The brand-new Subaru Forester has arrived in Mzansi. Here’s pricing and specification for the four-strong local model line-up.
The box-fresh Forester is exclusively available with the Japanese automaker’s 2.4-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder petrol motor. The naturally aspirated boxer-four unit is endowed with 136 kW and 247 N.m of torque, and is paired with the firm’s Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) — the latter featuring an eight-step manual mode via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Power and twisting force are dispatched to the tarmac via Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system.
With this new generation, we’re excited to raise the bar once again in the segment
The brand-new Forester measures 4 655 mm in length, 1 830 mm in width, 1 730 mm in height, and 2 670 mm between the fore and aft axles. The sixth iteration has a ground clearance 220 mm, and approach and departure angles of 20.3 degrees and 25.8 degrees, respectively. The break-over angle is 21.2 degrees.
How much does the new Subaru Forester cost in South Africa?
Locally, the sixth-generation Forester is available in four flavours: Field, Touring, Sport, and Premium, with the range’s pricing kicking off at a hair below R700 000. Included with price are five-year/150 000 km warranty and a maintenance plan spanning three years or 75 000 km.
- Subaru Forester 2.5i Field CVT — R699 000
- Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring CVT — R740 000
- Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport CVT — R790 000
- Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium CVT — R830 000
The opening gambit to the local line-up, the Field features such nice-to-have items as dual 7.0-inch displays (for infotainment and instrumentation, respectively), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto screen mirroring, a six-speaker sound system, and Subaru’s EyeSight suite of safety systems. The Field is fitted with a set of 17-inch alloy wheels.
Touring spec upgrades to 18-inch alloys and 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, to name but a few additional items. Sport trim’s 18-inch alloy wheels are finished in black. Sport also features dual-function X-Mode (as opposed to Field and Touring’s single-mode setup). Premium grade features a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, electrically operated tailgate, reverse automatic braking, and 18-inch alloy wheels that are finished in silver and black.
Said Nteo Nkoli, National Marketing Manager at Subaru Southern Africa, “The Forester has an incredible heritage and has consistently delivered what South Africans want: safety, versatility, and genuine all-road ability. With this new generation, we’re excited to raise the bar once again in the segment, offering even more refinement, technology, and capability for our customers.”
