2021 Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester

Subaru’s Forester used to be a darling among South Africans who wanted something a little different from the sea of RAV4s, CX-5s, and CR-Vs clogging up the school run. Now? The market’s shifted, and you can see it in the numbers: just one Forester up for grabs at R259,900, a solitary 2017 model with a semi-automatic gearbox. That’s well below what you’d expect to pay for a comparable RAV4, so value is clearly on the table—if you’re willing to look past the scarcity. Standard all-wheel drive is a big tick, especially since most rivals at this price send power to the front only. On paper at least, Subaru still does things its own way. That single car is the 2.5 XS Premium, showing 132,000 km. It’s honest mileage for eight years, not scary but not exactly a garage queen either. The 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol isn’t going to win traffic light races, but it’s the kind of engine you trust for long hauls to Durban or muddy detours off the N3. Subaru’s symmetrical AWD pays its way in rain or light off-roading—none of that faux crossover nonsense. Cabin visibility is a real plus; you sit less "on top" of the car compared to the CR-V, and you get a proper view over the bonnet. Still, with just one option available, you’ll need patience and a wide search net. For the right buyer, though, that matters.