On July 18th, Subaru officially announced the launch of the all-new Forester in China. The new model is available in two variants – Flagship and Premium – with prices set at RMB 265,800 and RMB 249,800 respectively. As the 6th-generation model, the all-new Forester features an all-new interior and exterior design, powered by a 2.5L horizontally opposed engine mated to a CVT transmission.
Exterior Design
The all-new Forester adopts Subaru’s latest design language. Its iconic hexagonal front grille (a signature element) has been updated with rounded corners and a glossy black finish, seamlessly integrating with the headlight assembly. The headlights feature a two-tier structure: the upper tier serves as daytime running lights (DRLs), while the lower tier houses integrated high and low beams. Fog lights are retained on both sides of the front bumper; the bottom of the bumper uses black plastic cladding, with hexagonal design details added near the fog lights.
On the side profile, the wheel arches of the all-new Forester incorporate angular design elements and have a wider surface. An air deflector is also added behind the front wheel arches. Black trim strips are installed at the bottom of the A-pillars and D-pillars, creating a “floating roof” visual effect. At the rear, the design features more dynamic lines compared to the previous generation. The new-style taillights are connected by a black trim panel, forming a pseudo-through taillight effect. A wide black trim panel is fitted at the bottom of the rear bumper, paired with a single-exit exhaust layout on the left side.
Interior & Infotainment
The all-new Forester’s interior also follows Subaru’s latest design style. The trim strips on the multifunction steering wheel all feature a glossy black finish. Gas-powered variants come with a combination of analog gauges and a digital display screen. The 11.6-inch central control screen is vertically oriented, with physical buttons and knobs for climate control and infotainment systems retained on both sides of the screen. Chinese-market models will support wireless Apple CarPlay and CarLife smartphone integration.
Powertrain & Chassis
For the Chinese market, the all-new Forester is only available with a gasoline powertrain: a 2.5L horizontally opposed engine that delivers 180 horsepower and 240 N·m of peak torque, paired exclusively with a CVT transmission. Additionally, Subaru’s all-wheel-drive (AWD) system comes as standard across all variants of the new Forester.
History of the Subaru Forester
The Forester is a compact SUV under Subaru, first launched in 1997 and having undergone six generations of upgrades. As early as 1995, Subaru unveiled a concept car named “Streega” at the Tokyo Motor Show. Based on the Impreza platform, the Streega featured a shortened wheelbase, increased ground clearance, and a full-time AWD system, before being launched in markets such as Japan and Australia.
1st Generation (1997): Launched in Japan in 1997, powered by a 2.5L horizontally opposed engine, with 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmission options. In 1999, it was updated with a single overhead camshaft (SOHC) 2.5L engine, followed by a facelift and equipment upgrades in 2001.
2nd Generation (2002): Debuted at the 2002 Chicago Auto Show. A 2.5T turbocharged engine variant was added in 2004, with a mid-cycle facelift in 2007 and engine upgrades in 2008.
3rd Generation (2009): Repositioned from a “crossover” to a full-fledged SUV, with significantly increased dimensions (wheelbase extended from 2,525mm to 2,615mm) and an all-new interior/exterior design. It retained 2.5L naturally aspirated and 2.5T turbocharged engine options, mated to 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions.
4th Generation (2014): Redesigned with Subaru’s family-style front face (similar to the Impreza and XV), featuring a thick chrome strip in the center of the inverted trapezoidal grille and a black mesh insert for a sportier look. It offered two distinct exterior designs tailored to different powertrains, and marked the first adoption of a CVT transmission and “X-Mode” AWD system.
5th Generation (2018-Present): Unveiled at the 2018 New York Auto Show. The 2024 model year (currently on sale in China) offers 2.0L and 2.5L engine options, with an official price range of RMB 223,800 to RMB 299,200.
Market Position & Rivals
Positioned as a compact SUV, the Subaru Forester competes primarily with joint-venture models such as the Honda CR-V/Breeze, Toyota RAV4 China-exclusive name/Highlander, and Nissan X-Trail. Sales data for H1 2025 shows:
Toyota RAV4 : 97,159 units sold
Honda CR-V: 88,516 units sold
Honda Breeze: 57,897 units sold
Compared to these rivals – which lean more toward urban SUV designs – the Forester holds an advantage in off-road capability. However, as an imported model, the Forester is priced significantly higher than its competitors. Combined with Subaru’s niche brand positioning in China, the model has relatively low market visibility. Data shows that the Forester’s domestic retail sales reached only 512 units from January to May 2025.
