AT SCHOOL WE dressed the same, looked the same, often thought the same. Life was all about following the rules, studying the books, scoring tries and hopefully a girlfriend. At varsity, no one dressed the same, looked the same or even acted the same. We had only one rule to remember: no drinking with your left hand. It was okay to be a hooligan. Life was fun, free and the bad angel on your left shoulder had your willing ear.

A decade on you’re probably more bald yet ironically more presentable and the lone margarine tub is not the only item in your fridge. You’re expected to be ‘responsible’ and chat more with the good angel and the tax man than you did with the big, white telephone. Essentially you’ve become a Forester man with a penchant for space, practicality and the outdoors. Subaru confirmed, your only decision is which angel to listen to: the one urging you to grow horns, floor the throttle and race through the bush, or the one suggesting you sit back and cruise sedately, saving the earth, your relationship and your money. Some choice.

Exterior

The previous Forester seemed to strike a chord with horsey types and soccer moms ranged from Morningside to the Midlands. I’m not sure what exactly this means about the styling of the previous version, but the newcomer is not that radically different. It does have a more rounded, upmarket feel though and still succeeds in being one the best looking options in the wagon market, even if you – like me –prefer horsepower over horses.

The range-topping S-Edition is the newest addition to the 2011 range aimed, as Subaru puts it, ‘at the performance junkie who happens to have a family’. I like that. It’s ballsy and honest. Our ‘check-me-out-china’ metallic ‘Sky Blue’ unit might be a bit too ballsy and honest, differentiated from the understated pearl white diesel test unit by not only its color but also a black grille, silver roof rails, 17-inch STI alloy wheels and a rear tailgate spoiler. In my youth I would definitely have opted for the S-Edition, whereas it is the diesel’s vanilla looks that now appeal. I’d even venture to say it has more class and elegance, though a bonnet scoop does push the limits. Given the Forester’s complement of female fans, I asked my wife for her opinion, and to my surprise she loved the scoop and the extra bling. She’s originally from the south of Johannesburg though, so perhaps that vote should be considered a spoiled paper.

Round 1: Diesel

Interior

While a CD to dangle from the mirror is not standard issue, boy racers will like the look and feel of the S-Edition’s branded sport seats, which are swathed in a black leather/blue Alcantara combination. Drilled aluminium pedals and ally-look paddles behind the steering wheel add to the sporty functionality of a cabin ultimately let down by its poor tactile quality and dated design.