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Subaru Just Made Its Fan-Favorite Daily Driver Even More Enticing

Go figure. During a time when we could definitely use it, it’s only for Japan.

Front view of a blue Subaru SUV with a visible logo on the grille and a side mirror on the right.
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By Chris Chin

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Today, it may seem impossible to find a practical vehicle that doesn’t break the bank, with skyrocketing car prices among other things. But Subaru just answered the call with one of its most popular models and it’s refreshingly minimalist.

It’s a new base model Forester, which Subaru just rolled out as part of the model’s mid-cycle refresh. The only catch is that you have to be living in Japan to be able to snag one of these budget-friendly variants.

A $24,000 Forester you can get new, but only if you’re in Japan

Blue Subaru Forester SUV kicking up dust on a dirt road at sunset.
One of Subaru’s top sellers just got way more affordable, but only if you’re living in Japan.
Subaru

The new variant is called the Touring. And if that name sounds familiar that’s because Subaru of America also uses the trim name for its top-specification Forester with all the bells and whistles.

In Japan, however, the Forester Touring takes on a completely different mission at the opposite side of the spectrum. Instead, the Forester Touring serves as the model’s base entry point.

The best part: its MSRP starts at the equivalent of around $24,000. And it even comes with the Forester’s otherwise optional turbocharged flat-four.

Blue Subaru Forester SUV with black trim and alloy wheels on a white background.
The Forester Touring takes on a whole different purpose on the other side of the planet.
Subaru

How did the brand accomplish it? Well, for starters, Subaru removed all of the fancy-schmancy safety gear, a system we know as EyeSight.

That added technology really inflates the car’s asking price, as it’s highly advanced and requires a lot of pricey equipment.

Car interior with a central touchscreen display, black steering wheel with Subaru logo, and two-tone fabric and leather seats.
This barebones interior has never looked so refreshing, especially with today’s highly digitized car interiors.
Subaru

The JDM Forester Touring also benefits from more basic exterior appointments, such as smaller 18-inch aluminum wheels, black plastic body cladding and even cloth seats on the inside.

Yes, good ‘ol fabric La-Z-Boys. The cherry on top? No blinding LCD screen for the driver. Instead, the JDM Forester Touring makes do with classic analog gauges.

Shining a new light on stripped-down models

Black Subaru Forester SUV parked on a rooftop with city skyline and sunset in the background.
Doesn’t a $24,000 Subaru Forester sound great?
Subaru

It’s not often for us Americans to swoon over stripper models devoid of all the niceties we normally expect in our new cars. That’s because our car culture has us always gravitating towards highly equipped cars to satisfy our wants (rather than our needs).

In other parts of the world and in different cultures, however, people tend to be more frugal (read: sensible) with their money. It’s why automakers in Europe and Asia offer basic trim options with very few luxuries.

Two Subaru SUVs, one dark blue and one gray, parked on a coastal dirt road at sunset.
The Forester in America starts at just below $30,000.
Subaru

But with new car costs ballooning out of control, even consumerist Americans are lusting for more affordable options. It also builds on a growing demand for cars with less standard equipment, as buyers often report not using most of today’s in-car extras.

Today’s Subaru Forester in America starts just a tick below $30,000. But that model still comes standard with the brand’s signature EyeSight safety suite.

That’s not a bad proposition. However, a $24,000 Forester is an even more enticing one, especially given today’s economic climate.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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