Redesigned, More Spacious 2019 Subaru Forester Unveiled in New York
NEW YORK CITY – The fifth-generation Forester has just been presented in New York, and it’s improved in many ways compared to the outgoing model. It’s an important vehicle for Subaru, especially in Canada where it was the company’s best-selling product in 2017, barely pulling ahead of the Crosstrek, the Outback and the Impreza.
The 2019 Subaru Forester will be built on the Subaru Global Platform, just like all of the brand’s recently-introduced models. Wheelbase is up from 2640 millimetres to 2667, and according to the company, rear-seat occupants will benefit from that stretch with increased legroom. Up front, the seats have been reshaped for better comfort. The cargo area opening is wider—much wider—for improved loading capacity, although the actual volume hasn’t yet been specified. The optional power tailgate is faster than before, and it adds a button to lock all doors simultaneously with one touch.
The new Forester’s infotainment system is available with touchscreens 6.5 and 8.0 inches in size, depending on the chosen trim level. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is standard, and a new driver drowsiness detection system is introduced. The latter relies on a camera mounted near the centre infotainment screen and will monitor the driver’s behaviour, and if that person seems to be falling asleep at the wheel, the system will trigger a warning. Of course, Subaru’s famed EyeSight advanced safety suite is still offered, in all trim levels of the Forester except base.
A panoramic sunroof is still available, a heated steering wheel will be added in the most upscale trims and the heated rear seats, also optional, will include the seatbacks as well.
A 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder engine will still be on duty underhood, but this new version receives direct injection and an auto start/stop feature. Output is rated at 182 horsepower (up from 170) and 176 pound-feet of torque (up from 174), and the only transmission confirmed is a continuously variable automatic. So no more manual transmission and no more turbocharged engine for the Forester, which very few people chose anyway.
However, an SI-DRIVE mode selector is included in all Forester trim levels, with Intelligent and Sport. Obviously, all-wheel drive is standard, as is the X-Mode system that helps enhance traction on slippery surfaces or off road. Said system will now include Snow/Dirt and Snow/Mud modes for even greater capability.
The Canadian market gets several trim levels, namely base, Touring, Sport, Limited and Premier. The Sport version is new, with a more dynamic appearance that includes orange body striping, orange interior trim, black 18-inch alloy wheels and some other distinctions. This new edition will be positioned at a similar price point as the Touring, which boasts more traditional styling. The Forester Sport also adds a Sport# mode to its SI-DRIVE system, but isn’t more powerful and its suspension is unchanged compared to the other variations of the SUV.
Speaking of design, the new Forester adopts an appearance similar to the Subaru Ascent’s, with a little more character than the outgoing model. The big window surface has been retained, allowing for great outward visibility, an appreciated characteristic of the current Forester.
No pricing has been announced yet, but the redesigned 2019 Subaru Forester will go on sale in Canada this fall.