The award from the nation’s combined motoring organizations maintains Forester’s status as one of the most decorated vehicles in the Australian automotive industry.

Cars were evaluated by the NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAASA, RACWA, RACT and AANT against a broad range of criteria including: on road performance, design and function and value for money.

Subaru Australia Managing Director, Nick Senior, said: “Forester was the original Compact Sports Utility Vehicle when it was launched in 1997 and pioneered this class of vehicle.

“We endeavour to refine Forester with the passing of each model year and this is reflected in its Best Cars success.

“The ABC judging process is renowned for its objectivity and is a rigorous process. As such, Forester buyers are safe in the knowledge that they’re getting a safe, reliable and well-specified vehicle. This is an award that we covet. It is meaningful, it is real and it is customer-based.”

Forester was Australia’s best-selling compact SUV in 2005.

It has a five-star crashworthiness rating for occupant safety from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). It was the first compact SUV to achieve this rating and also the first Japanese vehicle to do so.

In February Forester passed the 80,000 sales mark in Australia and this year cumulative production passed one million worldwide.

Forester has found a niche with emergency services, including use as a rapid response paramedic ambulance in metropolitan Victoria and NSW, and general ambulance duties in rural locations.