THERE is always something rather special about driving around in a stylish SUV and knowing deep down that if Mother Nature has a severe mood swing your plans will not be ruined.
And that's just the case with the latest fourth generation Subaru Forester which features all the techno treats and creature comforts we have come to expect these days.
More importantly, is packed to bursting with systems that can tackle any terrain.
For example there is the SI-Drive which allows the driver to choose between different driving modes to suit the road conditions.
But if the situation should turn biblical then there is the X-Mode which is an all-wheel-drive control system that includes Hill Descent Control and really tightens up the traction in uneven or slippery conditions.
That said; the majority of day-to-day driving will be in normal circumstances and the Subaru Forester offers excellent comfort and ride capabilities with a whole host of on-board technology at your fingertips.
From the outside, the car looks athletic and very rugged thanks to 18-inch alloys, muscular lines, twin tail-pipes, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, tinted windows, roof rails, sports grille and bumpers, a powered tailgate, plus front and rear fog lamps.
The interior has a certain premium feel to it with soft-touch materials, heated leather seats, aluminium pedals, dual zone air conditioning, a six-speaker sound system, Bluetooth connectivity, sat nav and plenty more besides.
Subaru has increased the cabin space in the latest model and this means there is bags of room for three adults in the back with ample leg, head and shoulder space.
There will never be any luggage restrictions either as the massive boot has a capacity of 505 litres which is increased to 1,592 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat.
And to make life easier, there is a button in the boot which folds down the rear seats automatically. Elsewhere there are cup holders, deep door pockets, a good-sized glovebox and central bin, plus a sunglasses holder.
So the latest Forester certainly looks the business and has all the on-board technology you could wish for, but how does it handle when put to the test? The answer is very well indeed.
In busy traffic it proved deceptively agile and the reversing camera helps you make light work of parking in tight spaces.
Out on faster roads the 240ps 2.0-litre petrol turbo-powered engine delivered all the bite and power you could need as it accelerated through the six-speed automatic CVT transmission.
The gear changes are smooth and the driver can take extra control via the steering wheel-mounted paddles. Sometimes CVT transmissions can be a real disappointment with poor timing and irritating whining sounds but there were no complaints with this one.
The car is very sprightly for its size and can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in just 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 137mph.
However, fuel economy is not great with combined figure of 33.2mpg and emissions of 197g/km. After 300 miles behind the wheel on a range of roads I was seeing just shy of 27mpg, so you can expect regular trips to the petrol pumps.
The elevated driving position results in excellent all-round visibility and the all-round performance was impressive with precise steering, sure-footed road holding, very little body roll into tight bends and effective suspension to iron out the road creases.
There was a little road and wind noise when pushed hard, but otherwise the cabin remained relatively quiet.
My only real gripe was the slightly fiddly controls on the touchscreen with small writing when the car first starts up.