NEW models come and go with a frequency that can be hard for consumers to keep up with.
Even when the name stays the same the model can be entirely different from what you would remember.
Then there's the brands on top of everything else to consider too, such as the latest in design (which is probably the easiest since it should be your own preference), performance, features, parts and pricing, secondhand value, reliability and aftersales service, and the works.
Options are multiplied if you're looking for a sports utility vehicle (SUV) given how many they are in the market to contend with at different price ranges.
Things can get complicated and narrowing it down is quite the task. So sometimes we fall back on what's familiar.
There's nothing wrong with a safe pick, which is why Subaru's Forester SUV continues to be the brand's go-to for fans.
Treading Tradition
The 2023 Forester has been given its sportiest makeover to date in its fifth generation mid-life refresh.
Instead of the chrome on the pre-facelift, its newly reshaped headlamps with a deeper cut on the inside now ends along with a gloss black surround grille.
This is applied to all four variants of the SUV (2.0i-L Eyesight, 2.0i-L GT Lite Edition Eyesight, 2.0i-S Eyesight and 2.0i-S GT Edition Eyesight) which, in addition to the lights and grille, differ in minor styling and features.
As their name implies all variants are given the EyeSight treatment, which is an advanced driver-assistance system that includes adaptive cruise control with lane centring, lane departure warning and prevention, lane sway warning, lead vehicle departure alert and pre-collision throttle management.
Steering-responsive
function and high beam assist headlamps along with front LED fog lamps are reserved for the 2.0i-S and 2.0i-S GT Edition variants. The two also get an added pre-collision braking with autonomous emergency steering and rear vehicle detection.
All four get the vehicle dynamics control system, auto vehicle hold and active torque vectoring. The base 2.0i-L and 2.0i-L GT Lite Edition get X-Mode features, which is a programme that assist in stability and control. The 2.0i-S and 2.0i-S GT Edition variants get the Special X-Mode.
The base 2.0i-L and 2.0i-L GT Lite Edition run on 17-inch wheels while the 2.0i-S and 2.0i-S GT Edition have them in 18 inches with the latter sporting two-tone.
In the cabin is fitted with an eight-inch HD touchscreen infotainment that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Bluetooth.
Other notable features include a power-adjustable (eight-way) driver and front passenger seat, keyless entry and push-button start, dual-zone air-conditioning, power-folding door mirrors and an LED rear fog lamp.
The GT Edition comes with quilted-pattern leather seats with touches of grey on the sides.
Beneath the hood all variants house a returning 2.0-litre naturally aspirated boxer four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission and active torque-split all-wheel drive (AWD) system.
The setup produces 156PS at 6,000rpm and 196Nm of torque at 4,000rpm, allowing it to accelerate 0-100kph in 10.3 seconds with a top speed of 193kph.
The Forester 2.0i-L Eyesight, 2.0i-L GT Lite Edition Eyesight, 2.0i-S Eyesight and 2.0i-S GT Edition Eyesight are currently priced at RM164,288, RM170,288, RM174,288 and RM186,288, respectively — Peninsular Malaysia only, on-the-road without insurance and with a five-year or 100,000km warranty.
This is at least a RM10,000 slash off the old pricing at RM174,288, RM180,288, RM184,288 and RM196,288, respectively. No equipment changes have been made with the new pricing in effect.
Classic Comfort
Speed and power is all anyone thinks about these days when someone talks about performance. Especially when a returning model gets an update — do they also come with a boost in specifications?
Top speed and acceleration become a huge dominating factor before we move on to the other finer details of a model — mostly budget, features and comfort.
The Forester is clearly comfortable in delivering whatever it wants to and always have, which is as much off-road accessibility for the price you're paying.
All of that in an executive level comfort. The new update might be the sportiest take by far for a Forester but that is mostly on the exterior and even then it is more of an evolution from the prior generations and keeping in line with the overall shape and look.
The cabin, especially in the GT Edition, is a mix of rugged throwback. You have the standard Subaru sporty front and a whole lot of quilted-pattern leather seats which is always more classical than modern in design by default.
Seats are comfortable and so is driving. Despite the steel sport pedals you're not going to get the urge to floor it and break the sound barrier. Instead you're going to feel like you have total control with your huge machine - control, which looks to be a Subaru trademark for this writer.
This works well when you consider the Forester's focus is more off-road than track performance. Here, you're not looking at how fast you can go but rather how you fare on different terrains.
Which it does well enough with its AWD system and the X-Mode/Super X-Mode programme. It is a quality that fans have always loved the Forester for it and it is just as good here.
The big highlight for the update of course is the EyeSight advanced driver assist technology system as a standard. Greatly improved over the years the feature has mostly been an optional add-on throughout.
Those who missed out on the system need not rush out to make an update, but the inclusion of it this time around as a standard is a novelty to have to ensure everything about your drive is working at optimum to keep you comfortably in your seat.
Verdict
Subaru is playing into its strengths by being safe and appealing to what fans have come to expect of it.
When you're going through the list you'll find that the SUV positions itself as one of those that is looking for something new-yet-familiar.
If you're not big on risk then the Forester has your back as an ole reliable updated for 2023.
The model has been tried, tested and proven to be as trustworthy as it has always been so you're pretty much set up on what to expect. All it comes down to is how much you are acquainted with the Subaru brand and the Forester model.
Similarly, those who've never fancied the model in generations past will find little new here to excite or convert you over. Speed, power and a unique seat setup for the rear passenger by comparison is not so much of its focus either.
You're here for the latest Forester because it is updated to its latest incarnation, not because it is something entirely different.
SUVs in the market are aplenty especially at this price range offering varying degrees of power and comfort. Few however has that added core embodiment of what SUVs were meant to be back in the day.
That is to offer an all-terrain experience that is different say from a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) or a sedan even if it was spec for rally. In true Subaru fashion no less.
At least for now there is no other price competing SUV or brand in this range which offers the kind of all-terrain capability that Subaru is offering with the Forester. It has some brand new toys in terms of features to work with but it is what it has always been and will continue to deliver such. If that is a quality you can appreciate then that alone makes it a standout in the market.
