Subaru Forester

The interior of the 2023 Subaru Forester is designed with comfort and functionality in mind, offering a welcoming and well-equipped cabin that caters to various needs. While the overall interior layout remains consistent across the different variants, some distinctions set certain variants apart. One standout feature in some of the higher-end variants, such as the 2.0i-S and 2.0i-S GT Edition Eyesight, is the inclusion of quilted black leather upholstery. This premium upholstery not only elevates the interior's aesthetics but also provides a more luxurious and comfortable feel. It's an option for the 2.0i-L variant, enhancing its interior with a touch of sophistication.

The Forester's interior is designed for driver convenience and passenger comfort. All variants come equipped with an analog instrument cluster with a 6.3-inch multifunction display, providing essential information at a glance. The infotainment system also features Bluetooth connectivity, which further enhances the ease of use for hands-free calling and audio streaming.

In terms of seating, all variants offer an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, providing optimal comfort and support during drives. For the two top-spec variants, this feature extends to the front passenger seat as well, allowing both the driver and front passenger to find their preferred seating positions easily. Additionally, the Forester's interior includes convenient features such as an electronic parking brake, keyless access with a push-start system, and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents. 

The 60/40 split-folding rear seats in all variants offer flexible cargo space, allowing the Forester to accommodate various combinations of passengers and cargo. This versatility makes it suitable for different lifestyle needs. 

Passenger & Boot Space

The 2023 Subaru Forester provides a comfortable and spacious interior for passengers, making it a great choice for both daily commutes and longer journeys. The front and rear spaces are generous, with ample legroom and headroom, ensuring a pleasant ride for occupants. The rear seats offer flexibility with a 60/40 split-folding feature, allowing you to expand the boot space to accommodate larger items while maintaining some passenger seating.

The boot space is substantial, offering 520 liters of cargo capacity, making it suitable for luggage, groceries, or sports equipment. The Forester also includes practical features such as bottle holders and ample storage compartments throughout the cabin. With thoughtful additions like an armrest and sunglass holder, the interior caters to passenger comfort. Each variant maintains these core features, ensuring a consistent and enjoyable passenger experience.

Comfort & Entertainment

The 2023 Subaru Forester excels in providing comfort and entertainment. All variants come equipped with a user-friendly eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, allowing drivers to seamlessly integrate their smartphones for navigation, entertainment, and communication. 

Power windows are available for both front and rear passengers, adding convenience. The Forester also features multiple driving modes for various road conditions, enhancing driving comfort and control. The steering wheel is adjustable, allowing drivers to find their preferred driving position easily.

One of the standout features is the EyeSight advanced driver assist system, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane centering, lane departure warning and prevention, and pre-collision features, enhancing both safety and driving comfort. Overall, the Forester ensures a pleasant and entertaining journey for all occupants, with its comprehensive infotainment system and comfortable interior.

The 2023 Subaru Forester boasts an exterior design that blends modern aesthetics with the practicality expected from a versatile SUV. While the core exterior features are consistent across the different variants, there are some notable differences and unique elements that set certain models apart.

One of the most noticeable changes in the facelifted Forester's exterior is the restyled front fascia. The front grille gets a gloss black surround, providing a sporty and more aggressive appearance compared to the chrome finish on the pre-facelift model. The headlights have also been updated, with a deeper cut on the inner edge that gives them a distinct appearance. The top two variants, the 2.0i-S and 2.0i-S GT Edition Eyesight, enjoy additional features like high beam assist and steering-responsive function for the headlights, enhancing visibility and safety during night driving.

For some variants, such as the GT Lite and GT Edition, there's an exclusive body kit that includes unique front and rear lip extensions, black and silver side skirts, and a rear roof spoiler. These elements not only add to the sporty aesthetics but also enhance the SUV's aerodynamics. The GT Lite and GT Edition variants further stand out with their specific 18-inch wheels, which contribute to their distinctive look.

The exterior color choices available for the 2023 Subaru Forester include a variety of options, such as Cascade Green Silica, Magnetite Gray Metallic, Brilliant Bronze Metallic, Crystal White, Ice Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, and Horizon Blue Pearl. This wide range of colors allows customers to choose the one that best suits their preferences and style.

The 2023 Subaru Forester is known for its efficient fuel consumption, making it an economical choice for drivers. It performs admirably both in urban settings and on the open highway. Overall, it has a claimed fuel consumption of 12.8 kmpl.

Is the Subaru Forester fuel-efficient?

Considering the segment average, the Forester has an average fuel economy. 

The 2023 Subaru Forester offers a commendable driving experience that combines reliable performance, versatile suspension, and impressive handling. Whether you're navigating city streets, cruising on the highway, or venturing off the beaten path, the Forester demonstrates its capabilities. The vehicle boasts remarkable features, such as the Subaru EyeSight 4.0 advanced driver assist system, which delivers Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. 

While the powertrain remains unchanged from the previous model, the Forester has been equipped with an improved X-Mode vehicle dynamics control system, featuring an Auto Restore function that enhances its off-road capabilities. This system automatically reactivates when the speed falls below 35 kmph, optimizing the Forester's performance in various terrain conditions. 

The 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine ensures smooth and consistent performance across the entire Forester lineup. The Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) enhances fuel efficiency and driving comfort. However, one of the Forester's standout features is its symmetrical all-wheel drive system, providing excellent traction and stability. This is particularly valuable when encountering challenging road conditions or going for light off-road adventures. The Forester's ability to maintain control in various driving environments adds to its appeal.

The suspension system plays a significant role in delivering a comfortable and controlled ride. The 2023 Forester's suspension setup is well-balanced, effectively absorbing road imperfections and ensuring a pleasant driving experience. This results in a smooth and comfortable ride for both the driver and passengers. Along with that, the Forester's handling capabilities are noteworthy. With precise steering and responsive handling, it feels stable and agile on the road. The Vehicle Dynamics Control system, auto vehicle hold, and active torque vectoring further enhance its handling and safety, providing a confident and controlled driving experience.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, available in four distinct variants in Malaysia, offers a robust and reliable package, which has contributed to its popularity in the midsize SUV market. The Forester is built on a solid platform, with dimensions identical to its pre-facelift model. Its length measures 4,625 mm, width is 1,815 mm, height stands at 1,730 mm, and it has a wheelbase of 2,670 mm, providing a spacious and comfortable interior.

One of the key strengths of the Forester lies in its all-wheel-drive capabilities. It features a symmetrical all-wheel-drive system with active torque-split technology. This configuration, coupled with its low-mounted 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine, makes it a capable off-road vehicle compared to its competitors in the segment. The engine produces 156 PS at 6,000 rpm and 196 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, ensuring reliable performance.

The transmission duties are handled by a Lineartronic CVT gearbox, known for its smooth operation. This CVT system directs power to all four wheels, allowing the Forester to achieve a 0-100 km/h sprint in 10.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 193 km/h. 

What is the difference between the 2.0i-L GT Lite Edition Eyesight and the 2.0i-S GT Edition Eyesight variants?

The main difference is the price, with the 2.0i-S GT Edition Eyesight being the higher-priced variant, offering additional features such as a larger wheel size and front LED fog lamps.

What does CVT mean in the Subaru Forester?

CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission, a type of automatic transmission that provides smooth and efficient power delivery.

Does CVT consume more fuel?

CVT transmissions are designed for fuel efficiency, which can result in better fuel consumption compared to traditional automatic transmissions.

Is the Subaru Forester petrol or diesel?

The Subaru Forester runs on petrol, not diesel.

The all-new Subaru Forester facelift places a significant emphasis on safety across all its variants. All four variants get a robust suite of safety features designed to protect both drivers and passengers. This includes advanced technologies like the EyeSight driver assistance system. To enhance safety, all Forester variants come equipped with an airbag system that includes dual front airbags, side curtain airbags, and even a knee airbag for the driver.

The 2023 Subaru Forester boasts reliable braking capabilities with its anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and brake assist. This advanced braking system ensures stable and controlled deceleration in various driving conditions. The addition of pre-collision braking with autonomous emergency steering further enhances the vehicle's safety, helping drivers avoid potential collisions and steer clear of hazardous scenarios. Whether you're navigating through city traffic or taking on off-road adventures, the Forester's braking performance provides the driver with the confidence to handle any situation.  

How many airbags does the Subaru Forester 2.0i-S GT Edition Eyesight have?

The Subaru Forester 2.0i-S GT Edition Eyesight is equipped with five SRS airbags for safety. 

Value For Money

The Subaru Forester presents a compelling value proposition. With a competitive starting price, it offers a cost-effective entry point into the SUV market. Additionally, insurance costs are reasonable, and the vehicle's overall maintenance expenses are manageable. Its impressive reliability and low maintenance needs contribute to long-term value. The Subaru Forester ensures that customers receive a well-rounded package without breaking the bank.

Warranty

The 2023 Subaru Forester comes with a standard five-year/100,000 km warranty against manufacturing defects, providing customers with peace of mind. Additionally, Subaru offers the Subaru Connex package, which is available as an optional add-on at a price of RM1,900. This package enhances the vehicle's ownership experience with features such as automatic crash response, enhanced breakdown assistance, VIP Assist, and more. 

Subaru Forester vs. Nissan X-Trail

The Nissan X-Trail comes at a more affordable price of RM 138,888 compared to the Subaru Forester. In terms of power, the Subaru Forester boasts 154 hp from its 1995 cc engine, outperforming the Nissan X-Trail with 142 hp from its 1997 cc engine. 

Subaru Forester vs. Haval H9

The Subaru Forester offers a more budget-friendly option starting at RM 164,288, compared to the Haval H9, which is priced at RM 185,000. In terms of power, the Haval H9, however, outperforms the Forester with a substantial 241 hp from its 1998 cc engine. While the Haval H9 offers higher power, it has only one variant (Premium) while the 2023 Subaru Forster comes in 4 variants in Malaysia right now.

Verdict

The all-new 2023 Subaru Forester combines a reliable powertrain with advanced all-wheel-drive technology, making it an excellent choice for those who value performance and safety. Its spacious dimensions and off-road capabilities give it an edge in the midsize SUV market, and it remains a solid contender in its class. Along with that, the SUV’s spacious interior and comfortable ride make it an excellent choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

Is the Subaru Forester worth buying?

Yes, the Subaru Forester is worth buying, especially for those seeking a reliable, safe, and versatile SUV with a well-rounded set of features.