7.9
2025 Subaru Forester review
Subaru has dusted off the STI badge for a new special-edition Forester, but it's not everything it's cracked up to be.
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Max Davies
2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Mazda CX-5 Comparison
Subaru Forester
Mazda CX-5
Deal Available!
2023 Subaru
Forester
vs
2024 Mazda
CX-5
Select Variants...
How they stack...
CarExpert Score
CarExpert has rated other vehicles in the suv medium category, between scores of 7.2 and 8.8.
0.0
7.9
7.7
0.0
Based on the Subaru Forester 2.5i-S (AWD) STI SPORT
Based on the Mazda CX-5 G35 AKERA TURBO (AWD)
Best suitable for...
Driving the family
Off-roading
Long distance drivingFuel Efficiency
48L - 63L
322 to 466 km
56L - 58L
386 to 476 km
ANCAP Safety Rating
Warranty
5 year
warranty
warranty
5 year
warranty
warranty
MSRP
-
$36,590 - $55,000
Save with CarExpert
CarExpert's Take
Max Davies
Marketplace Journalist
Max Davies drove this car and these were their findings:
Hits
- Quality, premium-leaning interior
- Sportier handling
- STI appears again...
Misses
- ...like this?
- Hardly a special edition
- Dreary CVT
James Wong
Marketplace Editor
James Wong drove this car and these were their findings:
Hits
- Smart looks, plush cabin
- Torquey turbo petrol
- Keen driving dynamics
Misses
- G35 Turbo is too thirsty
- On the smaller side of the class
- Feeling a little dated in 2024
Standard Features
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | ||
| Wireless phone charger | ||
| Powered tailgate | ||
| Rear air vents | ||
| Adaptive cruise control | ||
| Climate control | ||
| Reversing sensors | ||
| Reversing camera | ||
| Autonomous emergency braking | ||
Optional Features
NA
- Premium Paint (+$795)
Colours Available
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)
The 2024 Mazda CX-5 is available in the following exterior paint colours:
- Soul Red Crystal metallic
- Eternal Blue mica
- Deep Crystal Blue mica
- Jet Black mica
- Rhodium White metallic
- Sonic Silver metallic
- Zircon Sand metallic
- Machine Grey metallic
- Polymetal Grey metallic
- Platinum Quartz metallic
Metallic finishes cost an extra $795.
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Ready To Buy
Specs
| Type | ||
| DIRECT FUEL INJ | TURBO DIRECT F/INJ, DIRECT FUEL INJ | |
| Size (cc) | ||
| 1995 - 2498 | 1997 - 2488 | |
| Size (L) | ||
| 2.5L, 2.0L | 2.5L, 2.0L | |
| Induction | ||
| FLAT 4 | TURBO 4, INLINE 4 | |
| Camshaft | ||
| DUAL OVERHEAD CAM | VARIABLE DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM | |
| Valves/Ports per Cylinder | ||
| 16 | 16 | |
| Power | ||
| 110kW - 136kW | 115kW - 170kW | |
| Power RPM | ||
| 5800 - 6000 | 5000 - 6000 | |
| Torque | ||
| 196Nm - 239Nm | 200Nm - 420Nm | |
| Torque RPM | ||
| 4000 - 4400 | 2000 - 4000 | |
| Bore Stroke | ||
| - | - | |
| Compression Ratio | ||
| 12.1 - 12.5 | 10.5 - 13 | |
