2022 Subaru Forester review: Facelifted midsize SUV arrives in Australia, up against RAV4 and CX-5!

0:00 Intro
0:50 Design
2:51 Pricing and features
4:26 Practicality
5:45 Safety
6:14 Under the bonnet
7:41 Driving
12:19 Efficiency
13:06 Ownership
14:01 Verdict

The 2022 Subaru Forester might look fairly similar to the previous model to the untrained eye, but this facelifted model has actually seen a number of significant changes.

There are amendments to the way it drives, the level of safety on offer, and the tech and inclusions across the range. There's still a boxer engine and AWD, and you can still get it as a hybrid, too.

So is this updated, facelifted model an improvement? And can it stay competitive with the likes of the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson?

Richard Berry put the revised 2022 Forester range through its paces to tell you what you need to know, and which is his pick of the line-up, too.

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[didier]

Your first 20 second perfectly describes the Forester, and I LOVE IT! Well done, someone who understands us!

[FlowJunkie]

Excellent review and very entertaining, too! Just bought a 2022 Forester Premium in California and am absolutely loving it! Cheers!

[Andyhutchinson]

Picking up mine in a couple of days. Super excited.

[dazzlemcinlee]

The most fun review of the subaru ive seen so far! great job mate!

[conradgomesz]

Great review, mentioned everything I wanted to hear. Thank you

[NZBRG]

Great review. We have just ordered a new Forester Premium in NZ (same as your 2.5iS) in Crimson Red. Settled on a Forester after driving and reviewing new Outlander, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Honda CRV and Mazda CX5 and CX8. The Forester is not the prettiest but as you say is very practical and the best value for money of all that we looked at.

[eddielia]

Hi Richard, very entertaining review as usual. I am 62 years of age and have owned a number of Aussie muscle cars over the years, in fact I have only just sold a 2017 manual SSV Redline. I have ordered the 2022 Forester in the Premium trim. It has everything I need in a vehicle, practical, safe and fun to drive. I will keep watching your reviews because they always put a smile on my face👍.

[preetmohantuli]

I wish I could subscribe a 100 times... Always a great commentary and fun to watch your reviews 😀

[Pax-Christi]

Just an FYI it was the unequal length exhaust headers on the EJ motors that gave the Subaru that sound, the new WRX and this car have the F series motors which have equal length headers and don’t have any trademark “rumble” sound - more efficient and durable though.

[camdcam]

I’ve go the 2020 2.0-S. Transmission is no issues. I’m convinced that all the hate comes from people that have never owned and lived with one long term. You don’t buy this car for the traffic light drags. It’s super smooth with kids and dogs and I never think about it. Works great. The car is awesome.

[ME-grhz]

Researched this car segment for the last 2 months, my findings, - 5th gen forester rated #1 in safety and readability over all others including RAV, trial hawk, honda and bronco. That said, it has been a long road for Subaru from the CVT , oil consumption, head gasket issues of past generation vehicles. At 6'3, CR just announced the Forester is #1 with tall drivers as well, no surprise as the "green house" visibility is very attractive. All the safety dings can be disabled permanently, with the exception of engine on/off at stop. After market solution will solve that as well. So, I will be picking up my Subaru Forester Wilderness (gas, hybrid incremental benefits don't match cost) / pearl white next week. Comfortable driving on and off road, safety and readability, looks, honest service advisors that I have visited with during this time, all have pushed me this direction. And finally driving my daughters 2017 Forester premium, sold me on being a Subie owner. Suggested maintenance to ensure long life; 30k diff (F/R) service, 40k CVT Transmission service, and oil changes every 4k.



No rock climbing, but adventuring, all day long...
HAPPY TRAILS

[jaciknight]

Great review. "The hiking boot of cars" description made me laugh. Ordered mine from the factory and can't wait for it to be completed!

[Tibchy]

Exterior design looks like it was done by 5 designers that never talked to each other and worked on different shifts... I'm very thankful for my 2015 Forester XT. Only thing I'm jealous of are the seats and infotainment perhaps...

[timobrien]

Great review practical information without the confusion of others.Great car 👍

[holdervillekowner]

Got a 2023 coming late July.Never drove one before.I was shocked how well it handled and darn peppy for my needs

[valdius]

The CVT... well...
It is hard to complain when the cost is much lower than the competition.
I personally drive slow and motorways in Japan are max 100km/h, so no problem.
I also ALWAYS achieve less than 12l/100km in my e-boxer, and I mostly drive with two people and cargo. So the driver's foot is just heavy.

The CVT chain doesn't stretch, come on. The engine is just relatively weak and the economy is a priority in the software setup. It is definitely not a car for people who expect excitement from acceleration. Just buy CX-5 diesel ;)

Eye-site wasn't mentioned. It is great.

[Metragnome_Images]

I have the MY20 2.5iS and that front end is definitely a step back.... other than that, after 2 years, still loving my Foz.. most comfy ride ever.

[Pax-Christi]

What these cars are able to do off-road with their ground clearance, all wheel drive and x-mode is pretty incredible.

[reikiessence]

You sir are hilarious 😀 thanks for the info.

[jasonroe]

You had the S model which has SI mode, which is the performance mode which tweaks the CVT and engine. Its in all models from the Premium upwards, hence the paddle shifts.