The 2022 Subaru Forester features freshened styling, an array of feature updates, and slightly higher prices.
It’s set to arrive in showrooms around October 2021.
Prices are up between $700 and $950, with the range now opening at $35,990 before on-road costs for the base 2.5i.
There’s a revised front bumper and grille, as well as new headlights and fog lights. Overall length is up by 15mm but dimensions are otherwise unchanged.
Overseas models shown
The 2.5i Sport, 2.5i-S and both hybrid models also have a revised rear bumper, while the Sport also has new circular LED fog lights and geometric black door mirrors.
The 2.5i-S and Hybrid S also feature new alloy wheel designs, while all bar the base 2.5i feature an updated version of Subaru’s Adaptive Driving Beam.
Autumn Green, Brilliant Bronze and Cascade Green join the colour palette and are available on all models bar the 2.5i Sport.
The Forester’s EyeSight suite of active safety technology now includes lane-centring, lane-departure prevention and autonomous emergency steering.
Models equipped with Subaru’s driver monitoring system now feature gesture control for the climate control.
The smaller 6.5-inch touchscreen previously available in lower-end models has been dropped, with an 8.0-inch unit now standard across the range. It goes without satellite navigation in 2.5i, 2.5i-L and Hybrid L models.
The 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Sport and 2.5i-S also feature an updated instrument panel design.
Under the skin, Subaru has retuned the front coil springs and dampers to improve ride comfort and handling.
There’s also a new aluminium engine mount bracket to reduce noise and vibration.
The Forester’s X-Mode has been tweaked to automatically reactivate once the car drops below 35km/h, while the hill descent control has also been revised.
2.5i Sport
Pricing
- 2022 Subaru Forester 2.5i: $35,990 (+$800)
- 2022 Subaru Forester 2.5i-L: $38,390 (+$950)
- 2022 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium: $41,140 (+$700)
- 2022 Subaru Forester Hybrid L: $41,390 (+$900)
- 2022 Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport: $42,690 (+$700)
- 2022 Subaru Forester 2.5i-S: $44,190 (+$700)
- 2022 Subaru Forester Hybrid S: $47,190 (+$700)
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engines
Most 2022 Subaru Forester models are powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 136kW of power and 239Nm of torque. It’s mated to a continuously-variable transmission and all-wheel drive.
Hybrid models pair a 100kW/196Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a 12kW/66Nm electric motor, a lithium-ion battery pack, and a CVT transmission.
Fuel Economy
The 2022 Subaru Forester consumes 7.4L/100km on the combined cycle, or 6.7L/100km in the hybrid.
All Foresters run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel. The regular petrol models have a 63L fuel tank while the hybrid has a 48L tank.
CO2 emissions are 168g/km in petrol models and 152g/km in the Hybrid.
Dimensions
The 2022 Subaru Forester measures 4640mm long, 1815mm wide, and 1730mm tall, with a 2670mm wheelbase.
Luggage space measures 498L in petrol models and 509L in the Hybrid. This expands to 1779L in the Hybrid with the rear seats down, while that figure is 1768L in all regular petrol models bar the Sport and 2.5i-S where it’s 1740L.
Braked towing capacity is 1800kg on petrol models and 1200kg on hybrid models.
Servicing and Warranty
The 2022 Subaru Forester has a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, plus an eight-year and 160,000km warranty for the Hybrid’s lithium-ion battery.
Subaru offers three- and five-year servicing plans.
For the non-hybrid models, these cost $1269.15 and $2413.63, respectively, while the Hybrid’s plans cost $1279.49 and $2430.85.
Safety
ANCAP awarded the Subaru Forester five stars in 2019, based on scores of 94 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 80 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 78 per cent for safety assist functions.
All 2022 Subaru Forester models come standard with:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane centring
- Autonomous emergency steering
- Adaptive cruise control
All bar the base 2.5i come standard with a facial recognition camera to detect driver drowsiness or distraction, as well as reverse autonomous emergency braking.
Standard Equipment
The 2.5i comes standard with the following equipment:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- DAB+ digital radio
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Reversing camera with washer
- Keyless entry and start
- Dual-zone climate control
- Automatic, active cornering LED headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Front fog lights
- Paddle shifters
- 6.3-inch multi-function display
- Six-speaker sound system
- One-touch electronic folding rear seats
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
The 2.5i-L and Hybrid L add:
- Driver Monitoring System
- Reverse AEB
- Adaptive high-beam
- Front and side cameras
- Heated front seats
The 2.5i Premium adds:
- Satellite navigation
- Sport mode
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Power tailgate
- Eight-way power front seats with driver’s memory
- Metal pedals
The Sport adds:
- Sunroof
- LED front fog lights
- Orange and gunmetal interior highlights
The 2.5i-S and Hybrid S add:
- Leather upholstery
- Eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
