Subaru’s best-selling Forester enters its sixth generation with sharper design, advanced safety, and even greater versatility. Subaru Southern Africa has launched the all-new 2025 Subaru Forester, marking the arrival of the sixth generation of the brand’s most successful model.
First introduced in 1997, the Forester has sold more than 4.5 million units world-wide and accounts for over 50% of Subaru sales in southern Africa. With its blend of safety, engineering excellence, family practicality and adventure-ready confidence, the new Forester builds on a proud heritage and introduces a sharper, more premium take on Africa’s favourite Subaru.
New design
The new Forester, expected in Namibia within the next few weeks, carries a bolder stance with a stronger grille, compact LED headlights and Subaru’s latest star-cluster emblem. Muscular wheel arches underline its rugged credentials, while new aerodynamic details reduce drag and improve efficiency. Roof rails are standard across the range, and customers can choose between 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels depending on the model grade. There’s a sense of the Forester’s adventurous spirit found in a number of symbols and design motifs along the bottom edge of the windscreens and along the contour-lined door trims.
For 2025, Forester introduces a fresh palette of colours to southern Africa, including a new option: River Rock Pearl alongside established favourites like Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Magnetite Grey Metallic, Sapphire Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Brilliant Bronze Metallic and Autumn Green Metallic. Specialised colours of Cashmere Gold Opal and Daybreak Blue Pearl are also available on the Forester for the first time.
Engineering core
Every Forester is powered by Subaru’s signature 2.5-litre BOXER engine, producing 136kW and 247Nm, paired with a Lineartronic CVT with 8-step manual mode, usable with paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. This horizontally opposed engine layout lowers the centre of gravity for improved stability, while Subaru’s famous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive ensures grip and composure on any surface.
The Forester’s segment-leading 220mm ground clearance and carefully engineered 20.3-degree approach and 25.8° departure angles (with 21.2-degree break-over angle) make the Forester as capable on gravel tracks as it is smooth on highways. X-Mode with Hill Descent Control is standard across the range, in either single or dual function depending on the model. X-Mode allows confident control on rutted or slippery terrain, while Subaru SI-Drive lets drivers switch between efficiency-focused or more dynamic responsiveness.
More refined cabin
Inside, the Forester is designed for families and explorers. Wide-opening doors make loading children and cargo simple with ISOFIX child seat anchors fitted across the rear seat on all models. The side bolstering has been increased on the two front seats for improved comfort, from which a commanding seating position reveals enlarged window glass areas for the best in-class outward visibility. Boot space measures 496-litres with the seats up and 1,174-litres when folded flat, supported by a flat cargo floor, a wide-opening tailgate and one-touch folding 60/40 split rear seats.