ADVENTURE vehicle the Forester may be the elder statesman of Japanese brand Subaru's line-up, but it's also the company's best-kept secret.

With more than five million units sold worldwide over the past 28 years, and over 400,000 in Europe, the spacious SUV has long been a niche model appealing to a discerning audience.

A reliable, no nonsense performer, it remains a car that stands firmly by the philosophy of ‘handsome is as handsome does'.

Now into its sixth generation, the Forester will never lure new fans on looks alone - its conservative design ensures that - but the latest iteration offers some compelling features, staying true to its roots while providing more capability and better tech than ever before.

More muscular in style, and with a sprinkling of sophistication to match, the model also combines Subaru's trademark all-wheel drive system with an upgraded version of the brand's e-BOXER mild hybrid powertrain.

And it is equipped with an enhanced version of the X-MODE terrain selection set-up too, offering a motor assist function that's now available both in forward and reverse motion, as well as a class-leading ground clearance of 220mm.

With prices starting at £38,995, the Forester is available in nine exterior body colours, including the all-new River Rock Pearl, although the understated Autumn Green metallic of our tested model adds an extra air of distinction.

Just a single engine choice - a 2.0-litre flat four petrol unit - serves all three trim options of Limited, Field and Touring but even with the assistance of the e-Boxer hybrid bit the total power output is still only 136ps.

The upshot of that is performance on the sedate side with zero to 62mph acceleration taking upwards of 12 seconds, though realistically Forester owners aren't the sort to be revving at the lights.

Far preferable to get where you're going with confidence and comfort regardless of how challenging the road, or off-road, conditions may be - even if the official Combined fuel consumption figure is only 34.9 miles per gallon, and more generally closer to 32mpg.

It's a car that you can really enjoy driving though, feeling well balanced, smooth and changing between three driving modes - Engine driving, EV driving, and Motor Assist driving - to best match the terrain/conditions.

Subaru's X-Mode drive set-up with its Normal, Snow/Dirt and Snow Mud settings is also there plus Hill Descent Control that comfortably deal with the rough and rocky but with new safety features, better convenience and improved dynamics.

Another upgrade concerns the heralded EyeSight driver assist technology now with 15 functions - five new, seven improved - including various bits of safety kit including emergency stop and a new multi-view monitor combining images from four cameras for a 3-D top view.

You also get an easy-to-use vertical touchscreen in the centre of dash and a mobile phone charging pad ahead of the auto transmission shifter.

Move inside and both visibility and passenger space is top notch. In fact you can relax in rear, where there's space for three adults to travel in a row with ample leg, head and shoulder room.

The seats are well made and comfortable, there are bottle holders in all four door bins, double map/magazine holders in the front seat backs, a deep central container, various trays and slots plus a rear armrest housing another pair of cup holders.

As for luggage space, the boot measures 508 litres up to a maximum of 1,720 litres with the rear seats folded down and there's a rubberised protection mat for muddy boots and sports kit.

Base level Limited trim offers plenty for the £38,995 price tab, including all-wheel drive, roof rails, heated and powered seats, nine airbags, surround cameras and LED headlamps while an extra £3,000 for Field adds rear privacy glass, a powered tailgate and sat nav.