The new sixth-generation Subaru Forester hybrid is here to conquer a wilderness near you

The Subaru Forester: practical, dependable and often boringly good at what it does. And now there’s an all-new sixth gen, featuring a fresh exterior, lightly swept interior and likely still enough off-road talent to match most mountain goats.

That’ll be thanks to the naturally aspirated, mild-hybrid boxer four-pot and Lineatronic transmission. No specific outputs are given, but we reckon it’ll continue to bobble close to its former’s 148bhp and 143lb ft. Not hugely impressive, but this is a Subaru at the end of the day. That means the symmetrical and nigh invincible all-wheel drive system should add at least an invisible 50bhp on sketchier roads.

And said invisible powers will be further supported by the various off-road systems, which include improved versions of the ‘X’ driving mode and hill descent control. With a maximum ground clearance of 220mm and tow load of 1,870kg - both commendable figures in its class - yer average mountain goat would almost certainly struggle in a sprint race against this thing.

Aesthetically, the new Forster gains a boxier front with a thin light bar now connecting both lamps, a glossy new grille with extra components and remodelled fog lights. It’s a similar approach at the other end, where another light bar sits beneath a small, squarish wing. The rest of the exterior still looks typically Subaru though: chunky tyres, lots of rugged underbody cladding and creases right across the side profile. Very dramatic.

There’s also mention of a small upgrade to the safety suite, which now includes an improved emergency stop system that’ll be more reactive to dangerous situations.

The new Subaru Forester will arrive in the UK next spring - expect it to start at a similar price point to the previous Forester e-Boxer’s £38,000. Would it be wrong for us to dream of a hot STI version someday?