Subaru Forester

The Subaru 2.5 Forester. Image: Quickpic

New flagship: Subaru boosts its Forester stable with more horsepower

Equipped with larger, all-new 2.5l engines – over the 2.0l engines which power its Forester siblings – Subaru has launched a new and even more sportier assault on SA’s competitive SUV market with the introduction of the 2.5i Sport ES CVT and the 2,5i-S ES CVT.

Subaru Forester

The Subaru 2.5 Forester. Image: Quickpic

As a brand which commands both a distinct and loyal following and respect across the SUV market, fans will be pleased that Subaru has now extended its inimitable Forester family with the addition of two new flagship SUV variants – bringing new depth to its 2021 model line-up.

Equipped with larger, all-new 2.5l engines – over the 2.0l engines which power its Forester siblings – Subaru has launched a new and even more sportier assault on SA’s competitive SUV market with the introduction of the 2.5i Sport ES CVT and the 2,5i-S ES CVT.

More grunt under the hood

The two new variants, with the 2.5i-S ES CVT commanding the higher purchase price, now slot in above the entry-level 2.0i-CVT and 2.0i-S ES CVT to complete and lead the 2021 Forester range with far more grunt under the hood.

In its comments on the range extension, Subaru noted that it had now been 24 years since the first Subaru Forester “defined what the world now refers to as the modern-day SUV”, adding that the Forester was to go on to become the best-selling model in the company’s line-up.

Two flagship variants

Subaru expects its new 2021 line-up to extend the Forester’s success by providing its customers with both new flagship variants and a wider range of choice.

“Starting with the new Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport ES CVT, this entirely new derivative brings a refreshing and sporty design to the model line-up. Designed for those seeking a car with practicality and sporty aesthetics, the Forester Sport exudes power and athleticism.”

“The range-topping 2.5i-S ES CVT represents the contemporary Forester SUV, exuding classic Subaru design that brings safety, practicality and adventure to the fore,” said Subaru.

And, according to Subaru SA marketing lead Nteo Nkoli: “The introduction of the 2.5-litre models and the Sport model to the line-up is so important for us as a brand, because it gives our customers more options and a more personalised experience.”

“These long-awaited models are what many of our customers have been asking for, models that suit a particular lifestyle.”

Power of Freedom with Subaru Forester: Engine and Dynamic Capability

Boxer Engine

For the first time since the launch of this fifth-generation Forester, Subaru SA introduces the new direct injection 2.5-litre Boxer® Engine. The engine is mated to a lightweight Lineartronic® CVT transmission with shift paddles behind the steering wheel for stepped / manual control.

The 2.5-litre engine delivers 136kW of power, an additional 21kW over the 2.0-litre engine. Maximum torque is 239Nm, an increase of 43Nm over the 2.0-litre.

The Forester features the Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) function that allows the driver to select a more efficient driving programme or something a little more sporty. The SI-Drive system will recalibrate the engine mapping to deliver the desired output. In Sport mode, the 2.5 Forester will accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 9.3 seconds.

Importantly, according to Subaru, despite the increase in power and performance, the 2.5-litre remains as efficient as the 2.0-litre model, delivering impressive fuel consumption figures of 7.6l/100km on the combined cycle. CO2 emissions are 193g/km.

“Subaru is a name synonymous with safety and agility, a reputation built across the extremes of rally in the past as well as through impeccable safety ratings achieved over decades of car-crash testing,” enthused the automaker.

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive

As standard across the entire Subaru range in South Africa is the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive™ system that is engineered for improved safety, agility and control. Subaru is one of the only manufacturers within the segment that offers this as standard across all our models, including the base models.

Fitted with a Boxer® engine that sits very low in the engine bay as well as Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive™ means the Forester’s dynamic abilities are excellent. Part of the confident nature of the Forester is the Vehicle Dynamics Control system that makes use of ABS, EBD, ESP and Torque Vectoring to ensure traction and control is maintained.

It isn’t just agility and safety for which Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is beneficial, but also for that other trait for which Subaru is well known – an ability to conquer terrain and obstacles generally reserved for more serious off-roaders.

X-Mode and Hill Descent Control

The new Forester is fitted with X-Mode and Hill Descent Control as standard across the range.

X Mode is a system that uses gear ratios and torque distribution to deliver power to specific wheels where the most grip is detected. In a nutshell, it gets you up and over, into and out of some tough terrain. The system has two driver-selectable programmes.

SNOW/DIRT mode for slippery or loose surfaces such as dirt or gravel or snow. The other option is D.SNOW/MUD mode for heavier terrain like thick mud and deep, steep ruts. Hill Descent Control works as soon as any of these modes are activated, keeping a smooth reign on downhill speed.

With a class-leading 220mm of ground clearance, the Forester inspires confidence on any terrain.

Designed and Engineered with safety and versatility in mind

The Forester is an evolution of the previous generation. Now built upon the new Subaru Global platform, the Forester has been engineered to stringent standards of safety and versatility, woven into a package that stands out as a robust and classic Subaru design form.

From the front, key highlights are the modern “Hawkeye” LED headlamps, a large grille, fog lamps and an underguard treatment for added protection during off road excursions. The roof rails have also been redesigned, now featuring loopholes on the higher spec models, for easier use of ropes and straps when tying down cargo.

The base spec 2.0i-CVT sports 17-inch alloys while the 2.0i-S ES and 2.5i-S ES are shod with 18-inch alloys. The colour range for the non-Sport derivatives is as follows: Jasper Green Metallic, Horizon Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Red Pearl and Serpia Bronze Metallic.

The boot features a wide-opening lid and a low sill for ease of loading into the 520-litre, rubberised boot. The boot space can be increased to 1 770-litres by flipping the switches either from the side of the boot opening panel or on top of the seatbacks themselves.

The S and ES Forester derivatives are fitted with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes AUX, Bluetooth connectivity as well as the use of Apple CarPlay / Android Auto through the USB-A ports in the front. Also included in ES and Sport models there are electrically-adjustable front seats, automatic climate control, a sunroof and rain-sensing wipers to name just a few of the features.

The Athletic Forester Sport

The Subaru Forester 2.5i-Sport is a fresh new model added to the line-up with its own signature aesthetics and features.

Featuring five exclusive colour combinations, the Sport contrasts the body colour with distinctive orange and black trim pieces. The grille and bumper elements are finished in black as are the side sills, wheel arch surrounds, rear bumpers and the top section of the boot lid. The 2021 Forester Sport version is also set apart from other derivatives with the use of 18-inch Dark Metallic alloy wheels.

The body colours that are available with the Sport models, are: Crystal White Pearl; Dark Blue Pearl; Magnetite Grey Metallic; Ice Silver Metallic and Crystal Black Silica.

The use of orange accentuates the interior elements too, strongly featured in the cabin surrounding the air vents, gear shifter and X-Mode switch as well as on the stitching throughout the car.

Also exclusively available on the Sport model is the addition of new Water Repellent Seats.

Class-Leading Safety

For Subaru, safety begins from the ground up. It starts with the new Subaru Global Platform, one of the qualities of which is a better Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame that better disperses energy in a collision for reduced risk to passengers.

Added to this, the engine and gearbox are designed to be pushed below the vehicle during a frontal collision instead of crashing into the cabin. Forester also benefits from no less than seven airbags: Two front airbags, two side airbags, two curtain airbags and one driver’s knee airbag.

Of primary concern to Subaru however, is to reduce the number of collisions that happen in the first place and in this area of primary safety, the Forester sets new benchmarks once again.

Subaru’s award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist System is a standard feature on the 2021 Subaru ES line-up, including the Subaru Sport model. Featured on the MY2021 line-up in its latest version, EyeSight is a system that makes use of camera-based technology and integrates features or assistance systems from Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Departure and Sway Warning and Lane Keep Assist.

For the first time in South Africa, the Forester will take corrective action when you veer out of your line but using braking force on the requisite wheels to straighten the car, all the while flashing a warning in the driver’s multi-function display.

The Auto Vehicle Hold (AVH) function is a smarter feature that replaces the previous Hill Start Assist function and holds the vehicle on all road gradients, not only inclines.

A Reversing Camera, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are all standard features on the ES models as well as a smart High Beam Assist which automatically switches the headlights between the high and low beams when needed. This technology is coupled with Steering Responsive Headlights that turn in conjunction with the steering angle for increased vision when navigating around bends at night.

Reverse Automatic Braking is also included on EyeSight-equipped models. When reversing, the RAB system uses sensors to detect objects and can automatically stop the vehicle if the driver does not take action in time. This is the only vehicle in its segment with this technology.

Nkoli said of the system: “EyeSight is a technology that really takes road safety to the next level and it is a standard feature in all but one of the Forester range, making the Forester a truly exceptional package.”

This Forester has scored 5-star safety ratings across all global ratings agencies.

The new Forester is now available from all Southern African dealers.

Pricing: 2021 Line-Up

  • Subaru Forester 2.0i-CVT R486 000
  • Subaru Forester 2.0i-S ES CVT R564 000
  • Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport ES CVT R599 000
  • Subaru Forester 2.5i-S ES CVT R629 000