A new name and fresh look for the mid-level model in the Forester family

IT’S the story of a middle child who figured becoming an extrovert was the best route to drawing more attention to themselves.

Such change has emphatically come to the Forester Sport Plus that, after, three years in the market, has patently had enough of being known as the quiet one. It undergone a makeover that’s left it with a new name, a more extrovert look and impression of a more rebellious attitude.

What is from now on the Forester X Sport will deliver with a styling pack that Subaru NZ describes as delivering “a special X-factor that helps you get from A to X.”

The core features are a new style of 18-inch alloy, in black, plus a host of orange accents – the front, side, rear under guard and roof rails all get the orange treatment, while on the interior, the orange features extend to the trim stitching and the gear selector surround. X Sport buyers have a choice of six different exterior colours, including the dark blue of the car in today’s photographs – this being a hue specific to this version.

The name change is made permanent by it taking X Sport badging, and with Subaru also now retiring the Sport Plus designation, though in respect to equipment level, everything from the old variant carries into the new, and the price unaltered, so still $47,490.

Subaru of New Zealand managing director Wallis Dumper has confidence this make-over will pull extra focus toward the derivative, including those that may not have considered a Subaru before and are looking for a distinctive SUV.

“The Forester X Sport is a capable SUV with performance aesthetics. This winning combination of both style and substance will no doubt appeal, particularly to those that require the practicality of an SUV and are shopping for something sporty that sets them apart from the crowd,” he says.

The equipment provision includes an 8 inch touch screen infotainment system, satellite navigation and push button start. Water repellent seat fabric continues.

The enhancement times with Subaru having raised Forester towing capacity by 300kg to 1800kg braked in all models, excepting the e-Boxer Hybrid.