Subaru Australia turns 50 in style

UPDATED 18/04/2023 10:30am: Subaru Australia has officially released the full specifications list for its new 50 Years Edition vehicles, revealing a few extra styling and cosmetic titbits for the celebratory WRX, Forester and Outback, including special ‘50 Years Edition’ badging

On top of the features outlined below, the WRX 50 Years Editions will also come with a ‘premium leather’ steering wheel and a limited colour palette comprising Ceramic White, WR Blue, Crystal Black and Solar Orange.

It’s the same story with the Sportswagon, albeit without the availability of orange paint.

As for the Forester pairing, it turns out the lower grade 2.5i 50 Year Edition also features an upgraded dash panel and centre console sides pinched from the more lavish 2.5i-S, the special-edition version of which complements its previously detailed black styling cues with black foglight bezels and front under guard.

The 2.5i is available in Crystal White, Ice Silver, Horizon Blue, Magnetite Grey, Crimson Red and Crystal Black, whereas the 2.5i-S is available in the entirety of the usual Forester colour palette.

The only new additional specification detail for the Outback Touring XT 50 Years Edition is the inclusion of lime green trim highlights – side outback badging – as per the mid-range Sport variant.

Subaru Australia managing director Blair Read said 50 years was a significant milestone for the brand and that it “wanted to celebrate it with something special for” its customers.

“The special edition models are a tribute to our rich history and the enduring appeal of the Subaru brand in Australia,” he said.

There’s still no word on allocation size or availability, suggesting there’s no set cap on the models at this stage.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE PUBLISHED 15/04/2023 4:45pm: Subaru Australia is turning 50 and to celebrate the occasion it’s releasing a batch of special-edition Subaru WRX, Forester and Outback variants kitted out with some extra equipment and exterior styling cues.

The 2023 Subaru WRX 50 Years Edition easily features the biggest array of upgrades of any 50 Years Edition and therefore commands the biggest price premium over the variant on which it’s based.

Starting from $47,690 plus on-road costs in manual sedan form, the WRX 50 Years Edition carries a $1700 premium over the entry-level WRX, but the extra cash brings Ultrasuede upholstery, eight-way power adjustable front seats, blue stitching, powered lumbar support for the driver and two rear USB ports.

The automatic version (from $51,690 plus ORCs) scores all the same spec upgrades, and both vehicles also flaunt a black spoiler, mirrors, shark fin antenna and exterior badging.

A Subaru WRX Sportswagon 50 Years Edition is also available, priced from $52,190 plus ORCs).

If the WRX specials are the most upgraded, then the gong for least upgraded goes to the 2023 Subaru Forester 50 Years Edition, given the only spec change made to the 2.5i (from $38,890) version is the addition of leather accented seats – an upgrade that adds $1000 to the normal Forester 2.5i’s asking price.

And the posher Forester 2.5i-S 50 Years Edition (from $46,840) goes without any meaningful spec enhancements beyond its black mirrors, roof rails, rear garnish, shark fin antenna and dark metallic wheel finish.

Identical changes have been made to the 2023 Subaru Outback Touring XT 50 Years Edition (from $56,490), except the flagship SUV one-ups the top-spec Forester with a black rear spoiler that contrasts against the exclusive ‘Geyser Blue’ body colour avid readers may recognise from the North American Outback Wilderness.

No changes have been made to the mechanical or chassis packages of any of the 50 Years Editions.

Subaru Australia is yet to announce how many examples of each 50 Years Edition model will be made available or when first deliveries will take place, even though order books have already opened for all five models (six variants) via the company’s online configurator.

How much does the 2023 Subaru WRX cost?
WRX – $45,990
WRX (a) – $49,990
50 Years Edition – $47,690
WRX Sportswagon (a) – $50,990
50 Years Edition (a) – $51,690
RS – $51,490
50 Years Edition Sportswagon (a) – $52,190
RS (a) – $55,490
GT Sportswagon (a) – $56,490
tS (a) – $57,990
tS Sportswagon (a) – $58,990
* Prices exclude on-road costs

How much does the 2023 Subaru Forester cost?
2.5X Special Edition – $37,890
2.5i – $37,890
2.5i 50 Years Edition – $38,890
2.5i-L – $40,290
2.5i Premium – $43,090
2.5i Sport – $44,840
2.5i-S – $46,340
2.5i-S 50 Years Edition – $46,840
Hybrid L – $43,290
Hybrid S – $49,340
* Prices exclude on-road costs

How much does the 2023 Subaru Outback cost?
Outback – $42,690
Sport – $47,190
Touring – $50,990
Sport XT – $52,190
Touring XT – $55,990
Touring XT 50 Years Edition – $56,490
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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