2022 Subaru Forester SUV enhances its appeal

Subaru’s already popular Forester range receives a mid-life makeover for the 2022 model, further enticing Kiwi buyers, and it is due to arrive on New Zealand shores in late September.

Since it was named the New Zealand Car of the Year in 2019, Subaru’s mid-sized SUV, the Forester, has become a top pick for Kiwi families. Earlier this year, Subaru added to the Forester range with the launch of the rugged Forester X Sport, with its orange accents, 18" black alloy wheels and water repellent upholstery, further boosted sales of this technology-laden model.

Subaru of New Zealand’s Managing Director Wallis Dumper says the 2022 Forester is simply more of a good thing.

“Over the years we’ve watched our capable Forester climb the sales ranks and after the game-changing, new generation was launched in 2018, its sales ascended close to our top-selling Subaru Outback.”

Subaru’s 16 Authorised Subaru Centres will offer a five model Forester line-up, which includes the self-titled Forester, X Sport, Premium, e-Boxer Hybrid and Premium e-Boxer Hybrid variants.

The award-winning SUV’s front end has been refreshed with revised headlights, fog lights, front bumper and grille treatment.

Added features to the Subaru EyeSight® clever crash avoidance technology, enhanced suspension and off-road technology for even great driver confidence, all combine with a long list of cosmetic refinements to grow Forester’s audience further.

Added to Forester’s suite of EyeSight® features are:

• Lane Centring Function
• Lane Departure Prevention
• Autonomous Emergency Steering

Retuned front suspension coil springs and dampers improve ride comfort, steering responsiveness and handling, while the new aluminium engine mount bracket reduces vibrations and noise.

For more challenging All-Wheel Drive terrain, X-Mode is also revised, with the ability to automatically re-engage once the vehicle speed drops to 35 km/h or less, while revised Hill Descent Control improves vehicle control speed.

Forester variants equipped with the Driver Monitoring System also gain gesture-controlled temperature adjustment for the air-conditioning, a new feature for Subaru that enables drivers to adjust the temperature via a simple hand motion. This will be the first Subaru model to debut this new technology.

Mr Dumper adds: “We’ve never had greater demand for Subaru SUVs and along with our 2021 Subaru Outback, the current generation Forester sales are booming. We would sell even more if we could access them from Subaru Corporation. We highly recommend that Kiwis wanting to own a 2022 Forester in time for their summer adventuring, should pre-book a test drive with their local Subaru Authorised Centre now, as supply continues to be limited.

“The Forester is supremely capable and really is a great family car that offers genuine All-Wheel Drive flexibility unrivalled by most medium SUVs on the market,” he says.

Mr Dumper concludes: “Service Technicians from around New Zealand have already completed refresher training courses on the new Forester, which will now see all the 25 Service Centres throughout Aotearoa ready to support Subaru drivers on their journeys.”

2022 SUBARU FORESTER – THE DETAILS

• For improved driver vision in all variants, other than the entry model Forester, Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) is updated to an array head lamp system.
• An 8-inch touchscreen is now standard across the range – upgrading the Forester, and Forester e-Boxer Hybrid models, which previously had 6.5-inch screens.
• Elsewhere in the cabin, an updated instrument panel design is introduced in Forester X Sport and Forester Premium.
• In Forester X Sport, gunmetal and orange interior highlights are added throughout the cabin. Geometric black door mirrors are also exclusive to this variant.
• Forester Premium gets platinum-coloured door armrest underside inserts.
• Outside, Forester Premium and Forester Premium e-Boxer Hybrid feature new alloy wheel designs.
• Forester X Sport is distinguished by a circular fog light design featuring six LED lights. This variant joins the Forester Premium and the e-Boxer Hybrid and Forester Premium e-Boxer Hybrid in receiving updated rear bumper lower cladding.
• Forester Premium and both the Hybrid variants also have a revised silver roof rail finish.
• New colours are Autumn Green, Brilliant Bronze and Cascade Green, which are available on all variants other than Forester X Sport.

*Recommended Retail Pricing (RRP) includes GST. On road costs and accessories are not included.

**Overseas model shown in all accompanying images.  

Catherine Pattison

Public Relations

Subaru of New Zealand

M  +64 (0)27 44 55 389
E  catherine.pattison@subaru.co.nz

subaru.co.nz