Subaru Forester is a very important car for Subaru, particularly in the U.S.A. Last year, the model was Subaru’s best seller in the US and is on course to maintain the crown again this year. This segment is very competitive; not wanting to risk losing ground to rival models; Subaru has refreshed the Forester for the 2017 model year. The new 2017 Subaru Forester features a revised exterior, a more serene cabin as well as more technologies. This model gained its fame due to its high practicability, reliability and utility aspects as opposed to good looks.
Subaru has just added minor details on the new Forester exterior. However, the minor changes have made the Forester very attractive. The first major new feature is the grille which comes with horizontal bars. The headlights have also been revised; they now feature new C-shaped LED DRLs.
The base 2.5i rides on 17-inch steel wheels with an option for 17-inch alloy wheels and roof rails. The 2.5i Premium adds a rear roof spoiler, body-color side mirrors and a panoramic sunroof. An all weather package for the trim adds heated side mirrors. The 2.5i Limited adds fog lights, a power lift-gate, automatic headlights, and unique side mirrors with turn signals. Adding the EyeSight package adds LED headlights along with automatic high-beam control.
The 2.0XT Premium features all equipments of the 2.5i Premium and adds 18-inch alloy wheels and a sport-tuned suspension. The 2.0XT Limited trim, on the other hand, has all features of the 2.0XT Limited.
The cabin of the Forester will be quieter courtesy of new seals, thicker door glass, acoustic glass windshield as well as extra under-floor insulation. Standard features for the base 2.5i include a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 6.2-inch touch-screen linked with Subaru’s Starlink interface, Smartphone integration as well as a 4-speaker audio system with HD radio, USB port, a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
Other standard features include a rearview camera and 60/40-split folding seatbacks at the rear and a height adjustable driver’s seat.
The 2.5i Premium adds an 8-way power driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar support, an armrest with cupholders at the rear, reclining rear seatbacks and a 7-inch touch-screen with voice commands. It also features Starlink Safety and Security system, a 6-speaker audio system with dual USB ports and satellite radio. The model also features automatic climate control.
On the other hand, the 2.5i Limited trim adds leather upholstery, a cargo tray, and an upgraded dashboard. Opting for the EyeSight package adds an upgraded instrument cluster. The top 2.5i Touring adds a dual-zone climate control system, an 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, , automatic folding rear seatbacks and driver memory settings. Choosing the model with EyeSight package adds Saddle Brown leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel.
The 2.0XT Premium features all equipments of the 2.5i Premium. It also adds leather wrapped steering wheel and unlike other trims, it does not have an option for the EyeSight package. The 2.0XT Touring trim on the other hand offers features of the 2.5i Touring trim and adds an upgraded dash and unlike the 2.0XT Premium, it comes with the EyeSight package.
The Forester comes with two power-trains to choose from. Both mills are 4-cylinder ‘boxer’ engines. The base engine is a 2.5 L mill that is capable of producing 170 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The engine mates to a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard and a Lineartronic CVT as an option.
The engine is quite frugal. It is EPA rated to return 22 mpg in city and 29 mpg on highway with the manual gearbox. With a CVT system, the engine returns 26 mpg in city and 32 mpg on highway drives. For more power, buyers can opt for the turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0 L mill. This engine produces 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
The power is routed to all wheels via a High-Torque Lineatronic CVT. The transmission system features multi-mode SI-Drive with the capability of emulating 6- or 8- speed gear ratios.
The Foester is very affordable. Details communicated by Subaru indicate that the base 2.5i model with a manual gearbox will have a MSRP of $23,500 inclusive of a $875 destination fee. You will have to add a $1,000 premium for the CVT.
The Touring trim with a 2.5 L mill will fetch $30,000 while the top-of-the range 2.0XT Premium model starts at $30,200 with its Touring trim fetching $35,200. Choosing extra options will see you paying in excess of $36,000 for the top trim. The models arrive in dealerships this fall.
The 2017 Subaru Forester will go head to head with the likes of Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox and Honda CR-V. That is not all; less priced models, including the Mazda CX-5 will also look to get a slice of the segment.