Subaru Forester – What you need to know

After 25 years, the Subaru Forester still delivers what many buyers want in an SUV, and for the 2022 model year the fifth-generation line-up copped a mid-life overhaul with styling revisions and safety and suspension upgrades.

Reworked styling around the headlights and fog lights, front bumper and grille gives the Forester a freshen up, and the range-wide EyeSight driver assist tech now includes lane centring, lane departure prevention and autonomous emergency steering.

The front suspension has been tweaked to improve handling and new engine mount brackets help reduce noise and vibration.

Enhancement to the X-Mode terrain management system sees it automatically re-engage once the vehicle speed drops to 35km/h or less, while revised hill descent control improves vehicle control speed.

Five petrol-engined models and two mild hybrids complete the range that kicks off with the 2.5i followed by the 2.5i-L, then the 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Sport, 2.5i-S and the hybrids simply badged Hybrid L and Hybrid S.

All-wheel drive and an active torque-split CVT transmission feature in all variants.

The Forester has now entered the 2023 model year, with price rises applied but little in the way of change, save for a new auto-dimming rear-view mirror in the 2.5i Sport, 2.5i-S and Hybrid S.

So what does the Subaru Forester offer buyers in terms of equipment?

At $37,890 plus on-road costs, the Forester 2.5i is the entry point and has the following standard features:

• Adaptive auto-on LED headlights
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• EyeSight driver assist system
• Reversing camera
• 8.0-inch infotainment touch-screen
• Six-speaker audio with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB+ digital radio
• Dual-zone climate control with adjustable rear vents

It’s all good news here. Although there are seven models in the Subaru Forester range, there isn’t a single listed option.

Even premium paint is free, with the palette consisting of special paint finishes such as mica, metallic or pearl, of which there are one, three and four respectively.

There’s also a long list of accessories available for vehicle customisation.

Subaru prides itself on offering a high level of advanced driver assist safety technology, and the Subaru Forester is no exception.

The full range also has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing back in 2019.

The entry-level Forester 2.5i isn’t as fully decked out as the more expensive variants, but it still boasts X-Mode, electronic traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes, a reversing camera, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind spot monitoring, EyeSight Assist and lane keep and lane change assist.

As well as picking up the most recent safety systems – lane centring, lane departure prevention and autonomous emergency steering – the base-model Forester also offers lane sway and departure warnings, rear cross traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, pre-collision brake assist and throttle management, lead vehicle start, adaptive cruise control and seven airbags.

A step up to the 2.5i-L introduces the driver monitoring system with facial recognition that also allows hand gestures to adjust the climate control temperature, plus reverse auto braking, front and side view monitors, driver distraction and fatigue warnings, adaptive driving beam and auto high beam assist.

The Hybrid L offers the same functionality, with the addition of pedestrian alert for the AEB system.

Another rung up the ladder to the 2.5i Premium nets you automatic door mirror and driver’s seat adjustment, along with two-mode Subaru Intelligent Drive.

As part of the mid-life makeover, all Subaru Forester models now sport an 8.0-inch infotainment touch-screen that accesses Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth phone and music streaming and AM/FM/digital DAB+ radio.

Sound is piped through six speakers, while the audio system includes a single CD player. Two USB-A ports are provided in the console, too.

Graduate to the 2.5i Premium or Hybrid S and sat-nav is added, while another step up to the 2.5i-S gets you an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system that’s also standard in the Hybrid S.

Drivers of the Forester 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Sport and 2.5i-S look at an updated instrument panel design, with the other models soldiering on with the original layout.

Almost half the Subaru Forester models roll on 17-inch alloy wheels, so if you want a one-inch-larger wheel, these are fitted to the 2.5i Premium and 2.5i Sport. New-design 18-inch alloys also feature on the 2.5i-S and Hybrid S.

Stylistically differentiating the hybrids is chrome/silver detailing on the door handles, exterior mirrors and roof rails, along with black rear body garnish and updated rear bumper cladding.

And setting the 2.5i Sport from the pack are its circular fog light design (with six LED lights) and geometric door mirrors.

Are you after a sunroof? Then line up for a 2.5i Sport as a minimum or a Hybrid S.

What about chrome window surrounds to lift the look? Head only as far as the 2.5i Premium or Hybrid L.

All models have heated and power fold-in mirrors, but only the mirrors on the 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Sport, 2.5i-S and Hybrid S fold in automatically. And mirror position memory and auto-dipping passenger door mirrors start with the 2.5i Premium or Hybrid S.

For those extreme winter days, a de-icer is fitted to the front and rear wipers on all models bar the 2.5i.

And if you have an adventurous spirit, you’ll be pleased to know all petrol-engined Foresters come with a full-size spare wheel, with the Hybrid models utilising a puncture repair kit.

Dusk-sensing, self-levelling and steering-responsive LED headlights grace all Forester models, but if you want LED fog lights then sign up for a 2.5i Sport, 2.5i-S or either hybrid model.

Rain-sensing auto front and rear wipers are standard on all models, but an auto-dimming rear-view mirror only comes standard on 2.5i Sport, 2.5i-S and Hybrid S.

Dual-zone climate control is another across-the-board feature along with a multifunction steering wheel, but Subaru’s two-mode S/I drive system is unavailable on the 2.5i and 2.5i-L.

Who wants the handiness of a powered tailgate? Then head to the 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Sport, 2.5i-S or Hybrid S models.

Cloth is the standard trim on most Foresters, with premium cloth on the 2.5i Premium and Hybrid L and water-repellent cloth standard in the 2.5i Sport.

However, if you’re after a bit of prestige to lift the Forester cabin, shimmy over to the 2.5i-S or Hybrid S where you’ll find leather-accented upholstery. If a sportier look takes your fancy, the 2.5i Sport scores gunmetal and orange interior highlights throughout the cabin.

Power-adjustable seats, you ask? Bypass the Forester 2.5i and 2.5i-L and tick the 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Sport, 2.5i-S or the Hybrid S for eight-way power-adjustable front seats, with the driver’s offering two memory positions.

But if you just want heated front seats, open the purse strings enough for a 2.5i-L.

Folding the rear seat down on all models is easy with the electric one-touch function, which increases cargo space from 498 litres (509L in the hybrid) to 1060 litres (1779L hybrid).

Over its lifetime the Subaru Forester has had both diesel and high-performance turbo-petrol engines.

However, the current model range is limited to a 135kW/239Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine or a 110kW/196Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid that includes a 12kW/66Nm electric motor.

Every Subaru Forester is all-wheel drive, and all have a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Maximum braked towing capacity is 1800kg for the petrol-engined Forester, or 1200kg for the hybrid models.

If you spend most of your time battling traffic in the ’burbs or city, the slightly more frugal Subaru Forester Hybrid versions may make sense, but any fuel advantage is almost negated when open-road driving applies.

On its 18-inch alloys, the Forester 2.5i Premium still rides our rotten roads well and has more than enough comfort and convenience features plus driver assist safety tech to keep the driver and the troops very safe and happy, so sign me up for that one.

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