Subaru Forester Sport: Worth the Extra over the Premium Model?


Is Subaru Forester Sport worth the Extra Money over the Premium Model?

Subaru has added yet another model to the Forester family, the Sport.

Without asking Subaru what it was for, we tried figuring it out for ourselves. Were the Sport touches worth the extra shekels?

Get a brochure HERE: Subaru-Forester-brochure

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To this end, I gathered up the boys for a quick trip into the country, after a week spent around town. It’s true: gays pack big. Despite the propensity for 17 outfit changes a day, there was no need of the increased towing capacity of 1800kg. Actually, now I come to think of it, I’m fairly sure there were the contents of a small boutique in back.

Above: 2021 Subaru Forester Sport Review: Is It Worth the Money? 

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ABOVE: 2021 Subaru Forester Sport, (includes Facial Recognition System)

This week, my husband and I joined Max, Casper, and Ethan for our Friday night escape. 5 overnight bags and a curated selection of tasty food’n’booze items were stacked in the back, with 5 beefed-up boys in the front. The back seat was reserved for the smallest travellers. No matter what car makers say, 3 large adults are going to need to be mighty friendly otherwise.

Max and I are both 6’, so shared the posh pews.

We needn’t have worried, within 20 minutes, the 3 on the bench were copping 40. This left Max to give me a pretty thorough dressing down for being forced to leave the Les Paul at home. Max was critical of luggage space and had gotten into a terrible bate. I reminded him we have luggage and food for 5 on board, and that I’d just about had enough of his grumpy temper. He fancies himself a bit of a Slash. Sadly, it isn’t a fancy shared by the rest of us.

Max’s frightful funk lifted after a quick Maccer’s drive by.

With that, our trip south resumed. After a couple of hours, and only a very few interruptions from the back seat, we rolled into the carport at Chateau de Bowral. We’d taken a cosy, charismatic, country cottage for the weekend, and we think this is exactly what punters would want to do too. Lazy weekends, watersports, long hot summers, and snow-bound winters are where we think Forester Sport will live happily.

As decamped, we listed our preferences.

Get a brochure HERE: Subaru-Forester-brochure

What we liked:

  • Economy: By Jove, Subaru quotes real world figures of 6.7L/100k, and that’s just what we got.
  • Space: Tantrums about instruments aside, the boot swallowed the bags whole. Taking 5 large lads was a doddle, and although we drove only a few hours each way, no one complained. Job done.
  • Ride: Absolutely superb, with elegant road manners. Handling tends to comfort more than handling, and that’s the way we like it.
  • Safety: Eyesight is a suite of driver aids and active safety gizmos that made us all feel like we were being hugged.
  • Sound: a pretty decent sound system with DAB/Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
  • AWD: perfect for snow and other wet ‘n’ wild pursuits.

What we didn’t like:

  • Transmission: The CVT makes the engine more economical, but it robs it of the little power that it has. It might be the best in the biz, but we’d prefer to either shift ‘em ourselves, or to have a nice conventional auto with paddles. Along with sundry other watersports, we love a good paddle.
  • Engine: The flat 4 is smooth and efficient, and on a small car, is plenty. On a slightly larger SUV full to the brim with bits and bobs, it feels breathless as it struggles to cope. It needs a turbo, and that’s that.
  • The menu system: with settings across 3 screens in different places, it is maddening to say the least. This problem has been solved in the new Outback with one central system.
  • Fabric: the water-resistant fabric felt cheap, even if it does have an appeal for those with a bent for something moist.

Get a brochure HERE: Subaru-Forester-brochure

Is Forester Sport worth the money?

The question of value is entirely one for the buyer, but here are a couple of thoughts. For a few thousand less, the Premium cabin feels a little nicer. The S gets leather, for a few thousand more. I’d rather save a few thousand with an option of removing the Sport’s sunroof too.

It might sound as if I’m not a fan, but these few foibles make the favourites all the more fab.

As it stands, the Forester Sport is extremely smooth, very quiet, fairly economical, and is a lot of car for the money.

It has AWD, drive modes, and extremely comfortable seats. There is plenty of room, and the doors open to almost 90° so is easy to in and out of. It is packed with technology and safety

What the Sport Adds:

This might once have been a special edition, such are the tasteful touches. There is no more power, so the tart-up is limited to a bit of lippy and some eye shadow.

Forester Sport gets Orange highlights inside and out, a seating fabric that is water proof and feels like it will outlast time, and a sunroof. The black wheels look fabulous, and along with the blackened grille, give an unassuming cross-over-car a goodly dose of menace.

Get a brochure HERE: Subaru-Forester-brochure

You could easily cross a continent too. If you fancy a road trip, get your pals to chip in for petrol, and Bob’s you uncle.

See our video for more detail

Subaru (Aust.) Pty Limited

Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP)* Summary and Spec Listing

Pricing Summary – February 2021

Engine TypeEngine SizePower (kW)Torque (kW)TransKerb Weight (kg)MLP*

Forester MY21

2.5i AWD Wagon AutoF42.5136kW239NmCVT1563$35,190
2.5i-L AWD Wagon AutoF42.5136kW239NmCVT1565$37,440
2.5i Premium AWD Wagon AutoF42.5136kW239NmCVT1586$40,440
2.5i Sport AWD Wagon AutoF42.5136kW239NmCVT1591$41,990
2.5i-S AWD Wagon AutoF42.5136kW239NmCVT1617$43,490
Hybrid LHybrid2.0Petrol 110kW Battery 12.3kWPetrol 196Nm Battery 66NmCVT1643$40,490
Hybrid SHybrid2.0Petrol 110kW Battery 12.3kWPetrol 196Nm Battery 66NmCVT1682$46,490
Written by Alan Zurvas

Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.


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