Peter Lyon
July 27, 2025
It’s been a while coming, but the all-new 6th generation Subaru Forester has just debuted at the current 2025 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). But don’t get too carried away as there will only be one version of the new SUV model available in the Archipelago, and it will cost IDR736 million, or roughly RM190k.
A week after the model was spotted on a caravan in Malaysia, the Forester made was launched in Indonesia, which looks very much like a sign of a broader regional introduction. However, it should be noted that Motor Image, a division of Tan Chong International, which represents the Japanese brand in numerous other ASEAN nations, such as Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, and Cambodia, is not in charge of Subaru in Indonesia.
While the new Forester will be available in both pure petrol and hybrid specs, the C-segment SUV will be offered solely with a non-electrified 2.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine, generating 185 hp and 247 Nm.
A Lineartronic CVT and an all-wheel drive system (with dual-function X-Mode) transmit power to all four wheels as you’d expect on a Subaru. This results in a 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time and a top speed of 205 km/h.
In Indonesia, the brand-new Forester comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, and LED headlamps as standard. Also fitted as standard are a wireless charging pad, a 10-way powered driver’s seat with lumbar support, a hands-free operated tailgate and a portrait-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are all standard on the sixth-generation’s interior.
The highly-rated EyeSight advanced driver assistance system is also standard on the new Forester in Indonesia with these systems being powered by a wide-angle monocular camera, a stereo camera pair, and radar sensors to enable autonomous emergency braking on the front and rear, adaptive cruise control with lane centering control, lane departure prevention assist, autonomous emergency steering, high beam assist, and rear cross traffic alert.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
It might have debuted in Indonesia but we can expect to see this new model in Malaysian showrooms very soon. As one of Subaru’s most popular models, the new Forester comes with an exterior that is more angular and functional, but you could not call it pretty. For the money, you’d have to go a long way to find a more capable 4WD crossover that offers such interior quality and safety features.
