The Forester is the best handling and best performing "jeepy looking thing" you can buy,
Because she's based on the impreza,
BUT she is a thirsty bitch! even the "mild" irish 177bhp one is thirsty So you my aswell go for a 2.5 230bhp irish one or the 240bhp pre 2003 2.0l (250bhp sti) or post 2003 220bhp 2.0l jap ones!
Of course there is the 2004 jap sti with 265bhp 2.5 (which I have) which you'd have running 340bhp with stage 1 mods, and about 22mpg at that!
BUT if you think about it, if you drove a 2.8 deisel pajero (26mpg) for a big slow bad handling lump! It doesn't make sence to worry about MPG!!!
I have owned most of the above, and literally the only bad point point, and the only thing that other cars will better them for is economy!
Regardless of which model you go for, must have mods are, White line or genuine subaru forester sti springs and a rear antiroll bar of any make and some negative front camber!
And then she'll handle better than most cars! (my only handling mods)
Have fun shopping and let us know what you find!
Dan