Also not surprising is that high-performance and upper-luxury cars sit high in their lists. Ferraris feature, Lamborghinis are in there as well. Some of the slightly down to earth amongst us may go for a combination of power and practicality. BMW's M3 is a long time favourite in this regard.  

Yet from time to time we force ourselves to come down to reality, to cars we can afford, which are practical as well as enjoyable to drive – and it’s fascinating just how often Subaru's Forester climbs to the top branch of the tree of desirability.

 A week of living with the latest Forester confirms that we are on the right track. With this newest model, Subaru has moved the Forester into a different area of the SUV market. The new model is now almost a 4WD, not simply a soft-road SUV. The Japanese marque has been a specialist in all-wheel-drive wagons since the 1970s so this is a logical move. 

Ground clearance, at 220 mm, is greater than that of some dedicated 4WD vehicles. Though the body has monocoque construction, there's a rugged underfloor strengthening system that gives close to ladder-frame strength. Ground clearance is compromised by relatively long overhangs front and rear, which limits off-roading in anything more than moderate 4WD areas. Where all you need is traction, such as in the ski fields, on slippery boat ramps or on interesting forestry trails, the Subaru Forester really excels. 

The rugged body construction has already led to the Forester receiving the maximum 5-star rating when independently tested by the Australian NCAP organisation. Subaru Australia continues to place a strong emphasis on safety and all models are fitted with six airbags, including side curtains. 

Dual-range transmission for added torque and the ability to crawl along at very low speeds in off-road conditions has always been a feature of some models in the Forester range and that tradition continues. Dual-range is fitted to five-speed manual Foresters, the four-speed automatic models relying on the torque multiplication offered by the torque converter transmission to give it more punch off the road. 

Styling makes the new Subaru Forester look like a smaller brother to the seven-seater Tribeca. No bad thing as the recently facelifted Tribeca is finally making its mark in the sales race. The bonnet scoop on the turbocharged Forester XT gives it a semi-RX look, with lines that integrate neatly into the bonnet, rather than looking as though it has been tacked on afterwards.  

Subaru's new Forester is larger than the preceding models, offering significant extra room inside. The rear seat is comfortable, to the extent that adults can stretch out. All four doors open wider than in the superseded model, making for improved access. Some occupants may find the seating position too low, but at least that makes for a huge amount of headroom. Visibility out is good, far better than on some recent models from other marques. This is a result of the Subaru's no-nonsense styling that doesn’t have huge, swept back windscreen pillars to compromise the view out. 

There's additional boot capacity and the Forester can make light of a family with a pair of teenage children on extended holiday trips. 

As before, the Forester is sold in standard and high-performance format, the latter designated XT and powered by a turbocharged engine. Subaru's marketing thrust is that the XT is suited for the ‘Lad within the Dad’, in other words for the man who wants a high-performance, but practical family wagon. 

Standard models in the Forester range have a 2.5-litre flat-four with a single-cam setup over each cylinder head. It has variable timing on the intake valves. With 126 kW and 229 Nm it has good, though not really exciting performance. Power in the Forester XT comes from a twin-cam 2.5-litre boxer engine producing 169 kW and 320 Nm. There has been a strong emphasis producing plenty of torque at low to medium revs.

 Our test car had the standard engine and we were happy with its performance and low fuel consumption. Around town the manual gearbox version typically used nine to eleven litres per hundred kilometres. This dropped to seven to eight litres per hundred in easy country running, and you could get this below seven litres with a bit of careful driving on motorways. An automatic transmission would generally use about five to ten per cent more than the manual.

Particularly noticeable in the new Forester is the reduction in NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels. At cruising speeds of 110 to 120 km/h it purrs along with a minimum of fuss.

 This latest edition of the Subaru Forester is a clever bit of design and its combination of genuine off-road ability, on-road refinement and sharp pricing seem sure to make it carry on the popularity of its honourable ancestors.

 AT A GLANCE 

MODEL RANGE
Forester 2.5 X 2.5-litre five-door wagon - $30,490
Forester 2.5 XS 2.5-litre five-door wagon - $33,990
Forester 2.5 XS Premium 2.5-litre five-door wagon - $37,490
Forester 2.5 XT 2.5-litre five-door wagon - $38,990
Forester 2.5 XT Premium 2.5-litre five-door wagon - $44,490

FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Air Conditioning: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: $2000 options in X, XS, XS Premium and XT. $2500 option in XT Premium
CD Player: Standard in all models
Central Locking: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Stability Control: Standard in all models
Traction Control: Standard in all models

SPECIFICATIONS (Subaru Forester X 2.5-litre five-door wagon)

ENGINE
Capacity: 2.457 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders horizontally opposed
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 8.4:1
Bore/Stroke: 99.5 x 79.0 mm
Maximum Power: 126 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 229 Nm @ 4400 rpm

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts
Rear Suspension: Independent, double wishbones
Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc
Rear Brakes: Disc

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 91RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 9.5 L/100km

STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years / unlimited km