Rugged and ready for anything, the Forester is a no-nonsense vehicle that’s unlikely to let you down.

Even though Subaru has smoothed the rougher edges from the Forester, it’s appearance is more about purpose than posing.

Those looking at the more utilitarian end of the spectrum should certainly find plenty to like about this SUV.

The Forester was first manufactured in 1997, which gave it a head start in the market for 4x4 vehicles which are also family-friendly and equipped for everyday road use.

With every update, it’s a vehicle that has become a little more refined in terms of its road manners and tech upgrades, while still retaining its robust off-road credentials.

The current Forester now comes with features such as EyeSight, a pre-collision braking system which can apply full braking force in emergency situations thanks to dual colour cameras placed unobtrusively near the rearview mirror to scan the road ahead.

With intelligent safety features such as this, the Subaru Forester has secured a top five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.

Behind the wheel, the 2.0-litre petrol engine provides a decent amount of grunt, while striking a balance on economy, with average fuel consumption coming in at over 40mpg.

The Continuously Variable Transmission – never a favourite with driving purists – does a decent enough job in helping to provide the right power at the right time.

For those who really don’t like that form of transmission, a manual version is available.

As you’d expect, the Forester feels sure-footed when cornering.

There isn’t too much body lean to look out for, with the vehicle feeling to have a lower centre of gravity than other taller-bodied cars, therefore hugging the road rather neatly.

Thanks to the symmetrical four-wheel drive, it relishes slippery conditions and challenging terrain.

On a motorway trek from Devon to Yorkshire, I hadn’t expected the most sophisticated drive.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by the Forester’s motorway manners because, despite there being some vibration and road noise, the journey proved very relaxing.

What helped matters was the quality of the driving aids, with features such as Lane Keep Assist offering gentle steering control if the vehicle is about to deviate from its lane, while Adaptive Cruise Control allows the driver to set vehicle speed and distance to the car in front.

It constantly monitors distance and speed then adjusts the engine, transmission and brakes accordingly to maintain speed in line with the traffic flow.

Emerging from the vehicle after four hours at the wheel, I reflected on the fact that such tech improves driver comfort and convenience on long drives, although you don’t feel particularly engaged in the driving process.

In terms of the car’s interior, it’s a well laid-out cabin on the whole, with lots of space for front and rear seat occupants. There’s plenty of plastic to be found, interspersed with some more exclusive materials.

The best thing about the cabin is the huge amount of light that pours in through the large windows, making the interior feel light and airy. The seven-inch multi-function colour touchscreen is clear and easy to use, giving you access to features such as the Subaru infotainment system and satellite navigation, reversing camera, and dual-zone automatic air-conditioning.

The boot, accessed through the power-assisted tailgate, offers a very decent 505 litres of space with the seats up, increasing to over1,500 litres with the rear seats down.

In conclusion, tech upgrades have given the Forester a softer side, but it still hasn't lost sight of its rugged, go-anywhere personality traits.

Forester 2.0i XE Premium Lineartronic

PRICE: £32,515 on the road

ENGINE: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder unleaded

INSURANCE: Group 16E

TRANSMISSION: CVT, 4x4

PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph in 11.8 seconds and top speed of 119mph

ECONOMY: 43.5mpg combined and emissions of 168g/km