We’ll let you in on a little secret: There were already plans to bring in the Subaru Forester e-Boxer as far back as 2019. It was with the previous-generation model, and it could’ve been an interesting addition to the local lineup.
We still remember flying out to Singapore for the regional debut of the electrified Forester during that year’s motor show. Heck, we were even able to try it out in a closed course for a few performance and handling impressions.
At the time, we were told that it could land in the country by the third or fourth quarter of 2019. But as those dates drew closer, there was nothing but radio silence. Subaru had the opportunity to shake up the market, but global events had other plans. 2020, anyone?
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Late to the party
Fast forward to 2025, and most of the Subaru Forester’s rivals have hybrid powertrains. Because Subaru shelved its plans for the Forester hybrid, Toyota ended up being the first in its class to be electrified with the RAV4. It was soon followed by the Honda CR-V, and even Hyundai has joined the party with the Tucson.
As for Subaru? Before the launch of this model, it didn’t have a single electrified vehicle in its lineup. It also didn’t help that the brand isn’t exactly renowned for having fuel efficient offerings. Ask any Subaru owner from the last 20 years about economy, and most will probably say that they’ll be happy with 6km/L in traffic.
Thankfully, that’s been rectified, albeit six years after it was first promised. Still, better late than never, especially now that more people are warming up to owning a hybrid.
Meh in photos, but…
When we first saw photos of the sixth-generation Forester back in late 2024, we’ll admit that we were underwhelmed with the new look. It looked bland, anonymous, and will immediately get lost in a sea of crossovers and SUVs that are all over the place these days.
But when we finally saw it in the metal, we thought it wasn’t half bad. If anything, the first photos made it look unflattering and did no justice to the actual product. It’s no oil painting, but the relatively conservative exterior design will age well.
The interior should feel familiar to current Subaru owners, which could either be a positive or a negative. It’s a neat and simple layout that’s easy to comprehend. On the downside, those looking for a more high-tech interior will be disappointed. There isn’t even a digital instrument cluster in there. It’s refreshing to see analog gauges as the car companies throw more screens in cars, but perhaps a little more digitalization would make things more aesthetically pleasing.
Still, we think it’s an inoffensive design with good angles in real life that won’t look out of fashion even ten years down the road.
Under the hood
Perhaps it was best that Subaru didn’t bring in the previous-generation Forester e-Boxer in the country. It had a 2.0-liter engine mated to a single motor and it only made 143hp and 188Nm. It was slow and struggled to shift its own weight, but at least it was somewhat efficient.
Thankfully, technology has moved on, and it also helps that there’s a bigger engine to move proceedings. It now has a 2.5-liter engine paired to two motors and a 1.1kWh battery. Total output is rated at 194hp and 270Nm, much more than the previous e-Boxer arrangement and the thirsty old 2.0-liter mill from the previous generation.
With that, the move to hybrid power means it finally solves one of the biggest vices the Forester had which was shocking fuel economy. There are no more non-hybrid variants on offer, but we can’t say we’ll miss it. Maybe except for the turbo XT from years ago.
It promises far greater efficiency, sure, but it’s time to see if it’s actually effective.
Epic drive ahead
Subaru invited us to drive the all-new Forester e-Boxer and take it on a road trip. It wasn’t just any trip, though, as the route would take us over 1,200 kilometers in the span of three days. We would start in Subaru Manila Bay, go up all the way to Pagudpud, make a detour to Baguio, and back to the metro.
The goal was to make the entire drive on one tank. If we wanted to achieve that, we needed to average over 25km/L. But things went a little differently once we hit the road. More on that later.
Driving out of the showroom, it has to be said that the Forester feels, well, familiar. It’s not just because it uses an updated version of the outgoing platform. The first turn of the wheel and the feel of the cabin are unique to Subaru, giving it some character.
The first stint mainly consisted of highway driving, so we couldn’t feel the benefits of the hybrid system just yet. From Manila to La Union, we saw about 16 to 19km/L according to the trip computer. The thing is, we managed that without any effort to hypermile. We were passing cars and doing overtakes, but efficiency didn’t falter. But what happened for the rest of the drive would turn it into a different kind of economy challenge.
Economy torture test
Highway drive over, it was time to drive on country roads. We were greeted by traffic, climbs, and long idle situations. There was also a fair bit of overtaking, meaning any hopes of reaching 25km/L were dashed. What ended up happening was a fuel economy torture test.
We drove the Forester e-Boxer that way we regularly would. And if we weren’t driving it, we left it idling for minutes during impromptu photo opportunities. Think of it then as being stopped on the side of the road to buy souvenirs and whatnot. In other words, we did our worst.
But even then, we reached Ilocos Norte with the trip computer saying we still averaged about 16km/L. Try doing everything we did to the crossover on day one in a non-hybrid Forester, and you’d probably need to gas up in Vigan at best. Day one over.
The great North
We might as well take the time to appreciate Ilocos. Day two saw us make our way to the Bangui Wind Farm, we were greeted by great roads and wonderful greenery. It was a taste of things to come with the province and the Forester showing off their best traits. The windmills were spectacular, and like the Forester, the photos don’t do it justice. It’s the kind of place one needs to see in person to truly appreciate. Oh, and each fan blade measures about 40 meters. That’s about eight and a half Foresters.
The windmills were nice and all, but the best was yet to come. We just have to say that one must drive through the Patapat Viaduct at least once in their lives. It’s a sweet ribbon of asphalt with a spectacular view of the West Philippine Sea. For the locals, we’re pretty sure it was just another day for them, but us city slickers were left in awe.
Eventually, we turned back for a spot of lunch and made our way to Baguio. It was a long drive and the next thing we knew, it was nightfall. By then, we had only reached Vigan, still quite some distance away from our resting point. Still, it was nice having dinner in a place so rich with history.
A great handler
Dinner over, and we really had to make our way to Baguio. But before that, we needed to stop for fuel. Yes, we didn’t reach the goal of completing the trip on one tank, but we did manage about 800 kilometres before the low fuel light went on. It’s something totally impossible in Foresters of the past.
With that, the Forester impressed us with its efficiency, but the drive going to The City of Pines would be a revelation. On the twisty roads going up, we encountered wet roads that were made even more slippery because of mud. But it’s those kinds of conditions where the Subaru shined.
Call it a cliché, but Subaru’s rally DNA no doubt helped us through the mountain pass. Tight hairpins, sweeping bends, and off-camber corners made us feel like we on a World Rally Championship stage, and the Forester dealt with all of that in a pretty fun and engaging manner. The all-wheel drive was a definite plus, and we drove up those twisties as if it were dry. We can go all technical to describe just how great the chassis felt on those roads, but we’ll spare you nerd talk.
As with most modern cars, we wish it had a touch more steering feel, but we were grinning from ear to ear by the time we reached Baguio. What a car, indeed.
Smooth operator
Day three was simple drive fraom Baguio back to Manila. That gave us time to reflect on the epic drive, as well as gather our thoughts on the Subaru Forester e-Boxer. While we didn’t reach the 1,200 kilometer goal, the fact that we still reached 800 kilometers after everything we threw at it was hugely impressive. With less elevation (and a lighter foot), we’re certain that this powertrain can go over 1,000 kilometers. It also helps that its fuel tank size is over 70 liters.
Obviously, the hybrid is no replacement for the much-loved and much-missed turbocharged XT models from the past. Still, it pulls well and never felt like it ran out of breath. You can lean on it when overtaking, something that couldn’t be said about the old non-turbocharged engine that it replaced. There are significant gains in performance with little penalty to fuel economy. Plus, its transitions from engine power to electric power were smooth and seamless.
We’re still gushing over its driving dynamics. Despite being high off the ground, it rarely felt like it was out of its depth on slippery winding roads. Sure, taking a WRX would’ve been more fun, but we don’t mind taking the same route with the Forester again. Sharp steering, well modulated brakes, and grip for days made it a joy to drive.
The wonderful driving dynamics didn’t come at the expense of comfort, either. In the three days we had it, we observed the ride to be pliant. While a touch on the soft side, there’s no wallow or unnecessary body motions after going over bumps or rough patches. The Forester’s body stayed pretty level, a sign of great chassis tuning.
It’s not perfect, though. The battery does eat up some cargo space, but it’s still pretty sizable nonetheless. That said, the lack of a spare tire might bother some potential customers. Its interior isn’t the most modern or high-tech looking, and there will be those who wished that the styling could be more adventurous.
However, it counters those cons by impressing you with its sheer competence. It’s one of the most well-rounded cars we’ve driven this year, offering a sweet blend of practicality, efficiency, dynamic handling, and comfort. With that mix, we say the Forester e-Boxer has all the potential to make Subaru Philippines great again.
In the past, we were hard-pressed to recommend a Subaru because of their thirst for fuel. With that solved, one can finally experience all that defines a Subaru without having to stop for gas all the time. This, ladies and gentlemen, is a crossover that deserves to be on your shortlist.
