2019 Subaru Forester reaches Australia

After being revealed in only April of this year, Subaru Australia has launched its all-new Forester medium SUV, with the fifth generation of the car now in local dealerships. The 2019 Subaru Forester now sits on the company’s Global Platform which it shares with the Impreza, XV and US-only Ascent. It uses a new engine, is larger than before and more advanced too.

Aimed at highly popular competitors such as the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Australia is aiming straight at families with the 2019 Forester.

Subaru Australia Managing Director, Colin Christie, said: “Forester was Subaru’s best seller last year, with over 12,000 vehicles sold, taking us close to a quarter of a million Foresters sold since launch.

“With the launch of this new generation, we see every opportunity to build on that success, thanks to the new model’s great combination of emotional value, practicality, and technology.

“New Forester is even more family-friendly – spacious, safe, fun and efficient, offering a great combination of comfort and adventure.

Unlike the previous model, the 2019 Subaru Forester offers just one engine choice and four available trim levels. Using a new 136kW/239Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the 2019 Forester offers a CVT automatic as the only transmission choice. Being a Subaru, only all-wheel drive is available and the company’s X-Mode off-road modes are standard on every model. Larger in every direction with a larger available bootspace – 498-litres – Subaru claims that weight gains are minimal despite more use of higher-strength steel and much more available technology.

Priced from $33,490 plus on-road costs, the entry level 2.5i is very well equipped. Standard on the base model is autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, blind spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, front and rear foglamps, electric-folding mirrors, lane change assist, dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB+ digital radio.

Step up to the $35,490 plus on-road costs 2.5i-L and you earn adaptive high beam headlights, automatic braking in reverse, front and passenger side cameras and a driver monitoring system to monitor drowsiness but also recognise drivers to adjust the car’s settings to personal taste.

Above the 2.5i-L is the 2.5i-Premium, which adds 18-inch alloy wheels, 8-way powered front seats with driver’s memory, half-leather/cloth upholstery, a larger 8-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation and live traffic, as well as an electric tailgate. The top of the tree $41,490 2.5i-S fills out the package with full leather trim, a panoramic sunroof, LED front fog lights, an 8-speaker Harman-Kardon stereo, and upgraded interior trim including a faux leather centre console, and chrome switchgear.

2019 Subaru Forester pricing (plus on-road costs):
2.5i: $33,490
2.5i-L: $35,490
2.5i-Premium: $38,490
2.5i-S: $41,490

Due to the current model being in run out and stock levels drying up, 2018 Forester sales have been down 29.5 percent on this time in 2017. At 6,134 sales, the Forester is placed ninth in the medium SUV segment behind the big names such as the Mazda CX-5 (18,679), Toyota RAV4 (15,307) and Nissan X-Trail (14,037), as well as cars such as the Kia Sportage (9,387) and Volkswagen Tiguan (6,691).

Stay tuned to Chasing Cars for more Subaru news and reviews. Read our review of the 2019 Forester here.