Subaru’s Latest Innovation Is So Simple (and Great), There’s No Reason Not to Bring It to the States

Despite feeling relatively modern, the airbag’s roots go back more than a century, with two Birmingham, Alabama dentists submitting a patent “for the covering of aeroplane and other vehicle parts” in 1919.

That said, the first automobile airbag patent application wasn’t approved until 1953, and only in the late 1980s and early 1990s did this brilliant safety innovation become widespread.

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Much more recently, the geniuses at Subaru raised a question that perhaps should have come up long ago: Why not put an airbag on the outside of the vehicle to protect people who get hit?

Now that concept has come to life with the recently announced Japanese edition of the Forester, which raises another question: When can we get this thing in America?

The air over there

Before we can suss that out, however, let’s dig into the details of this Japan-specific version of SUV.

First off, it’s worth noting that Japan had to wait for its 2025 Forester, which hit US dealerships nearly a year ago. 

But perhaps it was worth the patience, as the Japanese variant boasts not one but two features of which I am insanely jealous. 

The second one I’ll mention quickly: a turbocharged 1.8T hybrid engine delivering 174 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque.

I can only imagine the acceleration blows away what you get from the US version’s 2.5L four-cylinder, which makes 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.

Much more significantly, however, this Forester can instantaneously deploy a huge U-shaped airbag from the point where the windshield and hood meet. 

On impact, this thing inflates in the blink of an eye, as you can see in this Car Watch Channel YouTube video… 

As mind-blowing as that seems, it’s not entirely new for Japan, as the Forester already had a pedestrian-protecting airbag. 

But this one represents a big step forward, one that came in reaction to the brand’s understanding that in a crash, a cyclist’s head is positioned differently than that of a pedestrian. 

In response, this airbag covers not only the rear of the hood but also the A-pillars to either side of the windshield. (Presumably, the glass is more of a “cushion” than metal.)

While this tech may look a little goofy, I’m inclined to trust Subaru, especially in Japan, where its vehicles’ fatal and serious injury rate is roughly half the industry average.

One reason is another safety feature the brand thankfully makes standard on all Foresters: EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which monitors traffic movement, optimizes cruise control and alerts you when you veer outside your lane.

Stateside hopes

Now, could this tech eventually end up in the American Forester, followed by other American Subarus and American four-wheeled vehicles in general?

I haven’t heard a peep about it, and I’m not surprised. (Warning: emotionally charged, reckless speculation to follow.)

After all, biking almost every day in New York City — and having biked in a number of countries — I can pretty confidently, anecdotally, say no one gives less of a shit about cyclists than American drivers.

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A big reason might be that in many other countries, so many motorists are also cyclists, resulting in a level of care and consideration in, say, Amsterdam, that would probably stun many Americans.

(No wonder it’s called The Dutch Reach.) 

However, it’s for precisely that reason I would love to see this airbag tech should come to America sooner than anywhere else. 

I’m not sure we’ll ever get most drivers to care all that much about cyclists, but perhaps at least their vehicles can. 

Availability and pricing

As stated, the Forester with an external airbag and 1.8T engine isn’t headed to the US anytime soon. The US version starts at $29,995.

Subaru

2025 Subaru Forester

• Starts at $29,995

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