Subaru’s new Forester will be priced from £24,995 for the 2.0D X, rising to £30,995 for the range topping 2.0i XT.

The new pricing is an increase of £1,875 and Subaru says it has made improvements in safety, refinement and driving dynamics.

The new, fourth-generation Forester goes on sale across the Subaru dealer network in May and the brand hope it will build upon the model’s reputation as a go-anywhere, user-friendly SUV.

The engine line-up will include 2.0-litre Boxer diesel and petrol units, while Subaru will return to its Forester roots with the introduction of a new 2.0-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine, producing 238bhp.

Subaru says all the engines have improved fuel efficiency and CO2  figures over the outgoing model. Full details on the new Forester will be released on April 15.

The Japanese brand will be looking to build on volumes this year as registrations dropped by 23.2% in 2012 to 2,023 units according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Subaru registrations in February fell by 70.78% to 45 units.

Full pricing for the new Forester by model:

Diesel models

2.0D X £24,995
2.0D XC £26,995
2.0D X Premium £28,995

Petrol models

2.0i XE £25,495
2.0i XE CVT £26,995
2.0i XE Premium £27,495
2.0i XE Premium CVT £28,995
2.0i XT CVT £30,995