Subaru's local dealership has begun taking pre-orders for the Legacy and Forester models, according to, Asre Khodro on Sunday. The official price for the Forester model is 2.1 billion rials ($61,000 at market exchange rate), whereas the Legacy model is priced at 1.9 billion ($58,000).
The authorized dealer, Safe Khodro, has listed all the latest models on its website, however the import of other vehicles will be later in the year. The company also announced it plans to offer zero finance deals on the new vehicles.
Financial Tribune contacted the dealer who confirmed it has begun taking orders for two models. In May, Safe Khodro announced, "We used to import the vehicles 10 years ago to Tehran and Isfahan, and have kick-started sales again."
Originally reviewed by Car and Driver, the Forester is a crossover. Engines are a 170-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a 250-hp 2.0-liter turbo/CVT combo. Despite its comfort-tuned suspension, standard all-wheel drive contributes to surprising pace on winding roads and takes the Forester farther off-road than most in its class.
The Legacy is unique in its class, and has a standard all-wheel drive and a roomy interior. A 2.5-liter flat-four engine that makes 175 hp is standard; a continuously variable transmission is the only available transmission. There’s an available 3.6-liter flat-six that cranks out 256 hp, and it also pairs with a CVT. With the 3.6, the Legacy offers decent performance and relatively dynamic handling. What it lacks in overall speed, it makes up for in all-weather versatility.
Subaru is the latest East Asian automaker to start operations in Iran, following the more well-known Japanese competitors like Mitsubishi, Toyota and Honda. The growth in Japanese car manufacturers returning to Iran is due, in part, to the general confidence of Tokyo companies when considering long-term sales.
