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Road test review: Subaru Forester E-Boxer

Tuesday, 21 July 2020

Subaru's new e-Boxer Hybrid system has four drive modes. but you can't select them - the car makes the decisions.
Besides the number plate, you wouldn’t know this is an electrified Subaru. At least, not from the front.
Besides the number plate, you wouldn’t know this is an electrified Subaru. At least, not from the front.
It’s a business-as-usual interior for the hybrid version of the Forester, so a pleasant design with quite a lot of plastic.
It’s a business-as-usual interior for the hybrid version of the Forester, so a pleasant design with quite a lot of plastic.

Subaru introduced its first electrified powertrain earlier this year, arriving in the form of the XV and Forester e-Boxer. We’ve tested the XV, now it’s time for the bigger brother.

If it’s a hybrid, there must be a graphic that shows when the electric motor is in use. It’s the law, look it up.
If it’s a hybrid, there must be a graphic that shows when the electric motor is in use. It’s the law, look it up.

How does the hybrid Forester differ from the XV?

Aside from the obvious model differences, the powertrain is identical. That means motivation comes from a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated boxer-four making 110kW/196Nm paired with a 12.3kW/66Nm electric motor. Subaru hasn’t confirmed the combined output yet. While the electrified XV offered gains in the powertrain department compared to the combustion-only version, the Forester Hybrid actually loses power versus the 136kW/239Nm 2.5-litre version.

**READ MORE:

A subtle badge on the boot and a couple more around the sides are the only outward indications of a hybrid system.
A subtle badge on the boot and a couple more around the sides are the only outward indications of a hybrid system.

* Road test review: Subaru XV Sport Hybrid

* Subaru hybrids to land in NZ soon

There’s more space inside than you might think. The Forester is still a very good family car.
There’s more space inside than you might think. The Forester is still a very good family car.

* Subaru names its electric SUV

* Subaru details upcoming electrified Impreza

The Forester boasts squarer, more upright styling than the rest of the Subaru family.
The Forester boasts squarer, more upright styling than the rest of the Subaru family.

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Unfortunately, the drop in power means you need to work the engine harder to get the same result, affecting fuel consumption. Subaru claims combined fuel consumption of 6.7L/100km for the hybrid, with a 7.5L/100km urban figure, but we saw closer to 9L/100km after a week of commuting.

The Japanese manufacturer previously said the Forester Hybrid would offer fuel improvements of 19 per cent on the urban cycle and nine per cent on the combined compared to the 2.5-litre petrol variants. It’s not quite that good but an improvement is an improvement nonetheless.

However, the motor is powerful enough to drive the 1682kg Forester by itself, albeit at speeds of less than 40kmh and only for a few kays. That’s secretly a good thing, as that speed usually comes when commuting in traffic. Combustion engines are typically working quite hard at this point so removing it from the equation is good for green credentials.

So it’s a mild mild hybrid. Not to be rude but what’s the point?

Mainly emissions reductions, as mentioned, although if that’s your modus operandi, I’ll save you some time and point you towards the XV Hybrid now unless you really need the space in the larger Forester.

If I’m honest, I’m not sold on this version of the e-Boxer powertrain. Subaru has said that one consistent question that came up when it was researching hybrids was “it'll still be like a Subaru, right?'

While I understand not wanting to alienate your customers with new technology, I can’t help but feel Subaru went a little too conservative here. Especially given it loses on power compared to the 2.5L and doesn’t deliver the gains in the emissions department.

Are there any good points?

Of course. The Forester is still a fantastic car, with way more space than you assume from looking at it on the outside and Subaru’s famously capable symmetrical all-wheel drive onboard for the rougher patches out at the farm.

The Premium version, which we have here, is packed with niceties like Subaru’s full active safety suite, a cushy leather interior and one of the nicest steering wheels on the market.

The boxy styling has aged well and the CVT is, just quietly, on par with most automatics in this price range.

The Premium also gets a dual-function X-Mode. While X-Mode is fitted to all Foresters to optimise the powertrain and electronics for off-road driving, the Premium's can be further fine-tuned between snow/dirt and deep snow/mud.

The Eyesight and Driver Monitoring System (DMS) can be overly talkative, especially the lane departure warning, but aside from that they work very well.

Okay, so the Forester is still a great family car but the e-Boxer powertrain is a bit of a let-down?

In a nutshell, yes. Unfortunately. But also not, because Subaru isn’t hedging all its electrified bets with the Forester, despite its popularity.

The XV Hybrid is still there, and with a smaller number on the window. Meanwhile, the Forester will continue to sell in 2.5-litre trim and, despite its shortcomings, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the e-Forester do well either.

Any other cars I should consider?

Aside from the electrified XV, the exceedingly popular RAV4 Hybrid, which currently asks $53,490 for the Limited version, is the biggest rival. And probably the one I’d go for, given it has more power (163kW), consumes less fuel (claimed 5.0L/100km) and looks better (subjective). Though, if off-road chops are a must for your electrified SUV, the Forester outshines the Toyota there.