New Subaru Forester Arrives With New Tech But The Same Old 4x4 Goodness

Sixth-generation of the Forester will be the first to go hybrid, but the SUV continues to promise the 4x4 capabilities it has always had

Ryan Hirons

17 Nov 2023

New Subaru Forester Arrives With New Tech But The Same Old 4x4 Goodness

Among a swathe of crossovers and SUVs promising the high-ride and rugged looks of proper 4x4s yet without delivering on true go-anywhere ability, the Subaru Forester has remained a breath of fresh air. Now, there’s a new one, which looks to be sticking to its guns.

The sixth-generation Forester has just been revealed at the LA Auto Show, and despite looking more like evolution than revolution, it genuinely looks to move the SUV forward.

The Forester's sixth-generation will see its first hybrid

Despite using the same Global Platform as the old car, torsional rigidity has been improved by 10 per cent, which is said to offer a smoother ride and a quieter cabin - both much needed from our experience with the old car. Equally, it’s had a revised version of the Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system which is said to improve control both on- and off-road.

It will be the first Forester to get a full hybrid powertrain, though at launch it will be offered in the US with the usual 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer with 180bhp and 178lb ft of torque sending power through a CVT. It’s unclear if the Forester will be coming to the UK, though you can bet if so it will either arrive as hybrid-only or be offered with an evolved version of the 2.0-litre boxer currently sold here.

A new 11.6-inch infotainment system features

It’ll continue to be crammed with safety tech, too. Adaptive cruise control continues to come as standard with a new emergency stop assist that will slowly bring the car to a stop, flash the hazards and call emergency services after a period of no input from a driver. There’s a new electric brake booster for its autonomous emergency braking system too, which is said to help the car stop quicker in the event a pedestrian or cyclist were to rush out in front of the car.

Interior upgrades don’t appear drastic, though there is a new 11.6-inch infotainment system supporting wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The new Subaru Forester will go on sale in the US in the middle of next year, though no word yet on pricing. Expect a rise on the current car’s $27,095 (approx. £22,000) asking before taxes.

Ryan is Car Throttle's News and Features Editor, landing here in 2023. When he’s not writing cars, you’ll find Ryan pretending to drive them on Gran Turismo or playing with radio-controlled ones.