During an official press conference following the launch of the all-new Subaru Forester in Taiwan, we were told that the fifth-generation (SK) model would arrive in Malaysia by the middle of next year (2019).
This was revealed by Glenn Tan, managing director of Tan Chong International, who said in terms of specifications, the Malaysian-spec model would not differ heavily from what we were shown in Taiwan, and that the brand’s EyeSight suite of driver assist systems will be available on higher-end variants.
For a little more clarity, he noted an introduction will take place in April 2019, with three variants being offered initially followed by a fourth later on – EyeSight-equipped models will only arrive one or two months after the initial launch. The company is also exploring into the possibility of bringing in the e-Boxer hybrid version but hasn’t confirmed if it will do so.
The new Forester would be the second Subaru model to come with EyeSight after the recently introduced Outback. Those who have been awaiting for the XV to come with EyeSight will have to wait for a model refresh slated for 2020 (previously the second half of 2019). The progressive rollout is due to the company’s decision to introduce the EyeSight system on models higher in the line-up, as in from the Outback to the Forester and finally, the XV.
For the Taiwanese market, the Forester is available in a choice of four variants that are all powered by a 2.0 litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 156 PS and 196 Nm of torque. Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system are all companions to the boxer mill.
Variants with the EyeSight suite of driver assist systems gain functions such as Pre-Collision Braking and Throttle Management, Lane Sway and Departure Warning as well as Adaptive Cruise Control and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. These are joined by high beam assist, rear cross-traffic alert and the aforementioned Side View Monitor.
GALLERY: 2019 Subaru Forester 2.0i-S EyeSight
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Subaru Forester due coming in mid-2019. But the big question is … How much Proton Bayu SUV gonna cost ??
Why ask this in a Subbie article?
The previous Subaru Forester was going for RM116k. That was including GST. When GST was abolished, they already stopped selling the Forester.
One can assume, the old Forester, without GST, would have been RM99k
So we wait and see how much this Forester will cost or will MITI allow the Forester to be sold cheaply.
Cause if the Forester is sold too cheap….Boyue will lingkup
Subaru is sold in 200 over countries….got name and won so many Rally Championships.
Boyue? Well mainly only in China the car is sold with a few third world countries
Forester will only come in after SST lah. When the facelift does come in, estimate will be higher than during GST perhaps at RM125k. It wun rob Boyue customers but it will certainly rob ur Fortuner, CHR, & Harrier customers. Im hoping MITI allows this in quickly to slay Toyota sales.
Geely will wipe out Proton cars. There won’t be anymore Proton cars on sale in 5 years time.
Bye bye Proton Campro cars.
P1 = Geely
Geely = P1.
P1, Geely, Mesidis, VolvoCar, VolvoTrucks, Lotus > all
a bit underpowered…and by that time prolly got better stuff around
Japanese left behind by almost 2 generation now..only the new accord in 2019 will have a proper 2liter turbo and proper gearbox. Now all weak 150hp with cvt’s…the korean already offer 2.2diesel with 8 speed 200ps 440nm and many other engine choices like the 2.0 turbo diesel..2.0 turbo 1.6 turbo 3.3 twin turbo..all at prices cheaper than the japanese
Wait. Where is the 2.5 engine which is suppose to replace forester xt
We do not get it? What the fish
Exactly my thoughts. Did Subaru made any review to MI’s marketing approach? From what I heard, after sales also not very well received.
The XT variant if not mistaken is replaced with the E-Boxer hybrid version in Japan. The 2.5L is oversea spec. mostly for US market, which their forester already is 2.5L for low spec. since the previous version.
Anyway i am a Subaru owner and aftersales is no issue for my place (Penang). Is all depend on the service center you went and try to avoid those popular spot as usually it is overcrowded with cars. Subaru now is not like 5 years ago, now you have to made appointment compare to last time can drive in anytime for service due to more Subaru’s OTR already.
any reliability issues with your subbie? thinking of getting subbie too
I have no major reliability issue with my Xv, you may go do your own research in related forums, youtube or FB group before owning it. Most subbie owners i met also did their homework before owning it, so at least you know what you going to own or maintain it for the next few years.
Forester in my list, maybe will decide end of this week whether Tiguan or Forester.
even though without fancy screen, but i think Forester just nice
So subaru plans to sell low spec car without active safety feature until 2019 and 2020 ? Good luck then. Proton suv and upcoming b segment suv will wipe you out and subaru will bcome history in malaysia.
Too late. I have sold my XV and booked a Mazda CX-5 2 2d with Mazda’s i-Safety. I am tired waiting for Subaru’s eyesight. Besides, the frequent price reductions practiced by Motor Image is a disadvantage to Subaru owners like myself.
Mazda also do offer on their cars especially year end or clearing old version stock cars or per-own is just a matter on how the marketing do it either openly (Subaru did ads all the time) or word of mouth (low profile marketing) to interest parties. Even other car makers also got discount, but in different way like lower car loan interest or gifts (Free tinted, bodykit, service package, even holiday package). Is about the marketing way and how people react/perception to it, but in the end the result is about sales.
Then Motor Image certainly has been doing it the wrong way and not helping to build brand loyalty towards Subaru.
I personally talk with my SA before about it and due to Subaru brand is quite new in Malaysia, their management decided to do aggressive marketing style to win sales.
Is a double edge sword marketing, you might loss some previous customers but you might also gain new potential customers. With Xv on their stable first, they are aiming with a lot of on-line ads to gain more new customer especially from youngsters as they are usually more open to new things compare to majority Malaysian still prefer to T & H brand due to not much brand awareness about Subaru. Anyway i personally think Subaru did great with only 2 CKD models Xv & Forester their sales are gaining year by year.
i bought a forester 2.0i last year because of the price, only rm113k compared to other rivals. the price played a big factor but the quality of forester is at least on par or more than rivals suv. luckily i dont look at the brand only. you can look at the forester review by RODA PUSING on youtube. they were very satisfied by the car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3U7BUxCZMQ
2020 for the XV….means it’s not a product update but a facelift! Why can’t they follow Honda Malaysia and add more safety kit without waiting for the facelift?
u can’t expect them to introduce the safety kit when the car has barely been launched for a year. Surely people will buy the newer one. then what will happen to the older existing one?? scrap??
Must wait such a long time for safety suites !
Yes my uncle will but this
Front is too identical to the outgoing model and rear is quite ugly and over-sculpted. They’ve gone too far with the sculpting lines all over the place.
Hopefully they will introduce the hybrid model here. Then it will be a game changer. It will be the first hybrid SUV to be sold here officially. But hope that it will be a CKD so that it will have tax incentives and no import tax so it won’t be too expensive.
It is rather disappointing to hear that we are getting the Eyesight and the new model only next year.