Subaru Forester hailed as Japan Car of the Year

MANILA: The Subaru Forester sport utility vehicle (SUV) was named Japan Car of the Year. 

The said achievement places the nameplate in high regard after beating some popular models from the list of top 10 nominees, including the Toyota Alphard and Crown (estate), the Honda Prelude, and the Lexus GX. 

The nominated vehicles are passenger cars that were announced or released between November 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025. 

“The Forester is a true SUV that can meet the expectations of all passengers in everyday to extraordinary environments, by further enhancing its functionality and practicality with excellent driving performance that makes it enjoyable, advanced safety features that provide peace of mind, and utility that can be used to the fullest,” Subaru wrote in a press statement. 

Available to Filipino enthusiasts 

The award-winning Subaru Forester is being sold in the country as the Forester e-Boxer Hybrid. 

While it was launched in Japan in April this year, it only reached Philippine shores in September. 

Per Subaru Corporation, the Forester is revered domestically its bold and stately proportioned exterior design, the next-generation hybrid system that achieves a superior balance between driving performance and environmental performance, and high safety features, including the world’s first pedestrian protection airbag compatible with cyclist. 

As a result, cumulative orders of the Subaru Forester have exceeded 30,000 units, surpassing its initial sales plan by November 30th, 2025. 

This is the fourth time a Subaru vehicle has been awarded the honor of Japan Car of the Year, following the Levorg win in 2020.

“As we accelerate our Manufacturing Innovation initiatives to expand our product lineup that meets diverse customer needs, this award greatly strengthens our confidence. We sincerely appreciate the support from our customers and all other stakeholders, and will continue to enhance our core value of ‘Enjoyment and Peace of Mind’ to deliver attractive products going forward,” Subaru Corporation Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer Atsushi Osaki was quoted as saying. 

Other stories: Kia launches 2nd-gen Seltos Subaru debuts all-new Trailseeker for US market BMW PH Nov. 2025 YTD sales breach 2024 performance

Subaru Forester in PH 

The locally available Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid is the marque’s firest hybrid vehicle in the Philippines, making its arrival more significant as it marks the brand’s entry in the Chinese car brand-littered new-energy vehicle segment. 

Powering the SUV is a 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder double overhead cam, 16-valve, Boxer engine mated to an electric motor in a symmetrical all-wheel drive layout. 

The said setup — with a hybrid Lineatronic continuously variable transmission with six-speed manual mode — puts out the following numbers: 

Internal combustion engine output (in horsepower [hp>)	162	209
Electric motor output (in hp)	121	276

It can achieve a top speed of 182 kilometers per hour (kph) with an acceleration speed of 9.4 seconds from a standstill to 100 kph. 

As mentioned above, the Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid packs impressive safety features. In fact, the Subaru Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS) will debut in the country via the SUV. 

Subaru’s EDSS detects potential emergencies when prolonged driver inactivity is detected, and automatically brings the vehicle to a complete stop and unlocks its door. 

Complementing the said advanced safety system is a slew of technologies such as: 

• Lane centering function
• Lane departure prevention
• Lane departure warning
• Lane sway warning
• Autonomous emergency steering
• Pre-collision throttle management
• Lead vehicle start alert
• Pre-collision braking
• Adaptive cruise control

Zigwheels Philippines was among the first to check out the Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid. You may check out our first look and spec guide in the video below: 

Also read:

Technicians from Iloilo, Greenhills dealerships win Subaru Skills Competition

Subaru PH kicks off ‘Kansha Festival 2025’

Subaru previews display lineup for JMS 2025

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