SUBARU will never admit it made a mistake by so dramatically altering the styling of the Impreza when it launched the second generation model in late 2000. Despite the company's evolutionary product development philosophy, the Impreza was radically different. But its effort with the second generation Forester model would seem to indicate the Japanese manufacturer has well and truly learnt its lesson - a clear case of once bitten twice shy. The subtle changes to the top-selling Forester are hard to distinguish in isolation, but line up the old and new models together and it is easy to see the gentle evolution and freshness of the new design. The most substantial change is at the rear where the once square, boxy and van-like styling has been replaced by a hexagonal design, communicated by new D-pillars, a larger, shaped rear window and triangular tail-lights. The flared wheel arches are now curved rather than squared-off, as well as being integrated at the front and the rear with the door panel design, while the rear's angular treatment is repeated at the front with an inward sloping of the headlights and bonnet profile around a much simpler three-piece grille.