Previously spied in Malaysia, TC Subaru Sdn Bhd, the Malaysian distributor of Subaru in Malaysia has just launched the facelifted 2023 Subaru Forester at Sunway Pyramid.

Fully-imported (CBU) from Thailand, the updated Forester is offered in Malaysia in 4 variants:

• 2.0 i-L EyeSight – RM 173,500
• 2.0 i-L EyeSight GT Lite – RM 179,500
• 2.0 i-S EyeSight – RM 183,500
• 2.0 i-S EyeSight GT Edition – RM 195,500

Power on all 4 variants of the Forester comes from a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre 4-cylinder boxer engine that makes 156 PS and 196 Nm. This is mated to the Subaru Lineartronic CVT and power is sent to all 4 wheels via the Symmetrical AWD system.

Also read: Japan's 2021 Subaru Forester facelift wears a new look, comes with better EyeSight ADAS

Visually, the Malaysian-spec Forester now comes with GT Lite and GT Edition bodykits for the 2.0 i-L and 2.0 i-S variants respectively which consist of the front and rear lip extensions, side skirts, and a roof spoiler.

The 2.0 i-L variants come with 17-inch alloy wheels while the 2.0 i-S variants are equipped with bespoke 18-inch wheels.

However, the biggest improvement on the updated Forester is the enhanced EyeSight 4.0 ADAS suite which offers a better-expanded field of vision thanks to a new set of stereo cameras and allowed Subaru's SUV to have Level 2 autonomous driving.

Among the features offered are:

• Pre-Collision Braking
• Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection (SRVD)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Autonomous Emergency Steering
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Lane Centering Function (LCF)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW) with Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)

The last 3 features (Autonomous Emergency Steering, ACC with LCF, LDW with LDP) are new to the Forester.

Also read: Since 2008, Subaru has sold 5 million cars fitted with EyeSight

Another improvement to the Forester facelift is Subaru’s X-Mode which complements the Symmetrical AWD system. This includes an Auto Restore feature that switches to ‘standby’ mode when exceeding 40 km/h and subsequently comes back on when the speed drops below 35 km/h. Previously, X-Mode would deactivate at 40 km/h and must be reactivated manually.

Meanwhile, the X-Mode’s Hill Descent Control (HDC) now operates more smoothly when the driver decides to accelerate during a gradual descent with X-Mode activated. Subaru claims there is no longer a delay between the driver’s accelerator input and HDC’s auto modulation of the brakes when driving slowly down a slope at 20 km/h or less.

The new Forester is offered in 7 colours with the first 3 of the following being new colours for the facelift:

• Cascade Green Silica
• Magnetite Gray Metallic
• Brilliant Bronze Metallic
• Crystal White
• Ice Silver Metallic
• Crystal Black Silica
• Horizon Blue Pearl