Subaru has just spiced things up in the Forester lineup over in the US, adding two brand-new variants to the mix – the eco-conscious Forester Hybrid and the adventure-ready Forester Wilderness. One’s all about sipping fuel efficiently, while the other is geared up to tackle the great outdoors like a champ.
The Forester Hybrid – Green, Mean, and Fuel-Sipping
Let’s kick things off with the Subaru Forester Hybrid. This eco-friendly SUV keeps things familiar under the bonnet with a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated Boxer engine, now paired with a three-phase AC synchronous electric motor and a dinky 1.1-kWh battery pack. This combo churns out a respectable 194 horsepower while returning an impressive fuel economy of 35 miles per gallon (or 14.8 km per litre for the metric-minded). Not bad for a semi-electrified SUV!
Subaru’s well-loved Lineartronic CVT and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system stick around, ensuring the hybrid variant doesn’t lose any of that legendary off-road capability.
The Forester Hybrid gets 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it just as capable as its rugged sibling in certain terrains. Visually, it’s nearly identical to its ICE-only siblings, save for the ‘Hybrid’ badges proudly sitting on the front fenders and rear tailgate.
But opt for the top-tier Touring trim, and you’ll get some extra flair – think 19-inch alloys and exclusive two-tone paint options. Inside, tech goodies like an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment display, a fully digital instrument cluster, and a premium sound system make this hybrid a rather posh affair.
The Forester Hybrid comes in four models: Premium, Limited, Sport and Touring. It will be available this spring, bringing serious fuel efficiency improvements, particularly in city driving, with up to 40% better mileage than the non-hybrid model. With a 16.6-gallon gas tank, the hybrid has an impressive range of 581 miles.
The Forester Wilderness – Rugged, Ready, and Raring to Go
Now, if the Hybrid is the sensible sibling, the Subaru Forester Wilderness is the rowdy, thrill-seeking one. Designed for those who love getting their tyres dirty, this beast comes with a ground clearance boost to a whopping 9.3 inches (236mm), sitting on 17-inch alloys wrapped in chunky all-terrain Yokohama Geolander rubber.
And that’s just the start – Subaru has gone all out by slapping on front and rear skid plates, rugged roof rails with an 800-pound static load capacity, thick plastic cladding, and plenty of Wilderness badging to make sure everyone knows this isn’t your average soft-roader.
Step inside, and the adventure theme continues. The cabin gets bold orange accents, Wilderness-branded upholstery, and a unique textured dash trim that screams ‘ready for action’. Tech-wise, it matches the Touring trim, so you’ll still get that swanky infotainment setup and digital gauge cluster.
Under the bonnet, the Forester Wilderness sticks to the tried-and-tested 2.5-litre flat-four, pushing out 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque through the CVT.
However, Subaru has tweaked things for better performance, with a shorter final drive ratio to enhance low-speed off-roadability. The CVT also gets a new transmission cooler, bumping up its towing capacity to a solid 3,500 pounds (1,588kg). Meanwhile, a differential temperature sensor helps maintain performance on tough trails.
To help it handle any terrain, the Forester Wilderness features Subaru’s Dual-Mode X-MODE, offering Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings for extra grip and control. The updated Symmetrical AWD system provides quicker center differential lockup and reduced wheelspin, while steering angle data improves stability when cornering at higher speeds.
The Damage – How Much Will These Beasts Cost?
For those keen on getting their hands on the all-new Forester Hybrid, prices start at $36,415 (around RM161,737). The Wilderness variant will hit the market this autumn, with pricing details to be announced closer to launch.
Either way, whether you’re after a greener ride or a dirt-loving off-roader, Subaru’s latest Forester duo has got something to offer. Now, who’s ready for an adventure?
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