The 2026 Subaru Forester: A Familiar Face Refreshed for Australian Roads
The latest iteration of the Subaru Forester has landed on Australian shores, and after a few months in showrooms, it’s clear this sixth-generation model is here to make its mark. While much of the buzz surrounds the new hybrid variants, the question remains: how does the traditional petrol-powered Forester hold up in today’s competitive SUV market?
For those who appreciate robust practicality and unwavering reliability, the Forester has long been a go-to choice. It’s the kind of vehicle that can tackle the everyday commute, a weekend getaway, or even a cross-country adventure with minimal fuss. With full-time all-wheel drive, commendable ground clearance, a spacious interior, and that signature boxer engine, it’s a recipe for dependable motoring.
This enduring appeal isn’t new. The Forester nameplate boasts a rich history, dating back to Subaru’s late 1990s heyday. However, the past few years have seen it face stiff competition. The outgoing model was outsold by the dominant Toyota RAV4, and the influx of more affordable offerings from emerging brands presented a significant challenge. Can this new generation recapture lost ground, even without relying on hybrid technology borrowed from its rivals?
Pricing and Variants Down Under
In Australia, the petrol-powered Forester range kicks off with the $43,490 entry-level model. From there, prices ascend through the $46,490 Premium and $48,490 Sport. The flagship petrol variant, the Touring on test, commands a price of $50,990. For those considering the hybrid option, it’s an additional $5,000 for the Touring, a slightly steeper premium compared to the $3,000 uplift on the base model.
Looking at historical pricing, Subaru has kept its price increases relatively modest by today’s standards. An XT model from nearly a decade ago was priced only slightly less than the current naturally aspirated 2.5-litre petrol variant. While this new model foregoes the turbocharger of the XT, it compensates with an enhanced equipment list.
The Touring variant comes well-appointed, featuring:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic LED headlights
- Power-adjustable and heated front seats
- Leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shifter
- Satellite navigation
- Powered tailgate with kick sensor
- Keyless entry and start
- Wireless charging pad
- DAB+ digital radio
- Dual-zone climate control
- An 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen
- A full-size spare wheel
It’s worth noting that many of these features are standard across most of the Forester line-up, with the Touring adding a few premium touches. These include unique alloy wheel colours, low-profile roof rails, ventilated front seats, a powered sunroof, a mix of leather and faux suede trim (which is quite pleasing to the touch), and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
The value proposition between the Touring and the Sport model is somewhat debatable. The Sport offers much of the same core functionality, including the X-Mode off-road settings and sunroof, making the Touring’s higher price point largely attributable to the upgraded audio system and minor cosmetic enhancements. For those not specifically seeking the advanced off-road modes, the Sport might represent a more sensible choice.
2026 Subaru Forester AWD Touring
Hybrid vs. Petrol: A Cost-Benefit Analysis
The conversation around the Forester often turns to its hybrid siblings. While the hybrid versions offer improved fuel economy, the financial justification can be tricky. Based on claimed fuel figures, it would take approximately 100,000 kilometres to recoup the $5,000 price difference between the petrol and hybrid Touring models through fuel savings alone.
Subaru reports good availability across the Forester range, though popular specification and colour combinations might involve a short wait.
At the entry-level, the economic argument for the hybrid becomes slightly more favourable, with the payback period dropping to around 60,000 kilometres. However, for many buyers, the base petrol model, simply badged as ‘Forester’, might just be the sweet spot of the range, offering a compelling blend of features and value.
Interior Space and Practicality
One of the Forester’s perennial strengths has been its generous cabin space and a practical boot. This generation continues that tradition. The interior is notably roomy, comfortably accommodating four adults, and even a fifth for shorter journeys, provided they aren’t particularly tall. The boxy exterior design translates directly into ample headroom for both front and rear occupants.
Rear-seat passengers will find a reasonably comfortable bench, though the sculpted outboard seats, while appearing supportive, don’t quite deliver on that promise. Amenities for those in the back include USB-A and USB-C ports, air vents, door-mounted bottle holders, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders.
The front seats, however, present a slightly firmer and more heavily padded feel, reminiscent of some Honda designs. While the leather and suede-effect trim is attractive and likely to provide better grip during spirited driving than the potentially slicker faux leather in the Sport, the seats themselves can feel a touch too solid, a sentiment echoed from past Forester experiences.
The centre console features a good number of cupholders and a lidded storage bin that doubles as an armrest. The centre stack, however, suffers from the ubiquitous use of piano black trim. This material is a magnet for fingerprints, particularly around the air vents and climate control buttons, and clashes with the more appealing hexagon-embossed passenger-side dash panel.
The steering wheel’s faux leather also received a lukewarm reception, feeling less premium than expected, though not quite as cheap as a basic plastic wheel.
Boot space is a respectable 496 litres with the rear seats up, expanding to 1174 litres when folded. Subaru also provides a to-the-roof volume of 1667 litres, a figure slightly down on some other variants but still substantial for most needs. The boot area is well-equipped with hooks and tie-down anchors, and impressively, two ceiling-mounted hooks.
Subaru has also injected some character into the cabin with subtle design elements. The door panels feature a stamped terrain relief map, accompanied by small icons like a hummingbird, a compass, and a pair of boots – a charming nod to the brand’s adventurous spirit.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Forester’s infotainment system, Subaru’s Starlink, is housed within a large, 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen that’s intuitive and easy to operate. The system boasts large, user-friendly icons and offers extensive customisation options for various functions, including climate control. It also provides access to off-road-oriented instrument displays and clear camera imagery.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, and pair with the wireless charging pad. Unfortunately, this charging pad proved problematic, with phones frequently slipping and failing to maintain a consistent charge – a niggle that could have been avoided with better surface grip or more rigorous testing. Fortunately, USB-A and USB-C ports are also available, offering a more reliable charging solution.
The screen’s responsiveness is excellent, though the climate control’s touch-sensitive temperature slider could benefit from refinement. Thankfully, physical climate control buttons are integrated discreetly at the bottom of the screen, ensuring easy access even when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
A notable omission is the lack of a dedicated Subaru smartphone app.
Safety First: ANCAP Rating and Features
The Subaru Forester has earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating, achieving strong scores across adult occupant protection (83%), child occupant protection (91%), vulnerable road user protection (86%), and safety assist systems (75%).
The vehicle is equipped with nine airbags, including a front-centre airbag designed to prevent occupant head clashes. For child safety, there are three top-tether and two ISOFIX anchor points.
Subaru’s EyeSight System: A Mixed Bag
Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist technology is generally well-regarded, but in the Forester, it exhibits some frustrating tendencies. Despite a decade of development since previous iterations, the system can still be overly intrusive, with a shrill and seemingly random warning chime.
The system’s ability to accurately detect speed cameras was inconsistent, and the forward collision warning system produced a number of false positives, even triggering phantom autonomous emergency braking applications. The Forester’s persistent struggle to accurately gauge driver attention is also a significant point of frustration and could lead to drivers disabling these safety features altogether.
This behaviour mirrors a broader trend of overly sensitive safety systems in various vehicles. While ANCAP’s rating system acknowledges the presence of these systems, the calibration and real-world effectiveness remain a point of contention.
Cost of Ownership: Servicing and Insurance
Insurance for the Forester is reasonably priced, with a comparative quote suggesting an annual premium of around $1,604 for a 35-year-old male in a major metropolitan area. This positions it favourably against some of its Chinese and American rivals.
Subaru’s capped-price servicing program offers competitive rates, averaging approximately $420.50 per year for the first three years and just under $460 per year for five years. Interestingly, paying for a service plan upfront doesn’t appear to offer any additional savings over the published website prices.
Compared to key rivals, the Forester’s servicing costs are higher than the Toyota RAV4 (averaging $270 per year) and slightly more than the Nissan X-Trail (just under $400 per year).
Fuel Efficiency: A Pleasant Surprise
Subaru’s honest approach to its claimed combined-cycle fuel economy figures is commendable. The Forester, with its naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine – a relatively large displacement by modern standards – managed to achieve a respectable 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres in testing. This figure is barely 10% above the claimed 7.9L/100km, a testament to the engine’s efficiency, especially considering the lack of overt fuel-saving technologies.
With a full tank of 91-octane unleaded petrol, the Forester offers a potential range of around 724 kilometres, extending to nearly 800 kilometres if Subaru’s claimed economy is met. For those considering the hybrid, the claimed fuel saving is a modest 1.7L/100km.
Driving Dynamics and Performance
The Forester’s driving experience has evolved significantly since its early days. The current model consolidates its engine offerings to a single 2.5-litre boxer unit, producing 136kW and 247Nm. While these figures aren’t groundbreaking, the engine delivers characterful performance, enhanced by the effective sound deadening and a satisfying, albeit muted, growl under acceleration.
The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is well-tuned to the engine’s modest torque, providing smooth and adequate acceleration for a vehicle of its size and weight. While not the most exhilarating off the line, it holds its own in traffic. Subaru’s implementation of the CVT, with its simulated eight steps, generally works well, though manual mode engagement via the paddle shifters is rarely necessary. Engaging ‘Sport’ or ‘Sport#’ modes offers a noticeable increase in responsiveness, sharpening the transmission’s calibration for more spirited driving.
The suspension, a MacPherson strut front and double wishbone rear setup, effectively manages body roll, which is impressive for such a tall vehicle. With 220mm of ground clearance, the Forester is well-equipped for off-road excursions.
However, freeway cruising could be more refined. Road noise, particularly on coarser surfaces, can be intrusive, and the large side mirrors contribute to a noticeable rustle. Improved cabin insulation would enhance the long-distance comfort.
Towing Capacity: Practicality with Limits
The petrol-powered Forester is rated to tow up to 1,800kg of braked trailer, with a maximum towball download of 180kg. This leaves a substantial 500kg payload capacity within the cabin. While 1,800kg is a decent figure, it’s important to remember that this is still heavier than the vehicle itself. Past Foresters have been capable tow vehicles, and this generation should be no exception, but very large caravans or boats are likely beyond its capabilities, especially given the modest engine output.
It’s worth noting that the hybrid variants have a reduced towing capacity of just 1,200kg, making the petrol model the clear choice for those who frequently tow.
The Verdict: A Solid Contender for Subaru Loyalists and Beyond
The 2026 Subaru Forester remains a strong contender in the SUV segment, particularly for those who value its established strengths: distinctive styling, robust interior, and competent on-road manners. For existing Subaru enthusiasts, this new generation is likely to meet and exceed expectations.
While the Forester offers impressive ground clearance and off-road capability that rivals more expensive vehicles like the Toyota Prado, its appeal extends beyond the dedicated Subaru fanbase. However, some of the very traits that endear it to loyalists – its utilitarian character, for instance – might not resonate with all buyers. A thorough test drive and comparison with other models in the segment are highly recommended.
