Subaru Forester News

Subaru Australia has confirmed details of its new-generation Forester SUV with improved drivetrain, safety and a simplified range of variants.The 2019 Forester range will be powered only by a 2.5-litre petrol engine mated to a CVT auto across four variants, with the 2.0-litre base petrol, diesel 2.0d and turbo XT variants dumped.There is also no longer a manual gearbox option. The new starting price for the 2019 Forester is $33,490 for the base-spec 2.5i, representing a $3250 price hike over the current base-spec 2.0i-L manual.Subaru says the 2.5-litre four-cylinder direct-injection boxer engine is "90 per cent new" and boosts power from 126kW/235Nm to 136kW/239Nm. The CVT auto also now has a seven-speed 'manual' mode.Due to a raft of drivetrain improvements, the service schedule has been pushed out to 12 months from six to match the Impreza and XV.The claimed combined cycle fuel usage figure is improved over the previous 2.5-litre Forester's, dropping to 7.4L/100km from 8.1.Subaru’s 'EyeSight' safety suite is standard across all Forester variants and now features lane-keeping assist up to 120km/h, improved pedestrian avoidance and pre-collision braking assist, as well as improved adaptive cruise control which can detect brake lights.All Forester variants also now have torque vectoring as part of the AWD system, electronic parking brakes, and a blind-spot monitoring system.The 2.5i-L, 2.5i Premium and 2.5i-S variants, above the base 2.5i, also now score front and side view cameras to assist reversing, AEB that works in reverse, and a driver attention monitoring system.The standard feature list for the entry-level $33,490 2.5i now includes, adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, tail-lights and DRLs, a rear-view camera, 6.5-inch multimedia screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and digital radio (DAB+) support, dual zone climate control, harmon/kardon six-speaker audio system, puddle lamps, a stop-start system and tyre pressure monitoring.Stepping up to the $35,490 2.5i-L adds driver attention alert, memory functions for the multimedia system and climate control, and the aforementioned enhanced safety suite.Next up, the $38,490 2.5i Premium adds to the list, auto-dipping door mirrors that are also auto folding, six-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, electrically powered folding rear seats, built-in sat-nav, powered tailgate, Subaru’s 'SI-Drive' enhanced AWD system, two extra USB ports for front passengers, a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen, 18-inch alloy wheels and a slew of aesthetic touches inside and out.The top-spec $41,490 2.5i-S adds an electric sunroof, LED fog lights, premium nine-speaker audio system, and leather seat trim, as well as more significant aesthetic upgrades inside and out.Subaru Forester 2.5i CVT auto AWD - $33,490Subaru Forester 2.5i-L CVT auto AWD - $35,490Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium CVT auto AWD - $38,490Subaru Forester 2.5i-S CVT auto AWD - $41,490

The all-new Subaru Forester range won't have turbocharged diesel or petrol variants, but a hybrid model is on its way.

Single engine set for Aussie Forester when it lands later in 2018

Subaru Australia's best-selling offering, the Forester, will be replaced next year by an all-new model looking to rocket up the medium-SUV sales charts, with many of its rivals having been overhauled.

Volvo, Subaru, Land Rover, Citroen and GM have issued safety recalls for some vehicles due to defective manufacturing issues.

End of financial year drive-away deals aren’t the only bait to lure customers into dealerships this month.

Subaru has announced updates to its Forester mid-size SUV range, cutting prices across the lineup and adding a new diesel automatic variant for 2015.The price cuts follow the free trade agreement with Japan signed late last year, equating to savings of up to $3500 on some Forester models.The revised Forester range now kicks off with the $29,990 2.0i-L which was previously priced from $32,490.Opting for the automatic version sees that price rise to $32,490.Power comes from a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated boxer four-cylinder engine delivering 110kW/198Nm to all four wheels via a six-speed manual or CVT automatic. Combined fuel consumption for the 2.0-litre is rated at 7.2L/100km.The 2.0i-L also features a new 7.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system fitted across the entire 2015 Forester range. It brings Bluetooth phone and audio, voice recognition and smartphone-like flick and pinch to zoom operation. More expensive models also add satnav to the list of multimedia functions.Price cuts of up to $3500 follow the free trade agreement with Japan signed late last year.Stepping up to the $32,990 2.5i-L model brings a bigger 126kW/235Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine and a standard CVT automatic gearbox. Combined fuel consumption for the 2.5-litre unit is listed as 8.1L/100km.The same 2.5-litre unit is also used in the 2.5i-S model, which adds keyless entry and start, sunroof, power tailgate, leather upholstery and heated power front seats, xenon headlights, satnav and Subaru’s Eye-sight auto emergency brake system.The diesel range kicks off with the $33,490 Forester 2.0D-L manual, and for the first time Subaru is now offering the diesel with CVT automatic variant priced from $35,490.The 108kW/350Nm 2.0-litre diesel unit is also fitted to the $39,490 2.0D-S model which gets the same standard features as the 2.5i-S model.Combined fuel consumption for the CVT diesel is a claimed 6.3L/100km, dropping to 5.9L/100km in manual guise.The Forester XT performance model is powered by the 177kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo four and is priced from $40,990 in CVT auto form – there’s no manual option. This is also the thirstiest model, averaging 8.5L/100km.Stepping up to the range-topping XT Premium sees the price jump to $47,990 while the features from the 2.0D-S and 2.5i-S are added.The 2015 Subaru Forester range also benefits from upgraded interior materials aimed at giving a higher quality feel.

Subaru took the wraps off the new sixth-generation Liberty just last week, and there’s already talk of new engine options for the mid-size sedan in the near future.The US-spec Legacy shown in Chicago featured almost-carryover 2.5-litre four and 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engines from the existing fifth-generation model, with minor efficiency tweaks and a CVT auto available with the six for the first time.However, a report by Car and Driver suggests that a version of the 2.0-litre turbo four found in the Forester XT and new WRX will soon be added, and likely to replace the performance-focused 2.5-litre turbo GT for the Australian market.The report also suggests the 3.6-litre six is set to be replaced by a smaller-capacity, yet more powerful unit within the next couple of years. Subaru are yet to release consumption figures for the CVT-equipped 3.6, but the existing five-speed auto paired version sips a relatively thirsty 10.3L/100.Expect this figure to drop significantly with a new smaller engine, which is likely to embrace direct injection along with a CVT auto to rival the 9.3L/100km achieved by the Liberty’s Toyota Aurion and Nissan Altima V6 rivals.The new engine is not expected to be ready for the new Liberty-based Outback’s debut at the New York motor show in April, with a debut in the Tribeca SUV’s replacement being more likely.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Subaru has dropped the price of entry to its popular Forester SUV range, with the base 2.0i petrol manual reduced by $1000 to $29,990.The price reduction is exclusive to the 110kW/198Nm 2.0-litre ‘i’ petrol manual, which was already the cheapest all-wheel drive mid-size SUV among the Forester’s key rivals, now some $1500 beneath the next-in-line $31,490 Ford Kuga Ambiente auto.No other changes have been made to the Forester lineup, which includes the auto-only 126kW/235Nm 2.5 litre petrol, manual-only 108kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel, and auto-only 177kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol drivetrain options.The fourth-generation Forester has been on sale for 12 months, and continues to be Subaru’s best-selling model and the third-best selling mid-size SUV despite retaining its all-wheel drive only lineup.Most of the Forester’s competitors have moved to offer cheaper and more efficient two-wheel drive models in addition to more off-road and traction-friendly all-wheel versions.“The safety benefits and flexibility of All-Wheel Drive are another Forester plus as some other brands charge a considerable premium for the technology, way above their entry-level two-wheel drive variants,” Subaru Australia Managing Director Nick Senior explains.All Subaru Forester models carry a maximum five star ANCAPsafety rating, and come with a full-size spare wheel beneath the cargo floor. Subaru Forester combined fuel consumption ranges from 5.9L/100km for the diesel models, to 7.2L/100km for 2.0-litre petrol manuals, to 8.1 for 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre petrol autos, and 8.5L/100km for the auto-only turbo XTs. The new $29,990 entry point should help the Forester in the mid-size SUV sales race, after its third-placing 13,649 sales in 2013, compared to the Mazda CX-5 with 20,129 and Toyota RAV4 with 16,983, with the Honda CR-V in fourth at 12,510, and the soon-to-be replaced Nissan X-Trail in fifth at 10,701 sales.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn2014 Subaru Forester pricingSubaru Forester 2.0i petrol manual - $29,990 (down $1000)Subaru Forester 2.5i petrol auto - $32,990Subaru Forester 2.0i-L petrol manual - $33,490Subaru Forester 2.5i-L petrol auto - $35,990Subaru Forester 2.5i-S petrol auto - $43,990Subaru Forester 2.0D diesel manual - $35,490Subaru Forester 2.0D-L diesel manual - $37,490Subaru Forester 2.0D-S diesel manual - $43,990Subaru Forester 2.0XT turbo petrol auto - $43,490Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium turbo petrol auto - $50,490 

After 17 straight years as a Carsguide Car of the Year judge, I was wondering what to expect as we assembled the 10 finalists for the 2013 awards.There are always a few surprises, things to learn and like and loathe, and the field is more varied and relevant this year than at any time in the past. We have baby cars, family cars, an old-school wagon, SUVs, even a new-age Benz, and the value is outstanding in every case.One of the early favourites is the last of the true Aussie cars, the VF Commodore. It looks a little out of place, so big and bland as a starting-price Evoque sedan, and is quickly put right into its place as we begin the 60-kilometre driving loops used to assess the various contenders. That place is the past.These days the Commodore is an all-rounder in a world of specialists, and that's why it - and the Ford Falcon - are heading into history. And why the Commodore cannot win a COTY crown in 2013.There was a time when big Fords and Holdens made all the sense in the world, as they could cover every base from commuter car and taxi work to a family fun runner, a working wagon, and even a hotrod sporty sedan. It was a one-size-fits-all solution, even if the tailoring was never an ideal fit.Now the world has arrived in Australia, with 60-plus brands all competing in the toughest new-car scene on the planet, and there are cars which do every job better than a Commodore or Falcon. It's bespoke tailoring at its best.We have the proof right in front of us as the COTY contenders run through the loops and hoops.If you want a classy new family car, the Mazda6 is better.If you want a roomy family wagon, the Kia Rondo is better.If you want a flexible runabout, the Subaru Forester is better.If you want maximum bang for your bucks, the Mercedes-Benz A200 is better.So the Commodore finishes in the middle of the pack and, despite our patriotism and support for carmaking in Australia, that's what it deserves. It's a good car, and easily the best car to wear a Holden or Commodore badge, but that's just not good enough in 2013.This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover