Subaru unveiled a new special version of the Forester called XT-Edition, commemorating the 50th anniversary of all-wheel-drive equipped Subaru models. The Forester XT-Edition debuted in the Japanese market with subtle styling cues and adventure-friendly equipment features.
The XT-Edition is based on the Sport trim of the JDM-spec Subaru Forester. It is visually distinguished by the Geyser Blue exterior shade which is offered for the first time in Japan, coming from the North American spec model. For prospective owners that don’t like blue, Subaru is offering the options of white, gray, and black shades. All of them are combined with black accents all around the bodywork (grille, mirrors, bumpers, spoiler, roof rails, etc), and a cool set of dark-finished 18-inch aluminum wheels.
The dark-themed cabin features water-repellent fabric / synthetic leather upholstery for the seats with silver contrasting stitching, aluminum-style inserts on the center tunnel, and blaze gun metallic accents on the dashboard. The interior lights have been upgraded to LEDs, while the cargo space has a practical water-repellent floor cover so you can carry gear like snowboards, mountain boots, or skis without making a mess.
Weirdly, the XT-Edition doesn’t have an infotainment, with a black plastic cover and a small storage shelf replacing the central touchscreen found in more expensive trims like the STI Sport. At least, Subaru added the EyeSight Safety Plus ADAS package and the digital mirror to the standard equipment.
There are no changes under the bonnet where the 1.8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine produces 175 hp (130 kW / 177 PS) and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque. Power is transmitted to all four wheels through the Lineartronic CVT gearbox and Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system. Note that the first Subaru featuring an all-wheel-drive system was the Leone Estate back in 1972, followed by many cool AWD models in the next 50 years.
The Subaru Forester XT-Edition is already available in Japan priced from ¥3,355,000 ($25,419). The only option is the electric tailgate adding another ¥55,000 ($417) to the price of the SUV. Mind you, the fifth-gen Subaru Forester was introduced in 2018 and received a facelift in 2021 which means it will remain in the market for a few more years before the next generation arrives. It remains to be seen if the XT-Edition will be offered in other markets outside Japan.
