If you take a look at our buyer’s guide, just about everyone offers a hybrid vehicle in their respective lineups. That said, Subaru Philippines took quite some time to respond to the growing electrification market in the country. Thankfully, that’s since been rectified with the launch of the Forester e-Boxer.
About time, we say, as most of its rivals have, at the very least, an electrified option. Prime examples include the Honda CR-V e:HEV, Hyundai Tucson GLS Hybrid, and the Toyota RAV4 HEV. As a model often criticized for its fuel consumption, the shift to a hybrid powertrain means the Forester e-Boxer addresses one of the major downsides it always had.
But a hybrid engine isn’t the only thing the redesigned Forester has to offer. Curious? Read on.
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Variants and prices of the Subaru Forester e-Boxer
The range has been simplified for the sixth-generation Subaru Forester in the Philippines. There’s just one to choose from, and that’s the e-Boxer model, not that we’re complaining. There is a wide variety of colors to choose from, though, and some are pretty vibrant.
The choices include Autumn Green Metallic, Brilliant Bronze Metallic, Cashmere Gold Opal, Crimson Red Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Crystal White Pearl, Daybreak Blue Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Magnetite Gray Metallic, Rock River Pearl, and Sapphire Blue Pearl. The pearl colors come at no extra charge, so it’s P2,498,000 regardless of paint chosen.
Exterior of the Subaru Forester e-Boxer
Design-wise, it can be best described as evolutionary. It picks up where the previous generation left off, itself an evolution from the two generations that went before it. Compared to the last model, it has a much larger grille and a more aggressive set of headlights.
The bumpers have been smoothed out, and the crossover retains its relatively upright profile. For the rear, it ditches the C-shaped tail light clusters in favor of more conventional units with a trim piece that connects the two. The Forester name is also stamped on the tailgate. The wheel size is 19-inches and shod in 235/50 R19 tires.
As for dimensions, the Forester measures in at 4,655mm long, 1,828mm wide, 1,730mm tall, and sits on a 2,670mm wheelbase. Those who actually plan to take it off-road will be pleased to know that it has 220mm worth of clearance.
Interior of the Subaru Forester e-Boxer
Like the exterior, the cabin of the all-new Forester is an evolution from the past generation. Analog dials are still present in here, and so too is the familiar 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen that’s installed in just about every Subaru model these days bar the BRZ. Premium-feeling soft-touch materials are abound at the front, but curiously, the door panels at the back are plastic.
All the seats are trimmed in leather with the driver’s side coming with a memory function. The front passenger gets a power adjustable seat as well. Audiophiles will be pleased to know that the Forester comes with Harman/Kardon sound system with a subwoofer and eight-channel amplifier.
Engine and specs of the Subaru Forester e-Boxer
Gone is the familiar (but thirsty) 2.0-liter boxer engine. The local-spec Forester is lucky to get the Strong Hybrid powertrain from the Japanese and North American markets. That means a 2.5-liter boxer engine mated to two electric motors and a 1.1kWh battery pack. With the two systems working together, it produces 194hp and 270Nm. It then shifts with a Lineartronic transmission, Subaru’s take on the CVT, and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard. This is a Subaru, after all.
Extra features of the Subaru Forester e-Boxer
With all-wheel drive as part of the package, the Forester is the only model in its segment to offer that feature. Further helping it on rough terrain is the inclusion of X-Mode that serves as its terrain select system.
In addition, there’s Subaru’s EyeSight 4.0 advanced driver assist system. It includes features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure and sway warning, pre-collision braking, automatic emergency steering, and pre-collision throttle management. there’s also reverse automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. Additionally, there’s the driver monitoring system that alerts the driver if their eyes are away from the road.
Further aiding visibility are its steering responsive headlights where the LED beams ‘swivel’ around bends, a useful feature for those driving on country roads at night. Of course, the massive sunroof that extends all the way to the back seats are included in the features list, which has become something of a trademark for the Forester for a good part of over 20 years.
