2014 Subaru Forester

[haven]

Subaru has begun the publicity build-up to the formal introduction of the new Forester SUV. The vehicle will appear at the LA Auto Show around Thanksgiving. Here's a photo of the turbo version of the Forester

The standard Forester will use the 2.5L version of the boxer four cylinder gas motor, introduced in 2011. This engine can be paired with a 6 speed manual, or a CVT. Like all Subarus, the Forester uses full time all wheel drive.

The turbo version will get a 2.0L engine, based on the motor used in the new Impreza and Crosstrek. Power will be about 250 hp and 250 ft-lb, similar to last year's 2.5L turbo. 6 speed manual and CVT are available with the Turbo model. [Wrong -- turbo is CVT only]

Compared to the Crosstrek, the Forester is a few inches longer and taller. The result is more interior room in the Forester. Both vehicles offer a little less than 9 inches of ground clearance.

No details like fuel economy or price have been announced.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/31/2014-subaru-forester-revealed-ahead-of-la-debut/

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Ewww, looks like a Fiat 500 on steroids, they should stick with their current body.

 

[WagoneerSX4]

Subaru's keep getting uglier and uglier...

 

[timzim]

Looks very similar to the current Outback. I really like my 2012 Forester -- in my opinion, the perfect mix of boxiness like the older ones, but not overly so -- not sure I like this one much.

And, this one is going to be the 2014, not the 2013, model.

 

[Warn Industries]

I hope they truly are offering the turbo/manual combo again in the Forester. The SH chassis XT only got the auto from 2009-2013.

- Andy

 

[Mrknowitall]

I hope they truly are offering the turbo/manual combo again in the Forester. The SH chassis XT only got the auto from 2009-2013.

- Andy

According to the press release, they are NOT offering a MT/Turbo combination. While there are several potential reasons, overall demand of MT vehicles is the biggest culprit. That means they'll offer just the most value-concious packages that way. Shame

 

[p nut]

I think this is the best model of Foresters:

But I'm liking the new one as well. I think it will look better in person.

 

[haven]

Automotive journalists were flown to Japan to drive a prototype of the 2014 Forester a few days ago.
Some have shared their impressions:

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/14/2014-subaru-forester-first-drive-review/

http://www.insideline.com/subaru/forester/2014/2014-subaru-forester-first-look.html

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2014-subaru-forester-first-drive-review

http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1080486_2014-subaru-forester-preview-drive

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1211_2014_subaru_forester_prototype/

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1211_2014_subaru_forester_prototype_quick_drive/

Observations from the articles: Length, width, height and wheelbase of the redesigned Forester increase less than an inch. The base of the windshield is pushed forward several inches to improve aerodynamics. The rear seats are raised up a couple of inches to increase rear legroom. Interior volume behind the front seats is up to 75 cu ft. (That's 5 more than CR-V, 7 more than Escape, and 10 cu ft more than Mazda CX-5, to name a few competitors.) Ground clearance stays at 8.7 inches.

The standard 2.5L gas engine (170 hp, 174 ft lb) is unchanged. The new turbo 2.0L gas engine makes 250 hp, but using 93 octane gas. That's hard to find and expensive. The standard Forester can be equipped with a 6 speed manual or CVT. The Turbo gets CVT only.

New for 2014 is X Mode, an electronic low speed traction system that improves traction control and hill descent control when on a slippery surface. Perfect for those gnarly ski area parking lots.

EPA MPG has not been announced. Subaru expects 2 to 4 mpg improvements over 2012.

We'll hear more about pricing and delivery date for the 2014 Forester when it's introduced at the LA Auto Show in a couple of weeks.

 

[haven]

Thanks, TimZim, the Forester will be introduced as a 2014 model. I updated the thread title.

 

[JeffRRC]

I like it.

 

[LMarshall73]

I think this is the best model of Foresters:

But I'm liking the new one as well. I think it will look better in person.

I'm partial to the 03-05 front end, myself.

 

[Ronct110]

Looks like a Toyota Rav4: http://www.toyota.com/rav4/?srchid=google|SUV/Van_RAV4|new_toyota_rav4

I know Toyota and Subaru are sharing the same body/engine platform for the FRS/BRZ; are they also doing the same for 2014 Forester/current Rav4? Can't tell till I see more pictures of the new 2014 Forester: http://www.subaru.com/auto-show/la-2012.html

We bought our 2011 Forester for the AWD and great visibility. I would think the visibility is reduced w/the smaller rear window on the 2014 model. Too early to tell w/o test drive. And I like the boxy style of the current (mine) and even prev model Foresters.

 

[Mrknowitall]

I know Toyota and Subaru are sharing the same body/engine platform for the FRS/BRZ; are they also doing the same for 2014 Forester/current Rav4?

In a word- no. The Rav will continue to be built on Toyota engineered, FWD/transverse, C-segment architecture, while the Forester continues on a FHI/Subaru Longitudional/AWD platform. The Shared BRZ/FRS/FT86 will continue to be an exception, rather than a new trend. Incidentally, a whole slew of pictures of the new RAV4 just became available today:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-toyota-rav4-leaked-photos/
IMHO, the 2014 Forester, regarless of whether you think it looks better or worse than a previous model, looks a lot better than that new RAV4. Both vehicles will be released later this week at the LA auto show.

 

[tacomadave]

I like the looks of this new Forester, and I think it will be a toss up between this and a new RAV4 when I buy my next vehicle.

 

[haven]

Car and Driver reports its impressions after driving the production versions. They kinda like the CVT when used in a mode that emulates an 8 speed automatic transmission. That said, they would prefer a true manual transmission with the new turbo 2.0L engine.

The Subaru turbo motor produces 250 hp and 258 lb-ft, and is rated at 23 city, 28 highway mpg. The Ford Escape with 2.0L Ecoboost produces 240 hp and 270 lb-ft, and is rated 21 city, 28 highway. Should be an interesting comparison.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2014-subaru-forester-25-20xt-turbo-first-drive-review