Subaru answers the needs of the local market with its flagship now in all-new electrified form
Another Japanese marque in the country has joined the electrified bandwagon.
Motor Image Pilipinas has finally boarded electrified train with the introduction of the 2026 Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid.
The said crossover “e-SUV” eyes to battle the likes of the Honda CR-V e:HEV and the Toyota RSV4 Hybrid.
Size-wisw, this newest vehicle measures 4655mm long, 1830mm wide, 1730mm tall, and has a 2670mm wheelbase.
The all-new Forester still exudes the swagger of the old with its sporty and robust exterior profile.
This, however, gets a wider looking grille, featuring a split-like design, which all the more enhances its seemingly bigger size. It’s fitted with sleek LED headlights with eye-catching LED daytime running lights, as well as LED foglights placed on the far corners of the bumper. Added new features are the LED taillights, which sport a wraparound design and a black horizontal strip on the tailgate. These are further boosted by 19-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, a panoramic sunroof, a more angular beltline, and blacked-out A-pillars, together with spruced up D-pillars.
Inside, it’s the same old Spartan yet stylish vibe with an added premium aura sprinkled into it.
For one, a tablet-inspired touchscreen infotainment system, measures 11.6 inches in size and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is paired with a nifty Harmon Kardon surround sound system for that high-quality audio.
It’s trimmed in leather seats, oozing with that premium feel for that relaxing driving and riding experience.
Other creature comforts include: wireless charging pad, front and rear center armrests, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, a hands-free power tailgate, 60:40 split rear seats, and front and rear USB charging ports.
Now, we go to what we all have been waiting for–that thing under its hood. At the heart of the Forester e-Boxer Hybrid is a 2.5-L naturally-aspirated Boxer engine that runs on the Atkinson cycle.
The engine alone produces a 162hp at 5600 rpm along with 209 N-m of torque at 3600 – 4800 rpm. It is then assisted by an electric motor, powered by a 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery that provides an additional 120hp and 276 N-m of torque. This results in linear and instant power delivery despite not having a turbo.
This system is then mated to a Lineatronic CVT and the brand’s iconic Symmetrical AWD system.
Safety-wise, the crossover still sports
advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) with the following: pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, adaptive cruise control, emergency driving stop when the vehicle detects no steering input by the driver, autonomous emergency steering, high-beam assist, lane-centering control, among others.
This vehicle is offered in Autumn Green Metallic, Brilliant Bronze Metallic, Cashmere Gold Opal, Crimson Red Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Crystal White Pearl, Daybreak Blue Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Magnetite Gray Metallic, River Rock Pearl, and Sapphire Blue Pearl.
The 2026 Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid is priced at P2,498,000.
