The all-new sixth-generation Subaru Forester has just been spotted in Malaysia whilst being transported on a trailer, thanks to these images courtesy of an anonymous AutoBuzz.my reader. Having debuted in the US back in 2023 – just shortly after the launch of the facelifted 5th-generation model in Malaysia – it’s about high time that we get the latest generation of Subaru’s best-selling model.
In the US, where the model has already been launched, the all-new Subaru Forester is available in five variants — Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring. The units seen here are likely the Base and Premium variants, given their more “rudimentary” trims and wheel designs – the Forester comes with 17-inch alloy wheels; the Limited gets 18-inch alloys, while the Sport and Touring ride on larger 19-inch wheels.
Overseas, the sixth-generation Subaru Forester is offered with two powertrain options: a naturally aspirated petrol engine and a hybrid system. The petrol variant is powered by a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated flat-four boxer engine, producing 180 hp and 241 Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a CVT gearbox and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.
The hybrid variant, meanwhile, features Subaru’s new “Strong Hybrid System” co-developed with Toyota. It uses a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle flat-four engine, paired with two electric motors. One motor acts as a generator to charge the 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, while the other assists propulsion — either supporting the engine or driving the car on electric power alone. Combined, the hybrid system produces 194 hp and delivers power to all four wheels through a CVT. Subaru claims it offers a range of up to 935 km on a full tank.
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Inside, the sixth-generation Forester shares a familiar cabin layout with newer Subaru models like the WRX and Outback. It features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, paired with the Subaru Starlink Multimedia Plus system — starting with a seven-inch touchscreen on entry-level variants, up to an 11.6-inch display on higher trims. Both support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
According to Car and Driver, the sixth-generation Subaru Forester starts from USD31,415 (approx. RM133k). The fifth-generation Subaru Forester, which has been on sale here since 2019, is still available in Malaysia from RM163,500 on-the-road, without insurance.
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The previous-generation car here in Malaysia is powered by a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat-four Subaru Boxer engine that puts out 156 hp and 196 Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a CVT gearbox with higher-end variants featuring Subaru’s Dual X-mode.
TC Subaru has yet to release any details on the sixth-generation Forester, but with these units now in Malaysia, something interesting may be in the works to shake up the SUV market.
