10 Things To Expect From The Next

The Forester is one of the OG compact SUVs and here's what we can expect to see on a radically different next-gen Subaru AWD champion

Subaru has been known for its ability to listen to what the consumers had to say since it started shipping cars to the American markets in 1968. It is a common misconception that the company hit the ground running, taking off from day one as a very successful carmaker. That was not the case, though, because, like most other manufacturers in the industry, they had some ups and downs. One of those ups came in 1995 when Subaru introduced the Forester to the world at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The Subaru Forester was well received by the masses, so production began, and sales started in 1997 for the Japanese market and later in the same year for the American markets for the '98 model year. The idea of building a crossover was brought to the industry by Volkswagon engineers, but the Forester was one of the first to actually be sold on the open market.

Today, the Forester is the next one in line for a makeover that involves more than a few touchups, so according to the managing director of Subaru Australia, Blair Read, it is the next in line for a new generation update. So, let's take a look at what that should look like since the estimated timeline for that change is by the 2024 or 2025 model year.

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If you look globally for a hybrid version of the Subaru Forester, the only way you would be successful is if you came across one shipped in from overseas. That is because the only Forester Hybrid you will find being produced is for markets outside the United States, such as Japan and Australia.

The hybrid version should be coming to the markets here within the next year or so, but what this trend shows is that when the new generation does come out is that it will be produced for the foreign markets first, so keep a close eye on them for the new-gen Subura Forester, because once they receive it, our markets will be close behind.

Generally, automakers such as Subaru and Toyota are rival companies, so they keep their secrets to themselves. Still, there are times when two companies such as these come together. Times like today when the world is pushing ahead toward the future of less carbon emissions, less pollution, and more electric vehicles.

The collaboration between Subaru and Toyota, which has actually been going on since 2005, puts Subaru in a great position to use the more advanced hybrid technology that Toyota brings to the table. It is a safe bet to say that when the new generation of Forester comes out, it will borrow most, if not all, of its hybrid electric motor and ICE components from Toyota technology and experience.

It is not a far stretch to ask for a hybrid powertrain on the next-generation Subaru Forester here in the Northern Hemisphere, especially since it already exists in places like New Zealand and Australia. They would not even have to make a new platform in the assembly plants to build one because the company is already set up to assemble them.

However, since the boxer engine that they now use is having a few issues with fuel efficiency, they will need to borrow some engine tech as well from Toyota, but when all is said and done, the new-gen Forester Hybrid should be new, improved, and sold in American markets.

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Over the last couple of years, consumers have been increasingly demanding more choices in the EV segment, so it only makes good business sense that Subaru would make the new-gen Forester an all-electric vehicle.

At one time in history, creating a car with an all-electric powertrain would have been too complicated to consider, but now, it is what the world wants. By using the knowledge they gained when they built the Subaru Solterra, the company can easily use the two electric motor systems on the Forester to retain the same all-wheel drive capability.

The engine that the Forester gets in the States is the 2.5-liter flat-four that can push out 182 horsepower, while the versions overseas receive a turbocharged 2.0-liter that can pump out up to 250 horsepower. The Subura WRX STI, which has been shelved due to the short life span that it would have had, was designed to have a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine under the hood.

The turbocharged 2.5-liter could give the Forester a pump up in power by 25 horses, up to 275, which would be good enough to substantiate the move from the 2.0L turbocharged engine currently used in the model sold in foreign markets.

Back in the olden days (a couple of decades ago), when you climbed into a Subaru, the choice was up to you whether you wanted to drive in front or four-wheel drive. These days, Subaru has made things much simpler by designing a system that is always in four-wheel drive, or as they have come to call it, all-wheel drive.

This system slightly differs from the traditional four-wheel drive because today's technology allows the car to send the torque to the needed tires. For example, when a tire slips on ice, the sensors will push more torque to that wheel to give it the power it needs to regain traction. So, it is safe to say that the new-gen Forester will continue with the trend and have a permanent AWD system across all trims.

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The last decade has brought some interesting designs to the market. Just take a look at some of the front ends on the pickup trucks, such as the 2002 Dodge Ram, 2009 Ford F-150, or the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. Large grills can make a vehicle look aggressive, which is the look that Subaru has been going after with some changes they have made.

Such as the larger grill area with black bee comb pieces inset, meaner-looking headlights, and a more curved edge folding back around the sides into lines that follow all the way to the back end. Lines that you can follow in one fluid, smooth movement of the eye.

The Interior redesign of the new generation Subaru Forester may be one of the most exciting areas because new technology is simply taking over. If you have doubts about this, just take a peek inside one of the 2023 Foresters loaded with all the options. Some of the changes you will likely see in the new generation will be fewer buttons for you to play with.

Everything will be controlled through the infotainment center that goes directly through the car's brain (or computer system if you want to be technical.) Another significant change that may be seen will be bigger screens, more digital readouts, and hopefully, some extra USB ports in the front and back to charge mobile devices.

The 2023 Subaru Forester on the market right now comes standard with a 6.5-inch display, with some models giving an optional 8-inch screen when ordering. For many consumers, that is enough to see just fine and even large enough to control the things that you need to control. However, look inside the new Mercedes EQS, which has three screens combined to form a 56-inch screen.

Now, this may be a little bit, but if all goes well, you can definitely expect to see a larger screen and infotainment center in the new generation Forester. You may also be able to order a digital dash behind the steering wheel because it seems to be easier to see a digital number in the dark or when your eyes are tired from a busy day.

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Subaru Eyesight is one of those innovative technology systems that simply need to be a part of the new generation of Forester. If you are unfamiliar with it, the safety aspect that it brings to any car it is installed into is the highest possible. What it does is actually simple. It starts with three color cameras that scan the roads for dangers ahead. It will alert you, as the driver, if you go out of the lane, if a car is stopped in front of you, or if any obstructions are coming up.

Plus, if you want to stay at a rate of speed equal to the flow of traffic, set the distance, and the car will keep you there. If needed, the system can slow you down or even bring you to a complete stop. The new-generation Forester should have this system installed. If not, have it added on as an extra.

Chad has been a muscle car and classic truck lover since he could walk. The classic vehicles from the '60s and '70s are the best in his eyes, but he is more than willing to give the new technology a chance!