At Subaru, we believe the best way to survive a collision is not to have one in the first place. To this end, our vehicles inspire confidence through peace of mind on the road. The Forester aims to provide a stressfree driving experience, the capability and safety to conquer challenges and overcome adversity, making your adventures that much more rewarding. Many of the same features that help make the Forester more enjoyable to drive also contribute to its serious dedication to keeping its occupants out of harm's way. The stable, responsive handling of its Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive can enhance control in virtually any weather conditions. And the SUBARU BOXER engine enhances this security, thanks to its lower centre of gravity, creating an even closer connection to the road. Its standard Vehicle Dynamics Control and generously sized brakes endow it with athletic reflexes, whilst fluid-filled mounts suppress excessive vibration, encouraging more confidence behind the wheel.
The standard 4-wheel disc brakes feature lightweight aluminium rear calipers and a strong, reassuring brake feel. The Antilock Braking System (ABS) includes Electronic Brake-force Distribution, to reapportion front/rear braking pressure when the vehicle is loaded. To ensure maximum braking during an emergency, the Forester features both Brake Assist and Brake Override. There’s also Subaru Hill Holder that helps prevent rollback when starting off on a 5% or steeper grade, by applying the electronic parking brake and automatically releasing it once you’re underway. The DIT model adds larger 17-inch ventilated discs in front and 16-inch ventilated discs for the rear, further enhancing the overall driving performance over many surfaces you may encounter.
Standard on every Forester, the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) monitors and analyses if the vehicle is following the driver's intended course via an array of sensors. If the ehicle approaches the limits of stability whilst cornering or avoiding an obstacle, the AWD torque distribution, engine output and brakes at each wheel are adjusted to assist in keeping the vehicle on course.
The Forester is designed to protect its occupants with a series of advanced systems and features, balancing rigid strength with controlled deformation in key areas to better manage impact forces. Systematically placed airbags, whiplash-reducing front seats, retracting pedals and 3-point seatbelts are all part of providing safety to the occupants directly.
Standard on Forester are front SRS* airbags, plus front-side, curtain SRS* airbags and knee SRS* airbags. Height-adjustable front seatbelts feature pretensioners to hold passengers firmly in place, and load limiters that ease peak forces to the chest. In a rear collision, front seats utilise rigid frames, firm headrests and such details as energy-absorbing mounting of the inner seat springs, all to help reduce the chance of whiplash.
Shock-absorbing space within the vehicle helps reduce pedestrian injury, as do an energy-absorbing front bumper with a specially designed area around the windshield wipers. And in order to provide protection in the head zone, a split-type construction in the front has been implemented.
The Ring-shaped Reinforcement Frames strengthen the passenger cabin’s roof, doors, pillars and floor. This design helps divert and dissipate impact energy away from the occupants in a collision by use of high-strength materials and strategic placements. While making it stronger with increased torsional rigidity, the overall frame is still lightweight.
The all-new Subaru Forester has been awarded the maximum five-star safety rating in the latest round of Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) safety performance tests.
Every Subaru goes above and beyond common practice when it comes to your safety. In the event of a head-on collision, your Forester’s SUBARU BOXER engine and gearbox are designed to avoid rushing into the cabin for your protection.
