Automotive

2014 Subaru Forester has new looks, more content

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Before the big reveal
The 2014 Forester in L.A.
The 2014 Forester 2.5i uses the same 170-hp engine as the outgoing model
The 2014 Forester in L.A.
The 2014 Forester is slightly bigger thanks to a longer, wider design
The 2014 Forester in L.A.
Maximum cargo capacity increases to more than 74 cu ft (2,100 liters)
Maximum cargo capacity increases to more than 74 cu ft (2,100 liters)
Inside the 2014 Forester
The Subaru Forester comes with 250-hp 2.0-liter and 170-hp 2.5-liter BOXER engine options
The Subaru Forester comes with 250-hp 2.0-liter and 170-hp 2.5-liter BOXER engine options
The 2014 Forester 2.0XT
The 2014 Forester 2.0XT
The 2014 Forester 2.0XT
The 2014 Forester
The 2014 Forester
Inside the 2014 Forester
The new Forester has a variety of new features, including Eyesight and X-Mode
The 2014 Forester
The 2014 Forester
The 2014 Forester's front-end gets redesigned with "hawkeye" headlights and a new grille
The 2014 Forester's front-end gets redesigned with "hawkeye" headlights and a new grille
The 2014 Forester's front-end gets redesigned with "hawkeye" headlights and a new grille
2014 Forester 2.0XT from the wheels
2014 Forester 2.0XT
Sales start next spring
Before the big reveal
The 2014 Forester was unveiled on the first media day of the L.A. Auto Show
Subaru increased length by 1.4 inches (3.5 cm)
The new Forester provides rear passengers with more leg room
The 2014 Forester has a new 2.5-liter turbo engine and new features
The 2014 Forester comes in 2.5i and 2.0XT models, each with multiple trim levels
Transmissions include CVT and manual options
Engines: 2.0-liter turbo BOXER four-cylinder and 2.5-liter BOXER
Engines: 2.0-liter turbo BOXER four-cylinder and 2.5-liter BOXER
The available touchscreen navigation system integrates with smartphones
The new instrument cluster includes an LCD display
Interior equipment on certain models includes leather-trimmed seats and a rear-view camera
More legroom and a more comfortable center seat
The Forester is an all-wheel-drive crossover
A rear-view camera comes on several Forester models
The 2014 Forester tops out at 32 mpg (highway)
View gallery - 41 images

The Subaru Forester officially moved to its fourth generation at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. The redesigned crossover packs a new, 250-hp BOXER turbo, more features, more space and a restyled body.

Subaru has stretched the new Forester out to create a roomier interior for families and large hauls. Compared to the current Forester, the 2014 is 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) longer and a little over half an inch (1.2 cm) wider. With a little shuffling, the interior grows larger than those numbers might suggest. Leg room in the rear seat increases to 41.7 inches (106 cm), up from 38 inches (97 cm) in the current model. The dreaded rear-center seat position is made more comfortable with a lowered center tunnel and shortened center console. Maximum cargo capacity grows to 74.7 cubic feet (2,115 liters), from 68.3 cubic feet (1,934 liters).

Maximum cargo capacity increases to more than 74 cu ft (2,100 liters)

To complement its slight growth, the Forester gets some new styling. It stares at the road ahead with a set of restyled "hawkeye" headlights. The front-end sees a redesign, which includes the taller hexagonal grille, and the A pillar is pushed forward. The 2.0XT model gets a more aggressive sport bumper, a one-piece mesh grille and under-hood ducting in place of the hood scoop.

There's also more power lurking under the 2014 Forester's aluminum hood, at least when it comes to 2.0XT models. Power is up to 250 hp (from 224 hp) thanks to a new turbocharged version of the 2.0-liter BOXER engine used in the BRZ sports car. That 4-cylinder engine uses a combination of direct fuel injection, high compression (10.6:1), Subaru Dual Active Valve Control System (D-AVCS) and turbocharging with an intercooler. The 2.0XT models come standard with a high-torque CVT transmission with paddle switches.

The Subaru Forester comes with 250-hp 2.0-liter and 170-hp 2.5-liter BOXER engine options

Forester 2.5i models carry the 170-hp 2.5-liter BOXER engine over from the outgoing Forester. Transmission options on the 2.5i include a new 6-speed manual and Lineartronic CVT. When equipped with the CVT, the 2.5i will offer up to a Subaru-estimated 27 mpg (8.7 L/100km) combined (32 mpg (7.4 L/100km) on the highway).

The 2014 Forester line also benefits from new safety features and technologies. Standard Symmetrical All Wheel Drive is complemented by a new X-Mode feature on all 2.0XT and higher-trim 2.5i models. It enhances control on slippery surfaces and steep inclines by optimizing control of the engine, transmission shift pattern, Active AWD front/rear clutching force, brakes, VDC and other critical systems. Hill Descent Control helps maintain a constant speed on descents, increasing driver confidence and control.

The 2014 Forester

New equipment includes anti-whiplash front seats, new Electric Power Assisted Steering, a driver’s knee airbag, Brake Override and an impact-sensing fuel system cutoff. The EyeSight system that debuted on 2013 Legacy and Outback models is now available as an option. EyeSight uses a stereo camera system to deliver the driver assistance functions of Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning. A power rear liftgate is available as an option.

Depending upon trim level, the 2014 Forester's interior is outfitted with such amenities as a color multi-functional display, touchscreen navigation with smartphone integration, rear-view camera system, instrument cluster with LCD display, leather-trimmed seats and a 440-watt, 8-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system

The 2014 Forester will hit the North American market in the spring of next year. The 2.5i will come in base, Premium, Limited and Touring trim, and the 2.0XT will come in Premium and Touring.

Source: Subaru

View gallery - 41 images
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13 comments
BeWalt
Nice car. Yet once again what is missing is the Diesel engine option for North America. Subaru has an awesome direct-injection Diesel and has been selling it in Europe since 2008.
I know all the reasons they tell the press: "low-sulphur Diesel availability" - not true for the most part any more. "Dealership staff not trained properly" - that one gets me angry. I was actually talking to a sales person at a dealership and they did not have anyone going to be trained, and not even anything scheduled for that. They are not intending to do it. And true enough, if there's no mechanic at the dealership who knows about Diesels, they can't sell them.
Clearly, people on this continent are set to be milked for their $$ to buy gasoline for a while. And looking at dumb ads promoting 30mpg cars as "fuel efficient". Laughable.
The same is true for Ford, General Motors, Toyota and all the others who have the most wonderful small-displacement Diesel engines up and running in Europe but just won't offer them here.
Let's all buy VW TDI's. That'll wake 'em up.
Australian
Torque figures? Fuel consumption of the XT? 27MPG for the standard is far from impressive. Nice look Subaru, shame it's not more frugal.
Riaanh
I agree with BeWalt. It is a pity that the consumer is apparently demanding larger vehicles, instead of more economic vehicles.
David Armour
Why are all the designers sloping up the rear side windows? We need to see more when backing up, not less? I guess it's a bit of monkey see monkey do.
One of the sacred design principles of off road vehicles is great all round visibility. Even Range Rover seems to be forgetting their 'command seating' position. This visibility is great everywhere especially when parking in tight spots.
We need to build on what the earlier generations did. They knew what they were doing.
chidrbmt
Correct me if I'm wrong,but don't know any other AWD that gets 32 mpg on the highway?
As for diesels how long does it take for payback after spending $3,000 extra and paying 50 cents more a gallon? In Europe fuel is at least twice the cost. Other drawbacks is they take forever to warm up and harder to start in cold climates.
Only 5% of VW's imported are diesels. Americans just won't buy them and with some good reasons.
Jake Kerlin
Cars in Europe get ridiculous gas mileage. They aren't available in the U.S. because of the whole oil companies/auto maker in bed together situation here in the U.S., not to mention there's no real market for the diesels that get that mileage here. It's a niche market at best, and it would cost companies more money for ads, changes in model line-ups, dealer materials, etc. It would be like adding a new model to the line-up and all the hassle and havoc that causes, but on a mass scale. In the end, it's not worth the cost to pay off ratio, if you really think about it. But that's what it's all about, isn't it? The almighty dollar. But at any rate, I could be WAY off with this thought. Oh and by the way, 27 mpg highway is the rating for the current Forester with the regular automatic transmission. An AVERAGE of 27 and 32 Hwy for the 2014 is a pretty decent improvement....
Ron Stidmon
chidrbmt
You are living in the 80's. Modern diesels start in all weather, warm up as fast as gas powered vehicles and last forever. They don't need emission testing (in my state anyway) so that saves me $75 a year right there. Diesel can also be stored indefinitely, so if (or when) we get a supply disruption, I'll be able to go anywhere within a 350 mile radius without needing fuel...
greytoma
Subaru is a fantastic car I've had 2 of them one now is 21 years old and guess what! it has about the same fuel consumption! hahahaaha. It's that good old "all wheel drive" great for handling really,really, crap for fuel consumption. But I still love them 310,000 kms (193,750 ancient units) and still going strong.
Weslaw
if I follow the money, the corporation that profit from selling the gasoline will loose about 30% in income because diesel engines burn less and down on a road when they switch to produce more diesel the price of it should drop too. All that explanations are just politics witch puts America behind even Mexico and other poor country. Why Mercedes and Volkswagen can sell diesels here and Mazda can not, (having the best so far small engine that meets the environmental standards and is cheaper than Mercedes because don't need an extra burner, extra tank for UREA witch freeze up in cold weather and will leave some very small particles in your lungs from breathing that exhaust. Will you that easy give up your 30% earnings?
RichC
Subaru should have left the old model alone because it at least looked like what one would expect a Subaru to look like. They should leave the model wrapped with a sticker on it with the $5k discount offer to buy it sight unseen. Front end looks like an angry scarab with lines going everywhere. Suburu should have looked at the Buick Enclave or more squared BMW cross-over for proper cues. A giant Escalade looks properly proportioned. Even the usually conservative and clumsy Honda Crosstour with its giant yaw is more stylish. Take it to the stylists at Hyundai and call this one a 2013.5 version, instead.
Rich