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Multiple Subaru models recalled
28 examples of the Subaru Crosstrek, Forester and Outback are being recalled to fix a problem that may cause the front driveshaft to crack.
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About the Subaru Forester
Last updated Dec 18, 2024The 2023 Subaru Forester has had its asking prices increased, alongside a couple of minor specification adjustments.
Orders are now open at Subaru dealers and 2023 model year Forester deliveries are “anticipated to commence” in the fourth quarter of 2022.
All 2023 Subaru Forester models have had prise rises ranging between $1900 and $2150, depending on the variant, which Subaru Australia claims are due to “an increase in the costs associated with production and logistics”.
Select variants have had some minor specification changes, with the high-spec Forester 2.5i Sport, 2.5i-S and Hybrid S all now getting an auto-dimming rear-view mirror as standard.
Further, the outgoing range’s Dark Blue Pearl exterior paint option has been replaced Sapphire Blue Pearl.
Pros
Cons
Subaru Forester Rating
Subaru Forester News
2023 Subaru Forester Reviews
2023 Subaru Forester Price
S
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.5L, Automatic, 5-door SUV, Petrol, 4x4 | $46,340 |
| 2.0L, Automatic, 5-door SUV, Petrol, 4x4 | $49,340 |
Premium
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.5L, Automatic, 5-door SUV, Petrol, 4x4 | $43,090 |
L
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.5L, Automatic, 5-door SUV, Petrol, 4x4 | $40,290 |
| 2.0L, Automatic, 5-door SUV, Petrol, 4x4 | $43,290 |
Base
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.5L, Automatic, 5-door SUV, Petrol, 4x4 | $37,890 |
Sport
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.5L, Automatic, 5-door SUV, Petrol, 4x4 | $44,840 |
*excl. on-roads
All Subaru Forester Pricing
2023 Subaru Forester Specs
See our comprehensive details for the Subaru Forester
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2023 Subaru Forester Dimensions
1730mm
1815mm
4640mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model.
See all 2023 Subaru Forester Dimensions2023 Subaru Forester Boot Space
Boot space with the rear seats upright is 498L in petrol models and 509L in the hybrid variants.
This expands to 1779L in the hybrid variants, while that figure is 1768L in all regular petrol models except for the Sport and 2.5i-S where it’s 1740L.
2023 Subaru Forester Gallery
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2023 Subaru Forester Exterior
Subaru refreshed the exterior design of the Forester for the 2022 model year which brought a revised front bumper and grille, as well as new headlights and fog lights, among other minor design changes.
2023 Subaru Forester Interior
You are treated to a practical, sensible interior with plenty of space for the whole family.
The seats are trimmed in what feels like high-quality leather, and neatly balance softness with support. With heating and electric adjustment, you couldn’t ask for much more.
Facing the driver is a leather-trimmed steering wheel featuring plenty of buttons. There are 17 on the wheel, and that doesn’t include the paddle shifters. Bundle in controls for the active safety down by the driver’s right knee, as well as a trip reset button behind the wheel, and there’s a bit going on.
The rear seats were a strong point when this Forester generation launched, and time hasn’t changed that. With a tall, boxy roofline and massive windows, it feels much brighter back there than in some of its more style-focused rivals.
Even with a panoramic sunroof fitted the Forester has enough headroom for tall teens, and legroom is good behind taller adults. The bench itself is plush, and is wide enough for three people to sit across without too much trouble.
You get air vents, two USB ports, a fold-down armrest, and two-tiered pockets behind the front seats, along with door pockets that comfortably swallow a water bottle.
Speaking of the rear doors, the fact they open to almost 90 degrees makes it easier to load a child seat into the Forester than some of its rivals.
2023 Subaru Forester Infotainment
the infotainment system is functional. Wireless smartphone mirroring would be nice, given it’s rolling out in the Forester’s rivals, but you still get wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the factory system blends a logical layout with bright, crisp graphics.
It also has factory mapping. The shortcut buttons and volume/tuning dials below the screen are both welcome in a world that’s going touch-only, but the taller screens in the new Outback and WRX make the dash in the Forester look a bit old.
Like the Outback and WRX, the Forester has a facial recognition system. It can remember up to five drivers, and moves the seats and configures the infotainment system when it works out who’s behind the wheel. It also chimes when you take your eyes off the road, which sounds good in theory but tends to jump at shadows in practice.
The clear analogue dials flank a 4.2-inch trip computer with a huge range of layouts, including a digital speedo. At just shy of $50k though, they’re old-fashioned compared with the digital options Hyundai and Kia offer in their mid-sized SUVs.
It partners a horizontal display atop the dashboard, capable of showing fuel economy, media information, a breakdown of your active safety systems, or details about your all-wheel drive system.
The hybrid also features displays showing what’s happening with your petrol engine and e-motor, which usually serves to show you how little the electric bits are doing… but more on that later.
They’re both useful, but both have their quirks. You lose your dash-top display in favour of an EyeSight graphic when cruise is engaged, for example, and unless you’re particular with how you set the screens up it’s easy to have the same information on show in three places.
2023 Subaru Forester Safety Rating
ANCAP awarded the Subaru Forester with a five-star safety score in 2019, based on scores of 94 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 80 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 78 per cent for safety assist.
Standard safety equipment on all 2023 Subaru Forester models includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane centring
- Autonomous emergency steering
- Adaptive cruise control
All bar the base 2.5i come standard with a facial recognition camera to detect driver drowsiness or distraction, as well as rear AEB.
2023 Subaru Forester Fuel Economy
The 2023 Subaru Forester consumes 7.4L/100km on the combined cycle, or 6.7L/100km in the hybrid.
All Foresters run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel. The regular petrol models have a 63L fuel tank while the hybrid has a 48L tank.
| Subaru Forester | Fuel Type | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L, Automatic, 5-door SUV, Petrol, 4x4 | Unleaded | 6.7 L/100km |
| 2.5L, Automatic, 5-door SUV, Petrol, 4x4 | Unleaded | 7.4 L/100km |
Cost of ownership
What are the running and servicing costs of a Subaru Forester?
For non-hybrid models they cost $1277.90 and $2422.38 respectively, while the Hybrid’s cost $1288.24 and $2439.60.
How does the 2023 Subaru Forester drive?
Our expert take on Subaru Forester drivability.
Non-hybrid variants of the 2023 Subaru Forester are powered by a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated flat-four engine producing 136kW of power and 239Nm of torque. This is mated to a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) with drive sent through an all-wheel drive system.
Hybrid variants of the 2023 Subaru Forester are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 100kW and 196Nm with an electric motor producing 12kW and 66Nm, and a lithium-ion battery pack. This is also mated to a CVT with drive sent through an all-wheel drive system.
2023 Subaru Forester Colours
What colours are available for the Subaru Forester
The 2023 Subaru Forester is available in the following exterior paint colours, depending on variant.
- Crystal White Pearl
- Ice Silver Metallic
- Brilliant Bronze Metallic
- Crimson Red Pearl
- Autumn Green Metallic
- Horizon Blue Pearl
- Cascade Green Silica
- Magnetite Grey Metallic
- Crystal Black Silica
- Sapphire Blue Pearl (NEW)
2023 Subaru Forester Warranty
The 2023 Subaru Forester has a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, plus an eight-year and 160,000km warranty for the Hybrid’s lithium-ion battery.
Subaru offers three- and five-year servicing plans.
Should you buy the 2023 Subaru Forester
Is this the right car for you? Out experts buy or not guide.
Subaru Forester FAQs
The cheapest Subaru Forester is the 2.5X (AWD) that starts from $34,400.
The most expensive Subaru Forester is the HYBRID S (AWD) that starts from $47,500.
The best towing capacity of a Subaru Forester is 1800 kg offered by the following variants: 2.5X (AWD), 2.5i (AWD), 2.5i (AWD) 50 YEARS EDITION, 2.5i-L (AWD), 2.5i PREMIUM (AWD), 2.5i-S (AWD), 2.5i SPORT (AWD) and 2.5i-S (AWD) 50 YEARS EDITION.
The largest Subaru Forester is the 2.5X (AWD) which measures 1815mm wide, 4640mm in length and sits 1730mm tall.
The most powerful Subaru Forester is the 2.5X (AWD) which has 136kW of power from its 2.5L DIRECT FUEL INJ engine.
The Subaru Forester is built in Japan and shipped to Australia.
The heaviest Subaru Forester is the 2.5X (AWD) which weighs 2223 kg (kerb weight).
The Subaru Forester may use different fuel/energy types based on the variant which includes Unleaded Petrol or Unleaded Petrol-Electric Hybrid.