Subaru sales are off to a flying start for 2023 with the ever-popular Forester medium SUV, recently updated for MY23, leading the charge.

Bigger brother, the Outback, also fresh from an update, is hot on its heels with sales spurred on by the introduction of two 2.4-litre turbocharged models, alongside the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated variants.

The Outback’s new turbo powerplant is borrowed from the brand’s much-loved performance model the WRX, albeit in slightly de-tuned form.

These latest updates to a model previously facelifted part-way through 2021 are minimal indeed and they come with price rises across the range of around $2,000, which Subaru says reflects increased production and logistics costs.

The two top petrol grades, the 2.5i Sport AWD and the better-equipped 2.5i-S AWD, as well as the top-spec Hybrid S AWD, all now provide buyers with an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

There’s also a new paint colour, Sapphire Blue Pearl, replacing Dark Blue Pearl on the 2.5i Sport AWD.

Nothing momentous there and sadly unlike the Outback, no sign of a turbo model returning to the fold after a long hiatus to satisfy Forester owners after a bit more spice.

That’s despite such a version being offered in the Japanese domestic market.

Perhaps it’s a case of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ because the MY23 Forester continues to deliver all the attributes that have helped the nameplate notch up more than 300,000 Australian sales since its introduction here in 1997.

Now as before the range includes seven core models in five grades, with the 2.5i AWD the entry point at $37,890, rising to $44,840 for the 2.5i-S version reviewed here.

If a hybrid version is more appealing, there are two 2.0-litre petrol/hybrid versions, the Hybrid L and Hybrid S, both priced $3,000 higher than their 2.5-litre petrol equivalents, at $43,290 and $47,190, respectively.

Since the MY23 revision, Subaru has released a limited-edition variant, the 2.5X AWD, that’s based on and priced the same as the entry model but with entertainment system upgrades.

These include an integrated 7-inch Alpine audio unit in lieu of the donor model’s 8-inch touchscreen system, which also deletes the single CD player and voice command function.

The upgrade also deletes one of the two standard USB-A ports but does bring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Subaru hasn’t skimped on standard kit across the Forester range, with the 2.5i-S including 18-inch alloys, power sunroof, auto-fold auto-dip and heated mirrors, privacy glass, electric park brake, dual-zone climate, gesture-controlled temperature adjustment, sports pedals, leather-accented seat trim, leather-trimmed steering wheel, eight-way power adjustable and heated front seats with two position driver’s seat memory, power tailgate, proximity entry, push-button start, paddle shifters, rain-sensing wipers, one-touch power folding rear seats, Datadots and roof rails.

Other convenience items include a reversing camera thoughtfully provisioned with a washer jet to keep the lens clean, tyre pressure monitoring and a driver monitoring system that incorporates distraction and drowsiness warnings.

The latter also includes facial recognition technology that recalls and automatically makes personalised door mirror, driver’s seat, multi-information display and climate setting adjustments for up to five registered user profiles.

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Exterior lighting is taken care of with self-levelling dusk-sensing and steering-responsive LED headlights, adaptive driving beam, LED daytime running lights and front fog lamps.

The infotainment list includes a sound system with eight Harman Kardon speakers, sub-woofer and amplifier, DAB+ radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, single CD player, 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth and integrated sat nav.

Subaru has long been heavily committed to safety and one of the early adopters of windscreen-mounted safety camera systems, dubbed Eyesight Driver Assist.

Global sales of Subaru Eyesight-equipped vehicles is now well past five million units, which has no doubt saved many lives.

Forester maintains that commitment with even the base model equipped with latest-generation of Eyesight.

Higher grades including the 2.5i-S expand the repertoire further by including a blind-spot monitor, front-view monitor, lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, side-view monitor, lane centring function, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, lane sway warning, lead vehicle start alert, pre-collision braking system, pre-collision throttle management and pre-collision brake assist.

Under the bonnet, a direct-injected four-cylinder 2.5-litre Boxer engine with outputs of 136kW and 239Nm delivers performance that’s lively and responsive enough.

The addition of SI-Drive with its Intelligent modes to either optimise engine and transmission response for fuel efficiency or switch to the more performance-oriented S mode, adds some customisation to the repertoire.

The Forester’s performance should satisfy most owners’ needs, but falls short of delivering a sporty drive, even in SI-Drive’s sharper and more responsive S mode.

However, the Lineartronic CVT transmission with stepped shifts remains one of the best transmissions of this type we’ve driven.

An earlier MY22 facelift included revisions to the Forester’s suspension, springs and dampers, which improved handling and made the steering a touch sharper and more accurate.

Out on the road, the MY23 Forester’s steering feels nicely weighted, its handling secure and capable, and ride quality is admirably comfortable.

It’s a neat balance of road manners that makes the Subaru SUV very car-like to drive giving it broad appeal.

These adept and appealing ways continue once you head off-road.

Unlike many of its peers that use on-demand AWD systems that function most of the time as FWD until slip is detected, Forester, like all other Subarus, uses a symmetrical AWD system.

It’s also equipped with the brand’s recently tweaked X-Mode system with two settings that optimises traction for snow and dirt or deep snow and mud. There’s also a handy 220mm minimum of ground clearance and shorter body overhangs front and rear than the larger and longer Outback.

It all adds up to off-road ability that’s superior to many of its soft-roader competitors.

 When driven with care, the Forester still surprises in the way it can handle more demanding off-road conditions, including some gnarly, rocky forestry tracks we challenged it with.

If towing duties figure in your plans, then the 1,800kg maximum braked towing mass and 180kg maximum ball load should enable it to haul a range of trailers including lighter campers and teardrop-style vans.

Other Forester attributes that have made it such a popular model include decent space for occupants and cargo, a light airy cabin with comfortable seats and good visibility, and plenty of practicality as befits a medium SUV, including a full-size alloy spare wheel.

Subaru quotes cargo volumes of 498 litres with the rear seats up, expanding to a very handy 1060 litres (1768 litres to the ceiling height) with the rear seats flat folded.

It’s all neatly finished and has a quality look, although it’s less premium and the layout looks a touch dated when compared with the Outback’s upmarket interior.

The Forester’s infotainment screen is also smaller than the Outback’s snazzy 11.6-inch tablet-style screen, but the controls are nonetheless familiar, and easy to interact with.

Subaru provides a competitive five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty as well as capped price service arrangements, but the service interval of 12 months/12,500km is slightly shorter than some competitors. The first five services will total nearly $2,675.

These latest tweaks to the Forester formula, however modest, remind us how Subaru has successfully engineered a vehicle that comprehensively nails its design brief.

Even in the face of newer competitors, the Forester still makes a solid case for buyer attention.

Key stats

• MLP: $46,340
• ENGINE: 2.5-litre boxer petrol 4 cylinder
• ANCAP CRASH RATING: 5 stars (2019)
• FUEL CONSUMPTION (combined cycle, litres/100km)_:  7.4 (168g/km CO₂)
• FOR: Decent off-road ability, full size spare, ride and seat comfort, car-like drive experience, light airy cabin, practicality and space.
• AGAINST: Still no turbo version, only minor changes for MY23 plus a price rise, interior not as classy as current Outback.