Photo: Jaco van der Merwe
The quantity is the relentless push for market share led by an ever-growing number of Chinese players. It has become an all-out price war; the more they can sell, the lower the prices will stay. However, the jury is still out on how reliable the tsunami of new offerings is, as most of them haven’t even been around long enough for their warranties to run out.
While Subaru’s sales dwarf in comparison to the volume movers, it has a huge quality ace up its sleeve. Subaru was ranked one of the world’s most reliable cars of 2025 by Consumer Reports, an American non-profit consumer organisation dedicated to independent product rating.
This explains why the brand has such a staunchly loyal following, albeit a small one. Sadly, its small presence leaves it with a tiny footprint (when last did you see a Subaru dealership?) and not in a position for any kind of price war.
Like an old pair of shoes
When we recently sampled a new Subaru Forester in Sport guise, it was almost like catching up with an old friend you hadn’t seen in a long time.
Despite undergoing a number of changes from the fifth to the sixth generation, it was still the good old Subaru Forester its buyers feel so comfortable in. The changes are still conservative rather than dramatic, reminiscent of Toyota, which, of course, wrote the playbook on reliability and loyal buyers.
What started life as a tallish station wagon and evolved into a crossover SUV now has a far more modern look with a slimmer headlight design and a smaller albeit wider grille prominent at the front. At the rear, the taillights are connected with a full-width LED bar.
Going green
Being a Sport, our Subaru Forester’s exterior black roof rails, grille, door inserts, wheel cladding, charcoal mirror caps, and 18” gloss-black alloys were complemented by green detailing.
The green detailing continues inside, where the black, water-repellent polyurethane seats are a real feature. They are not only comfortable but also offer added peace of mind if your dog has an oopsie.
The combination of materials creates a durable yet stylish finish, with switchgear that may feel slightly dated but remains old-school and uncomplicated. An 11,6” infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a highlight, while the traditional analogue dials in the instrument cluster should appease technophobes.
Standard specs on the Subaru Forester Sport include rain-sensing wipers; push-button start; keyless entry; a hands-free, electrically powered boot; a dual-pane sunroof; and a 360° camera system.
There’s plenty of leg and headroom inside, with the boot swallowing a very healthy 496ℓ.
Smooth operator
Subaru has always placed a premium on safety, and the Forester has no shortage of advanced systems keeping you safe. These include reverse automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and autonomous emergency steering.
There is no change under the bonnet, with the Sport powered by the same 2,5ℓ naturally aspirated (NA) Boxer engine. It produces 136kW of power and 247Nm of torque, sent to all four wheels via CVT. In addition, Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive System offers two X-Mode driving modes in the form of Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud.
These modes, combined with the car’s proven off-road capabilities and generous 220 mm ground clearance, should appeal to those who enjoy venturing off the beaten track, off-road prowess being one of its standout traits in consumer ratings.
What’s the verdict?
The new Subaru Forester offers impressive capabilities and an undisputed pedigree, but at R790 000, it’s likely to appeal mainly to loyal followers. While it compares reasonably well with other heritage brands, there’s a lot of tech and bling available from China at that price.
Vehicle fast facts
Price: R790 000
Engine: 2,5ℓ NA petrol
Transmission: CVT
Power: 136kW
Torque: 247Nm
Fuel consumption (tested): 10,2ℓ/100km
Licensing mass: 1 636kg
Towing capacity: 1 500kg
