SUBARU SELLS 300,000TH FORESTER IN AUSTRALIA

The beginning of March saw Subaru’s Forester SUV achieve a significant local milestone, with the 300,000th example sold since Australian sales began in 1997.

A consistent performer for Subaru in Australia, the all-wheel drive Forester has set the standard for fun and adventure, according to the Japanese carmaker, while Subaru Australia says the Forester has been a favourite with local drivers due to its reliability, safety features, and all-terrain versatility.

Commenting on the 300K achievement, Subaru Australia Managing Director, Blair Read said: "Subaru Forester continues to be a popular choice for drivers looking for a versatile vehicle, with its legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, advanced safety features, and spacious interior.

“We are proud to have reached the 300,000 sales milestone for Subaru Forester in Australia. The Subaru Forester has become an iconic vehicle in the Australian market, and the 300,000 units sold cements its position as one of the country's favourite SUVs."

Despite the status of Subaru’s ‘halo’ models, like the Impreza WRX, and long-running icons, like the Brumby ute, the Forester is the most awarded Subaru vehicle in Australia, winning its first media gong in 1999 and its most recent in 2022.

As well as the most awarded Subaru, the Forester has also been the top seller in its market segment, including four straight years from 2008. However, against the juggernaut that is Toyota’s RAV4, the Forester has struggled in recent years. In 2022, the Forester was only the seventh-best seller in its category, finishing behind not only the RAV4, but also the Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, reflecting the highly competitive nature of the SUV market in Australia today.

Subaru Forester – Milestones in Australia

1997 – First generation Subaru Forester arrives in the Australian market; the same year it’s launched in Japan and the US.

1998 - Subaru Forester GT launched launched, offering a 2.0-litre turbocharged Boxer engine and giving the five-door SUV a hint of Impreza WRX performance.

1999 - Forester wins RACQ/The Courier Mail QLD, Q-Car 1999, ‘Best Recreational Vehicle’ and ‘Overall Winner’.

2002 - Second generation Forester launched in Australia.

2003 – Forester is the first Subaru vehicle to sell over 10,000 units in Australia in a calendar year.
Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) award maximum 5-star safety rating to the Forester XS Luxury (the best-ever rating for a compact SUV at the time).

2004 - ANCAP awards entire Forester range the maximum 5-star safety rating.

2008 - Third Generation Subaru Forester launched in Australia.
Winner of ‘Best Compact SUV’ by Carsales Network People's Choice Award.

2011 – Forester achieves fourth successive year as Australia's best-selling compact SUV (VFACTS data - 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011).
Forester sales in Australia exceed 150,000.

2013 – Fourth-generation Forester launched, with petrol and diesel engine options.
Forester 2.5i-S AWD wins ‘Best SUV under $45K’ at Australia’s Best Cars awards.

2014 – Subaru introduces ‘X-Mode’ traction control system on the Forester and trials it on a five-continent, 60,000-mile (96,500km) drive starting in Australia.
700,000th Subaru sold in Australia is a Forester XT Premium.
Forester 2.5i-S AWD wins second successive ‘Best SUV under $45K' award at Australia's Best Cars awards.

2015 – Forester sales in Australia exceed 200,000.

2018 - Fifth generation Subaru Forester launched in Australia, marking the introduction of the most technologically advanced version of the small SUV ever.
Forester 2.5i-S wins ‘Best Small SUV’ at Drive Car of the Year awards. Runner-up in Wheels Car of the Year awards.

2019 – ANCAP maximum 5-star safety rating achieved by entire Gen5 Forester range.
One millionth Subaru vehicle sold in Australia is a Forester 2.5i-S.
Forester 2.5i-S wins ‘Best AWD SUV $40,000-$50,000’ at OzRoamer Car of the Year awards.

2020 - Forester enters hybrid arena with local launch of Hybrid L and Hybrid S.

2022 – Gen 5 Forester facelifted, with new-look front end and headlights amongst the changes.
Forester NA variants win ‘Best AWD SUV under $45,000’ category at OzRoamer Car of the Year awards.

2023 - Forester sales in Australia reach 300,000 units.