MotorWeek | Road Test: 2014 Subaru Forester

The 2014 Subaru Forester hits a growth spurt. MotorWeek's John Davis has the road test review.

[@jtafoya88]

2014 motor trends suv of the year Subaru Forester!! Love its what makes a Subaru.

[@wayward03]

I think it's funny when people talk about shitty interior on the forester. I guess they have never seen an american car. I test drove nearly all the competition in the last week or so and by far the worst were GMC jeep and ford. Kia and Toyota weren't bad but wanted too much money for base engines. Shouldn't be paying 32k USD for a fwd NA kia sportage. At least the Subaru has awd and a turbo for 29k

[@shyster717]

Not to mention that I will have to pay 39000 Euro for 2.0XT Comfort in Europe:-( Why in the USA everything is so cheap? How it is made?

[@wayward03]

Michał Lewandowski my xt doesn't have leather, power tailgate, power mirrors, navigation, or the 6speaker stereo. Plus more volume in the states allows them to sell more cars at a lower price.

[@azburgessfamily]

My Mom got a 2.0 Touring XT today. It is a lot more fun to drive then you think it should. The safety, reliability, and deal she got was very nice.

[@themainspringer]

I have had the XT Premium for the last 3 weeks and I am extremely please with my purchase. The SUV has excellent pickup and power delivery throughout the rev range despite the CVT and is a blast to drive in the sport or sport # mode. No regrets awesome vehicle. And when you add best in class legroom, storage, power and speed the competition is left with nothing until you can pitch in for a Porsche cayenne

[@tarheelgeorge]

Just got a good deal on a new Premium! I love it! Fun to drive, great visibility, and very high safety ratings!

[@G8GTJav]

Are you kidding? The XT Premium (aprox $28k) comes standard with sunroof, Direct Injected turbo motor (more hp than Ecoboost), capable AWD w/ X-mode, leather trimmed interior, & top of class MPG. Price other CUVs with similar features & power levels (Escape, Sorrento). They start in the mid 30s & go on up. The XT is a relative bargain. Family member just got one. The CVT trans is really smooth, interior is quiet w/ great visibility, instant boost/power, sporty suspension & steering. Great car!

[@G8GTJav]

The beefed up CVT in the FXT is great. Super smooth around town in i-mode & the Sport & Sport# modes simulate 6 & 8 speed autos while adjust steering feel. Lots of fun using Sport# mode w/ paddle shifters on twisty mountain roads! I think the CVT even simulates rev matched downshifts. You can also put it in manual to have complete control of the shifts. Check out the Subaru Japan videos of the FXT on the Nurburgring & Mika Hakkinen (rally driver) driving it hard.

[@G8GTJav]

BTW, I'm not a salesman just an enthusiast. My family got an XT Premium in Satin Pearl White. It had the right mix of off-road capability with great power at a reasonable price (compared to others CUVs we looked at). Also, looks great with the machined face/charchoal wheels & is a hoot to drive on twisty mountain roads in Sport# mode using the paddle shifters. Definitely going to upgrade the junk radio though, LOL.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Hopefully stands out. One thing that disappoints me to no end is its lack of a 2.0 litre Boxer Diesel option. Is the "market" ready for a diesel powered Subaru? Maybe, maybe not. But Subaru won't know until they're willing to take a chance. Instead of dragging their feet, Subaru should just take a chance and import a few Boxer Diesel engines at a time, to test the waters, find out what people think. :)

[@jasoncarpp7742]

MrAbletospeak Since 2008. The question is whether Subaru is willing to offer it to the USA market.

[@thegonz9]

Thank you. It's interesting that I've never heard this issue addressed in any of the road test videos for Subaru.

[@814gt]

This CVT is amazing. You have no clue. In sport mode, you would not even notice it was not 6 gears...seriously, you have no idea.

[@814gt]

I have an xt for past 3 weeks also. Love it. Powerlift gate and I can't believe how fast this engine is. Highway passing in sport mode is very powerful. Motorweek has a serious 0-60 problem. They also tested an STI and clocked it at over 6 seconds. XT 2014 in sport mode is a lot faster than 7.6. Not sure if this some strange altitude problem or they can't drive. I have a 2011 wrx...raced it several times and it's very close to wrx

[@G8GTJav]

Actually, FXT surprisingly sporty & corners flat. Yeah, it will plow/understeer at the limit but pretty darn good. And sorry, not a SUV but a CUV. Sport utilities are based off truck platforms (body-on-frame design) & typically heavy, low mpg but can tow a lot. Crossovers are based off car platforms (unibody construction) & typically lighter/smoother suspension/more efficient than SUVs at the expense of offroad capability & towing. The FXT is built off of the Impreza platform so why not compare.

[@prairiewanderer5040]

Great post. Another thing to notice is that most crossovers look very much like the original Subaru Tribeca? That car came out and within a couple of years it had a lot of followers from other manufacturers mimicing the styling.

[@Fussinated]

Actually, if there is any drive system that could compensate the different tread wear patterns on tires is the ALL WHEEL DRIVE system. Its sole purpose is to compensate the differences of which tire grips how much anyway. In real life driving, some people even told that they didn't even realized that they have a flat tire because the AWD system compensated it quite effectively.

[@affinity1]

i love the rear spoiler. It makes it look agressive and i can appreciate how high the new forester appears compared to the previous gen. Although the hood is higher than previous models, i wish they kept the option of a hood scoop... it's a unique feature that buyers of the turbo generally like in my opinion. They should have kept the turbo model as a 2.5L.

[@modmatt1]

Just checked and at the 28k price point, the XT Premium does NOT come with Leather or heated seats in the US anyway. The 33k price point "Touring" model does have the leather option. Not even an option to add if you don't like Cloth, which I do, but heated option on cloth would be perfect if offered (with manual and turbo).

[@redneon06]

It's nice to see the test track in better condition.

[@symmetry08]

CVT trans coupled with Turbo engine because small but powerful engine build up power in linear way so that it doesn't pull on crank shaft with high torque. Smaller displacement guarantees gradual rise in power.

[@aconfusedazn]

The Subaru guys were one of the first to have the turbo option. Not the other way around.

[@thegonz9]

Is it true that on "all wheel drive vehicles", tire tread needs to be nearly the same on all four tires for proper perfomance? Therefore if one tire needs to be replaced, all the others must also. If that's the case, tires could be a major expense on Subaru vehicles.

[@AWDfreak]

Only the base 2.5L FB25 engine can be had with the 6-speed manual. It's not even a special order, it's the standard transmission for the Forester 2.5i and Forester 2.5i Premium. All Subaru Forester 2.0XT models come only with the Lineartronic CVT, and cannot be had in a manual transmission like the second generation Forester could. I hope this clarifies any possible misunderstanding.

[@fabulousprofound]

yes it's true, but only with worn tires (don't know the allowable percentage off the top of my head hopefully someone else reading this does). the differentials will keep trying to compensate thinking that the difference in rotational speeds is because of tire slippage and will eventually burn something out. if your tires are still relatively new, the difference in diameter between the existing and new replacement is not enough to warranty replacing the other three.

[@G8GTJav]

Forgot to mention it also has paddle shifters! Sport mode simulates a 6-speed while Sport# mode simulates an 8-speed auto. Sport# mode w/ paddle shifters has been an absolute blast on twisty mountain roads by the way. Don't listen to the review. The motor is super responsive/peppy, steering is well weighted w/ good feel, & CVT works great. Watch the Subaru engineering vids from Japan. The engineers went all out! Go Subaru.

[@25gwolfable]

love the video I love my seat 2014 Forester but I noticed one thing that you guys left out on the Forester the rear seats do lead back there's a little cable that you pull and the seats will recline that's actually a plus I've been a vehicles have that too bad you didn't state that I'm just saying

[@Zinizzle]

The 0-60 in this is rated at 6.3 in XT. I don't know where you're getting 7.6 from unless you're above sea level.

[@WRX4moi]

X-Mode on all CVT-equipped Foresters (2.5i & 2.0XT) in Canada - not just 2.0XT as implied in this video.

[@tomwil77]

You got a mere 7/10 MPG less than the EPA average MPG rating, and were disappointed? And was probably driving it harder than most people? As well as driving a new car that wasn't yet broken in fully? When considering what I mentioned above, I'd say the Forester did better than expected.

[@AK-re9qo]

Its a Turbo Charged, DOHC 16-Valve, Horizontally- Opposed, 4- Cylinder, 4 Stroke, powered with 240 ps and 350 Nm. Lineartronic , AWD. Selling at RM199,800.00 car price.

[@G8GTJav]

The XT Premium has leather wrapped steering wheel & shift nob. Regarding the seats, thought they were leather trimmed w/ cloth inserts. My bad. Guess they are leather look? At any rate, look very nice & shouldn't get lava hot in the sun or ice cold in the winter, like my G8. LOL. The new FXT is a great vehicle worth checking out. Smooth, sporty, quiet, roomy w/ good visibility, AWD w/ X-mode, DI turbo with great power/economy, beefed up CVT w/ different modes & paddles (fun). Great value at 28k.

[@themainspringer]

People often drive the forester and then compare it to the WRX or the STI. For those of you this is a SUV so compare it to an SUV and not other cars. If you want a WRX or and STI just go get that.

[@killersushi99]

/\ Paid for the turbo version. Totally Worth It.

[@fikes73]

That XT would be so awesome with a 6 speed manual. Cant wait for the new WRX with the new motor. I hope they didnt soften it up too much

[@AWDfreak]

If you have genuine proof of this, I would be glad to verify it. Honestly, I actually wish the XT could be had with the 6-speed manual. However, the turbocharged engine never sold well with the manual transmission and it took Subaru of America quite a while to sell off the manual transmission Foresters back in the late 2000's.

[@foxtrot685]

I think with these cars that promise power AND MPG's... if it comes up short people get disappointing quickly. Its no different with Ford Escape EcoGimmick... I mean EcoBoost engines that are falling short of the EPA estimates.

[@TimJoseph08031990]

Good News! This one got a Top Safety Pick+ just like the Volvo XC60.

[@GundamAngelicDevil]

Reminds me more of those game show hosts back in the 60s and 70s.

[@OneCrazyMax]

Hey Motorweek, how were you guys able to get a 2.0XT Premium Forester with Navigation? There is no factory option for Nav on the 2.0XT Premium.

[@guyproulx1660]

anyone notice how he compared the forester to a rav4 and cr-v and not compare it to a POS domestic

[@bobnagana6780]

Yes there are more cars in the segment to compare it to, but nothing wrong with comparing it to japanese sales leaders, its japanese

[@lapamful]

0-60 in less than a week? Great! O_O

[@artilleryisbetter]

motor trend did 6,1seconds 0-60mph

[@Ed-lz4jv]

HEY GUY WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING AT US !!!!! WE CAN HEAR YOUUUUUUUUUU

[@SubiefanWRXsti]

CVT, I'm not happy unless they at least offer a manual in the xt.

[@PaulKeeley]

Party on Wayne, and party on Garth!

[@Zickcermacity]

4:43 - "steering that feels anesthetized" WHY?? And this is a complaint I've heard and read variations of in reviews of all manufacturers, save BMW or Mercedes. Please Subaru(and Toyota, and Chevy, and Ford, and Hyundai!!): Leave some WEIGHT in the steering, even if you go electrical.

[@traviswallace5802]

What price did you get? I can't find any white ones in stock locally in South Florida. Thanks

[@AWDfreak]

Don't listen to soyntgo4it... internationally, the new Forester XT is still automatic-exclusive, however, uses the new high-torque Lineartronic CVT. At least it has paddle shifters (especially useful for engine braking).

[@fabulousprofound]

hopefully someone can give a more detailed explanation that what i offered. i used to own a wrx and i had a sidewall puncture that couldn't be repaired, and because of the low tread and a hard facts lecture by the tire shop what you asked about become a very expensive reality for me =(

[@JordsterMovies]

MotorTrend took the same car 0-60 in 6.2 seconds. As did Car and Driver. How did your driver take 7.6 seconds? Was this a pre-production model or something?

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

MotorWeek does all of their time tests from a standing start without pre-revving the engine or disabling traction control, just as it is from the factory. Also, their testing location is above sea level altitude.

[@tgvcfr120]

Is this fb20 or ej20?

[@mikedanahey9547]

Turbos are for diesels and kiĺ long term reliability. Give me a 2.5 base with a manual transmission

[@samsquantch14]

bahahahah...i hope you're kidding...subaru are gutless dogs without a turbo and theres plenty of ecoboost fords running a 1/4 million miles still going strong

[@adammcdonald7268]

good review!

[@1776adb]

This 0-60 time is way off from what it actually does- 0-60 in 6.2 sec You need a new tester, he must have been asleep at the wheel; so to speak - lol.

[@realdimension]

OUR VIEWERS DO NOT HAVE VOLUME CONTROLS SO WE SHOULD YELL INTO OUR MICROPHONES AND SPEAK VERY CLEAR! .. Is what the narrator must have been thinking.

[@814gt]

7.6 0-60? Why does Motorweek always have the slowest recorded times of any automotive journalism? You also had an STI at 6 seconds? Forester xt is 6.6 seconds and that 1/4 mile time is so far off it's not even worth typing further

[@somanymods]

they probably don't torque brake and leave the traction control on

[@rrmulder]

Could it be because Motorweek is putting Regular in it? Their long-term update states repeatedly that they're using Regular gas. I use Premium in my XT. I haven't tried Mid-Grade or Regular.

[@pillrollerdeluxe]

+Reyer Mulder I've been watching Motorweek for 30 years and they put only the mfg recommended fuel in each vehicle.

[@koukimonzta]

stick shift is version better for petes sake ! learn it buy it and enjoy it !

[@Estirvana]

Man I'm so glad Hyundai/Kia finally got a design language. I wasn't a fan of their beige exteriors and styling.

[@EeroHaapala69]

My car, love her ;)

[@gerardmartel4237]

I have never owned a Subaru to date but I have been doing lots of reading on the forester and I'm thinking it may be my next car. Because of this I was wondering if there are any owners of a 2014 or 2015 Forester in this group. Here in Canada they are claiming to get 33 mpg city and 45 mpg highway with the 2.5 and a cvt. If anyone in the group owns one please give me some over all feed back on the car. If I am to spend that much for a car I would like to think I am getting one that is good. I now drive a Toyota Matrix awd and very much like the car but all my research on the Forester is making me think real hard about switching to the Subaru. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated either here or inbox my facebook profile. Thanks in advance.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

We ordered a 2015 Forester XT-Touring and expect it to arrive in a few months, here in the US. As for the mpg... www.ehow.com/how_6849954_do-canada-mpg-u_s_-mpg_.html

[@jose86362]

IS THE BEST OF THE BEST, IS AMAZING NEVER SUFFERED NO DAMAGE It is SAFEST TRUCK

[@marc-andrebertrand6501]

I own a 2015 Forester 2.5i Touring here in Canada. I get an average of 7.8 L/100 km, which is around 36 mpg. It's the best car I've own so far. Regarding security, it's one of the best according to the IIHS. Depends on what are your needs. I'm living in a mountainous and very snowy region, so you can't go wrong with a Forester.

[@dleetrini]

I am thinking of buying a Forester XT also, and at this time I am concerned of the excessive oil consumption issue that many claim to be having with several models, for example the 2014 Forester 2.5L, 2013 Crosstrek 2.0L, Impreza, Legacy etc. I have not seen anything so far about the 2014/15Forester XT models having this problem, although do expect the turbo to burn a little oil. Has anyone experience this excessive oil consumption problem? This would be my first Subie and turbo charged motor. Thanks...

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Marc-Andre Bertrand 36mpg? Prove it.

[@Y10Q]

2:53 holly shit that thing is knocking

[@bradellman7914]

It's the direct injection, not knocking.

[@MrChonkers]

Rather quiet one. I enjoy a booming engine.

[@J_Alex_Carr_95]

Almost like the Dodge neons my engine has a loud "tick" but it's the injectors

[@babygamer405]

Can someone explain to me why subaru haven't hired a new chief designer like kia with peter from audi? Love the subaru all wheel drive but models and design are so out of date and plain. Look what happen to kia when they hired Peter....Excactly.

[@canddmeyer]

Disappointing review. I wish they'd tested a 2.5 which will garner the majority of sales instead of the XT.

[@mss627]

Nice if somewhat boring looking vehicle. Love the moon roof. Unfortunately all the good press has caused dealers to jack up the price.

[@tomwil77]

+Martin Smith Where are you located? I'm in the Four Corners area of New Mexico, and I've had absolutely no problem getting internet quotes that are less than MSRP. The best quote so far is more than $2800 off MSRP. And I've found other dealers that are willing to match that, and one said he would beat that, although he didn't give an exact price.

[@mss627]

+Tom Willard I live in Maryland.

[@tomwil77]

+Martin Smith I'd get Internet quotes, as they tend to give better quotes online. Back in 2006, I bought a 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and received $3300 in discounts by shopping online before going to the dealer. Being that the Wrangler has a cult following (that's way bigger that the Subaru following), that's basically unheard of. By the way, 3 of the 5 dealers I got quote from are in Colorado, where Subarus sell way better than in New Mexico (because of the snow there). Grand Junction, Colorado is where the lowest quote came from,despite the popularity. Get several quotes from several of the closest dealers. Take the lowest quote as an example, to show other dealers what they are competing against. Copy and paste the whole quote to email replies from them, and respond with those emails, telling them which dealer the quote came from. Make it so that it's dealer against dealer, and you'll likely get a significant savings.

[@clobbyhops]

The interior on this Subaru is not as good looking as the Ford Escape, but a better overall vehicle in the compact class. Say! Subaru? please improve your interior design on the Forester.

[@rsxzx6r]

0-60 in 7.6 sec?...with turbo 250hp?...that doesnt sound right...the old turbo forester did it in 6.8

[@AWDfreak]

What in the **** are you talking about? The previous Forester XT was exclusively 4EAT, the new one is exclusively using the new high-torque Lineartronic CVT. Unless you have genuinely convincing information, you're just spreading so much misinformation.

[@Estirvana]

I have nothing wrong with both companies.

[@GundamAngelicDevil]

Still would like a WRX version of this...

[@21waikiki]

Need Aussie comparison

[@charleskratochvil3110]

That doesn't mean you'll pay $37,000.

[@awksweat230]

This guy was destined to be a drill sergeant, not a car reviewer.

[@Driftuner]

why is he screaming?

[@Fussinated]

"Can someone explain to me why subaru haven't hired a new chief designer like kia with peter from audi?" Sure. Because, Hyundai and Kia wanted to appeal to the western market buyers and they don't have the tradition to design cars for different markets. However, Japanese car makers have better experience on the design (notice that how VW imitated the head light design of the previous Forester on their Tiguan etc). And Peter designed the worst Audi's so far, with that hideous grille :).

[@marcopolo-xj4yw]

Is it ok for me to buy this car if I'm not a lesbian?

[@kingdarius5252]

Wow, was the purpose of this redesign simply to reduce production costs for Subaru? It looks exactly the same except cheaper and more compromised interior quality. The interior is a step DOWN, looks like a budget econo car interior, except the steering wheel is kinda nice actually. But this trend of cheapening good cars is unacceptable. Also, those wheels look fucking stupid on an SUV. Totally out of place.

[@6marco5]

sounds like a Pizza commercial

[@Bra55Monkey]

7.6secs?!?! That's a horrible 0-60 time for a turbo'd boxer engine...

[@sebastianmosqueira9359]

its 6.2 secs

[@240boy]

Jacques Poliquin The 14-15 Forester XT's have been tested anywhere from 5.8-6.5 on average. Motorweeks 0-60 and 1/4 mile times have always horribly slow for some reason compared to other testers.

[@tomwil77]

+GhillieLand But it's not broken in yet. I'm sure it'll perform better once past the 1000 mile break-in period. Plus you also have to consider the conditions, which vary from place to place and day to day. Such as temperature, humidity, and altitude. All of those can affect engine output to one extent or another.

[@user-zc6ul8nv1j]

What?

[@hotdogsamurai]

Why is this guy yelling at me the whole video?

[@stokerwieczorek969]

Does he have to yell?!

[@steveespinola7652]

He's not yelling, that's how he talks.

[@stokerwieczorek969]

Steve Espinola he is yelling bro

[@azburgessfamily]

My

[@Fussinated]

Then go buy a VW Tiguan and pay $40,000 for a lesser SUV !!!!

[@NLovingMemoryOfJesus]

Yo, why are you yelling?

[@im1greatman]

I just seen this car on autotrader for $37,000! Are they out of their fucking minds! Way to overpriced!

[@leneanderthalien]

the commentator speak like a washing powder seller...

[@scottmroddy]

No, actually it is not. You actually have to be a lesbian to purchase one, it is in the fine print.

[@cassiocm]

Overpriced! not enough car for the money in the 2.0XT

[@charleskratochvil3110]

subaru.com

[@drklop]

This guy sounds so annoying. I can't even focus on WHAT he says.

[@lesaber251]

+drklop I wonder if he talks the same way at home with the family. 14 yr old daughter: "DAD CAN YOU JUST SHUT THE HELL UP?"

[@arlofs]

The "guy" is John Davis, mate. He's an automotive legend. 2 generations of car fans in America grew up watching his shows on TV.

[@lesaber251]

Tony The Tiger I know who he is also. I've been watching his show ever since I saw the first one.

[@MouseyBusiness]

This guy has been doing this since the early 80s. He's great at what he does...

[@AWDfreak]

Don't listen to soyntgo4it... internationally, the new Forester XT is still automatic-exclusive, however, uses the new high-torque Lineartronic CVT. At least it has paddle shifters (especially useful for engine braking).