Text and Photos by Monch "Monchster" Henares
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| The 2024 Subaru Forester ES at the rustic Emilio's Farm and Resort |
During my recent test drive of the 2024 Subaru Forester ES, I took it on a scenic road trip to Emilio's Farm and Resort in Balete, Batangas. Let me tell you, the Forester handled the journey like a champ. With its blend of comfort, practicality, and capability, it turned what could have been an ordinary drive into a smooth, enjoyable ride through winding provincial roads and the lush landscapes of Batangas.
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| My quaint treehouse room at Emilio's Farm |
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A real live tree inside my treehouse room at Emilio's Farm
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Right from the start, the Forester felt at home on the highway. Its 2.0-liter Boxer flat-four engine isn’t going to break any speed records, but it delivered a steady performance on the trip. Once we hit the more rural roads leading to Balete, I appreciated how the Lineartronic 7-Speed CVT transmission kept things smooth even when the pavement got a little rough. The real fun started when I switched on X-MODE—Subaru’s off-road feature designed to boost traction—and the Forester confidently handled the gravel and dirt paths leading to Emilio's Farm. It wasn’t exactly rock crawling, but for those uneven provincial roads, the Forester’s all-wheel-drive system had me covered.
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| X-MODE |
Now, I wasn’t just out to test its off-road chops. The Forester shined as a practical SUV for a leisurely getaway. Emilio’s Farm is known for its lakeside views and rustic charm, and the Forester was the perfect travel companion. Packing was a breeze thanks to the huge cargo space—up to 71 cubic feet with the rear seats down, which easily accommodated a golf bag, foldable chairs, a cooler, and my travel bags. The wide, power tailgate made loading and unloading quick and painless, which is great when you’re eager to start exploring.
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| The huge cargo space—up to 71 cubic feet with the rear seats down |
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| The wide, power tailgate made loading and unloading quick and painless, which is great when you’re eager to start exploring. |
On the way there, Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology came into play more than once. Whether it was the Adaptive Cruise Control smoothly adjusting as we navigated the traffic in Lipa or the Lane Departure Warning gently beeping when I drifted slightly on those more relaxed provincial roads, EyeSight was like having an extra pair of eyes. One surprising feature I grew to love was the Lead Vehicle Start Alert, which gives you a friendly reminder when the car in front moves. It came in handy at a few stops on the way to Batangas, and I felt like it was my personal assistant, gently tapping my shoulder whenever I got distracted by the scenery.
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| User-friendly cockpit and instrumentation |
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| Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology |
The system’s intelligent facial recognition also recognises up to five individual drivers, memorizing their preset preferences and adjusting the cabin environment – including climate control, instrument settings and Multi-Information Display screen - for both their safety and comfort.
What’s more, the Pre-Collision Braking gave me peace of mind during the occasional sudden stops when a tricycle or jeepney would appear out of nowhere. I could feel the system spring into action without being intrusive, reassuring me that if something went wrong, the Forester had my back
The entire drive felt like a laid-back adventure, whether cruising through the breezy countryside or pulling up to Emilio's Farm with ease. The comfortable seats, quiet cabin, and user-friendly 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto made the trip even more enjoyable. I could easily stay connected, switch between playlists, and navigate without fiddling with too many controls.
Ultimately, my trip to Emilio’s Farm was the perfect backdrop for discovering the 2024 Subaru Forester’s capabilities. If you’re someone who enjoys a mix of comfort, practicality, and light off-road excursions, this quirky, adventure-ready SUV is just the vehicle to help you create some unforgettable road trip memories.
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