Unveiled overnight at the Chicago Auto Show was the highly anticipated addition of Subaru’s next-generation Hybrid powertrain to the Forester line-up.

Subaru of New Zealand is excited to confirm it will launch the all-new Subaru Forester mid-year.

The all-new Forester will be the first Subaru model in New Zealand to add the next-generation Subaru Hybrid powertrain to the range. The Forester Strong Hybrid model integrates the 2.5-litre Subaru Boxer engine and electric motors with Subaru’s signature Symmetrical All- Wheel Drive, retaining the SUV’s impressive capability, low centre of gravity and optimal handling whilst adding enhanced range.

The next-generation Forester comes standard with Subaru’s EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, a tablet-style Subaru 11.6-inch Multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility¹, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster² on selected variants.

The all-new Forester Hybrid delivers the optimal blend of SUV capability and car-like ride and handling with standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, X-Mode Dual Mode with Hill Descent Control, Active Torque Vectoring and Vehicle Dynamics Control. The standard 220mm of ground clearance³ is greater than that of many SUVs, yet the compact SUV maintains a comfortably low step-in height for both front and rear passenger entry.

Inchcape General Manager, Kym Mellow, the distributor of Subaru vehicles in New Zealand said: “New Zealanders have trusted the Subaru Forester for decades, and for all those years this popular model has turned heads in our cities, while navigating the rugged demands of our wild backcountry with Subaru’s iconic Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. In fact, the Subaru Forester was named as the 2018 New Zealand Car of the Year by the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild, and in 2022, Forester won the NZ4WD magazine’s Medium SUV of the Year award. This next-generation model will proudly continue that award-winning legacy. We are looking forward to sharing more details on the all-new Forester range in the coming months.”

Further details will be released closer to the New Zealand launch. In the meantime, those interested in staying informed about the all-new Subaru Forester can register their interest at Armstrong’s Subaru Lower Hutt & Christchurch.