2023 Subaru Forester new car review

Australian families have been snapping up these SUVs in big numbers this year, we find out why its so popular.

2023 Subaru Forester.

The Subaru Forester has been a popular choice for Aussie families with a sense of adventure for decades. We take a spin the recently updated version to see what makes it such a hit.

VALUE

The Subaru Forester was tough to get hold of early last year, but fresh supply has made parking one in the driveway that little bit easier. A minor update introduced a new colour as well as an auto dimming rear vision mirror.

Subaru has given its Forester SUV a minor update.

But the bones of the brand’s mid-sized SUV are unchanged. It still has a five-seat layout and five model grades: basic 2.5i, 2.5i-L, 2.5- Premium, 2.5i-Sport and the 2.5i-S tested here.

All have a leather steering wheel, dual-zone ventilation, smart key, tyre pressure monitoring and a full-sized spare wheel. There’s also lane-keep assist, auto emergency braking, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2.5i-S has powered front seats, a sunroof, a Harman Kardon sound system and facial recognition tech that can monitor attention and drowsiness.

Subaru has had improved stock levels of the Forester through 2023.

There are also hybrid iterations of the L and S (with no spare wheel), although it’s the regular non-hybrid that is by far the biggest seller.

Whereas rivals charge extra for all-wheel drive, it’s standard on the Forester. That makes the circa-$51,500 drive-away price more palatable.

COMFORT

The Forester has a spacious cabin with snug front seats. Visibility is good and the main controls fall to hand. The materials may not match the latest from the likes of Kia and Mazda, but the presentation is smart and cohesive.

Those in the rear aren’t forgotten, either, with generous headroom and ample knee and foot space. It makes for a practical family vehicle.

It’s a safe and dependable family SUV.

You can split-fold the seats to access the generous boot.

Having two screens to split things such as the navigation, trip computer and audio features is clunky in an era of ever-larger screens. It ultimately works, but you need to know what buttons control which screen, which requires familiarisation.

SAFETY

The Forester comes well protected with outer airbags all around and a knee airbag for the driver.

Whereas rivals employ a forward-facing radar and camera for auto braking and adaptive cruise control technology, the Forester instead leaves the obstacle-spotting to a pair of cameras. They can spot other vehicles and pedestrians and keep you centred in your lane, while rear radar monitors vehicles behind.

The Forester is flashy inside but has all the necessary items.

The reversing camera also has its own washer to clear dust, ice and mud away.

DRIVING

The Forester is easy to drive but also engaging, two things that often don’t coexist in the SUV realm.

It smooths out bumps easily, making for comfy suburban progress. On the open road, it’s reassuring and rewarding through bends.

The Forester lives up to its adventurous image with some subtle but clever engineering beneath the skin that makes traversing gravel tracks or sand hills that little bit easier. Its off-road ability is enhanced by decent ground clearance and well-tuned electronics that make it easier to put the power to the ground in slippery terrain.

The MY23 Subaru Forester.

The 2.5-litre four-cylinder has modest power outputs, but the CVT auto transmission helps make the most of them. It swiftly adjusts to driver requests, allowing the engine to rev more frenetically when required or slow when progress is calmer.

The stepped gears when accelerating hard make it feel like a traditional auto.

VERDICT 4/5

Competent and engaging family SUV is practical and spacious – and isn’t afraid to gets its tyres dirty.

ALTERNATIVES

Hyundai Tucson Highlander 1.6 AWD, from about $55,600 drive-away

Punchy four-cylinder turbo is let down by occasionally grabby seven-speed auto. Firmer suspension makes for sharper dynamics but takes the edge off comfort.

Kia Sportage GT-Line 1.6 AWD, from about $54,500 drive-away

Shares the Hyundai’s engine but has marginally more cabin space and a fresher cabin layout. Longer warranty is a plus but service prices are edging up.

Nissan X-Trail Ti AWD, from about $54,300 drive-away

Smart, spacious interior comes with a generous amount of tech. Basic four-cylinder engine is nothing special but the ride is comfortable.

SUBARU FORESTER 2.5i-S

PRICE From about $51,500 drive-away

WARRANTY/SERVICE 5 years, unlimited km, $2674.64 for 5 years/62,500km.

SAFETY Seven airbags, auto emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, driver monitoring.

ENGINE 2.5-litre cylinders, 136kW/239Nm

THIRST 7.4L/100km

BOOT 498 litres