- The sixth-gen Subaru Forester is ready to launch in its home market in Japan.
- Available options include the Adventure Style, and STI Sport styling kits.
- The SUV can be had with either a turbo 1.8-liter engine, or the 2.5-liter hybrid.
The sixth-generation Forester is set to launch in its home market later this month, and Subaru has pulled back the curtain on the Japanese-spec model. While the core design won’t come as a surprise, the key difference from the North American version lies in the extensive list of accessories, including rugged and sporty body kits that give buyers more ways to tailor their SUV to taste.
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The Japanese lineup of the sixth-gen Forester includes three trims: the adventurous X-Break, the urban-focused Premium, and the self-explanatory Sport. Cutting straight to the chase, the most fitting match for the X-Break is the Adventure Style kit, which significantly transforms its appearance.
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The redesigned grille with Subaru lettering, the sharply extended lighting units, and the high-mounted cladding on the doors come together to give the Forester a look that’s reminiscent of samurai armor—if samurai wore molded plastic panels.
For those who want to push the look further, Subaru offers optional black decals on the hood, sides, and tailgate, complete with mountain graphics. Unlike the US-spec Forester Wilderness, however, the Adventure Style package in Japan sticks with the standard suspension setup, as there’s no extra ground clearance here.
STI Sport Adds Flash, Not Speed
At the other end of the spectrum, Subaru is offering STI Sport add-ons for those who want a splash of performance flair in their family SUV. The dealer-installed kit is a stand-in for the missing STI Sport trim, which was available on previous models.
The package includes a front splitter, side skirts, and rear bumper extensions, all of which can be finished in a red. Rounding things out are a larger roof spoiler, black 18-inch wheels, and dual exhaust tips bearing the STI logo. There’s also a performance muffler, which Subaru claims improves throttle response and delivers smoother acceleration. That said, no actual hardware changes are made to the powertrain or chassis.
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Finally, for the Premium trim, styling additions are more restrained. You’ll find silver accents around the body and dark gray 19-inch alloy wheels, enough to make it stand out in a city parking lot without shouting about it.
Inside, Subaru offers a wide range of dealer-installed options, including aluminum pedals, all-weather seat covers, door scuff plates, window shades, and a variety of practical cargo-area upgrades, like a “utility hook” meant for outdoorsy tasks. These add-ons are designed to make the Forester more functional for weekend activities like hiking, camping, or fishing.
In Japan, the Forester will be available with two powertrain options: a turbocharged 1.8-liter gasoline engine and a more efficient self-charging hybrid.
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The electrified setup was recently introduced in the US-spec model, producing a combined 194 hp (145 kW / 197 PS) from a 2.5-liter mill and a single electric motor. The hybrid tech is borrowed from Toyota, but the boxer engine and the Symmetrical AWD system are unique to Subaru.
Subaru will release more details on the Japanese-spec Forester, including pricing, on April 17.