After driving several vehicles in this category, we settled on this one. This was for several reasons. We found that the Tucson had a terrible internal layout, no physical buttons in sight and with the high centre console made you feel trapped. Not to mention it was $10k more than the forester. The Forester was comfortable to drive, very functional layout inside yet still looks modern in my opinion and more tech/safety goodies to keep up with any brand new vehicle being released. Is it the prettiest, no, but I believe you won’t find anything better for the money. I highly recommend test driving it if you are in the market. Ours arrive late December/early January.
Spot on. I was highly considering the Tucson, but after a test drive, it felt as if the car was a huge clunk of metal and yet I had no room to move inside of it. The center console just seems poorly thought out and the drive was not satisfying as a result. The forester though, had large windows all over the car for great visibility, it felt comfortable to drive and I had almost too much space inside. I sincerely thought my mind was made up, but after those two test drives, there is not a chance I will get any other car than the forester. I can't wait for the hybrid model in the mid 2020's.
having done 25k in my 2020 forester it has been brilliant. Has done plenty of soft sand driving, monthly camp trips as well as a number of tracks only patrol, lancruisers, and proper 4x4s go. Have always been met with laughs by the 'big boys' but have always left with looks of shock when they see a bone stock forester make it through some tough climbs/beach exists and play pen test tracks. The CVT leaves a lot to be desired off road.....one of its biggest letdowns and really limits what it could do with a conventional gearbox. Best thing about a forester is that it doesn't need a full ARB catalog thrown at it and 35 inch muddies....it just gets the job done without all the show and can drop the kids to school in comfort without an inch of body roll or black soot to be found. It will never be a rock crawler but will definitely take you to where most medium skilled 4x4 driver would go.
Worth mentioning that the Forester has a lot more ground clearance than a lot of the competitors. This makes it somewhat more useful for light off road use than a lot of SUVs which have little more clearance than the average sedan.
@@amrashraf9559 I can't speak for Sorrentos but I've got a 2010 and a 2020 Forester that have provided me with many thousands of klms and years trouble free motoring. Not a break-down or issue with either, just regular maintenance. This has included off-road use, towing camper trailers through remote parts of WA etc. The Forester's 220mm of ground clearance over a Sorrento at 176 is significant for me and one of the reasons I purchased a second one. If you never take your vehicle off tarmac that's obviously not an issue.
Suggestion! If Paul can also include a decibel test, it would make the reviews even more comprehensive. Cabin noise is a really important factor for comfort. Sometimes the noise can be unbearable especially on the Australian highway with rougher road surface. Knowing how loud it could be inside a car can help people a great deal when considering what cars to but. I have yet to find any channel that considers cabin quietness in their reviews. You guys can be the first!
I bought a 2022 Subaru Forester Sport in Jan. Very happy with the purchase! This review pretty much sums up my impressions even after 2 months of ownership. Although, I would argue the smaller infotainment system that preferences physical dials for air con and media is far superior to large touch screens seen on competitors. It’s safer to operate whilst driving and more practical. Perhaps it won’t age as well long term but you’re not buying a mid-sized SUV to win beauty contests.
I couldn’t agree more re the infotainment system! It is the same as in my current Impreza and, by the time you use Apple Car Play, it is perfectly fine. I’m yet to see real advantages to the bigger screen, the removal of the physical buttons isn’t one imho. And unless we were getting Tesla like features, I’d still prefer this one if given the choice of the large or small Subaru infotainment. I’m deciding between Forester and Outback at the moment and the large screen of the Outback a minus point for me.
Just curious, did you manage to find any Australian reviews of the Sport? My experience is that our reviewers only ever seem to review the top spec model, and specs are so different globally the US tests are pretty much useless.
Have 2020 Sport. The "smaller" screen is a huge plus for me vs. the giant touchscreen on the Outback/Legacy. The giant screen offers no additional functionality and just serves to get in the way of things that should have been knobs, like the climate control.
I have one on order, delivery next year. Test drove the competitors, none came close. Deciding factors, safety features- eyesight etc. and permanent AWD, drivability and visibility, ability of my wife to feel comfortable in driving it (5ft 2"), tech is proven unlike some of the tech in its competitors
Hi Michael, I'm about your wife's height but also with bad knees, and I'm looking for a vehicle that's easy to get in and out of. My 2017 RAV 4 - I wish I didn't have to lift my leg so high getting in, and while getting out is not too bad I do have to slide out until my feet hit the ground. How does your wife feel the Forester is like for easy getting in and out?
@@DK-sy2fk My wife is Ok getting in and out as c she was with our previous forester and current XV (Crosstrex) I would suggest you go to a Subaru dealer and try it for yourself. ) Best way Looking forward to
Taking delivery of mine in December. I tested all the cars in this sector (Kia Sportage, Rav 4, X-Trail etc) and it was actually an easy decision in the end. It feels like a properly designed car and the family really liked the raised seating in the rear so the passengers can see more than the back of a headrest. I tested the Outback too and also wondered why they didn't incorporate the big screen in the 2022 Forester, but when I drove it I actually liked the way it splits up the information, so you can have navigation turn information on the top and media or map on the 8" screen. Also found the visibility and comfort in the Forester to be way ahead of the other cars, particularly the Sportage which has very poor visibility (particularly in the rear) and feels weirdly cramped in the cockpit. Thanks for the review, you've reinforced my decision to purchase one of these and I look forward to many years of happy motoring in it.
In the U S. I bought a 2023 Forester Premium, coming out of a 2011 VW Tiguan SE 4 Motion. I test drove about 10 different vehicles in the segment. It isn't the fastest, the most techy, or the most luxurious. But It is by far the most capable in the snow, which is when I did my test drives. And too many vehicles have center consoles with very high side panels that my right knee comes in contact with. The Forester does not, and is probably the most comfortable vehicle that I drove. Acceleration on highways is pretty good. MPG's are great. Visibility and space is fantastic as well. After 7 months, I have zero regrets.
A useful comparison would be the Subaru XV Crosstrek. Also many Subaru drivers are not all that interested in the size of centre screen. We are all interested in driveability, road holding, grip around curvy corrugated country roads both highway and secondary roads.
I have 2021 Forester from new ,just clocked 108k and hasn't missed a beat, power is perfect for me as well .that's city driving and long extended country trip all over NSW, Snow driving all for work. I consistently get 680-698 Ks per tank, has been a fantastic car and looking to upgrade to the current Forester 2.5i-s,thnks for the great review
Thanks Paul for your excellent reviews. In need of an SUV and owning two Subarus previous, I almost struck off the Forester due to price. But after testing everything else on the market I came back to the Subi and stretched my budget. Picked up the MY22 "S" yesterday. So pleased with the purchase. Only draw back is glossed over in your review - where to put your phone! With Apple and Google apps you don't need the screen. Just need to plug it in and put it somewhere it won't slide about. A small annoyance factor for Subaru to work out before their next release. But otherwise I'm so incredibly pleased with my purchase. And thank you for all your videos as I was seriously considering and researching Outback, RAV4, Koleos, CX-5, X-Trail, CR-V, etc...
My 1997 Subaru Legacy Wagon still keeps me comfortable on long trips and absorbs bumps like marshmellows. I love that Subaru is Japanese and like you said, "built for comfort". These Subaru's have a standard of their own and have been the underdog for many many years. I will be upgrading soon, but not for anything too flashy. I love my analogue configurations, not a fan of a big touch screen..
Thank again Paul as mentioned in a previous comment I’ve owned 10 Subarus (WRX, Forester XT Turbo, Liberty, Outback, etc) and was always impressed with the constant AWD system- the on-demand system other manufacturers use is useless because it’s too late when you need it - I do like the Prado and Pajero AWD systems as well - I stopped buying Subarus when the CVT was introduced and don’t like the absence of a conventional temp gauge in the 2014 models onwards as it’s probably too late when the red light comes on - would happily own a Sports pack Forester if they included the gauge with a Turbo XT spec/ manual transmission.and not a mm of bling chrome - John in SA
Hey John. I have a 2010 Manual Forester and that lack of a temp gauge concerned me too although thankfully overheating has never been an issue in 180000+ klms of driving on and off road. We also now own a 2020 model though, and being able to access water & oil temp readings on the open road in hot weather is an added feeling of security - along with other nice to haves such as tyre pressure. I can also say that although I was initially reticent about the CVT, and would have preferred a manual trans option, in practice 30,000 klms in it's been fine. I even towed a camper trailer for 4800 klms throughout remote Western Australia on and off road and even over taking road-trains etc it was not a problem.
@@Grant_Ferstat Good to hear that Grant - You obviously look after your Subarus - even though I now own a Toyota Hilux I’m tempted to get a project Forester as a ‘Sunday drive ‘ as I miss my Subarus - John in SA
I love my Discovery Sport. Permanent 4WD - proactively engages the rear wheels at start off and as needed - doesn’t wait for the front to lose traction. I would never buy a Subaru as the old ones had a good 4WD system and gearbox but were far too thirsty on the fuel and the new ones have a rubbish 4WD system (can’t pull themselves off rollers when only 1 wheel has traction) and hopeless CVT (no good for off-roading at all) . Also all the off-road modes work at any speed unlike Subaru which disengage X-Mode above 40km/h or something. I can drive in grass/gravel/snow mode at 100km/h if I need to.
@john - Im also in SA and looking at this Subaru versus the RAV4. The price is really drawing me to the Subaru. The bakkies are a bit pricier for me and settling on a midsize SUV. Is the CVT that bad?
I recently picked up a used 2019 model and I’ve gotta say I’m seriously impressed with the Forester. After watching your review and the medium SUV off-road video I was sold on the Forester. Given its size it’s quite compact for an SUV yet it has the most interior space for both luggage and passengers. I was very surprised during my test drives that I could sit comfortably behind my driving set and I’m similar height to Paul. And also being a photographer it means I’m constantly lugging around equipment and sometimes venturing out to countryside venues for work which often have gravel roads or uphill dirt road climbs which is also why I opted for the forester for its superior off-road performance compared to other competitive vehicles. I didn’t want to go with a full sized SUV like a Patrol or LC because for everyday driving they’re just too big in my opinion. The forester is incredibly capable and quite nimble for its size. I have noticed though the suspension, although it is soft and absorbs bumps very nicely, it can get a bit floaty when going over undulations. Another channel Redriven points this out really well in their used forester review. I also thought that the touchscreen would be cumbersome and lack luster given the current tech market and the big screen that was given to the outback but after driving the forester the smaller screen is more than enough. I think if I had the bigger screen it would actually be more distracting like having to change climate controls so the physical switches in the forester are better for overall driver safety.
Great review Paul! The front end certainly looks a lot nicer in person than what I originally thought in photos. Sad that Subaru haven't brought back the XT in this generation, it would've been a great upgrade for our 2015 Forester.
I've had my 2022 Forester Touring (U.S.) for several months now, and I have to say this is the Mary Poppins of small SUVs, Practically Perfect in Every Way
Dynamic rubber tweels. Solar roof. Rear battery pack. Stealth - limp mode electric drive rear wheels. Use hydrocoupling diffs . Semi auto syntrifical drum clutch.
A little behind the times however I’ve just picked up a 2013 Forester 2.0L D-L S4 6SP Manual with 246,000km on the clock. First time driving a Subaru after many other Brands, it is awesome! Miles in front of the later model VWs I’ve owed, apart from the road noise… Absolutely impressive drive, economical, practical and very comfortable. I can’t quite decide on if I like driving the Subaru Forester over our 2017 1GD Prado GXL but it’s the Forester that rolls down the driveway each time I head out.
Hi Paul i got an L for Luxury one im Yet to pick it up from the dealer as the borders are closed. But not long now and i be enjoying some long trips up and down this great country of ours, the L version came highly recommended as its got driver fatigue alarm and monitoring perfect for those long trips. I cant believe that this Forrester went from meh in 2016 to i recon a most refined, safe car in 2022. Subaru have really improved the vehicle over the years, compared to other brands some are copycats, some may never see the bush with their low profile tyres, low ground clearance and space saver spare or inflatable kit as in the case of Forrester hybrid and more Uber ride share. Noted on phone i brought a Strike Alpha cradle window mount as reception out in open roads is important for Waze navigation. so in a few weeks time i have my chance to review. Thx for ur honest review of the Suv.
Nice review. Can you please consider taking an AWD with offroad option to the offroad test you usually do for UTs and other 4WD SUVs? I think some AWD can easily tackle most offroads trails mainly done for the 4WD cars. The Forester is already equipped with Xmode and hill descent control. US based car reviewers are doing great off-road tests in their reviews and would love to see this in Oz too. Cheers.
Absolutely. The Forester isn't the prettiest SUV out there but the fact that it has 220mm of ground clearance which is signficantly more than a number of competitors in the segment, and a decent all wheel drive system were reasons I purchased my second one in 2020. Foresters have better off road credentials than most SUVs. Not an issue for everyone but it is for some of us.
The only thing they need to do I overhaul the power train overhaul. New engine with turbo charging and the option to have a standard torque converter instead of a CVT. For our family the only thing holding us back is the power train and the lack of turbocharging.
I have a 2020 Forester, and, while I would have loved a manual or other trans option (Also still own a 2010 manual) and a bit more power, in practice the CVT has been better than I expected. Even towing a camper trailer 4800klms through remote WA in all sorts of conditions, overtaking road trains etc etc. Sadly, I don't think we'll ever see a turbo Forester again. Best we can hope for is a Hybrid option that adds some urge rather than takes it away, and offers more than marginal fuel economy gains.
I’ve had mine for less than 2 weeks, and the only thing I don’t like is the VERY strong new car smell…I’m assuming it’s because it was shipped to dealership as soon as it arrived to US, with little or no time to “bake out” the VOCs. Have tried everything to rid the car of odor including a professional detail. If anyone has ideas, id love to hear them. Riding around in 40 degree weather with windows down and heat blasting to avoid a migraine.
We bought a 2021 Limited version in Canada in April of 2021. We do not get the extra cameras, only the rear view one. Everything you said about is spot on. It is no race car but the visibility and in our opinion great crusing car for long trips works for us. We are currently waiting for snow here to test out the all wheel drive capabilities. Great view and interesting to see how different countries outfit there cars.
Interesting comment on the incandescent tail light clusters. I have had to replace 3 rear LED tail light clusters on one car in 11 years at great expense, I much prefer to spend a few bucks at a servo for some globes, which has not been often. LED headlights however are worth the extra money.
Bought a 21 model Forester early this year. My first Subaru ever and I freaking love it. Not to sure on the front end of the 22 model. The rest looks like nothing changed. Doubt I'll be upgrading to the new model. Great review though.
I’m please Subaru continue to hold onto more traditional interior things like normal dials and avoiding massive screens - I’m sure they’ll have no choice in the end but these things just work - I foresee millions of drivers with unusable cars in a few years when all the screen tech begins to fail. We have the XV and the newest Outback - both are great but when driving the XV is far safer to use heating and other things whereas the Outback vertical 11” screen can be fiddly and distracting.
- Laggy compute for navigation systems. - Big bottle storage is limited - No 360 deg camera This is very reasonably priced car for all its worth. Its def worth it
I owned an impreza was a great car very solid, reliable, gripped like glue, only down side to ownership was cost of ownership no fixed servicing. Boxer engines build up in carbon quite often so definitely recommend put 95 and above in the car. Good resale and CVT.
A great vehicle, I have a 2013 with all the bells and whistles, 185000 ks, and still drives like new. I wouldn't own any other vehicle than a Subaru Forester. Peter F. retired racv roadside patrolman.
Just recently bought a 2018 Subaru Liberty 2.5i Premium and its got most of those features on it Paul mentioned. I totally agree with the AWD comment, anytime I put the foot down at wet/slippery conditions this week and it just hooks up and goes I can not believe it. Just sucks Aussies stopped buying sedans :(
We bought the 2022 Forester 2.5 I-L today. The whole package of the vehicle is excellent. I’m just a little let down by the road noise though, especially on coarse chip bitumen. I give the whole car and driving experience a 9.5 / 10.
I’ve have a 2019 Forester 2.5 Premium from new, I’ve looked to update but can’t find anything that does it better. Eyesight is outstanding, and vehicle overall capability is perfect for a non-performance car. If you haven’t driven a Subaru on a corrugated road, try it. The lack of vibration and rattling, along with ease of control will surprise you. Oh, BTW. I got offered AUD34,000 trad-in on my 2019 Forester a few months ago, that is just a deprecupistion of $6,000 ish in 2 years!
I have booked forester S autumn green in Feb, but the delivery been delayed until september. My dealer called me yesterday and offered hybrid version of same variant and color which someone cancelled. I am getting mine this week. Excited. My first brand new car in australia and first subaru brand
3.45 that screen should have been on a swivel so that you can turn the screen towards you when driving if the sun gets to it. It can be sometimes difficult to see. hope the seats are better
Much prefer the screen and knob setup in the Forester to the large screen in the Outback. I have a ‘21 Outback and the screen is slow to react to touch inputs and adjusting seat heating and other climate features requires taking your eyes off of the road. Couple that with the delay and you are risking an accident. Subaru must change that. If you have the driver monitoring system as well, taking your eyes off of the road gets you a beep and flashing icon on the dash telling you to keep your eyes on the road. This will likely make me ditch the Outback when they develop abetter design. Come on Subaru, you can do better!
Great review and insights Paul, our family just order the same spec earlier today at City Subaru Newstead, Brisbane, great service by Nathanial and the team..
The big screen in the outback is not very good, sure its big but when it comes to controlling the HVAC system it sucks pretty hard. That setup is fine and if you haven't noticed in the 2022 ascent they don't use that either because they know its not very good.
Hi Paul, the wife wants to update from our 2014 Forester, first priority is does this have a CD player. We own heaps from over the years and neither of us have or care for apple carplay or android whatever? Not everyone who buys these cars are in their 20s.
As a current Subaru owner looking to buy an SUV the forrester was the first car i looked at. Unfortunately the engine was found wanting, it revs lots but is just underpowered. Was also disappointed at the cargo space, it just wasnt deep enough to have a pram flat in the back. The 2022 model has the same engine and same cargo dimensions. They really need to bring this car into the modern era rather than just putting on new headlights and calling it "the brand new forrester", especially when competitors have higher output engines and more cargo space. A shame because it is such a comfortable car, there is heaps of room in the cabin and the large windows mean amazing visability. Heaps of potential but just falls short
I own a e-boxer for a full year now. I bought it for long trips to the mountains with the family. We live in Japan so rain, muddy roads, snow etc is common. The AWD system is amazing on paved roads. Good things: visibility, practicality, price, reseal value, Eye site works great, economy (outside of the city of course), the screens are good after a month of usage, lots of buttons on the steering wheel are good as well. The e-boxer needs a software update, but I try to consider the price when I talk about the faults of the Forrester. At least in Japan, it was significantly cheaper than competition. Forester fails in comparison to "city SUVs", I'd like Subaru to make a FWD Forrester just to bring up the sales. For an AWD, none "off road" unibody SUV, it is decent. I'm happy with my choice so far. When time for replacement comes, I'll buy the new gen Forester, as long as it has similar "design principles" as the current gen.
The best ' off-roader' in the segment ... I use the term offroader lightly, cause... Well the can go like, a bit deep into the forest... There is no better unibody offroaders which is Modern land rovers and the jeep grand cherokee 2-row trailhawk.. I guess the wilderness is of course more capable... .. But for most people, the Subaru off roaders are all that they need....
One of the reasons we purchased our second Forester in 2020 was that it is still the best option if you leave the tarmac amogst SUVs of this class. More ground clearance and a superior AWD system. It's a pity these advantages aren't addressed in the reviews.
I have a 2021 forester and recently worked out to put my iPhone in the coin tray as it has two recesses for the charge chord. Thanks for the great review as always.
We test drove one of these yesterday back to back with the Hybrid and very much preferred the 2.5Lt nat ass engine. Currently own a Prado and in comparison the Forester is quite zippy. It's probably a little noisier in the cabin however the road holding, suspension and steering are really nice. It's probably at the top of our list for our next vehicle.
Problem with subaru is that they refuse to release their offroad variants to Asian/Australia market Subaru crosstrek and foresters are big sellers in America because of their compact size and offroad capabilities. They also have better engine options and offroad variants I would get a crosstrek a.k.a XV over a suzuki jimny anytime "IF" they sells the better trim variant model
Great review as usual Paul with nice editing and camera work by Igor. But I did want to say, is it okay if you add about 30 seconds to the runtime of these already in-depth reviews? I know a lot of viewers would like to see a decibel meter or some way to measure sound and I think it is a great idea as most channels just gloss over how quite a car is. In addition can you also say a quick word on how well the heated or cooled seats work in a car because I feel not all heated/cooled seats are created equal.
Decibel tests are quite difficult to treat side by side. You'd need the same stretch of road each time and need to account for things like road condition, the weather conditions for the day etc.
@@alfstewart22 valid point but it’s just to give a ballpark figure and they could give a disclaimer that when they measured it was a windy day or something like that. Also Paul and the team seem to review cars on the same bit of road most of the time. The only time they didn’t was when the lockdown was happening and they were at the Lang Lang proving ground.
Very nice review indeed. I don't understand the Kilowat power but I appreciate that nect to it is the horsepower version. I have an .18 Forester Premium purchased new and I can't say enough about it. Will be trading up to the '22 sometime soon. Regards from Missouri US to you in beautiful Australia! Look forward to more reviews.
I defer with the on demand AWD system comment. I have a Hyundai Kona AWD and it performs great in snow, ice and other conditions. The AWD kicks in without noticing it and the car feels like it is on rails.
Would prefer the build to be like the Outback Wilderness as seen on the US markets. My present 2019 Forester is keyless non hybrid. I put diff and sump guards on as extras. Wheel arches could be beefed up with plastic ‘guards’ as seen on Jeep Wranglers (?). That said you Aussies and Americans get a better choice over the range and extras on Subarus than we do over here in the UK.
I've been watching a slew of videos on the Forester. It's now 2024 and in the next month or so I'll be getting the autumn green Forester Wilderness Edition here in the USA.
Give me the 8 inch anytime over the outback infotainment system. There has been quite a few issues with that one. Love the actual buttons in the Forester. I own a 22 Forester Wilderness and I love it! Nice review.
I have a S3 (2012) Forester XT premium and it is a dream to drive it has just gone over 200k k's with just regular servicing and still going strong. My only issue with it is the poor visibility in the wing mirrors they seem to be so much smaller than on the wife's Kluger and the stupid angle some minor roads join larger roads means that the wing mirrors are useless and it is painful to keep an almost 180° rotation in the driver's seat to look for gaps in traffic. I hope that these side cameras help in that respect. I am looking to test drive a new one after Christmas and was thinking about the hybrid but now I am not sure with your slating review.
Car technologies have been changing really fast now. When I bought the 2019 model, it was fairly advanced in terms of the technological offering. But it looks a little outdated already now.
5 years a generation and 3 years a face uplift is too slow to catch up. They just need to do a major generation change every 3 to 4 years! Sad for smaller players who do not have a strong R&D money.
Bought the s5 forester 3 years ago , great car no issues at all , compared to my daughters rav 4 hybrid it’s chalk and cheese ,subaru is definitely a better quality car and the camera in the rav 4 is pathetic , cheers
Hi Paul, Thanks for the video. I wanted to buy RAV4 Hybrid. As there is waiting period of 12 months cruiser, i am looking at forester or outback sport version. Any suggestions from your side which one is a good choice between Forester and Outback? And i also request you to add sound system review in your videos. Thanks
If you want an SUV that's more convenient, comfortable, and can handle bad roads, the Forester is a great choice. If you want stronger acceleration, better fuel economy, or an eye-catching design, this isn't for you. The pseudo-step of the CVT is a device to improve the transmission efficiency. Subaru owns a patent on this subject.
Our MY09 Forester with 380,000+km is being replaced with a new one of these but is staying in the family for another long stint. No pages left in the service logbook so guess we need to print some more....
One reason I am choosing the Forester over the Outback is that it does NOT have that big imposing screen that new models of Outback do. Still has a few manual controls at least ...Way too much electronic controls on newer vehicle..too overwhelming, complicated, glitchy, prone to malfunction (dangerous when that happens, like if the so called auto breaking, etc. is haywire) Just more to go wrong--stifles real driving instead of enhancing it!
I’m guessing that the Premium and Sport models will be the highest sellers here in Australia, however all of our local reviewers only ever seem interested in reviewing the top spec model. In the absence of that, little bits of information like the fact that if you want Dual Mode X-Mode in an Australian sold Forester, you are forced to also have a sunroof. It’s a shame that we can’t actually option a vehicle like we used to.
Hi Paul what happened to your red suitcase? :) it would be great to place the suitcase vertically, when helping others buy a vehicle I always try and find out what you can you fit vertically in the boot. We have a 81cm high suitcase and I doubt a lot of the SUVs out there could fit it (vertically) but no one is doing videos that clearly and consistently provide that detail. The other option would be to just get the tape measure out for the vertical, depth and width boot dimensions. If no one starts doing it, you can guess what my channel theme will be lol
I rather prefer the previous front headlights and smaller grill. Subaru should have made improvements on the interior info system to make it look more and function like the Outback with the larger touch screen. I still do not understand why Subaru does not have the roof rail with integrated swing arm cross bars.
I looked at the Hybrid when I purchased my 2020 Forester and it's just too far off the mark. Marginal fuel economy gains, less towing capacity and a lot more expensive.
I have the 21 Premium model. No real dramas so far. Drives great on long trips and awesome on the gravel. It's our 3rd Forester and 4th Subaru overall. Would have loved it if the Hybrid was better but no real saving in fuel. Still hoping for a PHEV version. Would buy one in an instant.
I’d like to know on your channel when talking about blind spots. The A’ pillars are a crappy blind spot. I’ve had 2 vehicles when coming up to an intersection. The A pillar can block out other vehicles in close proximity. Had many occasions where a car has popped out of that blind spot. So lots of looking with body involved.
After driving several vehicles in this category, we settled on this one. This was for several reasons. We found that the Tucson had a terrible internal layout, no physical buttons in sight and with the high centre console made you feel trapped. Not to mention it was $10k more than the forester. The Forester was comfortable to drive, very functional layout inside yet still looks modern in my opinion and more tech/safety goodies to keep up with any brand new vehicle being released. Is it the prettiest, no, but I believe you won’t find anything better for the money. I highly recommend test driving it if you are in the market. Ours arrive late December/early January.
Klopt als een bus
Well said.
Spot on. I was highly considering the Tucson, but after a test drive, it felt as if the car was a huge clunk of metal and yet I had no room to move inside of it. The center console just seems poorly thought out and the drive was not satisfying as a result. The forester though, had large windows all over the car for great visibility, it felt comfortable to drive and I had almost too much space inside. I sincerely thought my mind was made up, but after those two test drives, there is not a chance I will get any other car than the forester. I can't wait for the hybrid model in the mid 2020's.
Subaru the way to go thank you
Nah f that the Tucson is better
having done 25k in my 2020 forester it has been brilliant. Has done plenty of soft sand driving, monthly camp trips as well as a number of tracks only patrol, lancruisers, and proper 4x4s go. Have always been met with laughs by the 'big boys' but have always left with looks of shock when they see a bone stock forester make it through some tough climbs/beach exists and play pen test tracks. The CVT leaves a lot to be desired off road.....one of its biggest letdowns and really limits what it could do with a conventional gearbox. Best thing about a forester is that it doesn't need a full ARB catalog thrown at it and 35 inch muddies....it just gets the job done without all the show and can drop the kids to school in comfort without an inch of body roll or black soot to be found. It will never be a rock crawler but will definitely take you to where most medium skilled 4x4 driver would go.
Worth mentioning that the Forester has a lot more ground clearance than a lot of the competitors. This makes it somewhat more useful for light off road use than a lot of SUVs which have little more clearance than the average sedan.
Yeah anything 200 and above is functional!
Compared to the kia sorento
Which is more solid and reliable ?
@@amrashraf9559 I can't speak for Sorrentos but I've got a 2010 and a 2020 Forester that have provided me with many thousands of klms and years trouble free motoring. Not a break-down or issue with either, just regular maintenance. This has included off-road use, towing camper trailers through remote parts of WA etc. The Forester's 220mm of ground clearance over a Sorrento at 176 is significant for me and one of the reasons I purchased a second one. If you never take your vehicle off tarmac that's obviously not an issue.
@@Grant_Ferstat you forgot to mention the constant AWD system, it isn't going to overheat at just the sight of sand
Cough* Sorento *Cough
Suggestion! If Paul can also include a decibel test, it would make the reviews even more comprehensive. Cabin noise is a really important factor for comfort. Sometimes the noise can be unbearable especially on the Australian highway with rougher road surface. Knowing how loud it could be inside a car can help people a great deal when considering what cars to but.
I have yet to find any channel that considers cabin quietness in their reviews. You guys can be the first!
I did request that before and they said its tough to have that consistent external environment to test DB.
@@pummyy Do they not drive on the same roads in all their videos?
@@WesT10109 Nope. Sometimes open roads, recently they used some closed test tracks.
Thanks for the suggestion Wesley and Srini. We’re working on this as we speak! Igor
Good , valid point, silence is golden.
I bought a 2022 Subaru Forester Sport in Jan. Very happy with the purchase! This review pretty much sums up my impressions even after 2 months of ownership. Although, I would argue the smaller infotainment system that preferences physical dials for air con and media is far superior to large touch screens seen on competitors. It’s safer to operate whilst driving and more practical. Perhaps it won’t age as well long term but you’re not buying a mid-sized SUV to win beauty contests.
I couldn’t agree more re the infotainment system! It is the same as in my current Impreza and, by the time you use Apple Car Play, it is perfectly fine. I’m yet to see real advantages to the bigger screen, the removal of the physical buttons isn’t one imho. And unless we were getting Tesla like features, I’d still prefer this one if given the choice of the large or small Subaru infotainment. I’m deciding between Forester and Outback at the moment and the large screen of the Outback a minus point for me.
Just curious, did you manage to find any Australian reviews of the Sport? My experience is that our reviewers only ever seem to review the top spec model, and specs are so different globally the US tests are pretty much useless.
Have 2020 Sport. The "smaller" screen is a huge plus for me vs. the giant touchscreen on the Outback/Legacy. The giant screen offers no additional functionality and just serves to get in the way of things that should have been knobs, like the climate control.
THIS!!!
I have one on order, delivery next year. Test drove the competitors, none came close. Deciding factors, safety features- eyesight etc. and permanent AWD, drivability and visibility, ability of my wife to feel comfortable in driving it (5ft 2"), tech is proven unlike some of the tech in its competitors
Hi Michael, I'm about your wife's height but also with bad knees, and I'm looking for a vehicle that's easy to get in and out of. My 2017 RAV 4 - I wish I didn't have to lift my leg so high getting in, and while getting out is not too bad I do have to slide out until my feet hit the ground. How does your wife feel the Forester is like for easy getting in and out?
@@DK-sy2fk
My wife is Ok getting in and out as c she was with our previous forester and current XV (Crosstrex) I would suggest you go to a Subaru dealer and try it for yourself.
) Best way
Looking forward to
Taking delivery of mine in December. I tested all the cars in this sector (Kia Sportage, Rav 4, X-Trail etc) and it was actually an easy decision in the end. It feels like a properly designed car and the family really liked the raised seating in the rear so the passengers can see more than the back of a headrest. I tested the Outback too and also wondered why they didn't incorporate the big screen in the 2022 Forester, but when I drove it I actually liked the way it splits up the information, so you can have navigation turn information on the top and media or map on the 8" screen. Also found the visibility and comfort in the Forester to be way ahead of the other cars, particularly the Sportage which has very poor visibility (particularly in the rear) and feels weirdly cramped in the cockpit. Thanks for the review, you've reinforced my decision to purchase one of these and I look forward to many years of happy motoring in it.
Could I ask how much did you pay for this car and which did you get?
In the U S. I bought a 2023 Forester Premium, coming out of a 2011 VW Tiguan SE 4 Motion. I test drove about 10 different vehicles in the segment. It isn't the fastest, the most techy, or the most luxurious. But It is by far the most capable in the snow, which is when I did my test drives. And too many vehicles have center consoles with very high side panels that my right knee comes in contact with. The Forester does not, and is probably the most comfortable vehicle that I drove. Acceleration on highways is pretty good. MPG's are great. Visibility and space is fantastic as well. After 7 months, I have zero regrets.
A useful comparison would be the Subaru XV Crosstrek. Also many Subaru drivers are not all that interested in the size of centre screen. We are all interested in driveability, road holding, grip around curvy corrugated country roads both highway and secondary roads.
I have 2021 Forester from new ,just clocked 108k and hasn't missed a beat, power is perfect for me as well .that's city driving and long extended country trip all over NSW, Snow driving all for work. I consistently get 680-698 Ks per tank, has been a fantastic car and looking to upgrade to the current Forester 2.5i-s,thnks for the great review
Thanks Paul for your excellent reviews.
In need of an SUV and owning two Subarus previous, I almost struck off the Forester due to price.
But after testing everything else on the market I came back to the Subi and stretched my budget.
Picked up the MY22 "S" yesterday. So pleased with the purchase.
Only draw back is glossed over in your review - where to put your phone! With Apple and Google apps you don't need the screen. Just need to plug it in and put it somewhere it won't slide about. A small annoyance factor for Subaru to work out before their next release.
But otherwise I'm so incredibly pleased with my purchase. And thank you for all your videos as I was seriously considering and researching Outback, RAV4, Koleos, CX-5, X-Trail, CR-V, etc...
My 1997 Subaru Legacy Wagon still keeps me comfortable on long trips and absorbs bumps like marshmellows. I love that Subaru is Japanese and like you said, "built for comfort". These Subaru's have a standard of their own and have been the underdog for many many years. I will be upgrading soon, but not for anything too flashy. I love my analogue configurations, not a fan of a big touch screen..
The Forester needs and off-road test, it’s extremely capable with it’s ground clearance, all wheel drive system and x-mode. Hope to see one soon!
It's one of the best off road without a doubt. Just keep your head gaskets ok. Check it often because it's a boxer engineering. Very good car!!!
Thank again Paul as mentioned in a previous comment I’ve owned 10 Subarus (WRX, Forester XT Turbo, Liberty, Outback, etc) and was always impressed with the constant AWD system- the on-demand system other manufacturers use is useless because it’s too late when you need it - I do like the Prado and Pajero AWD systems as well - I stopped buying Subarus when the CVT was introduced and don’t like the absence of a conventional temp gauge in the 2014 models onwards as it’s probably too late when the red light comes on - would happily own a Sports pack Forester if they included the gauge with a Turbo XT spec/ manual transmission.and not a mm of bling chrome - John in SA
Hey John. I have a 2010 Manual Forester and that lack of a temp gauge concerned me too although thankfully overheating has never been an issue in 180000+ klms of driving on and off road.
We also now own a 2020 model though, and being able to access water & oil temp readings on the open road in hot weather is an added feeling of security - along with other nice to haves such as tyre pressure.
I can also say that although I was initially reticent about the CVT, and would have preferred a manual trans option, in practice 30,000 klms in it's been fine. I even towed a camper trailer for 4800 klms throughout remote Western Australia on and off road and even over taking road-trains etc it was not a problem.
@@Grant_Ferstat Good to hear that Grant - You obviously look after your Subarus - even though I now own a Toyota Hilux I’m tempted to get a project Forester as a ‘Sunday drive ‘ as I miss my Subarus - John in SA
I love my Discovery Sport. Permanent 4WD - proactively engages the rear wheels at start off and as needed - doesn’t wait for the front to lose traction. I would never buy a Subaru as the old ones had a good 4WD system and gearbox but were far too thirsty on the fuel and the new ones have a rubbish 4WD system (can’t pull themselves off rollers when only 1 wheel has traction) and hopeless CVT (no good for off-roading at all) .
Also all the off-road modes work at any speed unlike Subaru which disengage X-Mode above 40km/h or something. I can drive in grass/gravel/snow mode at 100km/h if I need to.
@@jerrymyahzcat a good choice for an alternative to Subaru and why I now drive a Toyota Hilux for true better offload ability and better fuel economy
@john - Im also in SA and looking at this Subaru versus the RAV4. The price is really drawing me to the Subaru. The bakkies are a bit pricier for me and settling on a midsize SUV. Is the CVT that bad?
Great review and very glad to see it’s “Paul Maric Approved” considering I just put an order in for one :-D
I recently picked up a used 2019 model and I’ve gotta say I’m seriously impressed with the Forester. After watching your review and the medium SUV off-road video I was sold on the Forester. Given its size it’s quite compact for an SUV yet it has the most interior space for both luggage and passengers. I was very surprised during my test drives that I could sit comfortably behind my driving set and I’m similar height to Paul. And also being a photographer it means I’m constantly lugging around equipment and sometimes venturing out to countryside venues for work which often have gravel roads or uphill dirt road climbs which is also why I opted for the forester for its superior off-road performance compared to other competitive vehicles. I didn’t want to go with a full sized SUV like a Patrol or LC because for everyday driving they’re just too big in my opinion. The forester is incredibly capable and quite nimble for its size. I have noticed though the suspension, although it is soft and absorbs bumps very nicely, it can get a bit floaty when going over undulations. Another channel Redriven points this out really well in their used forester review. I also thought that the touchscreen would be cumbersome and lack luster given the current tech market and the big screen that was given to the outback but after driving the forester the smaller screen is more than enough. I think if I had the bigger screen it would actually be more distracting like having to change climate controls so the physical switches in the forester are better for overall driver safety.
Great review Paul! The front end certainly looks a lot nicer in person than what I originally thought in photos. Sad that Subaru haven't brought back the XT in this generation, it would've been a great upgrade for our 2015 Forester.
Nice review. Well Structured. No fancy music. I'm not a car expert. But I get what I need to know from this review. Good Job...
Its refreshing to see someone talk and communicate so clearly, great info too Paul!🐶🐺🐕
I've had my 2022 Forester Touring (U.S.) for several months now, and I have to say this is the Mary Poppins of small SUVs, Practically Perfect in Every Way
Dynamic rubber tweels.
Solar roof.
Rear battery pack.
Stealth - limp mode electric drive rear wheels.
Use hydrocoupling diffs .
Semi auto syntrifical drum clutch.
A little behind the times however I’ve just picked up a 2013 Forester 2.0L D-L S4 6SP Manual with 246,000km on the clock. First time driving a Subaru after many other Brands, it is awesome! Miles in front of the later model VWs I’ve owed, apart from the road noise…
Absolutely impressive drive, economical, practical and very comfortable. I can’t quite decide on if I like driving the Subaru Forester over our 2017 1GD Prado GXL but it’s the Forester that rolls down the driveway each time I head out.
Hi Paul i got an L for Luxury one im Yet to pick it up from the dealer as the borders are closed. But not long now and i be enjoying some long trips up and down this great country of ours, the L version came highly recommended as its got driver fatigue alarm and monitoring perfect for those long trips. I cant believe that this Forrester went from meh in 2016 to i recon a most refined, safe car in 2022. Subaru have really improved the vehicle over the years, compared to other brands some are copycats, some may never see the bush with their low profile tyres, low ground clearance and space saver spare or inflatable kit as in the case of Forrester hybrid and more Uber ride share. Noted on phone i brought a Strike Alpha cradle window mount as reception out in open roads is important for Waze navigation. so in a few weeks time i have my chance to review. Thx for ur honest review of the Suv.
Nice review.
Can you please consider taking an AWD with offroad option to the offroad test you usually do for UTs and other 4WD SUVs? I think some AWD can easily tackle most offroads trails mainly done for the 4WD cars. The Forester is already equipped with Xmode and hill descent control.
US based car reviewers are doing great off-road tests in their reviews and would love to see this in Oz too. Cheers.
Absolutely. The Forester isn't the prettiest SUV out there but the fact that it has 220mm of ground clearance which is signficantly more than a number of competitors in the segment, and a decent all wheel drive system were reasons I purchased my second one in 2020. Foresters have better off road credentials than most SUVs. Not an issue for everyone but it is for some of us.
The only thing they need to do I overhaul the power train overhaul. New engine with turbo charging and the option to have a standard torque converter instead of a CVT. For our family the only thing holding us back is the power train and the lack of turbocharging.
I have a 2020 Forester, and, while I would have loved a manual or other trans option (Also still own a 2010 manual) and a bit more power, in practice the CVT has been better than I expected. Even towing a camper trailer 4800klms through remote WA in all sorts of conditions, overtaking road trains etc etc. Sadly, I don't think we'll ever see a turbo Forester again. Best we can hope for is a Hybrid option that adds some urge rather than takes it away, and offers more than marginal fuel economy gains.
Driving the Levorg since 2016... Love it.
I’ve had mine for less than 2 weeks, and the only thing I don’t like is the VERY strong new car smell…I’m assuming it’s because it was shipped to dealership as soon as it arrived to US, with little or no time to “bake out” the VOCs. Have tried everything to rid the car of odor including a professional detail. If anyone has ideas, id love to hear them. Riding around in 40 degree weather with windows down and heat blasting to avoid a migraine.
We bought a 2021 Limited version in Canada in April of 2021. We do not get the extra cameras, only the rear view one. Everything you said about is spot on. It is no race car but the visibility and in our opinion great crusing car for long trips works for us. We are currently waiting for snow here to test out the all wheel drive capabilities. Great view and interesting to see how different countries outfit there cars.
Interesting comment on the incandescent tail light clusters. I have had to replace 3 rear LED tail light clusters on one car in 11 years at great expense, I much prefer to spend a few bucks at a servo for some globes, which has not been often. LED headlights however are worth the extra money.
Bought a 21 model Forester early this year. My first Subaru ever and I freaking love it. Not to sure on the front end of the 22 model. The rest looks like nothing changed. Doubt I'll be upgrading to the new model. Great review though.
I’m please Subaru continue to hold onto more traditional interior things like normal dials and avoiding massive screens - I’m sure they’ll have no choice in the end but these things just work - I foresee millions of drivers with unusable cars in a few years when all the screen tech begins to fail. We have the XV and the newest Outback - both are great but when driving the XV is far safer to use heating and other things whereas the Outback vertical 11” screen can be fiddly and distracting.
- Laggy compute for navigation systems.
- Big bottle storage is limited
- No 360 deg camera
This is very reasonably priced car for all its worth. Its def worth it
I owned an impreza was a great car very solid, reliable, gripped like glue, only down side to ownership was cost of ownership no fixed servicing. Boxer engines build up in carbon quite often so definitely recommend put 95 and above in the car. Good resale and CVT.
Had a 19, bought a crv and find it to be more comfortable and I like the cvt/engine better. Both are great cars
Great review Paul. Mine should arrive sometime in January 2022, can’t wait.
Congrats on the purchase!
Love the brand and this review! Wish Subaru will sent a 7 seater to the Australian market!
A great vehicle, I have a 2013 with all the bells and whistles, 185000 ks, and still drives like new. I wouldn't own any other vehicle than a Subaru Forester. Peter F. retired racv roadside patrolman.
Just recently bought a 2018 Subaru Liberty 2.5i Premium and its got most of those features on it Paul mentioned. I totally agree with the AWD comment, anytime I put the foot down at wet/slippery conditions this week and it just hooks up and goes I can not believe it.
Just sucks Aussies stopped buying sedans :(
@C Nic The 3.6 litre will solve that problem of lack of power.
Thanks Paul, I have taken delivery of my MY22 Forester Sport and I am loving it!!!!!
Bigger screen is not always better. Forester has nailed the practicality
We bought the 2022 Forester 2.5 I-L today. The whole package of the vehicle is excellent. I’m just a little let down by the road noise though, especially on coarse chip bitumen.
I give the whole car and driving experience a 9.5 / 10.
I’ve have a 2019 Forester 2.5 Premium from new, I’ve looked to update but can’t find anything that does it better. Eyesight is outstanding, and vehicle overall capability is perfect for a non-performance car.
If you haven’t driven a Subaru on a corrugated road, try it. The lack of vibration and rattling, along with ease of control will surprise you.
Oh, BTW. I got offered AUD34,000 trad-in on my 2019 Forester a few months ago, that is just a deprecupistion of $6,000 ish in 2 years!
I have booked forester S autumn green in Feb, but the delivery been delayed until september. My dealer called me yesterday and offered hybrid version of same variant and color which someone cancelled. I am getting mine this week. Excited. My first brand new car in australia and first subaru brand
3.45 that screen should have been on a swivel so that you can turn the screen towards you when driving if the sun gets to it. It can be sometimes difficult to see.
hope the seats are better
Much prefer the screen and knob setup in the Forester to the large screen in the Outback. I have a ‘21 Outback and the screen is slow to react to touch inputs and adjusting seat heating and other climate features requires taking your eyes off of the road. Couple that with the delay and you are risking an accident. Subaru must change that. If you have the driver monitoring system as well, taking your eyes off of the road gets you a beep and flashing icon on the dash telling you to keep your eyes on the road. This will likely make me ditch the Outback when they develop abetter design. Come on Subaru, you can do better!
Keep them coming! You're on fire Paul 🔥
Great review and insights Paul, our family just order the same spec earlier today at City Subaru Newstead, Brisbane, great service by Nathanial and the team..
The big screen in the outback is not very good, sure its big but when it comes to controlling the HVAC system it sucks pretty hard. That setup is fine and if you haven't noticed in the 2022 ascent they don't use that either because they know its not very good.
Pick up mine on Wednesday. Great review Paul.
Hi Paul, the wife wants to update from our 2014 Forester, first priority is does this have a CD player. We own heaps from over the years and neither of us have or care for apple carplay or android whatever? Not everyone who buys these cars are in their 20s.
At 4:55, you can see the input for CDs, with the CD eject button to the left
@@pharkurnell9561 Thanks for that
I was incredibly surprised yesterday at the handover when they said it had a CD player.
@@perthling Its good to have one though yeah. How long did you have to wait for delivery.?
@@seegee7728 Ordered late Oct for late Jan delivery but arrived early April. I think we were lucky with our timing.
Had a 2009 xs forester, what a great car. Nil issues and so smooth to drive
As a current Subaru owner looking to buy an SUV the forrester was the first car i looked at. Unfortunately the engine was found wanting, it revs lots but is just underpowered. Was also disappointed at the cargo space, it just wasnt deep enough to have a pram flat in the back. The 2022 model has the same engine and same cargo dimensions. They really need to bring this car into the modern era rather than just putting on new headlights and calling it "the brand new forrester", especially when competitors have higher output engines and more cargo space. A shame because it is such a comfortable car, there is heaps of room in the cabin and the large windows mean amazing visability. Heaps of potential but just falls short
US market they have turbo engine. Not in ANZ due to small volume sold here. They do not care.
I own a e-boxer for a full year now.
I bought it for long trips to the mountains with the family.
We live in Japan so rain, muddy roads, snow etc is common. The AWD system is amazing on paved roads.
Good things: visibility, practicality, price, reseal value, Eye site works great, economy (outside of the city of course), the screens are good after a month of usage, lots of buttons on the steering wheel are good as well.
The e-boxer needs a software update, but I try to consider the price when I talk about the faults of the Forrester.
At least in Japan, it was significantly cheaper than competition.
Forester fails in comparison to "city SUVs", I'd like Subaru to make a FWD Forrester just to bring up the sales.
For an AWD, none "off road" unibody SUV, it is decent.
I'm happy with my choice so far. When time for replacement comes, I'll buy the new gen Forester, as long as it has similar "design principles" as the current gen.
The best ' off-roader' in the segment
... I use the term offroader lightly, cause... Well the can go like, a bit deep into the forest... There is no better unibody offroaders which is Modern land rovers and the jeep grand cherokee 2-row trailhawk.. I guess the wilderness is of course more capable...
..
But for most people, the Subaru off roaders are all that they need....
One of the reasons we purchased our second Forester in 2020 was that it is still the best option if you leave the tarmac amogst SUVs of this class. More ground clearance and a superior AWD system. It's a pity these advantages aren't addressed in the reviews.
I have a 2021 forester and recently worked out to put my iPhone in the coin tray as it has two recesses for the charge chord. Thanks for the great review as always.
We test drove one of these yesterday back to back with the Hybrid and very much preferred the 2.5Lt nat ass engine. Currently own a Prado and in comparison the Forester is quite zippy. It's probably a little noisier in the cabin however the road holding, suspension and steering are really nice. It's probably at the top of our list for our next vehicle.
I *love* my S3 forester and it sounds like everything I love about it still applies, hooray!
I have one on order at the moment, such a nice car to drive, looking forward to delivery
Just bought a Forester and I love it!!
Foresters are amazing. The '21 2.5i Sport is such an amazing car for families.
Problem with subaru is that they refuse to release their offroad variants to Asian/Australia market
Subaru crosstrek and foresters are big sellers in America because of their compact size and offroad capabilities. They also have better engine options and offroad variants
I would get a crosstrek a.k.a XV over a suzuki jimny anytime "IF" they sells the better trim variant model
Great review as usual Paul with nice editing and camera work by Igor. But I did want to say, is it okay if you add about 30 seconds to the runtime of these already in-depth reviews? I know a lot of viewers would like to see a decibel meter or some way to measure sound and I think it is a great idea as most channels just gloss over how quite a car is. In addition can you also say a quick word on how well the heated or cooled seats work in a car because I feel not all heated/cooled seats are created equal.
Decibel tests are quite difficult to treat side by side. You'd need the same stretch of road each time and need to account for things like road condition, the weather conditions for the day etc.
@@alfstewart22 valid point but it’s just to give a ballpark figure and they could give a disclaimer that when they measured it was a windy day or something like that. Also Paul and the team seem to review cars on the same bit of road most of the time. The only time they didn’t was when the lockdown was happening and they were at the Lang Lang proving ground.
Very nice review indeed. I don't understand the Kilowat power but I appreciate that nect to it is the horsepower version. I have an .18 Forester Premium purchased new and I can't say enough about it. Will be trading up to the '22 sometime soon. Regards from Missouri US to you in beautiful Australia! Look forward to more reviews.
I defer with the on demand AWD system comment. I have a Hyundai Kona AWD and it performs great in snow, ice and other conditions. The AWD kicks in without noticing it and the car feels like it is on rails.
Had one for over 6 years. Not a bad car, servicing cost is the worst aspect of owning a Subaru. Next car, going back to Toyota.
Would prefer the build to be like the Outback Wilderness as seen on the US markets. My present 2019 Forester is keyless non hybrid. I put diff and sump guards on as extras. Wheel arches could be beefed up with plastic ‘guards’ as seen on Jeep Wranglers (?). That said you Aussies and Americans get a better choice over the range and extras on Subarus than we do over here in the UK.
i think the rear needed a slight refresh;with updated taillights
I've been watching a slew of videos on the Forester. It's now 2024 and in the next month or so I'll be getting the autumn green Forester Wilderness Edition here in the USA.
I rather the less tech. Less stuff to go wrong in the long run .
Give me the 8 inch anytime over the outback infotainment system. There has been quite a few issues with that one. Love the actual buttons in the Forester. I own a 22 Forester Wilderness and I love it! Nice review.
it was time to replace X3 and X5 and I saved a ton by getting a Forrester and Outback...one year lates confirmed my decision
Hey Paul, any idea how this would go across sand for beach camping? It seemed to do the best of the medium SUVs on your dirt/mud 4WD test.
So nice to give the time marks for each topic. Thank you for review.
I have a S3 (2012) Forester XT premium and it is a dream to drive it has just gone over 200k k's with just regular servicing and still going strong. My only issue with it is the poor visibility in the wing mirrors they seem to be so much smaller than on the wife's Kluger and the stupid angle some minor roads join larger roads means that the wing mirrors are useless and it is painful to keep an almost 180° rotation in the driver's seat to look for gaps in traffic. I hope that these side cameras help in that respect. I am looking to test drive a new one after Christmas and was thinking about the hybrid but now I am not sure with your slating review.
Just reserved mine yesterday in Ice Silver Metallic! Very excited to get it in Dec hopefully.
Just ordered a 2.5iS for my wife in red(she says it goes faster) test drove one in Perth really nice car should have ours by next month.
I’m on my second one
Great cars never had a problem
Car technologies have been changing really fast now. When I bought the 2019 model, it was fairly advanced in terms of the technological offering. But it looks a little outdated already now.
5 years a generation and 3 years a face uplift is too slow to catch up. They just need to do a major generation change every 3 to 4 years! Sad for smaller players who do not have a strong R&D money.
Bought the s5 forester 3 years ago , great car no issues at all , compared to my daughters rav 4 hybrid it’s chalk and cheese ,subaru is definitely a better quality car and the camera in the rav 4 is pathetic , cheers
Honda CRV 21 model also has a full size spare comp with alloy wheel
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the video. I wanted to buy RAV4 Hybrid. As there is waiting period of 12 months cruiser, i am looking at forester or outback sport version.
Any suggestions from your side which one is a good choice between Forester and Outback?
And i also request you to add sound system review in your videos.
Thanks
If you want an SUV that's more convenient, comfortable, and can handle bad roads, the Forester is a great choice. If you want stronger acceleration, better fuel economy, or an eye-catching design, this isn't for you.
The pseudo-step of the CVT is a device to improve the transmission efficiency. Subaru owns a patent on this subject.
Our MY09 Forester with 380,000+km is being replaced with a new one of these but is staying in the family for another long stint. No pages left in the service logbook so guess we need to print some more....
One reason I am choosing the Forester over the Outback is that it does NOT have that big imposing screen that new models of Outback do. Still has a few manual controls at least ...Way too much electronic controls on newer vehicle..too overwhelming, complicated, glitchy, prone to malfunction (dangerous when that happens, like if the so called auto breaking, etc. is haywire) Just more to go wrong--stifles real driving instead of enhancing it!
Good report on the Forester, wish they had the option of the turbo motor like the outback. It looks strange to see you driving on the right side.
I’m guessing that the Premium and Sport models will be the highest sellers here in Australia, however all of our local reviewers only ever seem interested in reviewing the top spec model. In the absence of that, little bits of information like the fact that if you want Dual Mode X-Mode in an Australian sold Forester, you are forced to also have a sunroof. It’s a shame that we can’t actually option a vehicle like we used to.
Great review, just traded my 2020 XV on a 2024 Forrester X sport. Hope to pick it up tomorrow! In NZ it's mid spec
Hi Paul what happened to your red suitcase? :)
it would be great to place the suitcase vertically, when helping others buy a vehicle I always try and find out what you can you fit vertically in the boot. We have a 81cm high suitcase and I doubt a lot of the SUVs out there could fit it (vertically) but no one is doing videos that clearly and consistently provide that detail.
The other option would be to just get the tape measure out for the vertical, depth and width boot dimensions. If no one starts doing it, you can guess what my channel theme will be lol
Why do I get Goosebumps when you say 'Good day am Paul' 😅
I rather prefer the previous front headlights and smaller grill. Subaru should have made improvements on the interior info system to make it look more and function like the Outback with the larger touch screen. I still do not understand why Subaru does not have the roof rail with integrated swing arm cross bars.
Awesome review Paul , keep up the great work 👌
I have the exact same Subaru Forester ✅
I like the 1979 model sports wagon 1.6 pushrod.
Add hydraulic lifters & supercharger.
Use 2 carbs instead of one.
Dual stage.
What engine do you test?
You're right Paul I would go with non hybrid one. 👍
I looked at the Hybrid when I purchased my 2020 Forester and it's just too far off the mark. Marginal fuel economy gains, less towing capacity and a lot more expensive.
I have the 21 Premium model. No real dramas so far. Drives great on long trips and awesome on the gravel. It's our 3rd Forester and 4th Subaru overall. Would have loved it if the Hybrid was better but no real saving in fuel. Still hoping for a PHEV version. Would buy one in an instant.
Looks much cleaner at the front 👍 waiting to see what they do with the next XV
I think someone else need to be in charge of the suitcase. It’s happening way too often 😂
I’d like to know on your channel when talking about blind spots. The A’ pillars are a crappy blind spot. I’ve had 2 vehicles when coming up to an intersection. The A pillar can block out other vehicles in close proximity. Had many occasions where a car has popped out of that blind spot. So lots of looking with body involved.