Subaru Forester e-BOXER Mild Hybrid

I've driven the Forester 2.5L Hybrid for about two months now, covering roughly 2,000 km. As someone who previously owned the SK-generation Forester, the difference is noticeable. The hybrid setup makes the car feel smoother and more relaxed in daily traffic. It isn't as zippy as the older model, but it excels in day-to-day drivability — especially around town, where the electric assist makes creeping in traffic feel more effortless.

In terms of fuel economy, I averaged around 710 km over three tanks. This is quite far from the "1,000 km per tank" figure that's often mentioned, so that was disappointing. In real Singapore conditions, with mixed city and expressway driving, 700+ km seems more realistic.

Inside, the car feels familiar but more refined. The seats are comfortable on long drives, visibility is still one of the Forester's strongest points, and the cabin has a solid, functional feel. The infotainment system is responsive enough, and the air-con handles our weather without breaking a sweat. As an audiophile, the sound system surprised me — it's genuinely better than what most mainstream SUVs offer, even without aftermarket upgrades.

Parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces is where the car shines. Despite being an SUV, it's easy to judge, and parallel parking is straightforward. There are a lot of electronic settings and driver-assistance features, which can feel overwhelming at the start, but once everything is set to your preference, you don't really think about them anymore. Overall, the hybrid Forester still carries the same "confidence in all conditions" personality that Subaru is known for — just without the stronger punch of the older petrol-only versions.

Decided to write this review only after owning and driving my new Forester (non-STI) for slightly more than 3 months since May.

The Subaru Forester e-Boxer is a versatile hybrid SUV that blends efficiency with rugged capability. It features Subaru's Symmetrical AWD, making it excellent for all-weather and off-road driving. The hybrid system improves fuel economy, while the spacious interior and EyeSight safety tech enhance comfort and security. Though not the most powerful hybrid, it offers a smooth ride, great visibility, and solid practicality, making it a reliable choice for adventure-seekers.

Drove this e-BOXER for about a week.

Likes - spacious seats and boot, wide front and rear views, sensor activated front doors, electric auto tailgate and EyeSight 4.0.

Dislikes - only one USB slot, poorer insulation of ambient noise and observed high torque when accelerating or from stationary position.

A friend who opined that if one can afford a car in sg, why bother about its fuel consumption? Somewhat agreed.

Nicely priced compared to other SUV like RAV4, CX-5 and Harrier, the latter all above $200k.

Good:

- Most value for money 2L SUV

- interior much improved compared to earlier foresters

- power is adequate for SG conditions

Bad

- GT edition body kit looks tacky. The whole car becomes a mish-mash of colours with the silver body kit and the black plastic cladding. Looks cheap and tasteless.

It's your quintessential Singaporean SUV, packed with plenty of cabin space and safety systems. Just don't expect it to deliver much when it comes to acceleration.

This Forester Mild Hybrid is a comfortable & spacious SUV that aims towards bigger family. It's a 5 seater but there is a generous amount of leg & head room in this car, no issues having 3 adults at the back. Boot space is pretty decent too. The exterior isn't the eye-catching, sharp design that SUVs nowadays have but Subaru cars always have the rugged looks that suits off-road. Interior wise it has bigger infotainment screen than before that comes with Android Auto & Apple Carplay. Tbh Subaru interior is still leaning towards the traditional side as compared to the fancy and digitalised instrument cluster. Safety wise it has upped a level too because of EyeSight 4.0. Loads of safety features. Comes with 360 degree camera too. This car is just mild hybrid so EV mode will only activate at certain speed or when braking. At least it saves some fuel.

The only downside this car has is the engine, 2L is sufficient but a turbo with it will be much better. While the car isn't full size SUV, I wish there were front sensors since it's a good thing to have.

Subaru's longest mainstay now has a handsome new front, and a host of cabin upgrades, so its competitive pricing is no longer the main thing that will convince you to get one against the many rivals.

A mild update for this model year sees the Subaru Forester get new lights, a new grille, and a new Eyesight system and new cabin features.

Went by to see this e-Boxer in Motor Image recently.

First looks, some changes in the lights design and is fully fitted with LEDs. Car is taller too and equipped with harness body mechanism to prevent side collision impact.

Interior, its flushed in nicely with the console which is intuitive and friendly to use which is ok to be locally fitted. Sunroof is there, only canvas need to manual open. FINALLY, a japanese make that comes with BOTH auto headlights and rain sensor, PLUS both driver and passenger auto seat adjustment. Space is also wider and longer felt too.

Paired with the usual CVT gearbox but is a chain type than a conventional belt type, so as to work well with its powerful boxer engine.

Drive off is a simple task, compared to its predecessor that is still available for sale.

During the drive in SI mode, the car is well behaved and perhaps in mild hybrid over the turbo, the pickup is still adequate but there is still difference though. When in X mode, the car jumps into life and overtakes is so simple and easy, but still prefer X mode with Turbo in XT series.

Features are well equipped in the e-boxer, comes with EyeSight 4.0 which is flushed in the screen than the earlier mounted out and the adaptive cruise and stop control is effective, just simply set how far apart you need between yours and in front, the rest let EyeSight do the job in stopping, braking and continuing the journey.

Blind spot detection is the usual and common whereby it lights up in the wing mirror and dash screen. Lane departure is also useful and pulls you back in lane but at a speed fo 60km minimum.

This SUV is well equipped too, you name it, they have it.

One soundful thing I got to know is pin feature whereby if you forgot your key and need to collect something from your car, can set a 6 digit code to do so, but cannot start the car and drive off.

Overall, with the above and perhaps others that I might have overlooked, this e-boxer is certainly an excellent improvement in gadgets and features over the previous few predecessors.

Its an alternative to conti SUV but a sure get Japanese SUV to consider.

Subaru has a new Forester with an all new front and an all new EyeSight system. It's otherwise your regular Forester through and through. Big and spacious, hard on safety, and with loads of window space for everyone to see out of when you go on road trips.

Great car, value for money, feature rich. Highly recommended for anyone looking for mid-large size SUV.

When you sit,it just makes you feel you own and control the car and the road at the same time....Most cars will just give you way all the time and even wave to you .....

I have read conflicting reviews about the performance of the eboxer engine so I test drove this to determine which reviews were more accurate. In summary, I think that all the reviews were correct - it depends on which baseline the reviewer was comparing the eboxer Forester to.

Compared to the SJ 2.0 NA Forester that I own, the Eboxer seems to lack oomph and agility. It seems to do that only because it is heavier. The weight plant the vehicle more securely to the ground. I find the acceleration more than adequate and overtaking in city traffic does not pose any problem. I would love to test the overtaking at highway speed though.

This car should be on the list of those who wants to see what hybrids can do without having to worry about the extensive electronics and motors that comes with normal hybrids. It does not save a lot of fuel - at least this is what almost all reviewers agree on. But it is a proper SUV which can handle rough terrain. The ride is quiet especially the very few times it went on full EV mode.

I think drivers of previous generations of NA Foresters will have no issue with the performance of this car once they realised that the ride characteristics is influence more by the weight and not by the power of the engine.

Not I gave a 5-star rating on reliability because I need to tick this. - So I used the current SJ Forester which I own as a reference.

Very good Suv car and I like Super powerful and big and comfortable

Low fuel consumption

Easy maintenance

Alway use this car to Malaysia and also very powerful