2017 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring Off-Road Review at Mudfest

The Subaru Forester is a popular choice for crossover enthusiasts. Now with XMode, Subaru has increased it's off-road capabilities. How does that imrpove it's real-world capabilities? We ventured to an off-road course at The Ridge Motorsport Park to find out.
Driving Sports produces exclusive automotive reviews, news and motor sports for broadcast, web, mobile and set-top boxes. Be sure to subscribe here on KZbin.
For more videos and adventures visit the official site: www.drivingspor... or get our free Roku app: dspor.tv/get-roku
Follow us:
Facebook: / drivingsports
Twitter: / drivingsports

[@kaiviti2013]

Too much footage of the inside of the 2 men yapping away. I wanna see the car not these limelight hogging chatter boxes

[@kendallevans4079]

Especially the driver....Very unprofessional

[@zero0hex]

way too much footage of those two men.

[@cnobillbradley9673]

2015 XT and every time I leave the house I’m in XMode as my road has a grade of 25 to 30 degrees. Steepest grade in the San Francisco Bay Area. Gets a good workout.

[@juandiegoocampogarcia1386]

@cnobillbradley9673 do you think the forester 2.5 CVT (182hp and 239Nm) would be able to go over a 23 degrees slope? I'm in Colombia, we don't have XT or manual transmission.

[@Doc1855]

I Love my 19 Forester Touring. It’s far superior over the 18 and older. The dual function X mode is awesome in our mountainous area of WA state. We get 5-6 feet of snow every winter both of our Subie’s are fabulous in all driving conditions.

[@bridgecross]

You can edit a shot of your finger pressing the "X-mode" button, but you can't edit in any exterior shots of the car actually driving the course?

[@treverpitts]

Well the problem is you have to have a camera outside the car and all he had was a couple GoPros

[@jbivvy420]

look the cup falls when its not on a surface...best test ever

[@wanderingtoots]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@mikewallace8087]

I would imagine the course manager inspects and maintains his course to specification that guarantee there will be no embarrassing frame hang ups or engine water damage. He probably made double sure by actually measuring your wheelbase , tire diameter and actual ground clearance.

[@stingray2134]

More shots from the outside would have help this video!!

[@majorrod]

Exactly

[@karenmarieh.j.3842]

Glad someone said it. I can't believe we got more video of this goober boring the living heck out of the Subaru guy. As soon as he said that he could add aftermarket skidplates, I felt the point of the car was worthless.

[@heybulldog137]

I can pull that course off with my Fiat Abarth. Subaru makes a serious product, but this vid does it no justice.

[@drivingsports]

No, you couldn't. It has specifically-designed sections to test approach and departure angles (you'd get stuck) as well as AWD articulation (you'd get stuck). Yes, you could navigate around the course. But that's not the point. It's to test specific features -- not "get through it by avoiding all the stuff that would cause you to high center."

[@heybulldog137]

Driving Sports TV bologna

[@heybulldog137]

Driving Sports TV no disrespect, but, that's a pretty weak course.

[@BigSam63]

Slim Stickly lol you would torn up your fiat on some of those approaches for sure.

[@michaelmcclain6899]

I just spent a weekend in Arkansas kayaking along forest roads steeper than this lame course. Automatic transmissions ruin driving skills.

[@shahab_shawn_siahpoosh]

Forester is such a capable vehicle it's a shame that Subaru isn't offering the XT version or even a manual transmission for it

[@R2D2trashcan]

I feel like I’m watching two Subaru salesmen that got the job yesterday trying to sell me a car.

[@danielarcher8416]

Pointless review. Pointless questions. I feel sorry for the factory rep. Do your homework before your review other cars.

[@shamitoson]

daniel archer sorry for the rep? He was useless! He added nothing and had zero personality. I feel sorry for the interviewer. It was like pulling teeth.

[@heitorqueiroz9364]

Subaru guy needed to get rid of this jerk

[@james66872]

Heitor Queiroz I so agree with you

[@whatyabloodyonabout]

ahh 90 degrees... yeh no dont think so mate.

[@ciscoprog]

Connor Nichol I think he meant the Jeep Wrangler. They were talking about a comparison.

[@MAGirlable]

Either way. 90 degrees is literally vertical. I'm sure the Wrangler is capable of some extreme off roading, but defying the laws of gravity? I don't think even the Wrangler can do that.

[@shamitoson]

You're right. I think he meant 45. But that rep was about the worst I've ever seen. He seemed completely uninterested. I think he's in the wrong role.

[@MartinScheuerJr]

You do some of the best and most straight forward reviews out there. THANK YOU!

[@DefMusic79]

I love my Jeeps but have always loved Subaru. I just don't uunderstand why they don't put skid plates under neith them. They claim these are very capable of the off road. So why not wake up and put them on?

[@moonsapling]

They really are astonishing off the road. They probably dont put skid plates cause of extra cost and weight. The "average" driver wouldn't even go off the road. Nevertheless i dream about getting a 2014-2018 Forester.

[@ALEKS-wx7hd]

Напишу может кто из наших прочитает)) Купил себе 13 февраля на др Тачка огонь Клиренс Динамика Комфорт Все что я так давно хотел!!) Я толко её изучаю но уже сильно влюблён такого удовлетворения мне ещё никто недовал))))))

[@xXDeadBabyzXx]

In Canada, Touring is the model right above the Convenience model... not really top of the line. The Limited model is top of the line, 2.0XT Touring and 2.0XT Limited is the actual top!

[@tomthomas4666]

Why doesn't Subaru make a pickup with this all wheel drive ?? It would a seller!!!!!

[@mikerinck8523]

They did... but they need to bring back the Baja (or BRAT)again!

[@henrytauch8383]

I’ll get the 2019 forester sport

[@robertlane3513]

i saw your back driver side rear wheel locked up going down one of the hills that showed the rear of the suv while in Motion,

[@BretHaines]

I liked it.

[@lamper2]

right after i bought my 2012,the next models got way better gas milage. bastards. still a great car

[@hedrick5286]

Subaru needs to build hard core off road versions

[@cylurian]

My '12 Forester would do most of that course!

[@karenmarieh.j.3842]

1990 escort, could have done most of that course....

[@wafflesports]

Do the doors unlock when you try and open them from the inside. This technology is far too advanced for the Subaru design team.

[@kayakuprising5914]

You guys are really missing a second person to record from the outside.

[@Quentyn73]

I liked that he asked about stick shifts on cross trek

[@spiritofthewolf15x]

Why the CVT when there is a manual? Why limit yourself?

[@diegoroxx22]

I didn't know Colin Robinson worked for Subaru

[@amberfilms112]

Is that a derv flat 4?

[@frmula1fan51]

I just want to see if it will get stuck in wet grass.

[@dieudonnesama]

Can this🚘 come with CTV manual transmission

[@doom8274]

what was the point of this if you don't even show the car from outside

[@Jason99942]

To be clear Mr. Host - you're annoying with your continual chatting. You're not well suited for this position and hope you consider going behind the scenes, rather than attempting to be a showman for the camera.

[@drivingsports]

That said, this video has outperformed all the videos where I’m not annoying on purpose. (Backstory: we’ve stranded and scratched some Subaru’s over the years - if you watched our show throughout the years you’d see that - so with a rep in the car we went overboard.)

[@michaelmcclain6899]

Jeez bud. I wouldn't even brake going down that "really steep" hill descent. Guess that's the difference between the "touring (babby)" trim and the manual transmission (master race) trim. Give me a low-range Subaru! While I rebuild my Jeep's engine...

[@allowmi]

...as narrated my Marvin Marshmallow. "Oooh - it's really steep, look at my latte". SMH. Polyester flannel shirts.

[@aacer3653]

Is it subaru test drive or your screen test.👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎

[@stuartpickles6907]

The host is obnoxious

[@Junkbarman]

Dude needs to stop the yapping.,...

[@keithralston5187]

I really wish Subaru had low range I will transfer case I take mine up in the mountains and it really sucks go downhill cuz it likes to run our way I got to ride the brakes stupid yet the ride breaks all the time why do you have a posi rear end and limited-slip up front so it might has and it don't have the range to me will get better mileage if you should be able to

[@charlymaher3361]

"Basically 90 degrees"! Wow! That's some clear BS there Mr salesman.

[@evannouis486]

chuck doesn't seem like he knows whats going on lol

[@sity909]

what was that sound? 7:47

[@eduardozapata6420]

The driver is so annoying..he has ADD...the video shows his face more than the car or whats happening..

[@iliaspats]

it checks ground clearance and make sure the 4wd drive doesnt brake down... hahahahha to what? tears ???? And VCD lived happily ever after.

[@drivingsports]

+Ilias Patsiaouras The background for this is that we have gotten into trouble with Subaru in the past for taking too many risks with their vehicles off-road. Since we were driving with a Subaru rep we wanted to make sure that he was cool with everything and there was no doubt that what we did in the advanced off-road course was approved on camera in the event something did get scratched or bent.

[@toastopia1]

that guy is a dushbag! the forester can do allot more than what he did!

[@ryancumberbatch1604]

Besides the ground clearance, i didn't see anything there my toyota corolla cant go through.

[@martinr8278]

Uh huh. Can’t wait to see your video on KZbin for all of us to see that

[@ryancumberbatch1604]

@@martinr8278 you're right...I ended up getting a Nissan Rogue

[@arob2434]

If you say like one more time...

[@jamespostle6894]

bruh mans is lowkey tweaking

[@SulCoCrazy]

Now climb those hills you just descended.....

[@dennistardiff9667]

Can hw say "like" more please.

[@sp0rtbilly77]

I feel like the review guy would drive a Mercedes

[@drivingsports]

I actually own/drive a 2014 Subaru WRX and the "Legacy Project" Rallycross car. -Ryan

[@redpilledpatriot8484]

My Honda Civic could do this course. Seriously

[@martinr8278]

Can’t wait to see that on KZbin. When are you providing this for everyone to see??

[@valbez7016]

so useless review if one even can call it a review. It is more pep talk by Subaru representative to make you buy one. Does not show any off the real capabilities of it. Not at all or zero outside videos.

[@shamitoson]

Val Bez definitely useless. But hardly a pep talk from Subaru. The Subaru rep was terrible. He didn't offer anything. Where did they find that guy?

[@ivans9282]

at or cvt?

[@cBodhi]

cvt

[@jeffreysmall8902]

this track is joke i had buick went of light of road still subaru are awasome

[@erics.9935]

Less random guys talking, more video from an OUTSIDE perspective ffs

[@Jerrin5]

Next time, attach camera to a gimbal 05:35

[@loganstockmanlogstock8270]

Easy terrain, my truck can do this so easy

[@QueenFairy420]

that guy from subaru does not know much

[@bobpfaff2258]

If that is the hard course, watch out for Jeep parts scattered on the ground.

[@Doc1855]

The 17 turned out to be very unreliable. But Subaru changed that out in the 19.

[@martinr8278]

How?

[@Doc1855]

@@martinr8278 head gasket

[@tinker1148]

My 17 Forester Premium has 80k now and is trouble free. Just maintenance. Loving it.

[@Doc1855]

@@tinker1148 You’re one of the lucky ones

[@Young_Travels]

Why. Are. You. Doing. That? Stop. Throwing. Your. Drink.

[@jasona5745]

Jeeps suck! Subaru's are driven off road more each year than Jeeps!

[@stuartpayne6473]

Thumbs inside the steering wheel 🤣🤔

[@slavickovalenko6702]

Time to upgrade to Tacoma

[@trexnoises4071]

Bee on window at 5:53

[@kaleembabai]

Well I watched Most boring review of my life

[@mlee6136]

Too much talk...not enough actual vehicle video

[@gogich777]

so useless ..

[@theundead1600]

Just buy an inclometer (spelling?) not as refreshing as iced coffee but better for videos

[@mikescott6097]

mr. personality in the passenger seat

[@overlandsubaruinternationa2378]

come see are chanel for more offroad subaru

[@jeepthing98]

4 mins in I couldnt take it any more. Became unwatchable. The host,/driver er whatever is like an annoying drama queen with a stupid quip comment at every turn. The Subaru rep was probably like " Maybe if I continue to answer his questions with brief, abrupt responses, he'll shut up"

[@saracampbell114]

Off road test lol I could have drove my Honda Civic throw that

[@drivingsports]

No, you couldn’t. The approach and departure angles would have ripped your bumpers off. It may not be extreme off-roading, but the course is specifically designed to take advantage of clearance and angles that you cannot traverse in a street car.

[@martinr8278]

Let’s see that video! Can’t wait!

[@angusvlogs4312]

Ppffffffffff x mode just hit the gas

[@enceladus2263]

Is this the most annoying guy in the world?

[@oldgamer3343]

I know, lets copy a 2001 Rav4.

[@bfk3047]

Old Gamer I had a 2005 rav it can't do what the Forester can do

[@martinr8278]

Why? Toyota drivers getting some envy here it appears. Sure the rav4 could do that. 🤥🤔😂 Where’s the video?

[@TurfSurf]

everything is outdated except for the functionality.

[@mattmers]

Whats outdated?

[@AWDfreak]

It's outdated as it is on the old 4th generation Impreza platform, while the 5th gen Impreza platform (now the Subaru Global Platform) is already being implemented on the 3rd gen Subaru XV Crosstrek.

[@JeffreyIrvin84]

The forester is still being made in Japan. The "global" platform really just means country based now instead of made in one country and sent everywhere. Legacy, Outback, Impreza and I believe crosstrek in the US are built in the US. Other country's may get different variations while still on the "global" platform. The forester is not, made in Japan and shipped here.

[@AWDfreak]

That's incorrect. The Subaru Global Platform is going to be the universal underpinnings for future Subaru vehicles, which the 5th gen Impreza and 3rd gen XV have already implemented. It has nothing directly to do with country of assembly and more of a universal platform to use rather than the old compact and midsize platforms Subaru used to use (Impreza and Legacy respectively). 5th gen Impreza on the SGP is now being built at SIA in the USA. All midsize Subaru vehicles sold in the USA have been made in SIA in the USA. The plan is to make future vehicles in the USA for USA consumption as the demand for Subaru vehicles in North America has grown to the point where it makes more sense to produce it here. Regarding the older 4th gen compacts, ALL 4th gen compacts (by that, I mean based on 4th gen Impreza platform) sold in the USA have been made in Japan, to include Impreza (MY2012-2016), XV Crosstrek (MY2013-2017), Forester (MY2014-present, likely to end in 2019 MY), WRX/WRX STI (MY2015-present, likely to end in 2020 MY), and BRZ (MY2013-present). Every midsize sold in USA is made in USA to include Legacy, Outback, Baja, and Tribeca.

[@JeffreyIrvin84]

Thats what I was getting at.. Forester is not on the Global platform.. it's still built in Japan, and shipped here. As of recent the Impreza is now too since Crosstrek got it before along with same platform for Legacy and Outback. They are country based for different variations in the model but still keeping the "global" platform.

[@boomerd513]

This guy is too much! Just drive and quit fucking with your drink. Wouldn’t be able to ride around with this dude.

[@TroutWest]

That off road course is weak AF

[@martinr8278]

You were on it??

[@gtx332]

Most uncharismatic review ever

[@kosfactor]

more like a children's park than off-road park.

[@chainlighting5638]

The Guy driving acts like Trudeau (feminist)

[@slobama]

lame

[@aviyakobi2332]

Bla-bla.......bla-bla-bla

[@chaserzx383]

That's a stupid track. I've done worse with my 2006 accent

[@martinr8278]

Let’s see that.

[@blusut]

this guy talks too much not enough walk what gives?! This show is a bust! Dumber for having seen this...lets go 4x4 Sub!!!

[@TumeloMotsoeneng]

the most useless Subaru forester review ever...