2024 Subaru Forester 2.5i AWD: Quick Review

The Subaru Forester has a longstanding history as one of Australia's family SUVs since it landed almost 30 years ago.

It has developed a strong reputation for reliability and practicality, making it a favourite among families and outdoor enthusiasts.

The Forester's design smartly integrates comfort and functionality, serving well for daily use and more adventurous activities. It stands out as a compact SUV but offers the spaciousness and driving feel of a larger wagon.

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Subaru Forester 2.5i-S model shown

Pricing & Features

The Subaru Forester 2.5i is the entry-level into the line-up, starting at $38,690 before on-road costs.

The base model comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, leather steering wheel and gear shift and cloth trim seats.

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There are also plenty of practical additions like rain-sensing wipers, LED headlights, black roof rails and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

It houses a 2.5-litre e-Boxer four-cylinder engine, delivering 136kW and 239Nm of torque, paired with a CVT and Subaru’s signature all-wheel drive.

Safety

The 2024 Subaru Forester maintains a five-star ANCAP safety rating, thanks to the Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist technology suite of safety features.

The Forester excels in ANCAP safety metrics, achieving an adult occupant protection score of 94% and a child occupant protection score of 86%.

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The vehicle comes fully equipped with a wide array of standard safety features, including autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitoring, lane departure warning and lane-keep assist.

Key Rivals

The Subaru Forester faces competition from medium SUVs such as:

• Toyota RAV4
• Mazda CX-5
• Honda CR-V

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Should I put it on my shortlist?

Definitely consider the Subaru Forester if you’re looking for a compact SUV that offers a combination of safety, efficiency and off-road capability.

While it has a robust set of features suitable for adventurous lifestyles, it can also cater to those needing a dependable vehicle for everyday driving.

Its practicality is unrivaled in the segment, which explains why this car continues to enjoy widespread popularity.