Subaru Forester 2020: Why the hybrid Forester is boxing outside of its class. Detailed expert review

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Did you know that Toyota owns part of Subaru? So the all-new Subaru Forester Hybrid should be an excellent car to drive, right? Not quite! Paul reviews the 2020 Subaru Forester Hybrid S, which now has an e-boxer engine. Fancy.

Skip Ahead:
Intro: 00:00
Exterior: 00:55
Interior: 02:52
Infotainment: 04:34
Features: 07:29
Practicality: 09:33
On the Road: 14:40
Verdict: 20:01

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CarExpert:

Paul Maric:

@Subaru @SubaruAustralia

Комментарии

Skip Ahead:
Exterior: 00:55
Interior: 02:52
Infotainment: 04:34
Features: 07:29
Practicality: 09:33
On the Road: 14:40
Verdict: 20:01

CarExpertAus

Great detailed review. The only review that demos how the infotainment system works. Subscribed!

allanjunli

The Subaru Forester range kicks off in Australia from AUD$34, 690 (US$21, 900) for the Forester 2.5i and finishes at the top of the tree with the Forester Hybrid S at AUD$45, 990 (US$29, 000).

CarExpertAus

Great video thanks Paul, this definitely steered us away from the hybrid and into the petrol 2.5i-S since there’s no XT model in the pipeline for AUS. Just waiting since delivery times blew out from when we initially ordered in Feb.

MYM

Thanks for the review Paul. I've been looking around for a while for a replacement for my Forester XT. I test drove the new Forester and found that it was comfortable and had a good ride quality, but when I put the foot down, to me it felt like there wasn't much going on. Anyway after much procrastination I've traded the XT in on a CX5 Akera 2.5 turbo.

CJ-oqne

Don't get me wrong, there's plenty to like about the good ol' Forester, but as you appropriately pointed out, Paul - it's lacking in any sort of exhilaration or excitement. Still, at least it's safe and practical, and represents decent value for money. Great work, Paul.

SamGiles

Thanks Paul. It's a refreshing change to get a motoring journalist who calls it as it is. So many tame ones out there. Re Subaru. I've always 'had a thing for them.' They really are the alternative person's choice. Sometimes eccentric. However, the very fact that they embrace 'the ying & yang' factor, endears them to many. The 'by facial recognition' adjusting your specific seat, is great. Phone placement crook. Love the parking cam. The Non Low Profile Tyres help curb kurb scrapes. Outside, the overall shape looks twenty-first century but only just. My wife's non Subie car has a huge sunroof that opens (partly). I, personally 'd never get one 'cause Australian heat trumps sunroofs. Indeed, Aussies of British or Northern Europe heritage, fear facial (& other) sun damage/cancer like the plague. For you as a tallish bloke, the propensity for Japanese cars to do what they do with mid armrest impeding turns is weird to say the least, esp for petite women. Finally. I'd also like Metric & Imperial as at my age we still learnt everything in 'Imperial, ' & I know that although it'nt for them, many Americans (& others) watch car channels on a globally basis & therefore yours' will be too.

letsseeif

Looking at moving into an SUV from my Mazda Sp25. Like the quality of the Subaru and you have convinced me to look at the non hybrid. Thanks for a great review.

lesgrove

Looking forward for review of impreza!!

rajangautam

Hi Paul, I have a new 2.5S top of the range and I must say that I am EXTREEEEMLY disappointed with the CVT.
I took it back to dealer and complained of jerkiness, firstly when decellerating at low speeds, but then also while on cruise control on a flat road. The best way I can describe it, is that it is like driving with dirty fuel, OR like fishing, sometimes you get a big bite, sometimes smaller ones. I had 5 different people at the dealership tell me they had never heard of it. They tested it and scanned it. Basically told me to suck it up. I then took it to another branch of the dealer where there were supposedly better qualified CVT mechanics. They claimed they had never heard of it either. The outcome was they told me they had sent the downloaded info to Subaru, who came back with the response, "IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE". I have spoken to every other Forester owner I can, and nobody else has the problem. Are you aware of this issue, or is Subaru trying to cover up a known issue.
I am so annoyed and disappointed, I am thinking of changing to a Skoda Superb 206tsi

michaelhorner

Hey paul for your next video do you mind doing a swot comparison( for lack of better word) between the new subaru forester and new subaru outback, im torn between getting a forester or an outback

kevinojoe

Test drove one today loved it! Looking to swap out my golf. The forester ticks all the boxes for me the rav4 does for me too but they’re 10k+ more for less except maybe fuel economy, I definitely prefer the Subarus ride.

blvand

Great review! That’s not a radar sensor in the grill, it’s the front view camera.

tinker

Hey Paul. Have you driven the 2.5i sport?

Ssssss-jojj

I’ll stay with the 2.5ltr petrol … 7.3-7.8 per 100k "combined"average, recent trip to Qld, fully loaded with racks/roof boot/pod and bike on tow hitch … 7.8 per 100k average Adelaide to Hervey Bay … have to say I really do enjoy the Forester 👍🏼

davidjohn

I drive an XV eboxer in Japan, that system does not get better with time. Unfortunately when I bought it they already discontinued the non-eboxer 2L, so the only choice was betweehn a 1.6L or the 2l eboxer. i get around it by jabbing the throttle while stationary and with brakes applied to kick the engine to like to smoothen the start, but if you're slowing down to maybe <20km/h then accelerating again, the engine still would shut off and so when you accelerate it wakes up again and giving you that kick in the back. Not nice. But I like the rest of my XV

cassiohui

does the climate control on the heat and the cool run off of the hybrid battery?

diaperdood

Can you review the Impreza hatchback???

m_j_b

Such a disappointment Paul because I’ve owned nine Subarus - my last one was the 2009 XT Auto Forester which I recently replaced with a more capable Toyota Hilux for off-road touring. If Subaru replaced the industry-wide flawed CVT concept with a conventional 8-speed auto, remove the hybrid features and the stupid stop-start function and reintroduce an analogue coolant temp gauge (my 2009 XT did not have one which made me a bit nervous) and bring back the turbo engine and conventional hand brake I would definitely have one as my daily drive. John in SA

johnnumbat

We still don’t have a Subaru hybrid here in the USA as of 12/22.
I’m jealous that y’all have a hybrid

Doc