Updated Subaru Forester pricing and specs

The facelifted 2022 Subaru Forester will roll into dealerships from October this year, with the popular mid-size SUV bringing a sharper new look, more safety systems and improved equipment levels.

Prices have risen between $700 and $950 depending on the model grade, with the range now starting at $35,990 plus on-road costs for the Subaru Forester 2.5i. See below for the full price list.

All models now come with semi-autonomous steering via the inclusion of autonomous emergency steering, lane departure prevention and lane centring systems, while the smaller 6.5-inch central touch-screen on low- and mid-spec variants has been upgraded to an 8.0-inch display.

Every model variant except the base-grade Forester 2.5i also now has an improved version of the adaptive driving beam headlight system, which detects approaching drivers and automatically dips the high beams if they’re switched on.

Subaru has added a gesture control system for the climate control on models fitted with a driver monitoring system, and high-grade models – 2.5i-S, 2.5i Sport and 2.5i Premium – get a new-look instrument panel.

There’s also minor changes to cabin accents and highlights.

As previously reported when the facelift broke cover in Japan last month, the most noticeable change is the restyled front-end with a new grille and headlight designs with C-shaped LED daytime running lights.

Both hybrid variants and up-spec 2.5i Sport and 2.5i-S model grades get a new-look rear bumper lower cladding, while the 2.5i-S adds new LED fog lights and black door mirrors too.

Prospective buyers will also find a range of new alloy wheel designs.

Tweaks to the Forester’s suspension have been implemented to improve ride comfort, says Subaru, via changes to the front coil springs and dampers.

A new aluminium engine mount is designed to reduce noise and vibration from the engine bay.

Subaru says its X-Mode off-road system has been ‘revised’ with changes to the hill descent control and an ability to “automatically re-engage once the vehicle speed drops to 35 km/h or less”. This is designed to deliver a more seamless off-road experience.

Three new colours have been added to the palette: Brilliant Bronze, Cascade Green and Autumn Green.

Despite the chassis and safety upgrades and improved equipment levels, there’s still no Subaru Forester Turbo halo model, as is the case in Japan.

The 2022 Forester models continue with the brand’s normally-aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine (136kW/239Nm) which pumps through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s permanent all-wheel drive system.

A hybrid option is also available, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine (100kW/196Nm) with a small lithium-ion battery, a 12kW/66Nm electric motor and continuously variable transmission.

The Forester is Subaru Australia’s top-selling vehicle by a significant margin, finding more than 7000 homes in the first half of this year. Next in line are the Subaru Outback and XV, both of which have just under 5000 sales for the year to date.

Like all Subaru models, the Forester comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.