Subaru’s best-selling Forester enters its sixth generation with sharper design, advanced safety, and even greater versatility. Subaru Southern Africa has launched the all-new 2025 Subaru Forester, marking the arrival of the sixth generation of the brand’s most successful model. First introduced in 1997, the Forester has sold more than 4.5 million units worldwide and accounts for over 50% of Subaru sales in South Africa. With its blend of safety, engineering excellence, family practicality and adventure-ready confidence, the new Forester builds on a proud heritage and introduces a sharper, more premium take on South Africa’s favourite Subaru
Distinctive New Design
The new Forester carries a bolder stance with a stronger grille, compact LED headlights and Subaru’s latest star-cluster emblem. Muscular wheel arches underline its rugged credentials, while new aerodynamic details reduce drag and improve efficiency. Roof rails are standard across the range, and customers can choose between 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels depending on the model grade. There’s a sense of the Forester’s adventurous spirit found in a number of symbols and design motifs along the bottom edge of the windscreens and along the contour-lined door trims.
For 2025, Forester introduces a fresh palette of colours to South Africa, including a new option: River Rock Pearl alongside established favourites like Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Magnetite Grey Metallic, Sapphire Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Brilliant Bronze Metallic and Autumn Green Metallic. Specialised colours of Cashmere Gold Opal and Daybreak Blue Pearl are also available on the Forester for the first time.
Engineering at its Core
Every Forester is powered by Subaru’s signature 2.5-litre BOXER® engine, producing 136kW and 247Nm, paired with a Lineartronic CVT with 8-step manual mode, usable with paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. This horizontally opposed engine layout lowers the centre of gravity for improved stability, while Subaru’s famous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive ensures grip and composure on any surface.
The Forester’s segment-leading 220mm ground clearance and carefully engineered 20.3-degree approach and 25.8° departure angles (with 21.2-degree break-over angle) make the Forester as capable on gravel tracks as it is smooth on highways. X-Mode with Hill Descent Control is standard across the range, in either single or dual function depending on the model. X-Mode allows confident control on rutted or slippery terrain, while Subaru SI-Drive lets drivers switch between efficiency-focused or more dynamic responsiveness.
Quieter, More Refined Cabin
Inside, the Forester is designed for families and explorers. Wide-opening doors make loading children and cargo simple with ISOFIX child seat anchors fitted across the rear seat on all models. The side bolstering has been increased on the two front seats for improved comfort, from which a commanding seating position reveals enlarged window glass areas for the best in-class outward visibility. Boot space measures 496-litres with the seats up and 1,174-litres when folded flat, supported by a flat cargo floor, a wide-opening tailgate and one-touch folding 60/40 split rear seats.
Seat trim ranges from durable fabric in Field and Touring to a spill-proof polyurethane in the Sport, this latter model designed for the more adventurous. The Premium receives an Alcantara and leather seat blend to reinforce its upmarket positioning. Touring, Sport and Premium models receive leather-wrapped steering wheels with varying stitch colours depending on grade: silver (Touring), green (Sport), and brown (Premium), with the range-topping Premium model also equipped with a leather-wrapped gear selector. Comfort features include a 10-way power driver’s seat, panoramic sunroof on higher models, rear air vents, and USB-A/C charging for passengers. Touring, Sport and Premium models include a powered tailgate with a hands-free kick sensor.
For infotainment, the new Forester offers either dual 7.0-inch touchscreens (Field) or a tablet-style 11.6-inch display (Touring, Sport and Premium) with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and voice control. A Harman Kardon 10-speaker premium sound system is standard on the range-topping Premium Flagship.
Subaru’s Driver Recognition system is standard on all models, a feature that uses facial recognition to save up to seven drivers’ preferences, including seating and mirror position, as well as climate control settings.
The new Forester is also improved with further enhancements to NVH levels. The use of smarter sound-insulation between the engine and occupant cell results in an even quieter and more refined driving experience than ever before.
Benchmark Safety
Safety remains the Forester’s hallmark. The latest EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard on all models in South Africa, now operating with a wider field of view and faster processing. The award-winning system’s features include Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centring, Autonomous Emergency Steering, Lead Vehicle Start Alert, and Pre-Collision Throttle Management.
Additional safety technologies include Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Reverse Automatic Braking (on Premium grades), plus a front, side-view and 360-degree camera system. Airbag coverage is comprehensive, including driver’s knee and far-side passenger airbags.
The Forester also debuts Subaru’s Emergency Driving Stop System locally, which can safely bring the vehicle to a halt if the driver becomes unresponsive, activating hazard lights and unlocking the doors. In addition to audible and visible chimes and warnings on the driver’s display, the system also features a braking pulse feature that is aimed at jolting the driver awake, where fatigue may cause a driver to dose off.
Nteo Nkoli, National Marketing Manager at Subaru Southern Africa, positions the new Forester: “The Forester has an incredible heritage and has consistently delivered what South Africans want: safety, versatility, and genuine all-road ability. With this new generation, we’re excited to raise the bar once again in the segment, offering even more refinement, technology, and capability for our customers.”
Model Range & Pricing (South Africa)
- Forester 2.5i Field: R699,000
- Forester 2.5i Touring: R740,000
- Forester 2.5i Sport: R790,000
- Forester 2.5i Premium: R830,000
With the Field derivative offered at the price of the outgoing fifth-generation model, the new Subaru Forester is well-poised to offer formidable value in the segment. All South African Subaru Foresters come standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, and Subaru’s comprehensive safety suite.
Dimensions & running gear (highlights)
- Length, width, height, and wheelbase are 4,655mm, 1,830mm, 1,730mm, and 2,670mm, respectively.
- Tracks (Front/Rear): 1,565mm/1,570mm.
- Kerb weight ranges from 1,595 to 1,645kg (dependent on derivative).
- Tyres and wheels: 225/60 R17 (Field) or 225/55 R18 (Touring, Sport and Premium).
- Ventilated discs all around, rack and pinion electronic power steering, and MacPherson front/double-wishbone rear suspension.
Grade highlights (summary):
- Field: 17-inch alloys, dual 7-inch displays (wired Android Auto/CarPlay), 6 speakers, single-mode X-Mode, fabric seats, manual driver’s seat, full EyeSight suite.
- Touring: 18-inch alloys, 11.6-inch infotainment, wireless Android Auto/CarPlay, single-mode X-Mode, premium fabric/StarTex-style trim, additional convenience spec.
- Sport: 18-inch wheels (black), dual-function X-Mode, upgraded trim and driver adjustment, and expanded camera/safety features.
- Premium: 18-inch silver and black machined alloys, Harman Kardon (10-speaker) audio, gloss black exterior detailing with low-profile rails, 360-degree camera system, Reverse Automatic Braking, powered tailgate with kick sensor.
Warranty & Maintenance Plan
All Subaru Forester models are backed by a 5-year/150,000km warranty; a 3-year/75,000km Maintenance Plan that is extendable to 150,000km; 15,000km service intervals and Subaru Assist roadside support.
Notes to editors: This release reflects the South African specification and pricing, including derivative-specific equipment and assistance features as supplied in the local spec sheet.
