Subaru Southern Africa has launched the all-new 2025 Subaru Forester, marking the arrival of the sixth generation of the brand’s most successful model.
First introduced in 1997, the Forester has sold more than 4.5 million units worldwide and accounts for over 50% of Subaru sales in South Africa.
What is it?
The Forester is Subaru’s medium-sized family crossover SUV with all-wheel drive and certain off-road capabilities.
Exterior:
The new Forester carries a bolder stance with a stronger grille, compact LED headlights and Subaru’s latest star-cluster emblem. Roof rails are standard across the range, and customers can choose between 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels depending on the model grade.
The Forester’s 220mm ground clearance and carefully engineered 20.3° approach and 25.8° departure angles (with 21.2° break-over angle) make the Forester also capable on gravel tracks.
For 2025, Forester introduces a fresh palette of colours to South Africa, including a new option: River Rock Pearl alongside established favourites like Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Magnetite Grey Metallic, Sapphire Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Brilliant Bronze Metallic and Autumn Green Metallic. Specialised colours of Cashmere Gold Opal and Daybreak Blue Pearl are also available on the Forester for the first time.
Engine:
Every Forester is powered by Subaru’s signature 2.5-litre BOXER engine, producing 136kW and 247Nm, paired with a Lineartronic CVT with 8-step manual mode, usable with paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. This horizontally opposed engine layout lowers the centre of gravity.
Interior:
Wide-opening doors make the loading of children and cargo simple with ISOFIX child seat anchors fitted across the rear seat on all models. Boot space measures 496-litres with the seats up and 1 174-litres when folded flat, supported by a flat cargo floor, a wide-opening tailgate and one-touch folding 60/40 split rear seats.
Seat trim ranges from durable fabric in Field and Touring to a spill-proof polyurethane in the Sport, with this model having been designed for the more adventurous. The Premium receives an Alcantara and leather seat blend. Touring, Sport and Premium models receive leather-wrapped steering wheels with varying stitch colours depending on grade: silver (Touring), green (Sport), and brown (Premium), with the range-topping Premium model also equipped with a leather-wrapped gear selector.
Comfort features include a 10-way power driver’s seat, panoramic sunroof on higher models, rear air vents, and USB-A/C charging for passengers. Touring, Sport and Premium models include a powered tailgate with a hands-free kick sensor.
For infotainment, the new Forester offers either dual 7.0-inch touchscreens (Field) or a tablet-style 11.6-inch display (Touring, Sport and Premium) with wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™, Bluetooth, as well as voice control. A Harman Kardon 10-speaker premium sound system is standard on the range-topping Premium Flagship.
Subaru’s Driver Recognition system is standard on all models, a feature that uses facial recognition to save up to seven drivers’ preferences, including seating and mirror position, as well as climate control settings.
Prices:
Forester 2.5i Field (R699 000), Forester 2.5i Touring (R740 000), Forester 2.5i Sport (R790 000), Forester 2.5i Premium (R830 000).
The South African motor industry has lost one of its longstanding business figures following the passing of Jebb McIntosh, the group chief executive of Combined Motor Holdings (CMH), on Monday, 2 November 2026.
“South Africa’s automotive industry has been AGOA’s largest user, but for the sector the preference has already been largely overridden by the 25% Section 232 tariffs applied on vehicles and components. Losing AGOA adds a further cost to an industry that has already absorbed a significant shock.”
Foton has started building vehicles in South Africa, and the first overseas vehicle manufacturing base of BAIC Group is now in Gqeberha.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
MG Motor South Africa used its MG Tech Day and Premium SUV Family launch event to show what is coming to its SUV range. The brand was founded in Britain in 1924, and in 1931 its EX120 ‘Magic Midget’ became the first 750 cc car to exceed 160 km/h.
Tata Motors has expanded its local SUV portfolio with the launch of the all-new Punch. Available in three derivatives, the compact SUV introduces refreshed styling, upgraded technology and six airbags as standard across the range, while also becoming the first Punch sold locally with a turbocharged engine option.
Isuzu Motors South Africa has introduced its all-new seventh-generation N-Series truck range, representing the most comprehensive update to the company's light and medium-duty commercial vehicle line-up in years.
