We love the Subaru Forester! It’s been a winner for Subaru since it was first launched in 2017. Around 2006 fleets started to realise that the Subaru Forester would be a great replacement for the traditional station wagon that was starting to disappear from showroom floors. It was also safer than most fleet models at the time because of the asymmetrical AWD system that is part of the Subaru DNA and the strong performance in ANCAP crash testing.
Subaru can now be found in many fleet carparks, and the fleet team at Subaru Australia can now offer the Solterra electric car which comes with a higher ground clearance compared to similar EVs which aligns to the Subaru DNA.
Here’s the history and some images of the popular Subaru Forester.
1997 – Subaru Forester first launched in the Australian market.
1998 – Subaru Forester GT launched in Australia, comprising 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, offering a five-door SUV a hint of Impreza WRX performance.
1999 – Subaru Forester wins RACQ/The Courier Mail, QLD, Q-Car 1999, Best Recreational Vehicle and Overall Winner.
2002 – Second generation Forester launched in Australia.
2003 – Australasian New Car Assessment Program 5-star ANCAP safety rating for the Forester XS Luxury (the best-ever rating for a compact ATW)
2004 – Australasian New Car Assessment Program awards entire Forester range 5-star ANCAP rating.
2008 – Third Generation Subaru Forester launched in Australia. Best Compact SUV – Carsales Network People’s Choice Award 2008, Subaru Forester.
2011 – Australia’s best selling compact SUV, VFACTS 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
2018 – Fourth generation Subaru Forester launched in Australia, marking the introduction of the most technologically advanced Forester ever. Subaru Forester 2.5i-S AWD wins Drive Car of the Year, Best Small SUV.
2019 – Australasian New Car Assessment Program 5-star ANCAP safety rating for the entire fourth generation Subaru Forester range.
2020 – Subaru Forester entered hybrid arena with the launch of Hybrid L AWD and Hybrid S AWD.
2022 – OzRoamer Car of the Year, AWD SUV under $45,000, Subaru Forester naturally aspirated variants.
Almost a Holden
Following a General Motors (GM) and Subaru tie-up in 1999, GM considered rebadging the Forester as a Holden in the Australian market as the brand lacked an SUV offering. In exchange, GM would provide Subaru the Holden VY Ute. Subaru considered naming the rebadged Ute the Subaru Brumby. According to former Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior, the plan was called off due to objection from Subaru Australia. (Source)
