Subaru Forester E-Boxer - BOXING CLEVER

The fifth generation Subaru Forester gains a mild hybrid boost. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

Boxer engines and Subaru have been inseparable for most of this Japanese brand's life. In recent years though, some have begun to question whether this flat four format really has a place in the industry's largely electrified future. Subaru wants to assure us that it does, hence the full-hybrid e-Boxer petrol unit fitted to this fifth generation Forester.

Background

Wouldn't it be nice to find a properly capable mid-sized family SUV? A car that could walk the walk as well as talking the talk? A car like this one, Subaru's fifth generation Forester, now enhanced with an e-Boxer mild hybrid petrol powertrain. Everything about this design seems to be nicely balanced, from the shape and positioning of its freshly electrified Boxer engine to the shape and positioning of its intended clientele. People who want something fashionable, but don't need to make a fashion statement. People who want something tough and rugged, but don't need to tackle the Rubicon Trail. So the smarter styling inside and out will go down as well as the Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system and the symmetrical off road technology.

You buy this car for what it does, not for what it says about you. Talk to almost any Forester owner and they'll tell you of times when they cruised past other similar vehicles that came unstuck when the going got tough. They'll tell you that nothing ever fell off. That nothing ever went wrong. And that nothing would persuade them to buy anything else.

Driving Experience

For most of its recent life, the Forester has sold primarily with a Boxer diesel powerplant and it's taken some time for the brand to shift its engineering emphasis. This e-Boxer mild hybrid unit looks promising though. Thanks to a small electric drive motor with 16bhp and 48 Ib ft of torque powered by a little lithium-ion battery, the Forester can in this form offer emissions-free motoring for short periods. The whole set-up's relatively light (it adds only 110kgs to the 150PS 2.0-litre normally aspirated petrol powertrain it's mated to). And it drives through a re-engineered version of the same belt-driven CVT auto gearbox that other Subarus use. Best of all for loyal Forester towers, there's none of the usual reduction in hauling capacity that hybrids of any kind are usually afflicted with. This one can tug almost 1,800kgs, helped by the brand's usual asymmetrical four-wheel drive system.

On the move on tarmac, the hybrid system's electric motor provides a bit more instant pulling power, especially when using the car's provide 'S' driving mode. Steering wheel gearchange paddles are provided and a rear stabiliser has been added for a little more cornering decorum. Off road, the Forester, as you'd expect, makes light work of tough terrain thanks to decent ground clearance, that responsive and capable 4WD system and standard hill descent control.

Design and Build

Subaru insists that this is an entirely new model, but at first glance, you'd sware it was merely a mild evolution of the old fourth generation car. Quite possibly though, that's what loyal Forester owners want here. They'll immediately notice the revised front end design, with its sharper angles and more upright grille. In profile, this MK5 model's extra length might be noted. And at the rear, where this revised design's additional width is evident, there are smarter tail lamps and contrasting black trim above the numberplate.

Inside, the cabin has a more expensive feel than the rather utilitarian interior of the previous model - which is just as well given the increase in price. There's nothing here to give Audi designers any sleepless nights but it's a big step forward for a Forester. Generally, it's more spacious for passengers than before, which is particularly noticeable at the back. A faster automatic tailgate accesses a large boot - 1,779-litres with the back seat folded.

[shades]

This is a proper, unbiased and informative video - Got mine 3 weeks ago - same Jasper green with the sunroof and 18" rims. Every minute is a joy - on tarmac and off the tarmac

[paulblegg]

The little hook in the roof lining at the rear was designed to attach to the lift up floor. So you don't have to hold when accessing tools, jack etc. That was the case in the older models at least.

[valdius]

It's £5k cheaper in Japan.

It's very comfortable, at lest for shorter drivers.
The Eye-site is amazing on motorways.
The AWD is great.
It's fast enough for people who want to do touring on the back roads. I take my e-boxer to the Japanese mountains, where it feels like at home.
The visibility is the best in the class. That is important for me.
The fuel consumption should be compared with vehicles of similar ground clearance, AWD capabilities and price.

So far I am happy with my Forester e-boxer. It does the job I ask of it: - takes my wife and dog to the mountains.

There might not be a market for it in the UK, since people are still excited about "the Germans" and treat these brands like a gospel.

Forester it's not a stylish item to look at. It's a tool that wants to be used. It has a value only for people who struggle to find a decent alternative. I bought it because there aren't many alternatives.

[willotoole]

Great informative review of the E-Boxer forester and keep up the great content and video that are very informative.

[paulblegg]

Best review I've ever seen. Keep up the great work 👍

[davidmahan]

Great informative video the best I've seen yet. Just a minor point the rear seats do recline, their is a little loop next to each rear door and when pulled the back seat can be reclined; other wide a fantastic presentation. I'm not bothered about speed, the safety of me and my family are paramount, 2019 NCAP 5 star rating voted best in class, the safety features are excellent on this vehicle.

[Mogsyuk]

great review, but i do like the 2.5 engine in my Outback, find it better for performance/over-take requirements. Don't mind the hybrid/e-Boxer, but new petrol engines need to be turbo enabled to be more efficient and head off the *€95 per kg/CO2 fines* if they are over the new CO2 emissions that any new car from Jan 2020 in EU/UK has to abide by. The Eyesight system is fantastic feature, especially the pre-collision braking, its saved my bacon several times. Also awarded a win by Auto Express Driver Survey.

[timjefferson]

Subaru should make a BEV, not a HEV. Suitable vehicles would be the Outback and the Forester as they already have the ground clearance to locate the battery-pack under the floor. This would also mean that there would be no impingement on the boot space by the battery.
Two electric motors (one front and one rear) would retain AWD.
The battery-pack being under the floor would ensure good weight distribution.

[newbeginnings]

With less chrome, better styling, more power and an improved hybrid to help economy, it could attract more buyers...
The CO2 figures and frumpy looks will kill sales... I hope a Gen 6 will arrive and revive the market otherwise this will stop being sold in Europe..

[carldowling]

32.08min, pull out hook on inner face of tailgate: it would be used to hang and field dress deer, or hang your dripping wet clothes while you sit in the boot and change clothes / boots / dry your dog - any further thoughts and suggestions most welcome

[johnevans]

Careful you're holding up a JCB. Thorough review.

[newbeginnings]

The Eyesight system is flawed.. in rain, snow and of course fog it doesn't work as well or wity fog it doesn't work at all... All other makers use radar based systems to overcome these problems..

Perhaps a combination of both systems could be an answer..?

[Doc]

How much horsepower does the hybrid have and how much mpg does it get?

[Doc]

America is begging Subaru for a Forester and Outback hybrid, but so far Subaru is refusing to bring it to the USA

[letsseeif]

Good looking it ain't. Rugged it is. Many subee lovers bathe in its 'dated unconventional boxcar 'cool'' look. No-one anywhere on Earth ever thinks to judge them or their owners. Subaru seems inoculated against cashed-up-aspirational buyer crap. Boxer engines are the beating heart of the Subaru concept. Indeed, buy a Suburu new or used and inherit ownership status which includes entry to a 'cult-like' ownership club. Deep love even translates to the safely 'eyesight system' which approaches religious ecstasy. Be a noble or a pauper, Subaru has got you covered. I ought to know I've owned one. I thunk I said everythink. [from MelbVICAussie]

[timjefferson]

The reviewer seems to have a bee in his bonnet about PHEVs and BEVs. More than once he mentioned the hassle of connecting a dirty charging cable;. that says lot about him not being able to prevent a charging cable from becoming dirty and/or cleaning it. On the other hand, fuel bowsers and their handpieces are always scrupulously clean - NOT. Not many motorists can refuel their vehicle at home.
IIRC PHEVs and BEVs offer a better BIK rate than do HEVs.

[MrKelaher]

It is a mild, unsure where you are coming from. Have test driven and just rejected this and went just petrol 2.5 with carbon offsets. The electric on this is my opinion is a total joke. Maybe if the electric motor was cooled, 60 odd KW and worked at speed it would be worth bothering.

[oddities-whatnot]

Nice but whats the point of the hybrid version if fuel economy is no better than before ? Nobody buys hybrids to save the environment if they are honest, they do it to save money on fuel, and this doesn't. This is so overpriced for what it is. As much as I like Subaru as a brand, they should have kept this as a petrol, and in the UK and Europe should have given it the 180bhp engine like they do in the US. Come on Japan, what are you doing ? Im struggling to understand how they will survive as a brand in the UK after last year with hardly any sales, the worst ever apparently. I know all car makers are gradually shifting towards electrification (although that's a joke in itself, too much to say on that, not enough time) but if Subaru wants to keep selling cars, why discontinue the Impreza hatchback over here ? Not everyone wants a damn SUV. The Impreza had a lot of potential. The 2 litre engine was fine but should have given us manual gearbox choice as they have in the US, plus whats with the larger alloys and low profiles ? Should have given it smaller wheels for better ride comfort as its not a sports car after all, it makes no sense. A cluttered confusing design idea, badly thought out. I am hoping to get a new car in the next 12 months or so, I have always wanted to get a Subaru as it would last me a very long time, that's the idea. Now I have no idea at all. The XV should have smaller wheels on the 2 litre version, again, to make the ride more comfortable. Why don't manufacturers understand this instead of trying to win fashion awards ? A lot of cars actually look rubbish if the alloys are too large. The BMW 1 series is a prime example. The smaller alloys make the car design look more evenly balanced. As for Subaru, maybe only the Outback is the answer although sadly I can't fit it on the front without sticking out into the road by two feet !

[davidmurray]

It’s a three year warranty, not five as stated.

[melodytalks]

Hybrid cars are not designed to stay & doomed to fail.
After all why carry two power train every where, pay two maintenance, pay for two fuels, two headaches only to achieve one objective !!!
And yet damage environment as there is no Tomorrow...Total madness.
I guess taxi drivers & those travelling more than 300 miles a day could benefit from Hybrid cars.✔