The first picture is the whole thing that get changed. It is one piece.

https://www.blingstrom.com/diy-project/2020...-a-subaru-thing

What are the issues with the previous model? 

Why not ask in FB? From what i heard & gather info from SC, most SK Forester owners did not claim much items within this 3 years now. Since the warranty already bump up to 5 years, most items quality already improved and should be well covered. The bearing from what i heard already using the bigger legacy/outback type and also upgraded backing plate, a lot of mechanical old issues already solved, left only the HU still the same louzy type.. 

Other than this 1 problem people might complain for new SK ride is the updated direct injection engine.
If not familiar with the Direct Injection engine, some might complain of knocking or vibration at certain low rpm. 
I test driven a CX5 not long at my mechanic place, also similar knocking or vibration at low rpm. 
The CX5 owner say live with it from new until now due to direct injection engine and he pump Ron95 only..
Reason mostly due to higher compression engine sucks at lower rpm.

Would do so if I got the car. Subaru has delayed their delivery. No idea when I will be getting mine yet. They say kastam wants them to redeclare the duty tax coz the car been sitting in the ports since 2020. Hopefully it's not rat infested. After 2 years out there.

Unlike before, newer engine now are using lighter engine oil as suggested by manufacturer. Maybe because the thinner engine oil nowadays can provide same protection like older oil one grade above; or maybe the car manufacturers want you to change car more often 

In rare occasion, bearing can just seized due to metal fracture. It is still possible.

Just what you meant by stretch?

Have you tired to put the 2 baby seat and sit in the middle? (not baby carrier)
It can be... very tight unless you are petite..

but middle seat don’t have isofix? or the impreza has it?

It is some heated metal parts contracting during cooling down. It happens to my Forester and a few of my old cars too. 

It is worse when the two attached parts are of different metals like steel and aluminium. Both have different rates of expansion/contraction.

I had never seen this kind of arrangement (3 baby seats) but is this legal?

The jerking is well know in a lot of Direct Injection type engine and consider as normal, it is widely knew as LSPI or low speed pre-ignition. Even i tested competitor ride like Mazda CX5, 3 with the skyactive engine (Direct Injection engine) also got jerkiness in low RPM if you really go into details. Nowadays new GT Xv & SK Forester FB20 engine already updated with Direct Injection compare to previous gen. The most can do is to update the ECU & also certain batch got ignition coil recall, the rest will be covered by latest engine oil as newer oil formulation like API: SP/SN+ will help protect the engine from LSPI issues. Will have to live with it due to newer technology side effects.

Car manufacturers were said to get help from engine oil manufacturer. Now the API rating include test specific for LSPI. This is because the pre-ignition is caused bay mixture of layer of oil and the fuel.

Thus engine oil are upgrading to higher API standards due to LSPI impacts. If it is for certain small percentage cars, I dont think API will need upgrading all the oil standards just for it.

There are owners pumping v-power racing & higher RON97 fuel to reduce the effects but with current high price Ron97 fuel more & more owners also cannot tahan and downgrading it. The direct injection engine from Xv/Forester does increased to higher compression of 12.5:1 compare to previous only around 10.5:1.

If you say CVT tuning, Mazda Skyactive not using CVT also got minor jerking issues at low RPM also.

Is there a long waiting list for Subaru like the popular models XV and Forester compared to brands like Honda, Toyota or Proton?

My cars are still relatively new. The oldest being 2016.

I'll probably wait two years before contemplating buying a new car. I definitely don't want to wait ten months or a year to have a car delivered to me.

Don't know what the market/economy will be like in two years. Maybe USD rate will be 5.50. 😁

I won't be buying any Nissan anytime soon. 😄

Now bank interest also up plus supply chain issues. So I don't know how it will affect the overall car market, but some models are selling like hot cakes e.g. Corolla Cross, HR-V and the new Alza.

Actually this X-Trail they are selling is already obsolete. There is already a replacement model which looks pretty nice. 

My niece booked a Corolla Cross Hybrid before 30/6/22 and hoping to get the car before 31/3/23 to qualify for the SST waiver.

Later she is informed by the dealer that there will be an increase in the base price of the car. I guess all car dealers have a caveat in the sales contract allowing them to do so even after the deposit have been paid. The buyer will definitely cry unfair.

If i desperate for that model, i might go few sales office to survey as some might still got showcar or testdrive unit to sell if lucky. Sadly some sales advisor attitude really lousy..