Turbocharged Subaru Forester ruled out… again 

Subaru Australia has once again poured cold water on the notion of a turbocharged Forester, even in the new sixth generation, citing its latest ‘Strong Hybrid’ powertrain as to one to buy for those with a penchant for power. 

The issue with that, however, is the fact the all-new hybrid system outputs a combined 145kW as opposed to the 180kW the fourth-generation – and last – Forester XT used to provide courtesy of a WRX-sourced 2.0-litre turbo-petrol set-up. 

“We continue to chat to customers and really, really monitor the market to see what would land with consumers – at this point there is no plan for a turbocharged Forester,” Subaru Australia general manager Scott Lawrence told media this week. 

“What I would say is, the moment you get can behind [the wheel of] one of our Strong Hybrid Foresters, please do, the power delivery that you get is incredible. 

“So, no for turbo at this stage.” 

Lawrence went on to assure journalists both they and consumers would “definitely” be “quite surprised by the Strong Hybrid”. 

One element Subaru’s marketing team will likely look to draw attention to here is the Forester Hybrid Sport and Hybrid Touring’s 'enhanced' suspension set-up which sees marginally firmer dampers fitted and greater rebound control provided over the standard arrangement. 

The tune is intended to elevate these variants’ ride-handling balance as the two halos of the model line in tandem with the extra grunt of the hybrid system, albeit without straying into the performance realm – think refinement and class over outright capability. 

The irony is the turbocharged Outback XT has been selling well Down Under and the fact our social media channels blow-up at the mere mention of a hot Forester; something the people have been crying out for for more than half a decade now. 

Adding insult to injury is the fact the electrified Foz is down on power compared to all its main rivals; the aging Toyota RAV4 AWD (163kW), Hyundai Tucson Hybrid (172kW) and Nissan X-Trail ePower (150kW). 

What the competition don’t have however is symmetrical, mechanical all-wheel drive – long the Forester’s USP in its segment and still a centrepiece of its marketing seeing as Subaru execs have promised the Strong Hybrid versions to be more capable than the petrols off-road thanks to their abundance of low-end torque. 

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