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).