Attention good people of Vermont: There’s an all-new Subaru Forester.
What’s new? It’s a tad bigger, a tad quicker and—to be honest—a tad nicer. It’s an evolution of a model that’s now been with us for 22 years.
Yes, the standard Forester stuff remains. It’s still all-wheel drive. It has a boxer engine. It looks like a Forester.
Something else …
I mean, the Forester hasn't really looked like the Forester since about 2007.......it was a boxy, crunchy, outdoorsy thing. Then in 2008 it turned into a crossover-that-looks-like-everything else and hasn't turned back. Not to say that the newer ones aren't actually better vehicles overall - just saying the whole "Crunchy Vermont" Forester has been gone for a decade. Well, Im' sure they still buy them in Vermont because snow, but whatever ;)
Problem with that Forester is that by the time you equip it the way you want it's more expensive than the Accent that comes with all the same stuff standard.
I like the looks of the new Forester Sport, though I wish Sport meant “turbo” instead of “orange rocker trim”.
I see no good argument for the Forester over the CX-5
Patented symmetrical AWD is overrated when snow tires exist
We bought a 2016 cpo Forester XT earlier this year for Mrs. Gunner and she absolutely loves it. That said she drove a crosstrek(what she came in to look at and wanted originally) and even with a stick shift couldn't get over its lack of power. We drove a 2017 outback also which she was fine with the power it had but that particular car was optioned out and more than we wanted to spend. She did want a stick but was not adverse to the cvt, and the car we got has the cvt. I wanted to hate it but it's probably the gold standard for cvt feel in my opinion. The thing I don't like is probably what the majority of appliance drivers do like is that it feels like a normal transmission. I think I'd like it to never feel like its shifting, but to just give maximum power or maximum economy based on where I plant my foot. Eh, thats debatable. I will say the turbo has gotten me to like the car more than anything, without that its a really good crossover but there is better competition. I don't know if this is anyone elses experience, but having sold cars almost 20 years ago I will say that the dealership experience has not changed one iota, despite Subaru marketing about love and all that jazz. I can see why millenials and everyone else are looking for alternatives.
oldopelguy said:Problem with that Forester is that by the time you equip it the way you want it's more expensive than the Accent that comes with all the same stuff standard.
When they first came out with the new Ascent model my wife was really excited about it so I played around with the configuration.
At that time it seemed like it was about $10k-$15k more for the Ascent with similar options. The limited in the forester put you In the same ballpark as the lower ascent.
I’d like to hear more about what David thought when driving the new forester. We liked the 2003 we had, but I’m sure 15 years have led to some notable changes in the model
We’re probably going to be looking to go new or very lightly used in about 2 years when my oldest son gets his license and takes over the Elantra, so I’m starting to watch what’s in the small to midsized SUV class that will fit a hockey bag or two in the cargo area.
You'll need to log in to post.
