Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport 2021 Review

Currently in its fifth generation and moving towards a mid-life update due later in the year, the 2021 Subaru Forester now includes a 2.5i Sport model but turbocharged performance remains off the agenda.

The non-hybrid Subaru Forester ranges from $35,190 plus on-road costs for the base model 2.5i and climbs to $43,490 plus ORCs for the 2.5i-S. Our 2.5i Sport tester sits close to the top with its $41,990 plus ORCs price tag.

The Forester attacks rivals head-on with standard features offered up across the model range that buyers would otherwise have to look a model or two higher in other brands.

Standard features across the range include keyless entry and start, front fog lights, LED headlights with active cornering, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, smartphone integration, DAB+ digital radio and electronic folding rear seats.

Our Sport variant ticks a few more boxes with the addition of 18-inch dark metallic wheels, LED front fog lights, a sunroof and an 8.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system (up from 6.5-inch) with integrated satellite navigation.

The Sport also receives orange-coloured exterior and interior highlights, a power tailgate, adaptive high beams, eight-way power front seats with memory function, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers and a six-speaker sound system.

That certainly is a mouthful of features but there’s still room to move up to the top-line 2.5i-S for an extra $1500 which adds leather upholstery and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.      

When I think Subaru I think safety. All-wheel drive is synonymous with the brand, as is the peace-of-mind traction and safety it delivers.

That aside, the Subaru Forester has been awarded top marks in ANCAP testing, achieving five stars in 2019. For the breakdown of scores it achieved 94 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 80 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 78 per cent for safety assist functions. 

Subaru doesn’t skimp on the safety assist functions across the entire range either, with all models, including our 2021 Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport, coming with forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist.

Only the base Forester misses out on Subaru’s EyeSight assist system which watches the road ahead, behind and the driver’s blind spots.

All models get Subaru’s Driver Monitoring System which employs facial recognition technology to identify drivers as they take their seat. The system can then adjust cabin settings to pre-programmed preferences and can store up to five drivers.

Multifunction display, instrument settings and climate control settings are adjusted, along with the driver’s seating and mirror positions. The system can also monitor driver fatigue.

The Forester is also unique in that it employs a horizontally-opposed boxer engine that enjoys a lower centre of gravity than its upright engine rivals, and in combination with all-wheel drive, the Subaru Global Platform safety cell and seven airbags, it is one safe SUV.

In Japan, the 2021 Subaru Forester Sport is powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine which produces 132kW/300Nm. However, here in Australia, as the name indicates, the 2.5i Sport is only available with a normally-aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 136kW and 239Nm of torque.

Some 60Nm away, the Aussie-spec normally-aspirated version misses out on the torque of the turbo unit and its peak figure comes in a little high at 4400rpm for today’s standards. Peak power is available at 5800rpm.  

There’s no choice of transmission with the Forester Sport, the entire line-up coming equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic gearbox which Subaru calls Lineartronic.

Being a Subaru, it naturally employs Subie’s ‘symmetrical’ all-wheel drive system as standard.

Gun the Forester Sport from standstill and expect a 0-100km/h time just under 10 seconds. The quarter mile can be completed in around the 17sec mark. Not exactly earth-shattering figures so don’t go picking any fights on a Friday night.

Subaru claims a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 7.4L/100km, and across my week of testing I can claim a figure of 8.9L/100km with a lot of freeway driving.

Potential buyers will be pleased to know that the Forester recently received a towing upgrade, with the braked towing capacity now 1800kg – up from 1500kg in previous models. Unbraked capacity is 750kg.    

According to Subaru, orange is the new black – well, it seems that way in regards to the 2021 Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport, anyway. There’s a smattering of it everywhere.

The exterior gets orange trim highlights on the front and rear bumper bars and side skirts, but it’s the interior that really cops it and it actually does make it feel rather sporty.

Orange stitching is seen on the seats with orange treatment also around the dash air vents and across the centre console.

The seats do the job in terms of comfort and off-roaders (and parents with small kids) will appreciate the cloth seat material that repels water.

I would have to say that Subaru has done a great job with the cabin presentation overall, and most importantly there’s a heap of space in both the front and second row pews for long-legged individuals like myself.

Speaking of space, the rear cargo area offers up 489 litres with the second row in place, which grows to a large 1740L when the second row is stowed.

Electric levers positioned at the sides of the boot operate the stowage of row two. The boot also employs shopping bag hooks, four tie-down points, a cargo blind and a 12-volt outlet completes the handy, practical soft-roader.

On-road, the ride is pleasant but perhaps a little on the soft side which equates to a tad more body roll than I’d like when pushing hard.

But keeping the Forester Sport in context, what makes it compromised on tarmac makes it perfect for the soft-road adventure.

Ground clearance is a healthy 220mm and the soft suspension soaks up soft terrain with ease, although I didn’t go too far off the beaten track with it.

The Forester also allows change of drive modes to suit off-road surface conditions with ‘snow/dirt’ or ‘deep snow/mud’ to choose from. I did also test the hill-descent control which did its job nicely.

The 2021 Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport is roomy, practical and packed full of features, but left me a little underwhelmed.

It does everything okay, but nothing stands out to get me excited about it.

Perhaps that’s its charm and attraction? It’s a reliable family chariot that gets the job done across many applications, just as it’s done so for more than two decades.

I can’t fault it when you keep it in context. Yes, I would love a turbocharged option, but in reality the famous boxer engine feels reasonably spritely when pushed and is more than capable in soft-road applications.

It’s the room and features that will drive sales of the Sport. For example, the second row gets two USB charging ports, air vents, bottle holders in the doors and a fold down arm rest with cup holders which is equal to what the front has to offer.

Everyone has their own take on styling and this is my personal view, but I can’t get my head around the large glasshouse proportions of the Forester.

Yes, it opens up vision for all passengers, particularly the high-set rear seats, but it doesn’t quite match with the racer in me.

You can forget my personal views on styling as I’ll choose low and wide and the claustrophobic confines of a race car any day.

If you’re looking for a high-spec, practical SUV then the Subaru Forester Sport has the right mix in spades.

Disclaimer: Luke Youlden is a Bathurst 1000 champion, 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup series competitor, Tekworkx Motorsport mentor and chief driving coach, deputy chief instructor for the Porsche Experience and also works for Pilota Sportiva, whose clients include Audi Driving Experience and Volkswagen Group Australia.

How much does the 2021 Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport cost?
Price: $41,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 136kW/239Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 168g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)