Subaru's new Forester has won a top safety award in the United States, scoring the highest marks for side, rear and offset frontal impact-protection. The Forester has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's '2008 Top Safety Pick', award.

The new Subaru Forester has won a top safety award in the United States.

To win, the vehicle must offer superior overall crash protection among the vehicles in its class, not only registering the highest marks in front, side and rear tests but be equipped with electronic stability control.

The Institute's frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on the results of a 65km/hr (40mph) offset accident, while the side impact is measured by a moving barrier colliding at 50km/hr (31mph). Rear crash protection tests a stationary vehicle's head-restraint and seat effectiveness at an impact of 30km/hr (20mph).

Based on the platform of the new Impreza, the new Forester features more passenger and luggage space plus a smoother ride and even more agile handling thanks to a new multi-link double-wishbone rear suspension.

Now closer in size to its Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 competitors, the new Forester is 75mm longer, 45mm wider and gains 110mm in height.

Rear legroom grows by 95mm; the driver's eye-line is 30mm higher, while the load space is now 450 litres with the rear seat up - 63 litres more than the previous model.

Launched in Ireland recently, the completely new Forester will be initially available as a 2.0 litre petrol only model with the option of both manual and automatic transmission. Diesel power is expected by the year end.

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