Subaru’s 2025 Forester made waves at the Los Angeles Auto Show, revealing a significant update that drew attention, not just for its enhancements but for the controversy it sparked regarding its design resemblance to other well-known off-roaders. While not an entirely new model, the Forester boasts a revamped exterior, a fresh interior, and a promise of hybrid power in the 2026 model year.
The redesigned Forester, with its blockier and more macho appearance, raised eyebrows for its striking similarity to the Toyota RAV4, particularly in the side profile. However, the talk of the town revolves around the Forester’s front end, which echoes the design of Ford’s older fifth-generation Explorer, featuring a large, upright grille and wing-like headlights.
Inside, Subaru maintains its unique identity with an evolved interior design. The highlight is a portrait-layout touchscreen embedded into the dashboard, flanked by vertical heater vents. While analog dials make a return, the familiar rotary dials for climate controls have been replaced with controls embedded in the touchscreen bezel. The base model comes with a 7.0-inch screen, with an optional 11.6-inch display that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Despite its reskin status, the 2025 Forester retains the same 2.5-litre boxer engine and standard all-wheel-drive transmission. Power sees a minor dip to 180hp, while torque experiences a slight increase from 239Nm to 241Nm of torque. The new Forester features a 10% stiffer chassis structure, an electric power steering system from the WRX sports sedan, and updated safety features in the EyeSight driver assist package.
Excitingly, Subaru confirmed the arrival of a hybrid model in 2026, offering a potential alternative for eco-conscious consumers. While details about the hybrid powertrain are yet to be disclosed, Subaru enthusiasts eagerly await further information, expecting a blend of performance and efficiency.
While the 2025 Forester brings design controversies, especially in its resemblance to other SUVs, it ensures a familiar yet enhanced driving experience, maintaining Subaru’s commitment to safety and performance. The anticipation for the hybrid variant adds an extra layer of intrigue for consumers looking toward a greener future.
The all-new 2019 Subaru Forester has arrived here in Malaysia and it comes with some very interesting upgrades that makes it more dynamic and comfortable than ever before. The fifth generation Forester was launched earlier today at the revamped Subaru showroom in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. (more…)
TC Subaru Sdn Bhd, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in Malaysia, has today launched a new variant of the Subaru Forester – the Forester 2.0 STI Performance, in Malaysia. Hailing from one of the most popular ranges of SUVs, the Forester 2.0 STI Performance now sports a new exterior and interior, promising rugged versatility and comfort at its best.
“The Forester 2.0 STI Performance is differentiated and enhanced through its bold front design, lending the vehicle a streamlined yet rugged new look. The high-performance SUV also comes with exclusive accessories, including the STI Front and Rear Under Spoilers, the STI Flexible Tower Bar, Front Grille, Cargo Step Panel, STI Brake Pads and STI Air Filter – all of which further refine the vehicle’s appearance and performance. Inside the Forester 2.0 STI Performance, enhancements include leather seats premium Carpet Mats, the STI Leather Shift Knob and the Side Sill Plate.” – TC Subaru Malaysia.
The Forester 2.0 STI Performance incorporates the Subaru Four Core Technologies in every aspect, enhancing power, handling, comfort and safety for driver and passengers alike. The vehicle retains its signature engine from the Forester 2.0i-P variant, with its renowned 2.0-litre four-cylinder 16-Valve, FB20 Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine, that produces a maximum power of 150PS at 6,200 rpm and peak torque of 198Nm at 4,200 rpm.
Safety has always been of great importance to Subaru and is prioritised in the Forester 2.0 STI Performance with well-known, reliable features such as X-MODE, Hill Descent Control (HDC), Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (S-AWD) as well as Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC). Additionally, the sporty SUV also contains seven airbags and other standard safety features, giving both driver and passengers all-round protection and peace of mind.
Prices of the Subaru Forester 2.0 STI Performance start from RM135,288 (OTR without insurance). For more information about the Subaru Forester 2.0 STI Performance, please visit www.subaru.asia/my. Interested individuals can also visit Subaru showroom for further enquiries or test drives.
Motor Image Malaysia can’t build the Subaru XV fast enough! Such is the demand for the XV that this new 2019 Subaru Forester will likely only see the light of day in Malaysia come the second quarter of 2019, and all of them will be in CKD (locally-assembled) form. Here’s the official launch video from Subaru @ Taiwan…
We however, managed to get a hands-on look and feel of the new Forester recently in Taiwan, and following this launch coverage, the next day we headed to an area where Motor Image (MI) had set up both an on-road and off-road course for us to have a go on with the new Forester. Here’s the on-road test drive video, shot hand-held so do forgive the shake…
Next was the off-road sector of the test drive, and here’s where the new Forester really came into its own. For an SUV destined to be used predominantly on-road, it’s quite amazing just how well it handled the rough terrain of this course…
The new Forester utilises a a ‘boxer’ direct-injection 2-litre, 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, mated to a CVT, and I have to be honest, with 156bhp and 196Nm of torque, I thought the latter was a typo, but it isn’t. Where generally vehicles these days produce upwards of 200Nm, one-ninety-six seemed quite inadequate.
But as can be seen in the first video, and my commentary, it didn’t seem to bother the Forester much as it hurtled around the test course. Active Torque Vectoring – sensors constantly monitor each wheel to gauge traction, actively enhancing or retarding power to each wheel depending on the given driving scenario as well as terrain – ensured that the Forester remained composed despite our best efforts to send it into the bushes.
It was the off-road sector however that really impressed as far as testing the new Forester was concerned, for this is where the benefits of SGP or Subaru Global Platform really came to fore. I’ll give you and example why. Don’t you just hate it when you’ve reached an off-road campsite only to find regular cars and even small mopeds already there? I know I do, and it’s happened a lot in the past.
Well, it’s safe to say that with the new Forester, and given the kind of terrain we traversed during the test, that’s not going to happen anytime soon. There is no way a regular passenger car would be able to tackle the course we put the Forester through without serious damage to it, and its occupants too perhaps. As I said in the second video, my own car would be in pieces halfway through, and would have flipped three times toward the end. With Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and X-Mode, not to mention a Hill Hold and Hill Descent feature, the Forester revels the occasional off-road venture. You may never find the need for it, but it’s heartening to know it’s there if you need it.
Subaru is also boasting the use of ‘EyeSight‘ in the new Forester. So what exactly is EyeSight? Well, it’s an advanced driver assist technology that includes automatic pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, adaptive cruise control, lead vehicle start alert, lane departure and lane sway warning.
It has been confirmed by Glenn Tan, Managing Director, Tan Chong International Ltd, (below, right) that EyeSight will be available in the new Forester when it gets here in Q2 2019, for selected variants, and there’ll likely be three variants in all. “The All-New Forester is now bigger and better with an all-round enhancement to its technology, interior and exterior to create an SUV that boasts performance, comfort and maximum safety” said Glenn. “We are thrilled to launch the new fifth generation Forester and are confident that the model will excite drivers and create amazing experiences with their loved ones.”
At launch, these are four variants of the new Subaru Forester:
Stay tuned to Piston.my as we keep you up to date on the impending launch of the new 2019 Subaru Forester, in the meantime, for more details, click the link below.
It’s here! Motor Image, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles across eight countries in Asia, has launched the All-New 2019 Forester in Taiwan. The All-New Forester brings with it improved refinement and practicality – for maximum comfort and enjoyment. The All-New Forester has been reengineered, reimagined and redesigned to include a host of enhanced features, resulting in a balance of easy handling and spacious interior. Here’s the regional media making their way into the launch arena…
Safety continues to be a priority with the inclusion of a strong suite of active safety and driver-assistance features, as part of the Subaru Core Technologies:
“The All-New Forester is now bigger and better with an all-round enhancement to its technology, interior and exterior to create an SUV that boasts performance, comfort and maximum safety” said Mr Glenn Tan, Managing Director, Tan Chong International Ltd (above, 4th from right). “We are thrilled to launch the new fifth generation Forester and are confident that the model will excite drivers and create amazing experiences with their loved ones.”
The All-New Forester will be available in four variants*: – Subaru Forester 2.0 i-S EyeSight – Subaru Forester 2.0 i-S – Subaru Forester 2.0 i-L EyeSight – Subaru Forester 2.0 i-L
The brand’s iconic Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive feature delivers power to each wheel to provide maximum stability and control, allowing drivers to safely travel across challenging terrain and road conditions. The All-New Subaru Forester (all variants) is powered by a 2.0-litre direct injection boxer engine, it features a direct injection to improve horsepower while also boosting fuel efficiency. It churns out 156Ps and 196Nm of torque.
Driving enjoyment has also been enhanced through a new seven speed manual mode of continuously variable transmission (CVT) which will improve acceleration and fuel efficiency. Here’s the new Subaru Forester making its maiden appearance!
Incorporating into the redevelopment of the All-New Forester is also the Subaru Global Platform – a redesigned chassis. The Subaru Global platform offers a safer, smoother driving experience by delivering less shake and body roll while also significantly reducing road noise to make conversations at high speeds more comfortable.
The All-New Forester also comes equipped with X-MODE function, which enhances driving performance on challenging terrain through optimised integrated control of the engine, all-wheel drive, brakes and other functions.
Drivers can now conveniently activate X-MODE via a new dial-switch in select modes, allowing for easy switching between modes depending on road conditions. The hill descent control function gives drivers greater peace of mind by maintaining low speeds on downhill slopes. The handling of the All-New Forester is further enhanced with active torque vectoring, which enables drivers to control their vehicle exactly as intended, for outstanding cornering stability and hazard avoidance performance.
Precise handling is enabled by applying brakes to the inner wheels which in turn distributes more torque to the outer wheels when making necessary sharp turns. The All-New Forester is equipped with award-winning safety features, providing drivers with an added peace of mind on every drive. A new feature on the Forester is EyeSight, an advanced driver assist technology that includes automatic pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, adaptive cruise control, lead vehicle start alert, lane departure and lane sway warning. The feature is available on select variants of the All-New Forester.
In addition, features such as auto vehicle hold and Subaru rear vehicle detection (SRVD) are also available on the new model.
Auto vehicle hold works to reduce driver fatigue by keeping the vehicle still when the driver’s foot is removed from the brake pedal while the vehicle is stopped. SRVD uses radar sensors installed on the rear of the vehicle to detect objects and vehicles behind and alerts the driver with its three main functions: blind spot detection, lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert. Visual indicators light up if a vehicle in the blind spot is detected.
Here’s the walkaround video just after the official launch: (Stay tuned for more videos because tomorrow we drive the new Forester!)
When signalling a lane change, the system alerts the driver if the vehicle in the neighbouring lane is approaching. Viewability is also enhanced with reverse linked tilt down door mirror, which makes it more convenient for checking blind spots around rear tyres for worry-free reversing and parking. Safety is further enhanced by the excellent high eye-level view and careful optimisation of the shape of the pillars to help reduce blind spots and provide outstanding visibility.
The All-New Forester offers excellent road clearance with minimum ground clearance of 220mm for the ultimate driving experience. Raised roof rails with integrated tie-down points are also available for more loading options, providing drivers with the flexibility to handle all kinds of adventures. The redesigned interior of the All-New Forester comes with impressive interior dimensions, providing the driver and all passengers with greater comfort in everyday and recreational usage.
The spaciousness of the interior is enhanced by the replacement of the traditional parking brake lever with a new electronic parking brake switch that opens up more space on the centre console. The All-New Forester also introduces redefined interior features such as divided seatback pockets, USB charging ports and air-conditioning vents behind centre console, bringing a refreshed riding experience for the passengers.
The instrument panel also comes with a high grade multi-function display, providing drivers with key vehicle statistics in a clear and easy-to-see layout. The enhanced connectivity between the meter display and multi-function display shows driving information that improves convenience, safety and enjoyment.
The new model will also comes with added rear leg room, as well as an increased cargo room with wider rear gate opening. The availability of power rear gate allows opening, closing and locking of the entire vehicle with just the touch of a button, making it more convenient than ever before to haul more gear.
Built to last, the All-New Forester uses extensive high-strength steel that promises durability and rigidity. The ruggedness of the SUV is further underscored with the raised body, claddings and underguard, coupled with powerful fenders with emphasised protrusions. The updated design pays homage to the model’s earlier predecessor, with subtle updates on the grille, headlights and tail lights for added robustness and sophistication.
The All-New Forester brings together the combination of superior technology, smart design and advanced engineering, it provides the ultimate driving enjoyment while ensuring that safety is not compromised. The All-New Forester will be available in Malaysia by Q2 2019.
