There's a certain confidence to the Forester that other crossovers in its class just don't have, and this one wears it well. Finished in a deep, glossy steel blue that shifts with the light, it sits on a clean set of alloy wheels with barely a mark on them, hinting at a life spent more in the garage than on rough roads.

Step inside and the story continues. Full black leather interior, still supple and tight stitched, paired with a dash that feels genuinely upmarket for the segment: paddle shifters behind the wheel, a crisp touchscreen, dual zone climate, and that unmistakable Subaru driving position that puts you in command of the road. The panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with light, and the details, brushed alloy pedals, contrast stitching, a tidy console, show this is a car that was looked after.

Mechanically, the 2.0L e-Boxer hybrid setup is the sweet spot for this generation. You get Subaru's legendary symmetrical AWD grip, smoothed out and made more efficient by the hybrid assist, so there's sure footed confidence in Nairobi traffic or on a rainy Naivasha road trip, without punishing your fuel budget. Roof rails ready for your gear, a rear bumper guard already fitted, and that boxer flat hum under the hood that Subaru owners swear by.

This is a Forester for someone who wants more than just an SUV. They want one that still feels special every time they get in.