A luxury ingredient has come to the fleet-favoured entry derivative.

ENHANCEMENT has come to a base version of a Subaru model often overlooked for private purchase.

Subaru New Zealand has created a new derivative of the Forester, it has called the Luxury, by giving it leather upholstery and yet also reducing the price by $4000.

There are just 18 examples of the $44,990 Luxury, however, so the Auckland distributor says anyone wanting one will have to move smartly.

Leather is usually the preserve of a Premium edition of the more expensive Forester X, offered as a $5000 upgrade package that also includes a more premium sound system than the standard X has.

The entry Forester in usual $48,990 guise mainly sells as a fleet choice, because it lacks some safety assists and also some comfort features, including an electric tailgate, meted the more expensive variants in the Forester family.

Forester is the oldest product in the Subaru lineup and will be replaced next year by a new-generation car, which is also ready on sale in the United States. 

The new Forester will not be seen here until mid-2025, so though clearly designed to pep up sale, Luxury exercise is unlikely to be a runout for the current car.

Subaru NZ general manager Tim Barns-Lawton says Forester has consistently been among the top-selling Subaru models here. 

“Our durable, mid-size SUV has captivated consumers with its exceptional driving dynamics, advanced infotainment technology, comprehensive safety features, high ground clearance and overall driver comfort,” he said in a supplied statement.

“We are pleased to introduce this special edition Luxury model which builds on the already incredible value the Subaru Forester represents for our Kiwi customers.”

In addition to taking black leather accented seat trim, the Luxury has upgraded dash panel accents, centre console and door panel trims.