Subaru Forester names Mid Range SUV of the year by 4x4 magazine

• Subaru Forester wins prestigious award from 4x4 Magazine
• Judges praise on-road driving characteristics and off-road ability
• Subaru UK’s best-selling model, the Subaru Forester, has this week been named ‘Mid Range SUV of the Year’ by 4x4 Magazine.

Subjecting the new Forester to a wide range of tests both on- and off-road, 4x4 Magazine awarded the Forester with class honours in one of the hardest-fought categories in its annual ‘4x4 of the Year’ issue.

Commenting on the Forester’s victory, Nigel Fryatt, Editor of 4x4 Magazine, said: “Subaru's latest Forester impressed us both on and off road. This version is fresh, good-looking and a great drive. It has 'good for its class' approach and departure angles and with the automatically controlled X-Mode system, the Forester maintains its competent off-road ability and bad weather credentials. That it is also great to drive on the road is the bonus that grabbed the class victory.”

The all-new Forester went on sale in the UK in May and builds on the model’s established reputation as a tough, likeable and highly capable SUV. At the same time, the new Forester offers improved performance, safety and efficiency and a more spacious and better appointed cabin.

Sales of the Forester are up 75% year on year against 2012. The petrol turbo XT has been in particularly high demand among the Subaru faithful - bucking the trend for strong diesel SUV sales – with its 240ps 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine and clever X-Mode hill descent system. The new model is also available with Subaru’s latest 2.0-litre petrol and diesel Boxer engines, with all versions featuring Subaru’s trademark symmetrical All-wheel drive as standard.

Paul Tunnicliffe, Managing Director of Subaru UK, commented:  “We are delighted with this recognition. The Forester has always been popular with owners who need a car that is highly accomplished off-road but also entertaining on it, and the decision by 4x4 Magazine’s expert judges is testament to the car’s varied abilities. Customers should also take comfort from our enviable reputation for reliability and durability, five-year, 100,000-mile warranty and rock-solid safety credentials.”

To find out more about the Subaru Forester, visit www.subaru.co.uk, or read the full 4x4 Magazine report.

USA - Subaru smashed 2012 full year sales with two months to go

• October sales increased 32 percent over last October
• Year-to-date sales are 347,890, up 28 percent over 2012

Subaru of America, Inc. reported that the company has surpassed its previous annual sales record with two months of reporting remaining for the year. Subaru sold 34,483 vehicles in October and 347,890 total vehicles in 2013. The previous record for annual sales was set in 2012 with 336,441 vehicles sold. This new record means that 2013 will be the fifth consecutive year of sales records for Subaru of America and the sixth consecutive year of sales increases. Subaru is the only manufacturer to increase sales each year for the last six years.

October sales for Forester increased 137 percent, reaching 12,581 vehicles sold. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2014 Forester a 2013 IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Forester was also named Motor Trend 2014 Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year – a second win for Forester and a third win for the Subaru brand.

“We have incredibly hardworking retailers who have made these results possible; and we have the right product for consumers,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “2013 will be another very successful year for Subaru and we look forward to sales of the XV Crosstrek Hybrid – Subaru’s first-ever hybrid vehicle – in December.”

“We have seen record numbers of consumers shopping the Subaru brand and we have seen wonderful acceptance across our line-up. Consumers are not just shopping a single model – there has been demand for Outback, Forester, XV Crosstrek, Impreza as well as our performance models WRX and STI,” said Bill Cyphers, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. “Almost 60 percent of our sales this year have been to customers new to the brand and we have worked closely with our parent company to smartly manage our inventory to meet the demand,” added Cyphers.

Subaru Forester Sports/Utility wins award from Motor Trend Magazine

Subaru’s best-selling model, the Forester compact SUV, has won the coveted 2014 Sport / Utility of the Year award from the USA’s influential Motor Trend magazine.

The Forester’s latest accolade makes Subaru the first and only brand to have won three Sport / Utility of the Year awards from Motor Trend, which is read by over 1.1 million people every month.  The previous-generation Forester picked up the award in 2009, and the Subaru Outback was also crowned winner in 2010.

The Subaru Forester beat 21 other SUVs to take first place during Motor Trend’s exhaustive testing process, with models graded according to six criteria: Design Advancement, Engineering Excellence, Intended Function, Efficiency, Safety and Value.  The new Forester scored highly in all categories.

Motor Trendeditor-in-chief Ed Loh commented: “Smart design, thoughtful engineering, and a compelling performance on-road and off were the keys to the Forester’s win.  Our editors were particularly impressed by the powerful yet efficient turbocharged engines, the intelligent and sporty CVT transmission, and the excellent visibility and interior package.  Practical, affordable, efficient and fun-to-drive – the Forester truly ticked every box.”

The new Forester went on sale in the UK in May 2013, and builds upon the model’s reputation as a modern, rugged SUV with improved performance, safety and efficiency and a more spacious and better appointed cabin.

Since the UK launch, sales of the new model have been strong, with particularly high demand for the XT Turbo model which is bucking the market trend for diesel SUV sales, equipped as it is with a 240ps 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol engine delivering smooth and strong pulling power both on and off-road.