The 2021 Subaru Forester line-up is set to expand with a sporty new variant joining the range from October.

With no powertrain changes, the incoming all-wheel drive 2.5i Sport offering will sit just below the current top-spec, petrol-powered Forester variant – the 2.5i-S – and adds mostly aesthetic tweaks to the medium SUV.

Powered by Subaru’s familiar 2.5-litre non-turbo ‘Boxer’ engine (136kW/239Nm) found in the other petrol-powered Forester variants, the 2.5i Sport also receives the same continuously variable automatic transmission and all-wheel drive capability as its siblings.

The new arrival will be priced from $41,990 before on-road costs, making it $2000 more expensive than Subaru’s entry-level hybrid Forester, the 2.0 Hybrid L, which also joined the range this year.

Above: The exterior of the 2021 Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport variant (overseas model shown).

The new arrival is actually an iteration of the Sport variant already offered in the North American market, which adds mostly orange and black highlights to the exterior and sporty interior cloth trim.

As such, on the outside, the new arrival gains 18-inch alloy wheels in a dark metallic finish, LED fog lights with black surrounds, a black grille surround, front, side and rear under guards with orange highlight, roof rails with orange accents and an electric sunroof.

The 2.5i Sport also receives its own exclusive paint shade, making it the only Forester variant available in Dark Blue.

Inside the car, the seats are finished in a water repellent grey cloth trim with orange stitching, chrome-look window controllers, a cargo room lamp and an internal rear gate lamp, as well as an array of black and orange accents throughout.

Above: The interior of the 2021 Subaru Forester 2.5i Sport variant (overseas model shown).

The 2021 Subaru Forester range has also received a series of updates across the board, with all non-hybrid variants gaining a boost to towing capacity from 1500kg to 1800kg, as well as a revised headlight design and the addition of an auto door lock-unlock function and a collision detection unlock function.

“[The] 2.5i Sport AWD is the third variant we have added to the initial four offerings in the current generation and it’s an eye-catching and practical wagon that only enhances Forester’s customer appeal,” Subaru Australia Managing Director, Christian Dinsdale, said.

“The 300kg increase in towing capacity for non-hybrid variants also represents a significant advance, which will convince a broader set of customers to consider Forester for its practicality across a whole set of parameters.”

2021 Subaru Forester pricing for Australia

• Forester 2.5i – $34,690
• Forester 2.5i-L – $36,940
• Forester 2.5i Premium – $39,940
• Forester Hybrid L – $39,990
• Forester 2.5i Sport – $41,990
• Forester 2.5i-S – $42,990
• Forester Hybrid S – $45,990

All prices exclude on-road costs.

MORE: Everything Subaru
MORE: Forester news, reviews, comparisons and features

Above: The 2020 Subaru Forester L Hybrid.