10 Things You Don' t Know About The All-New 2019 Subaru Forester CarBuzz News Features New Cars Used Cars Sell My Car Shopping Tools Car Reviews Car Finder Compare Cars Best Cars Car Dealerships Used Car Reviews Car Advice Home News 10 Things You Don' t Know About The All-New 2019 Subaru Forester
10 Things You Don' t Know About The All-New 2019 Subaru Forester
Apr. 06, 2018 9:00 AM ET by Roger Biermann Tops / 15 Comments The 5th generation Forester keeps the adventure alive. Subaru has already established itself as the adventure brand, and a key model to that vision is the Forester. It's the SUV with space for the whole family, all the action gear they need, and the ground clearance to get it just about anywhere it needs to go. At the 2018 New York Auto Show, Subaru gave us our first look at the all-new fifth generation Forester. So before the Subaru Forester reaches local shores, here are ten things you didn't know about the all-new SUV. Shares DNA With Crosstrek And Impreza
Though the Forester may be much bigger than those two, it's really just a bigger sibling. It's due to the new Subaru Global Platform that underpins the new Forester – the same platform that underpins not only the Impreza and Crosstrek, but one that will underpin every single Subaru model that comes out for the next decade, including the Outback, Legacy, and WRX and WRX STI. When the Impreza debuted, we were told it cost $1 billion to develop – but these development costs are now trickling down to reduce the costs of other models – the Forester being the first to benefit. Subaru More Efficient Than Ever
The last generation Forester featured new engine architecture from Subaru in the form of the FB25 engine. Subaru has advanced the engine further now, and the new 2.5-liter Boxer 4-cylinder now features direct injection, higher compression, and active valve control system (AVCS). Subaru claim increased outputs – up to 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque from 170 hp and 174 lb-ft – along with increased responsiveness, and improved economy. While we wait for EPA-certification, Subaru has released a claimed estimate of 33 mpg on a highway cycle. CVT Is The Only Transmission Choice
While the current Forester has offered 2.5i and 2.5i Premium models with a traditional 6-speed manual, the 2019 Forester eschews the stick-shift for the latest advancement of Subaru's continuously variable transmission – in aid of efficiency primarily. Standard with the CVT, all models benefit from Subaru's SI-Drive system with selectable drive modes. Base models feature the choice between Intelligent (I) and Sport (S) modes, while the Forester Sport gets an extra Sport Sharp (S#) mode for extra performance. The CVT can also mimic the effects of a manual gearbox in manual mode, by simulating a 7-speed manual using steering-mounted shift paddles. Subaru Bigger And More Practical
For the MY19 Forester, Subaru has grown the wheelbase from 103.9 to 105.1 inches, resulting in gains in head, hip, and shoulder room. The trunk has also grown in size, now up to 76.1 cubic feet with the rear 60:40 split seats lowered. The load floor is flatter than before, and the load area has been optimized for larger objects. Notably, loading has also been improved by widening the tailgate opening by 5.3 to 51.2 inches in total. A powered tailgate is available on Limited and Touring trim lines, and roof rails are standard on all but the base trim line. More Value Than Ever
For 2019 the Subaru Forester gets increased value for money in the way of new and improved features. Automatic climate control is standard on all models, and the heated seat functionality is now 3-stage rather than 2. In Touring trim, the rear seats are also heated, whilst Keyless Access and Push Button Start are standard on most trim lines. Subaru's Starlink Connected Services have also been bolstered and now feature Remote Engine Start, with remote climate control. Other connected services include WiFi and concierge services. Safer Than Ever
The Subaru Global Platform underpinning the Forester has been engineered to be one of the safest platforms on the market. Subaru has prided itself in recent years on scoring top marks from international and local safety authorities, and as such, the new platform is endowed with advanced crumple zones and construction engineered specifically to improve crash safety. The latest EyeSight safety suite is also featured, providing advanced crash avoidance systems such as pre-collision braking, blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, and adaptive cruise control. Subaru Torque Vectoring A Forester First
First debuted on the Subaru WRX and WRX STI performance models, Active Torque Vectoring is now standard on all 2019 Subaru Forester derivatives. The system uses a brake-based torque vectoring system to apply the brakes on the inside wheel during cornering, tightening the cornering lines, improving handling responses, and minimizing the effects of understeer. X-Mode Gets You Where You Need To Go
A party trick incorporated in the Lineartronic CVT gearbox, X-Mode optimizes control of both the engine and gearbox, along with the all-wheel drive system to ensure maximum grip on slippery surfaces. X-Mode mimics a low-range transmission and controls front and rear clutch pack force to enable improved ability on slippery surfaces and steep inclines/declines. Sport, Limited, and Touring models feature a dual-mode version of X-Mode that adds Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes for even more capability in any situation. Interior Built For Real World Customers
Subaru has paid particular attention to the real-world needs of Subaru Forester owners, particularly buyers with a desire for adventure. As such, the materials used in the cargo area floor, sides, and rear gate offer a new textured surface that's more resistant to dirt than ever. The material is also scuff-resistant and easily cleaned, making sure that everything from mountain bikes to camping gear can be packed away quickly without the need to clean up beforehand. PVC material has also been used on the bottoms of the front seat backs to protect them for rear passengers' dirty feet, and the pockets on the seat backs are now sub-divided for better organization. No Nodding Off Behind The Wheel
The top of the line Touring model features Subaru's DriverFocus safety technology. This segment-exclusive tech uses facial recognition software that identifies the signs of fatigue behind the wheel and warn drivers to take a break. The system can also recognize up to five different drivers and automatically adjust settings such as seat position, climate control settings, and the multifunction displays automatically upon entry. Subaru Arriving in dealerships later this year, the fifth-generation Subaru Forester continues Subaru's legacy as the adventure brand for the masses, but brings the brand into a new era of safety and advanced technologies. Join The Discussion
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Subaru Forester Roger Biermann Managing Editor After spending the first three years of his life after school pursuing a career in interior design and architecture, the automotive bug bit Roger hard. This led him down the path of forging a career in motoring, running his own website and spending eight years building up his automotive knowledge, driving ability, and wordcraft before joining CarBuzz in 2017, first as a writer, and later as an editor, technical expert, and in-house graphics wizard fulfilling the role of company joker and jack of all trades. Roger is highly proficient at writing in the third person and spends his time away from the keyboard tinkering on and autocrossing his two Miatas. Contact Roger @Roger.mx5 LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top