The Subaru Forester is a compact crossover SUV that has gained popularity for its practicality, versatility, and impressive off-road capabilities. It has been a staple in Subaru's lineup since its introduction in 1997 and has undergone several generations. Now in its fifth generation, the Forester retains the qualities and characteristics that made it a popular compact SUV.
The all-new Subaru Forester can tackle almost any terrain with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder 16-valve boxer engine, which powers the car with 154 hp and 196 Nm of torque. It's Subaru Philippines' entry into the compact crossover class in the local market, sharing the same platform with the XV subcompact crossover. Its aggressive exterior design consists of the signature hexagonal grille and full-bodied hood complemented by its fierce hawk-eye headlamps.
Subaru updated the Forester in 2019, giving the car a fresh look, with minor tweaks on the fog lamps and taillight designs, as well as an increase in dimensions. In terms of cabin gadgets, the fifth-generation Forester has three LCD screens, which are the 4.2-inch instrument cluster, the 6.3-inch multifunction display on top of the dashboard, and the eight-inch touchscreen acting as its central head unit. All three are integrated with Subaru Starlink with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Comfort is highlighted by the leather seats, as well as the dual-zone climate control with rear vents.
Launch
The fifth-generation Subaru Forester officially launched in the Philippine market in 2019. At launch, the Forester was available in three variants, the entry-level 2.0i-L, 2.0i-L EyeSight, and the top trim 2.0i-S EyeSight. The Forester had an introductory price of P1,598,000 for the 2.0i-L, P1,698,000 for the 2.0i-L EyeSight variant, and P1,798,000 for the top 2.0-S EyeSight variant.
In 2023, during the Manila International Auto Show, Subaru unveiled the facelifted Forester as well as a new variant named the Forester GT. During the GT’s premiere, it had a price tag of P2,298,000.
Platform, Chassis and Powertrain
The Subaru Forester is equipped with its trademark horizontally opposed "boxer" engine, which helps to lower the vehicle's center of gravity for improved stability and handling. The Forester is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder flat-four boxer engine which pumps out 154 hp and a hefty 196 Nm of torque. Subaru's renowned Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system is standard in the Forester, providing excellent traction and stability in various road conditions. The Forester also offers good ground clearance and a capable suspension system, making it suitable for light off-road adventures. Power is transmitted to the road or ground via Subaru’s Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
All of this kit rides on the Subaru Global Platform which Subaru says provides greater handling characteristics, agility, ride comfort, and crash protection. It is also claimed to be inherently resistant to noise, vibration, and harshness. The Forester’s suspension setup consists of MacPherson strut suspension up front and a double-wishbone setup at the back. Braking power is supplied by ventilated disc brakes at all four corners. These brakes are housed inside 17-inch wheels for the 2.0i-L EyeSight variant while the 2.0i-S and GT variants get 18-inch wheels.
Subaru is known for loading its vehicles with an extensive range of tech, and the Forester is no exception. Standard equipment includes features such as a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a navigation system, dual-zone climate control, a start/stop button, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB ports. Extra convenience features like a power tailgate and sunroof is exclusive to the 2.0i-S variant and the Forester GT.
Going up the ladder a bit, Forester variants equipped with Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies have access to active safety technology like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, pre-collision braking, and lane-keep assist.
Exterior
The Forester features a rugged and athletic exterior design. It has a boxy shape with a slightly raised ride height, providing a commanding presence on the road. The front end is characterized by a prominent grille, sleek headlights, and a muscular bumper. The overall styling is clean and purposeful, emphasizing functionality over flashy aesthetics.
The appearance of the Forester doesn’t shout or brag about its capabilities. It could be described as subdued, disciplined even. However, despite its relatively calm exterior, Subaru has put some extra touches, particularly on the bottom of the doors, wheel arches, and the lower grille to give it a rugged and serious appearance without making it too ostentatious.
Interior
Inside the Forester, you'll find a spacious and comfortable cabin that is functional and practical. It offers ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers, making it a suitable choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Subaru spared no expense in crafting the interior of the Forester, despite its practical layout, it's still a nice place to be in.
With its considerable size, the Forester also provides generous cargo space with 520 liters of space at your disposal with the second row up. If that isn’t enough, you can fold the rear seats down to further expand the storage capacity to 1762 liters.
Safety
The Subaru Forester boasts a wide array of safety features, which help mitigate the effects of a collision or avoid them altogether.
For starters, the most significant safety suite available in the Forester is Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology. This advanced system employs cameras and sensors to provide a range of driver-assist functions. EyeSight incorporates features like adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warning, and lane-keep assist. These functions help prevent or minimize the impact of potential collisions and promote safer driving habits.
Aside from these active safety features, the Forester also has passive safety features like its full suite of airbags, ISOFIX anchors, and Subaru’s Vehicle Stability Control System, which stands on the sidelines ready to step when it detects a problem on the car while in motion.
Here is our review of the 2023 Subaru Forester. A long-standing nameplate that is well-loved and well-equipped. With the EyeSight 4.0 system, you can cruise without worry and drive with a guardian angel looking over you, so to speak. The compact five-seater still gets a 2.0-liter boxer engine mated to a CVT and paired with Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system. Find out of this car is worth its price on this episode of Behind the Wheel.
Ask our team of experts any question and we will do our best to give you the best answer possible.
How much trunk space does the Forester have?
The Forester has 520 liters of boot space with the third row of seats up. Extra space is available by folding the second row of seats down to gain a maximum space of 1762 liters.
How many seats does the Forester have?
The Subaru Forester is a five-door compact crossover with five seats in a 2+3 configuration. The third row of seats can accommodate three adult passengers comfortably.
Does the Subaru Forester use diesel?
The Subaru Forester is a gasoline-engined SUV. There are no diesel-engine variants for this model.
Is the Subaru Forester an SUV?
The Subaru Forester is an All-Wheel Drive Compact Crossover SUV
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