The Subaru Forester was launched in 1997, and it has been with us ever since. Four generations of the cars have come and gone, and the fifth one was introduced at the 2018 New York International Auto Show. According to Subaru, the new Forester is the “roomiest, most capable and most versatile Forester ever made,” but is it truly like that?
Keep reading for the detailed analysis of the 2019 Subaru Forester.
2019 Subaru Forester Exterior design
The size of the car is everything you would expect from a crossover today. It is tall, whereas the styling combines the hard lines with a slightly aggressive stance. Even though there are prettier crossovers on the market than this one, the Forester brings the subtle and modern appearance that is targeting a mass audience.
Even though there has been a switch in the generation, the Forester is similar to its predecessor even though it brings the redesigned exterior that is “more rugged,” combining “Subaru’s latest design language while retaining a strong family resemblance to the rest of the brand’s portfolio.”
At the front of the car, one of the first things we can notice is the new headlight housings stretch into the front fenders. The LED lights are standard, and of course, Subaru included their signature hexagonal grille, which is now stressed with chrome surround. Moreover, the Japanese company claimed that the pillars are positioned perfectly and that the drivers will have no problems with the visibility.
The wheelbase has been lengthened from 103.9 to 105.1 inches, whereas the Forester can tackle any kind of terrain with the impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance. This is ground clearance many off-roaders would kill for, and in that aspect, the new Forester can compete with the best. No matter which trims you select, the new model comes with lower body cladding designed to “protect against mud, rocks and other road debris.”
The roof rails are a standard feature on the new model, but you will not find them on the base Forester, unfortunately. These are just perfect if you plan a weekend on the countryside because they can carry large items such as bikes or even kayaks. Opt for the Sport and Touring models, and you will also get tie-down hooks that will secure the items you place on the roof. You should know that the base model comes with 17-inch steel wheels, whereas the Premium features the 17-inch lightweight-alloy wheels. The Sport, Limited and Touring received 18-inch rollers. You can purchase the Forester in new colors such as Jasper Green Metallic, Horizon Blue Pearl and Crimson Red Pearl.
Interior design
The cabin of the Forester is more angular with the technology galore. The air vents are sharper, and Subaru focused on details a lot more than they did with the previous crossover. Even though the Japanese manufacturer opted for a different approach this time around, the interior looks good all the same.
The key feature 2019 Subaru Foresters interior is space. The company brags about this Forester being the roomiest out of all, but is that really the case? First of all, the rear legroom has been increased, which is mostly the result of the lengthened wheelbase. Headroom has also been increased whereas the steeper C-pillar allowed easier access to the rear seats.
However, not only are the passengers affected by these changes. The new Forester boasts more space in the trunk as well, which now accommodates for 76.1 cubic feet in total. Furthermore, putting the things in the trunk has become much easier mostly because the rear gate opens at a maximum width of 51.2 inches, which is an increase of 5.3 inches compared to the outgoing model.
What you also need to know about this model is the infotainment system, which puts different kinds of features in high numbers and some of these are new whereas some are carried over. You can read more about the features below, but here we will mention the prominent one – EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package. If you go with the Touring model, the latest DriverFocus tech will notify you should it detect fatigue or distraction. “With DriverFocus, Subaru is taking on one of the biggest issues in the automotive industry; distracted driving,” says the automaker.
Drivetrain
The new Subaru Forester is based on the newest Global Platform that delivers “significantly higher levels of driving pleasure, agility, crash protection, ride comfort, and quietness.” The Forester has never provided top-quality driving pleasure, but the reductions in noise, vibration and harshness are a significant step forwards and much-appreciated by future buyers.
The engine which powers the fifth-generation is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder “boxer.” It is the updated version of the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and now it features automatic Start/Stop, a higher compression ratio, active valve control system AVCS, direct fuel injection, etc. The powerplant produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, which is a slight improvement from the 170 ponies and 174 lb-ft of torque the 2018 Forester used to deliver. This is the only engine provided by Subaru.
The company has been thrifty when it comes to the transmission as well. The only option here is a CVT, or to be more precise, the Subaru Lineatronic CVT. The gearbox has been improved, and the drivers will feel that when accelerating. The Sport and Touring trim come with stimulated seven speeds, as well as paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
Subaru’s iconic Symmetrical AWD system is used. As for the powertrain management system, the carmaker offers settings such as Intelligent, Sport, and Sport Sharp on the Sport trim. The downside is that buyers will no longer have a choice of the Forester XT model that came with the turbocharged engine, producing 250 ponies. Also, there used to be a manual transmission in the list of option, but that went down the drain.
The replacement of the XT is the Forester Sport which is “inspired by the needs of outdoor enthusiasts.” The model indeed looks quite handsome, but it should have been offered with a more powerful engine.
Features
We have already mentioned that Forester comes in several iterations. The entry-level model has a bunch of features despite being at the very bottom. What you will get is the EyeSight driving assist, LED headlights, automatic start/stop, trailer stability assist, automatic climate control, and SI-DRIVE engine management.
On the other hand, the range-topping Touring receives 10-way power driver’s seat, 8-way power front passenger seating, a heated steering wheel, heated steering seats, and so much more.
And let’s not forget about the Sport and some of its features such as a unique grille finished in gloss black, a unique SI-DRIVE system with the Sport Sharp driving mode and a new instrument panel. These are just some of the most important ones. Keyless access, push-button start system, PIN code access and the all-weather package are just extra commodities the Forester Sport offers.
| 2019 Subaru Forester | |
| Engine And Transmission | |
| Engine type | inline-4 |
| Displacement | 2.5 L |
| Power/torque | 182 hp/176 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Subaru Lineatronic CVT |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 mph | / |
| Top speed | 130 mph |
| PRICE RANGE $22,795 |
|
| Competitors: Mazda CX-5 | |
It is up to you to select your favorite model!
2019 Subaru Forester Price
The 2019 Subaru Forester is expected to go on sale in late 2018. Subaru still has to announce official pricing for the new car, but we know that the previous base model was rated at $22,795, so the new car shouldn’t be far off. Of course, as you climb up the ladder, the Forester models will be more expensive.
