FROM a distance the new Forester may not appear substantially different from its predecessor, but plenty of improvements and refinements have gone into producing the second generation model. Exterior styling has been freshened with quite extensive changes at the rear and more subtle modifications to the front and side, to give it a more contemporary look against its recently updated competitors - Nissan's X-Trail arrived in October, 2001, while Honda's second generation CR-V was introduced in December, 2001. The new interior design represents a much bigger change with an all-new dash and console, and revised door panels. Mechanical specification has been upgraded with the introduction of the Liberty/Outback's 2.5-litre engine, albeit in slightly detuned form. Equipment levels have been improved with standard air-conditioning and ABS across the range (both new to the base model's spec list).