Johannesburg - Subaru South Africa has announced an upgraded Forester, featuring revised styling, new features and improved road manners.
The design changes, which mainly affect the front end, are subtle but purposeful and include new headlights with C-shaped daytime running lights and a redesigned grille/bumper unit. Fresh 17- and 18-inch wheel designs adorn the otherwise unchanged side profile while new LED taillights, also with a 'C' motif to match the front, distinguish the rear end of the new model.
Cabin improvements extend to redesigned seats, a new three-spoke multi-function steering wheel and some new trims and materials, which Subaru describes as "more tactile", scattered throughout the cabin.
On the gadgets front, Subaru has revised the infotainment system and its Siri Eyes Free voice recognition system is standard across the range, while premium models receive a new eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
Not that you'll need to use it to drown out road noise as Subaru claims to have put a great deal of effort into reducing cabin noise and comfort is further enhanced by various suspension tweaks at both ends.
As before all models feature Symmetrical all-wheel drive and a generous 220mm ground clearance.
The flat-four engines carry over from the previous line-up, namely the familiar 110kW/198Nm 2-litre and 126kW/235Nm 2.5-litre, with the latter featuring Subaru's Lineartronic CVT gearbox as standard and gaining X-Mode with hill descent control, while versions from XS upwards feature SI-Drive.
For Subaru's more enthusiastic clientele there is only one option and that's the 177kW/350Nm 2.0 XT turbopetrol, also mated to a CVT 'box, and allegedly capable of running to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
PRICES
2.0 X manual - R376 000
2.5 X CVT - R427 000
Key features: Aircon, power windows and mirrors, multi-function steering wheel, six-speaker touch-screen audio system, seven airbags, three-year/75 000km full maintenance plan.
2.5 XS CVT - R459 000
Adds: LED steering responsive headlights, power driver's seat, dual zone climate control, push-button start.
2.5 XS Premium CVT - R509 000
2.0 XT turbo CVT - R579 000
XS and XT add: Sunroof, leather seats, powered tailgate, eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio, automatic headlights and wipers.