The STI Sport Black Interior Selection is now available for the Japanese Subaru Forester
- The fifth-generation Subaru Forester lives on for another model year in Japan with carried-over design and powertrain.
- Model year updates include the addition of the new STI Sport Black Interior Selection special edition.
- The Geyser Blue of the US Forester Wilderness series is available exclusively for the Japanese models X-Edition and XT-Edition.
Although Subaru has introduced the new sixth-generation Forester in North America, Japanese buyers will have to make do with the existing model, which has been around since 2018. The domestic Forester receives minor model year updates for 2024, including the new STI Sport Black Interior Selection trim, which adopts an all-black theme for the interior.
The SUV’s exterior remains unchanged since its last facelift in 2021. However, Subaru wants to keep buyers interested with new trims and special editions. For the 2024 model year, the company is introducing the special edition Subaru Forester STI Sport Black Interior Selection.
Based on the existing STI Sport trim introduced in 2022, this edition features a darker interior and combines Nappa leather upholstery for the seats with silver stitching and piano black inserts.
More: The 2025 Subaru Forester gets big price increases across the board, starting at $29,695
In addition, the STI Sport Black Interior Selection can be combined with the exclusive exterior color Offshore Blue Metallic. Despite the associations with the STI Sport badge, the model receives no performance upgrades over lesser trim levels and produces the same 175 hp (130 kW / 177 hp) from its 1.8-liter turbocharged boxer engine. However, it features a set of STI-tuned dampers, which improves the handling characteristics.
Another highlight for the 2024 model year is the color Geyser Blue, which is available exclusively for the X-Edition and XT-Edition equipment variants. This is the same color used on the US Subaru Forester Wilderness and was originally introduced in Japan with the XT edition in late 2022.
Subaru Forester STI Sport Black Interior Selection
Both the X Edition and XT Edition trims feature water-repellent upholstery, a durable cargo floor liner and black interior accents. The main difference is that the Forester All Forester trim levels come standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.
Prices for the 2024 Subaru Forester in Japan start at ¥3,069,000 ($20,040). As far as optional equipment goes, the ($25,137).
This could be the last model year for the fifth-generation Subaru Forester in the Japanese market. The updated sixth-generation model could arrive in North America after its launch in 2025.
Subaru Forester X Edition