2021 Subaru Forester GT Lite Review | Philkotse Philippines

Crossovers are vehicles that offer flexibility when it comes to cargo loading. They also have high ground clearances, which allows drivers to drive through rough terrain with more confidence. Not to mention, they have a car-like ride comfort that translates to a smoother drive as compared to seven-seater midsize SUVs. 

2021 Subaru Forester Lineup Comparison | Philkotse Reviews

The Subaru Forester is one of the five-seater compact crossovers available in the Philippine market that goes up against the likes of the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, among others. That said, what makes the Forester stand out from its competition? To know the answer to that, Subaru Philippines lent us the keys to the 2021 Forester GT Lite. 

The Forester GT Lite is somehow similar to the GT Edition variant that we reviewed before. The two vehicles have the same design execution that aims to give an exterior that looks rugged and sporty. But, take note that the GT Edition is the top-of-the-line Forester variant. 

The front end of the Subaru Forester GT Lite has a bold and commanding demeanor. The large chrome grille is a design element that you can see across all Forester variants. The sweptback LED headlights, integrated with daytime running lights, are also a familiar sight to other Foresters available in the market today. Those headlamps are steering responsive, which means that it automatically adjusts the ray of light emitted from the headlights to go along with your steering input.  

2021 Subaru Forester GT Lite

The thing that stands out the most in the Forester GT Lite’s fascia is its large bumper that’s clad in black trim. It gives the vehicle a muscular look, and it adds a bolder presence to the Forester’s front. While some people find that appealing, I’m not a fan of the Forester GT Lite’s front bumper since I find the black cladding a bit exaggerated. I do like the GT-specific front lip spoiler integrated into the bumper as it gives an added swag to the vehicle. 

The Forester GT Lite comes with 220mm ground clearance

Turning at the side, the thing I noticed first is the silver-colored skirts that are on the front- and rear-end parts of the vehicle. I also like that Subaru added a silver trim on the lower part of the doors, which complemented the whole side profile of the vehicle. The Forester GT Lite is also fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels that come with a snowflake-like design, which suits my taste better as compared to the 18-inch alloys of the GT Edition. In case you’re wondering, this Forester has a ground clearance of 220mm.

Rugged and sporty

The rugged look with added flair continues to be seen at the rear of the 2021 Forester GT Lite. It has large wraparound LED taillights, a sporty bumper, and a distinctive spoiler. The thing I like most about the Forester’s rear end is its taillights as they give a boomerang-like illusion. I also find the rear better when it comes to combing ruggedness and sportiness as compared to the over-aggressive fascia. 

It has a typical Subaru interior layout

When you step inside the Forester GT Lite, you’ll be greeted with the familiar Subaru (Subie) interior layout. The arrangement of buttons on the dashboard, as well as the design of the multifunction steering, the infotainment system, the center console, the leather seats, among others, are similar to other Subaru vehicles.

The interior comes with a dark theme along with silver and glossy black trims. The leather seats offer enough support and it keeps you comfortable for the rest of your drive. The driver’s and front passenger’s seats are power-adjustable, which allows you to find your most ideal position.

Enough space for up to three individuals

The rear seats can accommodate up to three individuals and it has more than enough leg- and head-room for passengers standing at 5’6”. The Forester has rear aircon vents that help cool down the cabin more efficiently. Unlike the GT Edition, the Forester GT Lite doesn’t come with a sunroof, which is not much of a problem if you ask me. 

You can load an assortment of items into the cargo area

Cargo space is one of the assets of crossover vehicles, and the Forester GT Lite doesn’t disappoint when it comes to this category. You can load an assortment of items into the Forester’s cargo area such as a month’s supply of groceries, four to five luggage, a wheelchair, among many others. 

Seamless phone integration

The Forester GT Lite comes with tech gizmos that would make your drives more pleasant. It has an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen that’s integrated with Apple CarPlay compatibility, which to me is an essential feature in the smartphone era. Apple CarPlay allows you to connect your phone seamlessly into the Forester’s head unit, giving you easy access to apps such as Waze, and Spotify. I wasn’t able to check if the Forester GT Lite’s infotainment comes with Android Auto. But based on the brochure, Subaru PH states that it does have Android Auto. 

Parking the Forester is made easy, and more convenient through the rear camera

The infotainment touchscreen also has an around-view monitor feature, giving you a complete view of the vehicle’s exterior surroundings. It also transforms into a rear camera when you put the gear in reverse. The feed from the rear camera is crisp and clear enough for you to safely view what’s behind the vehicle, a feature you’ll appreciate whenever you’re parking the Forester.   

The Forester GT Lite is also equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight technology, which is one of the stand-out features of the said Japanese automaker. EyeSight tech helps you have a safer drive by alerting you when the system picks up something unusual or hazards while you’re on the road. It’s like your co-pilot. It includes features such as adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, lane departure & lane sway warning, and lead vehicle start alert.

Adding to the list of notable tech and safety features of the Forester is Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel-drive (SAWD). SAWD distributes power to all four wheels, which assures you that you’ll have traction even on slippery roads. It also compensates when a wheel loses grip, which helps the Forester to be planted on the road.

X-Mode helps you drive through rough terrain

This Forester also has X-Mode, making it an off-road-ready vehicle. It also allows you to safely drive through rough terrain. In addition, this vehicle has seven airbags: it has airbags on the Front, Side, and Curtain. Plus, the driver gets a Knee airbag.

The Forester's 2.0-liter gasoline engine delivers adequate power

The Forester GT Lite is powered by a 2.0-liter gasoline Boxer engine that delivers 154 hp and 196 Nm of torque. The engine is connected to a Lineartronic CVT, and feature’s Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel-drive (SAWD) layout. 

Look at that aggressive-looking bumper

One of the things you’ll appreciate from the Forester is its stable ride comfort, which gives you peace of mind when you’re out on the road. It can also absorb road impacts within reason, which made driving through the dilapidated roads of EDSA more pleasant. Being a crossover, the Forester has a smoother ride as compared to the larger seven-seater midsize SUVs. 

The Forester also has a light steering feel with enough feedback, which allows you to have better control of the vehicle. The steering wheel gets a bit firm when you start to gain speed, a characteristic I appreciate since this gives a more balanced and stable drive especially on the open highway. I also like the forward visibility of the Forester, and the front quarter glass lessens blind spots most especially when you need to drive through tight streets. 

The GT kits add style points to the Forester

The 2.0-liter gasoline engine delivers adequate power whether you’re driving in the city or on the expressway. It also comes with paddle shifters and a Sport mode in case you want to have a more performance-oriented drive. The Sport mode allows the throttle to be more responsive that results in a more direct input as compared to the Intelligent or the Eco mode. However, part of me still hopes that the Forester will once again be available with a turbo engine.

In terms of fuel consumption, the Forester GT Lite registered 7 km/l while driving around the city at an average speed of 20 km/h. On the open highway, Subaru’s compact crossover posted 18 km/l while driven at an average speed of 90 km/h.

The Subaru Forester GT Lite is a well-capable five-seater compact crossover. The added GT-specific body kits give the vehicle extra swag points, and it aims to offer you a rugged exterior with a pinch of sporty appeal. 

Comparing it with the GT Edition, the Forester GT Lite is already a solid choice since it is already integrated with almost the same features as the top-spec variant for a lesser price tag. Speaking of which, the 2021 Subaru Forester GT Lite is priced at Php 1,980,000, which is Php 190,000 cheaper than the GT Edition. 

2021 Subaru Forester GT Lite

But more importantly, the Forester GT Lite is equipped with the same tech and safety features found on the top-of-the-line GT Edition. The EyeSight tech, SAWD, X-Mode, among others are features that are hard to ignore especially when you’re on the market for a five-seater crossover that banks on overall safety.

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