7.9
2025 Subaru Forester review
Subaru has dusted off the STI badge for a new special-edition Forester, but it's not everything it's cracked up to be.
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Max Davies
2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Cupra Ateca Comparison
Subaru Forester
Cupra Ateca
Deal Available!
2023 Subaru
Forester
vs
2024 Cupra
Ateca
Select Variants...
How they stack...
CarExpert Score
CarExpert has rated other vehicles in the suv medium category, between scores of 7.5 and 8.8.
8.8
7.9
8.0
7.5
Based on the Subaru Forester 2.5i-S (AWD) STI SPORT
Based on the Cupra Ateca V
Best suitable for...
Driving the family
Off-roading
FunFuel Efficiency
48L - 63L
322 to 466 km
55L
391 km
Warranty
5 year
warranty
warranty
5 year
warranty
warranty
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CarExpert's Take
Max Davies
Marketplace Journalist
Max Davies drove this car and these were their findings:
Hits
- Quality, premium-leaning interior
- Sportier handling
- STI appears again...
Misses
- ...like this?
- Hardly a special edition
- Dreary CVT
Jack Quick
Deputy Marketplace Editor
Jack Quick drove this car and these were their findings:
Hits
- Stellar driving dynamics
- Beautifully weighted steering
- Lots of physical buttons and knobs
Misses
- Not a big price hike to the more powerful VZx
- Lots of similarly priced Volkswagen Group rivals
- Black interior looks bland, lots of hard plastics
Standard Features
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | ||
| Wireless phone charger | ||
| Powered tailgate | ||
| Rear air vents | ||
| Adaptive cruise control | ||
| Climate control | ||
| Reversing sensors | ||
| Reversing camera | ||
| Autonomous emergency braking | ||
Optional Features
NA
- Metallic Paint Premium (+$490)
- Powered Panoramic Sunroof - Glass (+$1,850)
- Panoramic Sunroof - Glass (+$1,850)
Colours Available
The 2023 Subaru Forester is available in the following exterior paint colours, depending on variant.
- Crystal White Pearl
- Ice Silver Metallic
- Brilliant Bronze Metallic
- Crimson Red Pearl
- Autumn Green Metallic
- Horizon Blue Pearl
- Cascade Green Silica
- Magnetite Grey Metallic
- Crystal Black Silica
- Sapphire Blue Pearl (NEW)
The only interior colourway on offer is Petrol Blue, with copper stitching found throughout the cabin.
The Ateca will be available in the following finishes:
- Nevada White
- Graphite Grey
- Magic Black
All finishes are a no-cost option, with one premium paint finish – Dark Camouflage – costing $475.
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Specs
| Type | ||
| DIRECT FUEL INJ | TURBO DIRECT F/INJ | |
| Size (cc) | ||
| 1995 - 2498 | 1984 | |
| Size (L) | ||
| 2.5L, 2.0L | 2.0L | |
| Cylinders | ||
| FLAT 4 | TURBO 4 | |
| Camshaft | ||
| DUAL OVERHEAD CAM | DUAL OVERHEAD CAM | |
| Valves/Ports per Cylinder | ||
| 16 | 16 | |
| Power | ||
| 110kW - 136kW | 140kW - 221kW | |
| Power RPM | ||
| 5800 - 6000 | 4200 - 5300 | |
| Torque | ||
| 196Nm - 239Nm | 320Nm - 400Nm | |
| Torque RPM | ||
| 4000 - 4400 | 1500 - 2000 | |
| Bore Stroke | ||
| - | - | |
| Compression Ratio | ||
| 12.1 - 12.5 | 9.3 - 12.2 | |
