The new, fifth-generation Subaru Forester is about to launch in South Africa and the Japanese automaker’s local arm has now confirmed pricing. Of course, if you’ve had a look at the December 2018 issue of CAR magazine, you’d have noticed we have already conducted a full road test of the range-topping derivative.
The local range will comprise three variants at launch, each powered by Subaru’s naturally aspirated 2,0-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder petrol engine (rather than the 2,5-litre engine available overseas), which delivers 115 kW and 196 N.m to all four corners via a continuously variable transmission.
The base Forester 2,0i CVT starts at R429 000, while the mid-tier 2,0i-L ES CVT derivative comes in at R469 000. The flagship 2,0i-S ES CVT, meanwhile, is priced at R499 000. The “ES” in the names of the latter two indicate standard fitment of Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance technology.
“We’ve tried to introduce the new Forester at a price point that is competitive and indicative of our intentions with the car, and that is to ensure it remains the success that it always has been and further extends its market share in the segment,” said Ashley Lazarus, marketing manager for Subaru Southern Africa.
The Forester ships standard with a five-year/150 000 km warranty and a three-year/75 000 km maintenance plan (optionally extendable to five years or 150 000 km).
As a reminder, the new Subaru Forester rides on the latest Subaru Global Platform and is slightly larger than its forebear. The luggage compartment can swallow a claimed 520 litres with the seats in place and up to 1 060 litres with the rear bench folded down.
Make sure to grab a copy of the December 2018 issue of CAR magazine to read our verdict on the new Forester…
