual electrical aids a high-quality sound system, a reversing camera, and a standard full-length sunroof. 

The large, very large, stowage area, accessible via a powered tailgate, and becomes cavernous The 60/40-split folding seats can be laid flat.

Its off-road capability has few peers and while it’s not always put to the test in extreme conditions, it is well-suited for tasks like towing a horse box through muddy fields or working on a farm or giving extra grip and  stability in poor weather conditions

The e-Boxer hybrid setup has improved, (slightly) fuel efficiency although it is still quite thirsty for hybrid. This system pairs a compact electric motor with a two-litre e-Boxer petrol engine, functioning like a conventional hybrid with automatic assistance from the electric motor when needed.

Sport does not apply to performance, with the vehicle offers a decent driving experience, but a relatively sedate 0-60 mph time of just under 12 seconds. However, once reaching speed, it provides a comfortable ride, offering decent stability for its type, with only minimal body roll during corners.

Loaded with safety features, it includes the firm’s Eyesight technology, which, as the name suggests, acts as an additional set of ‘eyes’—or cameras—that monitor the road ahead for potential hazards, including other cars, motorbikes, bicycles, or pedestrians. While it may not be the most sophisticated vehicle available, this simplicity might be its main appeal to loyal customers. Coupled with a five-year/100,000-mile warranty, it presents a compelling package.

Factfile 

Subaru Forester e-Boxer 2.0i Sport AWD

  • Price: £40,195
  • Mechanical: 147bhp, 1,998cc, four cylinder petrol engine and electric motor driving all wheels via CVT gearbox.
  • Max speed: 118mph
  • 0-62mph: 11.8 seconds
  • Combined mpg: 34.7
  • Insurance group: 23E
  • CO2 emissions: 185g/km
  • BIK rating: 37%
  • Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles
SUV

BYD’s Atto 3 SUV hits the right notes

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it seems like Chinese car makers are like buses, you wait ages for one to arrive and then a queue of them arrives. One of the latest is BYD which stands for Build your Dreams, which arrived on these shores a couple of years ago and is already making good progress with three models , the Atto 3 driven here, the Dolphin and the Seal, with the Sealion imminent.

They all offer good value for money, not cheap, but packed to the rafters with standard kit, including goodies like a powered sliding sunroof, a panoramic camera that provides 360-degree visibility and two front and four parking radars. The safety kit is also comprehensive.

A battery manufacturer turned car maker it has its eyes firmly on the younger end of the British market.

This compact SUV is an impressive vehicle, powered by a state-of-the-art 60.5 kW battery, which offers a WLTP tested range of 260 miles. There are three specifications, Active, Comfort and Design, driven here.

The vehicle supports 11 kW AC charging and can charge from 30 to 80% in just 29 minutes with a 150 kW DC charger. It also has Vehicle-to-Load technology, allowing you to charge external AC devices using the car’s battery.

It is a smart-looking vehicle and comes with quite a few novel features, including a revolving touchscreen and side pockets that let you play a tune. More on that later.

It has a distinctive European look,  with a sleek, yet muscular profile enhanced by large wheel arches and integrated roof bars.

It sits on eye-catching 18-inch black and silver alloy wheels, while to the rear, the C pillar is clad with brushed aluminium trim. It looks good.

The cabin, or cockpit if you like, impresses with a bright and spacious area, with ambient lighting and dominated by a 15.6-inch central screen.

This can rotate between portrait and landscape modes, depending on your mood or preference and is supplemented by a five-inch screen sitting on the steering column delivering real time driver information.

The infotainment system controls major functions and includes a system, allowing for online updates via iCloud, navigation with voice recognition and smartphone connectivity. It also offers a high-end eight-speaker sound system. 

The is also a  smartphone wireless charging docking station. BYD says the interior concept is gym-inspired to give it a youthful vibe, with a central armrest, inspired by a treadmill, barbell-style door handles, kettlebell-style gear selector, and free-weight-style air vents.

It took my wife a couple of minutes to figure out which was the door handle. All very right on. The front and rear sports seats and headrests are made from sustainable vegan leather with red stitching, with the front pair offering powered multi-adjustment.

To the rear, they split 60:40, allowing a generous 440-litre boot to be expanded to an even more impressive. Additionally, there’s a compartment beneath the floor for extra stowage

It has decent head and legroom although the sloping shape restricted headroom at the rear 

When it comes to performance, it delivers the instant pace via the 60.48 kWh battery which powers the vehicle to 60mph in just over seven seconds. The slight downside to power delivery is it can snatch at the steering wheel, so care is needed when flooring it.

The driver can go for economy or outright pace with a choice of four driving modes: Sport Mode, Normal Mode, Economy Mode and Snow Mode to suit driving conditions. Otherwise the car feels stable with a comfortable ride and good steering feedback when you slip Into sport mode.

Returning to the side pockets in the door. These are secured by three cords at different tensions and if plucked, play guitar-like notes. I even managed a version of Deep Purple’s Smoke On The Water.

Rock and roll or what?

Factfile

  • BYD Atto 3 Deign
  • Price: £35,595
  • Mechanical: 204PS 67kW electric motor driving front wheels via automatic gearbox
  • Max speed: 99mph
  • 0-60mph: 7.3 seconds
  • Combined range: 260 miles
  • Insurance group: tbc
  • CO2 emissions: 0g/km
  • BiK rating: 2%
  • Warranty: 4yrs/70,000 miles