The latest model in the Subaru line-up to make use of the company’s Global Platform, the Forester, while differing little from the outgoing model on first glance, now measures 4 625 mm in overall length with a wheelbase of 2 670 mm, a height of 1 730 mm and width of 1 815 mm.

Compared to its predecessor, the Forester has gained 35 mm in total length with ground clearance rated at 220 mm. The extended length has also impacted boot space which now stands at 2 154-litres with the 60/40 split rear seat folded down, an increase of just under 40-litres.

Aesthetically, the Forester takes a number styling details from the bigger Ascent in the form of the new LED headlights, redesigned wheel arches,  revised grille, taillights that cut into a flatter bootlid, high gloss black detailing and a choice of three new colours; Horizon Blue Pearl, Crimson Red Pearl and Jasper Green Metallic. Building on these, the new Sport model receives black 18-inch alloy wheels, a gloss black grille frame and boot spoiler, orange under guard inserts and black roof rails.

Claimed to be more spacious inside with improved Noise, Vibration, Harshness (NVH) levels, the interior has seen the biggest share of improvements in the form of Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system. Available with either a 6.5-or eight-inch touchscreen display, both units benefit from Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while latter can be had with satellite navigation.

Additional changes include new front seats, electronic handbrake that frees up centre console space, a new climate control display, upgraded materials, remote engine start activated by the MySubaru smartphone app and a number of USB ports.

Unique to the Forester Sport meanwhile is a new dark grey upholstery with orange stitching, a multi-function instrument cluster and Subaru’s SI-Drive mode selector with Intelligent and Sport Sharp settings. In terms of standard equipment, LED fog lights, LED tailgate flood light, push-button start, auto off LED cargo area light, and the so-called All-Weather Package consisting of heated front seats, windscreen wiper de-icer and heated mirrors are notable items.

Speaking of standard equipment, the North American Forester will be offered in base, Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring trim levels, with all models getting climate control and heated front seats as standard. Aside from the base, all model also receive an electric sliding panoramic sunroof. An automatic tailgate is however standard on the Limited and Touring, with the latter also adding heated rear chairs.

Push-button start and keyless entry are standard on all but the base and Premium, with dual-zone climate again reserved for the Limited and Touring. Being the flagship model, the Touring further receives 10-way electric driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, eight-way electric passenger’s chair, steering response headlights and a two-position memory function for the exterior mirrors.

Wheel sizes are 17-inch steelies for the base and similar alloys for the Premium, while 18-inches are the sole options for the Sport, Limited and Touring. An X-Mode with Hill Descent Control is standard on the Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring, although the latter trio feature a dual-mode setup with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes.

With its focus being on family safety, Subaru has also extensively upgraded the Forester’s list of equipment, with Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Automatic Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Sway Warning and Lane Keep Assist standard on all models as part of the EyeSight Driver Assist system.

Options include Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Reverse Automatic Braking and Blind Spot Detection, while High Beam Assist can be had on the Sport, Limited and Touring.

Despite the Ascent getting the new 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four Boxer engine, Subaru has kept the normally aspirated 2.5-litre mill for the Forester albeit now with outputs of 136 kW and 239 Nm, up from 125 kW and 236 Nm.

An improved Lineartronic CVT is the sole transmission option, although it features a sport mode with seven virtual ratios and paddle shift on the Sport and Touring derivatives. As ever, power is sent to all four wheels via Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system that also comes with Active Torque Vectoring.

Pricing has not been released with local availability likely to commence towards the end of the year or in early 2019.