2023 Subaru Forester 2.5iS | Is Subaru's Rugged SUV Still Good? | Drive.com.au

For more than 25 years, the Subaru Forester has remained a boxy, rational and functional SUV. In 2023, not much has changed, and for the pragmatic among us that's not a bad thing.

00:00 Introduction
00:41 Pricing & Specifications
01:13 Design
01:31 Second Row
02:23 Front Seats
03:37 Boot Space
04:19 On The Road
06:38 Summary

#subaru #subaruforester #subaruforester2023
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[MYM]

You forgot the Forester’s biggest selling feature, X-Mode. This car is by far the best ‘soft-Roader’ and will easily handle beach driving and light 4WD tracks better than anything in its category.

[bananabear]

My first ever Subaru since our family came to Australia a little more than 4 years ago. We have been using it for numerous road trips to explore Australia. It's certainly not glamorous, but it just works!

[johnnumbat]

I’ve owned 10 Subarus from the humble and practical Leone Wagon to a WRX and Turbo XT Forester - two of my family converted from Holden to Subaru and will never go back and they love the true constant AWD grip and safety compared to the rest that have the ‘on demand’ system in this market segment which is too late when you really need that grip - the Foresters have been very reliable, well built and cheap to own - the repair costs can be expensive but it’s not that often compared to other brands - a Toyota Hilux is also in my driveway.

[NZBRG]

We bought a new Subaru Forester 10 months ago in NZ. Its the Premium model - same as your 2.5is in Aussie. We are very pleased with it after having travelled almost 16, 000 kms. Only minor issue has been a hesitation which feels like a misfire sometimes on very light throttle which Subaru can't fix. A software update on the CVT transmission did help and I think it is doing it less as time goes on. We love the security of all wheel drive, the handling and the interior space. At the time it was simply the best package for the money. No regrets.

[AussieAndy-oc]

I recently purchased a 2023 Forester after having an Impreza for 19 years. The car is great and really suits all of our needs. My single key issue is the fuel consumption. On average I get around 300 kms out of a full tank so roughly 18-19 l / 100 KMS. On first check up they said there weren't any computer faults so was probably just the fact that I was doing local runs and excessive RPMs. I am using E95+ fuel, I don't bury the accelerator so drive quite conservatively and I am using the start stop function. I'm manually measuring the figures on fill up each time just to check the dash numbers and they line up pretty well. The point of the comment wasn't necessarily to trash the car however has anyone else experienced anything similar? It just seems weird when I can get 460 - 500 km average on my wifes Hyundai Tuscon with similar driving. I could live with 10 or 11 ltrs / 100kms as I understand local driving and start stop requires more fuel but this is ridiculous.

[hollybolly]

It’s closer to $55, 000 on road for this model.

[fuzz]

The exterior still looks great imo, practical without trying to get attention.

[Philtho]

not moving on from my current XT until they bring back the XT otherwise going elsewhere. it matters.

[leedaq]

australia needs the wilderness version srsly come on subaru

[doctordryan]

I love my Foz, and that Subaru blue is so nice. Any word on them brining back the XT as they're about to do with the Outback?

[brucerichards]

Just like to say I have a 2019 2.5iS since new, now have 62, 000 klms and showing 6.9 litres/100 klms and still on original tyres.

[gerhal]

What are the headlights like driving at night 100 kms on the freeway ?

[MYM]

CVT stands for continuously variable transmission not constantly variable transmission 🤦🏼‍♂️

[gregorychard]

G'day mate
Could you do an information video on the heads-up display on the 2023 2.5i-S and how to operate the tailgate code to access the car when you put the 'key' in the car, so you can get into the car via pin using the button on the underside right corner button?
Cheers and havagooday
Greg

[donnachambers]

Hi. Just bought new Forester and find steering becomes very heavy when cruise control activates but not every time which is strange . I find this a bit scary! Will it change if I turn of lane assist? Donna

[rosswilkinson]

Love my 2021 iS. A bit disappointed in fuel consumption averaging around 8.7 l/100k. Could do with lane centering option but otherwise great!

[MaxFromSydney]

I’ve got the Forester short-listed together with the Outback XT and CX-5. I need something a bit more versatile than my current Golf.

I crossed the Rav4 Hybrid off the list due to the ridiculous waiting time right now. Last week, my local dealership told me 2-3 years if I order now!

I’m looking forward to test driving the above three cars once the Outback XT is available in the next several weeks.

[labrat]

Tomorrow I will be placing an order for a Subaru Forrester in premium trim and the main reason, It is one of only three medium SUVs I can fit my large frame into. I am 185cm tall and 80cm wide at the points of my shoulders and arms, I weigh 150kg and have a naturally occurring fusion of my spine including neck so can not bend well, (as an aside I do not fit in a big bore MRI unit). I found this vehicle, the Subaru Forrester, easy to get into and get out off and comfortable and spacious while in the passenger seat.
The vehicles I could barley fit inside were the Toyota Rav 4 and the Kia Sportage.Once inside the door pressed on my left side and the centre console on my right side. I would have found a trip of a couple of hours in them almost torturous. Surprisingly vehicles I could not even get into included the rest of the Toyota range including the hilux, the Fortuna, the Prado and the Kluger. I did not try the 300 series Landcruiser as I have previously not been able to get into my brothers.

[seegee]

Have a 2014 model, and has performed flawlessly other than using some oil. Reason why i have a 2023 model on order in that nice blue colour.

[lharvey]

we got the 2023 forester limited. the only complaint is outer headrests in the back seat. they block the driver's view i noticed your outer headrests are low profile and was wondering if they were special order or, at least, if you could find the subaru part number for them. our dealer would swap them for the higher profile ones i'm sure. thanks,