Subaru Australia is celebrating selling 300,000 examples of its iconic Forester SUV since it was introduced in the Australian market in 1997.
In contrast, Honda sold 238,944 examples of its CR-V from its launch in 1997 until the end of 2022.
The Subaru Forester has now been on sale locally for over 25 years and has been through five major generations.
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First-gen Forester -
Second-gen Forester -
Third-gen Forester -
Fourth-gen Forester
Over the years, Subaru has offered turbocharged petrol versions of the GT and later XT nameplates. The latest generation was the first not to offer a turbo option, though it was the first to feature an available hybrid powertrain.
Subaru has also moved away from turbo-diesel engines, with the latest Forester no longer offering the option of such an engine.
The Forester remains a strong seller, though it’s no longer the best-selling vehicle in its segment like it was from 2008 to 2011.
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Pre-facelift, fifth-gen Forester
In January 2023 Subaru sold a total of 1370 Foresters, making it the sixth best-selling medium SUV in Australia.
It was outsold by the Mazda CX-5 (2189 sales), Toyota RAV4 (1958 sales), Mitsubishi Outlander (1674 sales), Hyundai Tucson (1615 sales), and the Kia Sportage (1572 sales).
“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,” said Subaru Australia managing director Blair Read.
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Facelifted fifth-gen Forester -
“We are proud to have reached the 300,000 sales milestone for Subaru Forester in Australia.”
“With the Forester’s sales success, Subaru Australia remains committed to providing innovative, high-quality vehicles that meet the needs and expectations of Australian motorists,” he added.
“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.”
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