Drive Safer with Subaru Outback and Forester

Today at 12:00 AM

With the holiday season well underway, it's fair to say that we're collectively winding down after another big year and getting ready for a well-deserved break. 

But one place we can't allow ourselves to take the foot off the pedal (quite literally) is on the roads. 

The Christmas season

Unfortunately, silly season does have a reputation for living up to its name and according to a study by Teletrac Navman, the month of December is consistently the highest for road accidents and fatalities, with the other summer months of January and February placing second and third in that frightening statistic. 

The Christmas season is a time of increased traffic, long-distance travel, congestion, tiredness, and critically – driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances. While you cannot control the actions of other drivers on the road, you certainly can control your own actions and make safe choices based on the car you're driving. 

On Drive Safer, which you can watch on Saturday at 12pm on Channel Nine, or catch up on 9Now, revered Advanced Driving Expert Ian Luff explains to the Drive team that while humans are the only ones in control of whether a road accident happens or not, having a very safe car means you're more likely to come out of that accident unscathed.  

For this series of Drive Safer, the Drive team was provided with four of the safest new cars on Australian roads, to demonstrate how a safe car can aid you in a dangerous road scenario that you could face any day. 

Two of those cars were from Subaru, a brand synonymous with safety. And it's no coincidence that we associate Subaru and safety together: Subaru's Towards Zero initiative is the brand's commitment to having zero road fatalities in a Subaru by 2030 thanks to its ongoing safety advancements. 

Meet the Subaru Forester

First up, we have the Subaru Forester, Subaru's medium-sized SUV. For those familiar with the Forester, you'll be happy to hear that this 2024 model still comes with the trademark horizontally opposed boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive. 

The Subaru Forester was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2019, scoring 94 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 80 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 78 per cent for safety assist. 

Standard safety equipment in the Subaru Forester includes: autonomous emergency braking and steering, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane centring, adaptive cruise control, reverse cameras with washers, and rear parking sensors.

This car also comes equipped with Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist technology, which utilises two cameras mounted into the windscreen to detect, minimise and prevent collisions. 

Meet the Subaru Outback

Then, we have the Subaru Outback, Subaru's large SUV. This car was awarded a full five-star safety rating by ANCAP when it was tested back in 2021. It received 88 per cent for adult occupant protection, 91 per cent for child occupant protection, 84 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 96 per cent for safety assist. 

Much like other Subarus, the Outback is practical rather than flashy in both its exterior and interior design. 

It has the same boxer four-cylinder engine that we mentioned with the Forester, and it has been generally regarded as a sure-footed, comfortable SUV to drive, with none of the airs and graces that can be a little intimidating in modern cars. 

That's not to say it's without its superior technology. The standard safety equipment list is extensive: you have autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection and junction assist, rear AEB, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency steering, traffic sign recognition, reversing cameras and rear parking sensors. Phew! 

Reliable and steadfast

What we like about Subaru cars in general is that unlike other brands, it doesn't feel as though Subaru feels the need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to the design of its models.

Instead, through ever-progressing safety and technology, Subaru proves itself time and time again as a reliable, steadfast brand – and the sales in Australia speak for themselves.  

Subaru SUVs feel designed for those of us, my family included, who do the usual suburb-to-city commute during the week, but like to get out and have an adventure at the weekends. Any car that is designed for both ferrying your precious cargo and also being adventure-ready needs to keep safety at the forefront. 

And Subaru has gone as far as establishing a whole global safety initiative, such is the brand's commitment to safety. Towards Zero will aim to reduce road fatalities in a Subaru to absolutely zero by 2030. A lofty ambition for sure, but one Subaru is determined to reach thanks to its world-class safety technology. 

Having the Subaru Outback and Forester as two of the cars we're highlighting as part of the Drive Safer series feels like an obvious fit. Find out more about these staple SUVs every week on Drive Safer, Saturdays at 12pm* on Channel Nine. 

*Subject to programming changes – keep an eye on your local TV guide for any scheduling changes.  

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