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).
Korean automaker Hyundai has been an unmitigated success in the SA new car space. The relative newcomer to the market has been a consistent top-five feature on the new-car sales charts. There are many reasons for this, including good, reliable products at competitive prices. In part, the success is also driven by innovation.
South Africa's automotive sector is set for a significant transformation as Chinese and Indian vehicle manufacturers prepare to shift from basic assembly operations to full-scale local production.
Lightstone Auto has rolled out a cutting-edge integration designed to transform how alternative lenders, rent-to-own providers and niche finance firms engage with dealerships.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve more and live richer lives.
Daniel Pink
Nissan Egypt is redefining sustainable mobility in Africa with the introduction of its third-generation e-Power technology used on the Nissan Qashqai and the opportunity to test drive the iconic new Patrol for the first time in Africa.
Nissan’s new Navara bakkie has been unveiled in Australia, and not in the cards for South Africa.
Following the introduction of the C5 Luxury X and Elegance X trims earlier this year, OMODA & JAECOO South Africa are now enhancing the Style and Street derivatives with a series of upgrades.
