YOU might have expected Subaru to cash in on the boom in medium-sized 4x4 sports utility vehicles. With a portfolio of four-wheel-drive cars whose breadth of appeal runs from farmer's hack to top level rallying, Subaru has all-wheel-drive experience dating back over a quarter of a century. The Forester is Subaru's entry into the seemingly insatiable market for 'lifestyle' 4x4s. It's an unusual amalgam of estate car and 4x4 whose bias is tipped more to the former than many 4x4 rivals.

Its dimensions bear this out: at 176cm, the Land Rover Freelander is a full 16cm taller than the Subaru and 7cm narrower, though the Forester is some 7cm longer at 445cm. Despite this, the Forester's ground clearance is on a par with the Freelander's at 19cm. It adds up to a car of unique character - and value. Starting at just ú16,400 on the road, the Forester boasts full-time four-wheel-drive and a 2-litre engine in a roomy and versatile body at a price that undercuts most rivals: the cheapest five-door Freelander, the 1.8i, costs ú17,995 though the least expensive Honda CR-V, the LS manual, is ú16,120.

Fitted with the 'All Weather Pack' - which includes air conditioning and an electric sunroof - the Forester GLS costs ú18,500.