Australia waits as Subaru unveils new Forester

SUBARU has used the Los Angeles motor show to premiere its new-generation 2025 Forester medium SUV, featuring polarising new front-end styling on an otherwise familiar shape.

Details surrounding price and local specifications are not yet known and Subaru Australia was unable to confirm local arrival timing, instead suggesting the 2024 model remains a priority for the brand Down Under. 

“We're incredibly excited about the global reveal of the next generation Subaru Forester and we look forward to sharing more information about this model for the Australian market in due course,” a Subaru Australia spokesperson told GoAuto.

“In the meantime, our focus remains on the arrival of MY24 Subaru Forester in early 2024.”

At its core, the new Forester still features symmetrical all-wheel drive, a petrol 2.5-litre boxer engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT), but the model has been restyled inline with themes seen on the WRX and Crosstrek models. 

The 2.5-litre flat-four engine produces 134kW/241Nm – virtually the same as the current model’s 136kW/239Nm – and it is unknown whether Australia will receive additional engine options, although this Forester will reportedly be the first Subaru to share some hybrid drive system components with Toyota. 

Steering is said to have been improved, with Subaru opting to use a WRX steering rack to improve feel and response in the new Forester, while stronger inner frame welds are said to yield rigidity and weight advantages. 

Other obscure improvements include an air outlet at the trailing edge of the front wheel opening, which allows air to exit the wheel well leading to reduced lift and improved driving stability.

Inside, the cabin offers improved overall comfort, with climate control that now focuses on seated passengers rather than the entire interior, and a strong focus on sound dampening has led to a 39 percent reduction in noise from the roof panel. 

Cargo capacity is up, too, with 838 litres of storage in the boot or 2106 litres with the rear seats folded down. 

Infotainment comes courtesy of an 11.6-inch touchscreen, or dual 7.0-inch displays for base models, much like the rest of the current Subaru line-up but an improvement on the outgoing model’s 8.0-inch screen.

A hands-free rear tailgate – new on the Forester but common across other SUVs – allows owners to open the tailgate without reaching for the key fob or boot release button.

The EyeSight driver assist suite remains on the new Forester, but Subaru says the latest version will operate more smoothly, and the system now features a wider field of view, updated controls software and an electric brake booster.