Just about every car company in the Philippines sells an electrified vehicle of some sort. Whether it’s mild-hybrid or full electric, you’re bound to run into at least one model that’s assisted by battery power. However, we did notice one mainstream brand that doesn’t have that kind of car in its lineup.
If you take a look at the cars sold by Subaru in the local market, not a single model is electrified—odd given that the brand’s hybrid system, Subaru e-Boxer, has been available globally for at about five years. If you want to go further than that, the Japanese carmaker released its first hybrid (albeit without the e-Boxer name) in 2014.
The e-Boxer hybrid models have been available to our neighbors for quite some time already, although the latest generation of models sold in ASEAN don’t have it yet. But that’s soon to change as it has been reported that the all-new Subaru Crosstrek and Subaru Forester will be offered with electrified powertrains in Southeast Asia by 2025.
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That’s according to Tan Chong International (TCI), distributor of Subaru models in most of Southeast Asia through Motor Image. Not only that, the electrified Crosstrek and Forester will be sourced from Japan. Why, you ask? That’s because Subaru has ceased vehicle assembly in Southeast Asia.
TCI didn’t mention when specifically in 2025 the e-Boxer models will arrive, but the company is committed to bringing these in. With that, it’s also possible that Subaru Philippines will (finally) get its hands on the automaker’s e-Boxer vehicles.
Following that announcement, TCI has also confirmed that the sixth-generation Subaru Forester is coming to the region soon. It’s big news given that only the North American market has it at the moment. The all-new model hasn’t even made its debut in its home market of Japan.
It’s worth pointing out that there were plans to bring in e-Boxer models in the Philippines before. Five years ago, Subaru invited the Philippine press to try the fifth-generation Forester with that powertrain in Singapore. At the time, the local distributor said it was set to be launched in the country by 2020.
However, it seems that the pandemic derailed those plans. But given that hybrids have gained more traction and mainstream appeal in the Philippines, now might be a good time for Motor Image Pilipinas to offer e-Boxer models here.
Model-specific FAQs
1) What is the engine specification of the non-hybrid 2025 Subaru Forester?
The non-hybrid 2025 Subaru Forester is equipped with a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve flat-four engine, producing 180hp at 5,800rpm and 241Nm of torque at 3,700rpm.
2) What transmission and drivetrain does the 2025 Subaru Forester use?
The 2025 Subaru Forester features a continuously variable transmission (Lineartronic CVT) and comes with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
3) What safety features are standard on the 2025 Subaru Forester?
Standard safety features include Subaru EyeSight driver-assist technology, which includes pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, and lane-departure prevention. It also includes automatic emergency steering and other advanced safety functions.
4) What are the trim levels available for the 2025 Subaru Forester?
In markets where it is already available, the 2025 Subaru Forester is available in five trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring.
5) What is the ground clearance and towing capacity of the 2025 Subaru Forester?
The 2025 Subaru Forester has a ground clearance of 221mm. Towing capacity is not specified for the non-hybrid variants, but it is generally up to 1,870kg for similar models.
General vehicle FAQs
1) What is the seating capacity of the 2025 Subaru Forester?
The 2025 Subaru Forester can seat five passengers.
2) What is the fuel efficiency of the 2025 Subaru Forester?
The fuel efficiency of the 2025 Subaru Forester is up to 11km/L in the city and 14km/L on the highway.
3) What are the wheel sizes for the different trim levels of the 2025 Subaru Forester?
The wheel sizes vary by trim: The Base and Premium trims have 17-inch wheels, the Sport trim has 19-inch bronze-finish alloy wheels, and the Limited and Touring trims have different finishes on their 18-inch and 19-inch wheels, respectively.
4) What is the pricing for the 2025 Subaru Forester in the Philippines?
Please note that pricing can vary and is subject to change. The starting MSRP for the 2025 Subaru Forester in the US is around $29,695 for the Base trim, but Philippine pricing will differ. It is best to check with local dealers for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information.
5) Does the 2025 Subaru Forester come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes, the 2025 Subaru Forester comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration across all trim levels.
