Browse over 9,000 car reviews

    guides

    adventureguide

    evguide

    familyguide

    tradieguide

    urbanguide

    0 Logout

    Browse over 9,000 car reviews

    Subaru Forester Review, For Sale, Colours, Specs, Models & News

    Subaru Forester Review, For Sale, Colours, Specs, Models & News

    The Subaru Forester was somewhat late to the small SUV party when it debuted in Australia in 1997, a full three years after the Toyota RAV4.

    That said, it managed to co-lead the small SUV charge regardless, thanks to its combination of a car-like driving experience, the space of a small station wagon and a decent amount of off-road ability.

    Because of its long suspension travel and higher ride height, the Forester certainly had the measure of the standard sedans, hatches and wagons when the going got tough, whether on Australia’s rough roads or beyond them. Its car-like driving experience is because the Forester is based on the Impreza sedan and wagon, which debuted here in 1993. These days, the Forester continues the same formula, growing larger, safer and more powerful through successive generations.

    2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
    Reviews For Sale News VS The Competition Towing Capacity Pricing & Specs Colours Accessories Dimensions Q&As Boot Space Wheel Size Engine Fuel Consumption Interior Seats Speed Range
    Rating Summary
    Price and features
    7
    Practicality
    9
    Driving
    8
    Safety
    8
    Overview
    Likes
    Hard to beat practicality
    Easy driving experience
    Ride height and capability
    Dislikes
    Uninspiring drivetrain
    Price getting steep
    Potential thirst for fuel

    Subaru Forester News

    OPINION
    Subaru Brumby, seven-seat Forester XL, Toyota LandCruiser and HiLux rivals - all the cars Subaru needs to do | Opinion  
    28 Jun 2025
    UPCOMING MODELS
    Subaru Wilderness locked in for Australia: Tougher, off-road focused models set to launch Down Under to bring the fight to Chinese challengers and 4x4 icons
    29 May 2025
    EXISTING MODELS
    Hybrid domination! Subaru plans to sell more of its new Forester Hybrid as it ramps up to contend with the 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, GWM Haval H6 Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Kia Sportage Hybrid, and Nissan X-Trail e-Power
    28 May 2025
    EXISTING MODELS
    2026 Subaru Forester $4800 more expensive: 2026 Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, MG HS, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail, Volkswagen Tiguan rival more expensive than ever as it adds hybrid power to the range
    28 May 2025
    TRENDING
    Unmarked police cars Australia: How to spot an undercover cop car
    5 May 2025
    UPCOMING MODELS
    Bigger, boxier, better? 2026 Subaru Outback revealed with SUV design, hybrid powertrain, but can it compete with Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Kluger?
    17 Apr 2025
    UPCOMING MODELS
    Australian details confirmed: Here is what to expect when the new hybrid Subaru Forester goes on sale this year to take on the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander and Kia Sportage family SUVs
    4 Apr 2025
    EXISTING MODELS
    Don't like touchscreens and digital displays? These are the last cars left with analogue dials and physical buttons including the Suzuki Vitara, Subaru Outback and more
    30 Mar 2025
    EXISTING MODELS
    Top five used 4x4 alternatives in 2025: from the Subaru Forester to the Toyota RAV4 hybrid and more
    29 Mar 2025
    See all Subaru Forester News

    Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

    The Subaru Forester has maximum towing capacity of 1800kg for the latest model available.
    show more
    See all Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

    Subaru Forester Pricing & Specs

    The price range for the Subaru Forester varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $38,690 and going to $55,990 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.
    show more
    See all Subaru Forester Pricing & Specs

    Subaru Forester Colours

    The Forester comes in nine standard colours – ‘Crystal White Pearl’, ‘Ice Silver Metallic’, ‘Brilliant Bronze Metallic’, ‘Crimson Red Pearl’, ‘Autumn Green Metallic', ‘Horizon Blue Pearl’, ‘Cascade Green Silica’, ‘Magnetite Grey Metallic’, and ‘Crystal Black Silica’.

    Autumn Green Metallic
    Brilliant Bronze Metallic
    Cascade Green Silica
    Crimson Red Pearl
    Crystal Black Silica
    Crystal White Pearl
    Dark Blue Pearl
    Horizon Blue Pearl
    Ice Silver Metallic
    Magnetite Grey Metallic

    Subaru Forester Accessories

    The Forester’s interior is decidedly traditional with its gearshifter, CD player and press-buttons and dials. The dashboard and doors feature heavy cutaways and ledges, making it look robust and capable.

    The dashboard is headlined by two screens – an 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system and a smaller 4.2-inch information panel. While the instrument panel is a mix of analogue and a 6.3-inch digital panel.

    A large sunroof is available on higher grades.

    Subaru Forester Dimensions

    The dimensions of the Subaru Forester SUV vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.
    The dimensions shown above are for the base model.
    show more
    See all Subaru Forester Dimensions

    Subaru Forester FAQs

    Two 2020 Subaru Foresters with loud and occasionally faulty electric motors in the car's side mirrors. How can I have them fixed before their warranties run out?

    The noise could be from the electric motors themselves or in the gears and cogs that physically move the mirrors to their new positions. Pulling the mirror apart and lubricating these mechanisms might help reduce the noise and may even fix the one mirror’s reluctance to move through its full range of positions.

    As far as warranty goes, the situation is a bit complicated in that the dealer may examine the noise and decide that it’s not abnormal. But what you should do before the warranty runs out is have the car examined and the problem logged at dealership level. That way, if anything goes wrong as a result of the problem, even if it’s beyond the warranty period, you have what’s called a pre-existing condition whereby the problems is Subaru’s to fix because it existed while the warranty was still current, even if it wasn’t fixed at that time. The point being that the dealer can’t delay a fix reported during the warranty period and then claim that the vehicle is out of warranty and refuse to fix the problem.

    Show more

    2000 Subaru Forester shut down while driving

    A car can stop in its tracks for hundreds of reasons, but in a car like yours, first suspicions would be either the fuel pump or something like the crank-angle sensor. If the problem had been a clogged fuel filter or a dud spark plug, the problem would probably have made the engine run poorly, but not stopped it dead in an instant.

    Electric fuel pumps don’t last forever and, when they die, they die quickly and without notice. Same goes for crank-angle sensors, without which, the computer doesn’t know where the individual pistons are in each cylinder and, therefore, can’t inject fuel or create spark at the precise time it needs to.

    Show more

    Issues with brakes in a 2024 Subaru Forester

    Any time the brakes (or any other system of a car) start to feel different than they have done since you bought the car, there’s probably something wrong. If it was an older car, I’d suggest a brake fluid change as the first step, but that’s unlikely to be the reason in an almost-new car. The problem sounds like there’s air in the braking system (there should only be brake fluid, and no air) but, again, that’s a wild card in such a new vehicle.

    In any case, you’re doing the right thing by having the car independently tested. If the results come back suggesting a problem, you have good ammunition to get the dealership to fix this as a warranty matter. Make sure you get a written report from the mechanic detailing the braking system’s performance, and don’t be afraid to go over the dealer’s head to Subaru Australia’s customer service department.

    Show more

    See all Subaru Forester Q&As
    Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. CarsGuide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

    Subaru Forester Boot Space

    When both rows are in use, the Forester has 498L of capacity available. You can jump that figure up to 1740L with the rear seats folded.

    It has a level loading space but the floor is not adjustable due to the full-size spare wheel. There is a retractable cargo blind, multiple luggage anchor points and a 12-volt port, too.

    A powered tailgate is only available on higher grades.

    Subaru Forester Wheel Size

    The Subaru Forester has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 225x55 R18 9 for SUV in 2025 with a wheel size that spans from 7x18 inches.
    show more
    See all Subaru Forester Wheel Sizes

    Subaru Forester Engine

    There are two engines available for the Forester.

    All petrol-variants share a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder boxer-petrol engine (136kW/239Nm).

    While the two hybrid models share a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder hybrid engine (110kW/196Nm).

    All Foresters are all-wheel drive with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

    Subaru Forester Fuel consumption

    The Subaru Forester is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by ULP and Hybrid fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 7.4L/100km for SUV
    *Combined fuel consumption
    show more
    See all Subaru Forester Pricing & Specs

    Subaru Forester Interior

    The Forester’s interior is decidedly traditional with its gearshifter, CD player and press-buttons and dials. The dashboard and doors feature heavy cutaways and ledges, making it look robust and capable.

    The dashboard is headlined by two screens – an 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system and a smaller 4.2-inch information panel. While the instrument panel is a mix of analogue and a 6.3-inch digital panel.

    A large sunroof is available on higher grades.

    Subaru Forester Seats

    The Forester comes with five seats, in a 2/3 configuration. The back row has a 60/40 split-fold and can be electrically folded via buttons found in the boot.

    Manual adjustments can be made on the front seats and on higher grades both front seats feature an eight-way power adjustment.

    Entry-level trim is black cloth, while higher grades enjoy leather-accented trims.

    In the second row, there are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard seats plus three top tether anchor points but two seats will fit best.

    Subaru Forester Speed

    The Subaru Forester does not have an official 0-100km/h sprint time but expect it to reach that speed from standstill in around 9.0 to 11 seconds (depending on grade). Top speed is around 210km/h.

    Subaru Forester Range

    Petrol variants for the Forester have a 63-litre fuel tank. Based on the official combined fuel cycle of 7.4L/100km, you should be able to achieve a driving range of around 851km.

    Hybrid variants for the Forester have a 48-litre fuel tank. Based on the official combined fuel cycle of 6.7L/100km, you should be able to achieve a driving range of around 716km.

    Subaru recommends a minimum 91RON petrol to be used.