Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid: Electrified to go the distance

Technology never stands still – that is very true when it comes to the cars we drive.

For decades, the Subaru brand was synonymous with boxer engines and symmetrical all-wheel-drive – technology that was honed through the rally stages and the most grueling conditions that man could think of. Now the brand from Gunma is out to show the newest trick to its playbook – electrification.

That's right. Subaru has gone for a greener path towards efficiency, and it has chosen one of its most popular SUVs to demonstrate its newfound skill with the all-new Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid, delivering the same all-weather capability with a lighter carbon footprint.

They say the best way to know a car is to live with it. But in this case, we got to know Subaru’s first electrified model for the Philippine market on a journey from Manila to the northernmost tip of Luzon and back – a roadtrip that span over a thousand kilometers.

A New Era for a Familiar Name

The Subaru Forester is a household name among compact SUVs in the country. Built on the brand’s reputation for rugged dependability, the Forester enters its 6th generation, taking a big step forward with a sharper, tougher design. Most importantly, it signals the debut of Subaru’s Strong Hybrid system or S:HEV for the Philippine market.

From Manila Bay, our journey took us through expressways and provincial roads leading up to La Union, Ilocos Sur, and eventually Ilocos Norte.

Along the way, the all-new Forester’s exterior made quite the impression in the metal. Its boxier profile and pronounced fenders gave it a more confident stance, with slimmer LED headlights up front accompanied by a larger grille. Slightly bigger than the previous, and with the same wheelbase, the all-new Forester e-Boxer Hybrid comes standard with 19-inch wheels and 220 mm of ground clearance, making sure it can handle road imperfections with ease.

Comfort and Technology Inside

It's clear that Subaru also focused on refinement, and that shines through inside the cabin. Soft-touch materials line the important touchpoints, while the leather on the seats smell and feel premium.

The improvements don't stop there either. The best part of what made the long roadtrip enjoyable is because of the improved Subaru Global Platform. The engineers of the Forester prioritized using better sound-absorbing materials which made for a quieter cabin. Likewise, the ergonomics for the seat design was also given much attention, making the Forester's occupants feel less fatigued over long seat times.

As for in-car features, the familiar portrait-style touchscreen stays for the all-new model, and it comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto among its list of features, as well as a 360 degree multi-view monitor.

On the other hand, the tachometer has been replaced with a dial that monitors the hybrid system’s activity, which was perfect for keeping our efficiency in check during the long drive.

Add in a wireless charger, multiple USB ports, a Harman Kardon sound system, rear A/C vents, and a panoramic sunroof, and the all-new Forester feels just as premium as it is practical.

Cargo space is just as impressive. With a press of a button, or via the tailgate kick sensor, the all-new Forester has 484 liters of room with the seats up, giving more than enough space for luggage and pasalubong from the trip.

The new e-Boxer heart

Subarus have always delivered performance, especially with its WRX and STi models of the past. But now it can also be known for efficiency with the new Subaru Strong Hybrid powertrain. This combines a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle boxer engine with two electric motors, paired to the proven Lineartronic CVT.

One acts as a generator, and the other as a traction motor. Together, the system produces 197 PS and up to 276 Nm of torque from the electric motor alone. This setup allowed the all-new Forester to drive quietly on electric power as we entered town and city propers where speeds were low.

When the roads opened up again and the speeds picked up, the powertrain seamlessly switched to the gas engine to deliver stronger acceleration. Best of all, because the boxer engine recharges the battery, there’s no need to plug in the all-new Forester – making it a self-charging hybrid that fits the current requirements for mobility in the Philippine setting.

Despite the long drive, the all-new Forester managed to reach Patapat Viaduct in Ilocos Norte and still had plenty left in the tank with the new Subaru Strong Hybrid powertrain, proving the system’s capability on extended journeys.

Confidence in Every Curve

When we turned around and headed down south, we took a detour toward Baguio via Naguilian Road. That meant tackling zigzag roads and steep climbs – a challenge for others, but the perfect environment for Subaru’s signature symmetrical all-wheel-drive system to flex its prowess.

Combining the boxer engine’s low center of gravity and torque vectoring on all four wheels, body roll was kept to a minimum. The all-new Forester had exceptional grip on the twisties to change direction quickly, making the winding roads surprisingly enjoyable for a high-riding SUV.

When it was time to finally come down from Baguio and return to Manila, the regenerative braking was put into good use and fully charged the all-new Forester's hybrid batteries. This meant the Forester barely consumed fuel going downhill, all while delivering engaging driving dynamics without skimping on comfort.

True to Subaru tradition, the all-new Forester features the enhanced EyeSight 4.0 driver-assist technology. It now comes equipped with the wide-angle monocular camera. With three cameras, it serves as the driver's extra eyes on the road, incorporating things like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and pre-collision braking which offers peace of mind on both expressways and provincial roads.

Likewise, there's the EDSS or the Emergency Driving Stop System, which can safely bring the Forester to a complete stop when the system detects an unresponsive driver in the event of a potential emergency situation.

After covering more than a thousand kilometers, the all-new Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid demonstrated that an impressive SUV can still learn new tricks. It continues the legacy of Subaru’s rugged capability and advanced safety, with electrification now part of its proven DNA.

The all-new Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid retails for PHP 2,498,000. Visit your nearest Subaru dealership to learn more, and experience its newest tricks for yourself by booking a test drive. You can also log on to https://www.subaru.asia/ph/en/.