The 6th generation Subaru Forester looks more American than ever.
While Malaysians are only just getting used to the facelifted fifth-generation Forester, Subaru of America has already launched an all-new sixth generation model for the North American market. The new 2024 Subaru Forester is coming to American showrooms in spring 2024 and here’s what it brings.
The new Forester is still based on the Subaru Global Platform, however this time it is 10% stiffer thanks to stronger welding techniques and additional structural adhesive (238% increase). This all contributes to the car’s improved dynamic performance, ride quality and cabin quietness.
The new Forester features 8.7 inches of ground clearance, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, X-Mode, Hill Descent Control, Incline Start Assist, 60:40 split-folding rear seatbacks, standard roof rails, and a low liftover height for easy loading and unloading.
Powering the new Forester is a 2.5L boxer engine with 180hp and 241Nm of torque. A Lineartronic CVT is standard with paddle shifters available. Active Torque Vectoring and SI-Drive functions are available. Wheel sizes range from 17″ to 19″.
The styling for the new Forester is a stark departure. The front is now defined by a glossy black grille that merges into compact LED headlights. The SUV features angular accents around the wheel arches and a number of glossy accent pieces including a strip that connects the two clear taillights. The “FORESTER” nameplate is debossed below the rear accent strip. The new Subaru logos are featured on this new Forester. All exterior underguards are finished according to trim level.
Subaru says this new exterior design improves the cargo carrying capacity, increases the vehicle’s aerodynamics, and reduces lift around the front tyres.
Inside, the new Forester features a prominent multimedia system with an integrated centre information display. There are contoured dahboard elements, and textured trim pieces that hide damage from daily use. A dark headliner is used to hide scuffs from daily use too. There’s an optional 11.6″ infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. This centre screen also works as the centre information display, so you get audio, climate and vehicle function controls integrated here. Base models use two smaller screens instead.
In the US, the new Forester comes with the latest version of the EyeSight Driver Assist system which operates more smoothly and quickly across a larger range of conditions than before. Upgrades come to the camera lens, control software and the electric brake booster. The new EyeSight system can identify cyclists and pedestrians at intersections sooner.
New features include Reverse Automatic Braking, Blind-spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. The new Forester also gets Emergency Stop Assist which activates should the driver become unresponsive while Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control is in operation. It will stop the vehicle, activate the hazard lights, unlock the doors and then call emergency services. There’s also Automatic Emergency Steering, which helps avoid collisions within a lane at lower speeds.
