Slight OT regarding “capable wagons” on my company car list a few years ago was an WRX S204 (?) 2005 variant with the uprated engine. With a 400 mile weekly commute along the M4 it really was a heart and minds battle. But the likelihood of keeping it a 70 mph and a clean licence and parking it in the directors car park made me go Merc. Some days I think back much like when my wife wanted a Golf rather than an Integrale
You wouldn’t have that dilemma if the Forester joined the scheme Steve! The performance and economy are both absolutely shocking. 0-62 takes almost 12 seconds and average fuel economy is below 35mpg. I know that Subarus are enthusiasts cars (my mother-in-law, a country type, had Foresters and swore by them) but figures like that mean that it wouldn’t appeal to the speed freaks or the penny pinchers.