Launched: 2026 Subaru Forester – 1 CBU Variant Now, RM221,500

The new 2025 Subaru Forester has officially launched in Malaysia. This left-field C-SUV sees its sixth-gen iteration arrive with just 1 CBU variant on offer.

Thanks to an eleventh-hour decision to lift a content embargo early, we can now report that the new 2026 Subaru Forester has officially launched in Malaysia. Unlike before, the left-field C-SUV offering – now in its sixth-generation form – sees just one fully imported (CBU) variant on offer.

 Loyal followers of Carz.com.my will know the latter stems from the move by principals Subaru to scrap its regional local assembly (CKD) efforts in both Thailand and Malaysia last year. The brand has since switched to a CBU Japan-only business model.

As reported prior, the leaked price of RM221,500 remains unchanged. It does include a 5-year or 100,000 KM warranty plus a 5-year or 100,000 KM free service plan.

Back to the sixth-gen Forester and, again, Loyal followers will also remember that its price had leaked prior, and it remains unchanged from which – RM221,500 sans insurance and on-road costs. The last para should explain the sizeable price hike from its predecessor.

There is a silver lining to what has now become arguably the priciest Japanese C-SUV in class now. For the price, importers and distributors Motor Image Malaysia will include a both a 5-year or 100,000 KM warranty and 5-year or 100,000 KM free service plan (parts and labour inclusive).

When contrasted against its predecessor, this new sixth-gen Forester sports a cleaner and sleeker exterior design.

As reported prior, the sixth-gen Forester underpins an enhanced version of the Subaru Global Platform chassis base with increased strength and rigidity. The latter was aimed at improving both handling and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) suppression.

Visually, the new 2025 Subaru Forester now sports a cleaner exterior design versus its predecessor noted prior, but it remains rugged too thanks to black bumper and wheel arch claddings. Primed here too are full-LED forward and rear lighting, roof rails, as well as two-tone 18-inch rolling stock.

The naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre 'Boxer' 4-cyl is a carry-over, but it's now paired with an improved Lineartronic CVT box with 8 ratios plus an equally sharpened Symmetrical AWD suite.

Mechanically, the new Forester continues to harness the Subaru marque’s signature 2.5-litre ‘boxer’ or ‘flat’ (horizontally opposed) 4-cyl petrol mill, which outputs 182 hp and 247 Nm. It is paired with another Subaru signature hardware, that being it’s ‘Lineartronic CVT’ automatic box.

Notably, the latter transmission has been improved with 8 ratios now (it was only 7 prior). Another signature suite paired with it here is the marque’s ‘Symmetrical AWD’ all-wheel-drive setup, and it now offers enhanced and sharpened selectable drive and terrain modes including ‘Dual X-Mode’.

All seats are upholstered in combination leather and fabric, and there are neat new decor inserts in the dash. Otherwise, things appear largely unchanged onboard.

On board, the cabin is furnished with an updated portrait-oriented central touchscreen infotainment measuring 11.6-inch. The instrument panel is identical from before but does gain an updated digital multi-info display (MID) panel.

Elsewhere, the seats are trimmed in leather-fabric combination upholstery, whilst space remains abundant as before. The latter is evident through the practically large 496-litre standard boot space, which is also expandable up to 1,719 litres thanks to split-folding rear seats.

Predictably, this sole CBU variant comes fully loaded with plenty of premium amenities and high-tech convenience.

Other amenities brimmed aboard include a wireless charging pad, both USB-C and USB-A charging ports, powered tailgate with kick-sensor opening, power-adjustable driver seat, keyless entry and ignition, as well as a dual-zone automatic climate control suite with dedicated rear vents.

Over to safety, the sixth-gen Forester now offers eight airbags in total lining its cabin, along with core basics that include ABS plus both traction and stability control suites. The real improvement here is the marque’s unique and enhanced  ‘EyeSight 4.0’ ADAS suite.

Another key improvement is the 'EyeSight 4.0' ADAS suite, which has been enhanced to include EDSS on top of providing Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities.

The latter is powered almost exclusively using a trio of optical sensors mounted in the windscreen’s top centre, and it enables Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities. Included here is an Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS) function.

Available in three exterior paintjob options, bookings for the new 2025 Subaru Forester are now opened at all authorised dealers nationwide. Alternatively, bookings are also opened online via this link.