Autoblog

2014 Subaru Forester gets big nod of approval from Consumer Reports

Seyth Miersma — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:14:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Subaru

While more and more buyers seem to be opting for the functionality of car-based crossover vehicles every day, it's rare that your read much in the way of passionate praise for one. And, while Consumer Reports doesn't exactly lavish written paeans on the Subaru Forester in its latest review - that's just not its style - it did give the CUV a remarkably high overall score.

Praising its excellent fuel economy, visibility, roomy interior and a whole lot more, the testing publication bestowed an overall score of 88 out of 100 on the Forester. That's a really excellent number for just about any vehicle, but it's also a top-of-the-class mark for the Forester's small CUV division. Just about the only major gripe was that of ride quality.

Most of the direct competitors to the Forester have earned CR marks in the mid-70s. The Honda CR-V is some 11 points behind, for instance, while the Toyota RAV4 and the Mazda CX-5 earn scores of 75 and 74, respectively.

2014 Subaru Forester gets big nod of approval from Consumer Reports originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru Forester first to ace difficult new IIHS crash test [w/video]

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Videos, Crossover, Subaru

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its new small overlap frontal crash test last year, and while a number of cars have passed the test with an "Acceptable" rating, the 2014 Subaru Forester is the first vehicle to ace the test with a "Good" rating. A total of 13 small crossovers and SUVs were subjected to the more rigorous testing procedure, and only the Forester and the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport drove off with the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating.

Two of the worst-performing vehicles that were called out in this group were the Nissan Rogue and Jeep Wrangler, which were the only two not to receive a Top Safety Pick Rating. The Jeep Patriot did earn that distinction despite not performing well in the small overlap test. To be named a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn top ratings in front, side, rear and roof-strength tests, while a Top Safety Pick+ requires four out of five to be "Good" ratings with the fifth no worse than "Acceptable;" the Forester received "Good" ratings in all five tests. Scroll down for a video showing how the Forester and some of its competitors performed in the small overlap test, along with a press release.

Continue reading Subaru Forester first to ace difficult new IIHS crash test [w/video]

Subaru Forester first to ace difficult new IIHS crash test [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru recalls new Forester over pedal entrapment fears

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Subaru

Pedal entrapment and unintended acceleration are hot-button topics these days, so automakers are always staying alert for potential problems. For Subaru and its newly introduced 2014 Forester, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall due to improperly manufactured floor mats that could become an obstruction for the gas, brake or clutch pedals. The good news, of course, is that even if drivers experience this problem, the 2014 Forester comes standard with brake override.

At issue with the floor mats on 10,137 Forester models built between January and March of this year is that the resin material used on the underside of the mats can curl when exposed to heat. If the leading edge of the driver's mat curls enough, it can come in contact with the pedals making acceleration, braking and shifting more difficult - possibly resulting in a crash. To fix the problem, Subaru is replacing the entire set of floor mats in all of the affected units. The official NHTSA recall notice is posted below.

Continue reading Subaru recalls new Forester over pedal entrapment fears

Subaru recalls new Forester over pedal entrapment fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru lifts leg at Super Bowl, goes with Puppy Bowl ads instead

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Subaru

There will be many automakers spending millions upon millions of dollars advertising in the Super Bowl next weekend, but Subaru will not be one of them. Instead, the automaker will be catering toward animal - specifically dog - lovers with a set of commercials for the 2014 Subaru Forester that will appear during Puppy Bowl IX on Animal Planet.

The ads all build on Subaru's reputation of being a dog-friendly brand, and its latest "Dog Tested. Dog Approved" campaign will feature four 20-second spots. Of the four, "Tailgate" and "On The Lot" are definitely the most entertaining, while "Let's Talk Financing" and, especially, "Lint Roller" are snoozers.

Scroll down to watch all four spots, and there's also a press release listing other initiatives Subaru is planning to attract dog lovers. If you like dog commercials, you should check out the newest spot from Volkswagen, too.

Continue reading Subaru lifts leg at Super Bowl, goes with Puppy Bowl ads instead

Subaru lifts leg at Super Bowl, goes with Puppy Bowl ads instead originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Subaru Forester priced from $21,995*

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:44:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Subaru

Subaru has officially announced that its all-new 2014 Forester will carry a base MSRP of $21,995 when it hits dealerships early this year, (*not including $895 in destination fees). This represents an increase of $700 over the outgoing 2013 model.

That new price will net buyers the base 2.5i model equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Subaru will also sell the 2.5i engine in Premium, Limited and Touring trims, though the automaker has not released specific price points for those models. These models are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. Subaru says that with its standard all-wheel drive, the Forester 2.5i will be good for fuel economy numbers of 24/32 miles per gallon (city/highway) when equipped with the company's continuously variable transmission. Manual models see those numbers drop to 22/29 mpg.

The more powerful Forester 2.0XT will only be offered in Premium and Touring trims, starting at $27,995 (not including destination). These models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four, sending 250 hp and 258 lb-ft to all four wheels. Fuel economy doesn't suffer terribly with this more powerful engine, as only the CVT is offered. Subaru quotes figures of 23/28 mpg here.

Upmarket Forester models are available with the company's new Eyesight driver assistance system and Starlink infotainment technology. Other new features available for the 2014 Forester include Hill Descent Control on CVT-equipped models, a rearview camera, power liftgate, navigation with smartphone integration and a 440-watt Harmon/Kardon premium audio system.

Scroll down for the official details in Subaru's press blast.

Continue reading 2014 Subaru Forester priced from $21,995*

2014 Subaru Forester priced from $21,995* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru says Forester logs 8,000 JDM orders in first month, 4x expectations

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Crossover, Subaru

The 2014 Subaru Forester is not on sale yet here in the US, but it has been on sale in Japan since the middle of last month. In that time, Subaru says that the 8,149 customer orders it has received have more than quadrupled the original expectation of just 2,000 units.

To go along with these impressive orders so far, Subaru has also provided a breakdown of exactly what initial customers are ordering, and based on the numbers provided, it would appear that early customers are choosing well-equipped models. This includes almost 90 percent of all models being ordered with the new Subaru EyeSight system, and while close to two-thirds of the Forester models are equipped with the base 2.0-liter engine, the turbocharged Forester 2.0XT is the most popular individual trim level accounting for almost 40 percent of the orders out of four available trim levels. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues as more Foresters hit dealers, but this is definitely a good sign for the compact crossover right out of the gate.

There's a brief press release after the jump that gives a full breakdown of customer orders so far in Japan.

Continue reading Subaru says Forester logs 8,000 JDM orders in first month, 4x expectations

Subaru says Forester logs 8,000 JDM orders in first month, 4x expectations originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Subaru Forester finally steps in front of the camera

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Subaru

Although we already know what the 2014 Subaru Forester looks like, and we've even driven it, we have not actually been able to snap any first-hand pictures of Subie's redesigned crossover... until now. Sitting on stage at the LA Auto Show for its official US debut, we finally get to see what the latest Subaru looks like through our lens.

Going on sale in the spring, the 2014 Forester will be powered by two four-cylinder boxer engines. The base Forester 2.5 models are expected to get highway fuel economy of up to 32 miles per gallon, while the sportier XT model with a new turbocharged, direct-injected 250-horsepower 2.0-liter engine still gets a decent 28 mpg highway. The new Forester will also offer Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology that uses stereo cameras mounted on either side of the rearview mirror.

Continue reading 2014 Subaru Forester finally steps in front of the camera

2014 Subaru Forester finally steps in front of the camera originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch Subaru's awesome projection-mapped 2014 Forester intro

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Crossover, Subaru

Automakers are always trying to find creative ways to introduce new products to the media, and Subaru definitely came up with an interesting idea to unveil the new 2014 Forester earlier this week. With a large screen and two covered Foresters, Subaru used projection mapping to make for one eye-catching presentation.

Using a computer to project images onto an object, Subaru was able to "build" its new Forester on stage using robots, lasers and fans. The whole process is fun to watch, but the coolest part of the video is watching a set digital robotic arms build the Forester's drivetrain and then throw it underneath the awaiting crossover. We've seen projection mapping before on a Lamborghini Reventon and Toyota Yaris for promotional purposes, but this is the first time we've seen such an innovative use of the technology for a product launch.

Scroll down to watch the entertaining video of the Forester's launch, and be sure to check out our First Drive of the new crossover.

Continue reading Watch Subaru's awesome projection-mapped 2014 Forester intro

Watch Subaru's awesome projection-mapped 2014 Forester intro originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Subaru Forester

Scott Burgess — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Subaru, First Drives

A Weekend Away With Subaru's New Crossover

My trip was so quick, I didn't even realize I was in Tokyo. Arrive Friday, drive Saturday and head home on Sunday. That's a brutal, sleep-depriving, time-zone-crimping turnaround, but I was game, because the 2014 Subaru Forester is an important product. In fact, in the last 15 years or so, it's arguably become the heart of the Japanese automaker's American range in our crossover-crazed nation.

Subaru had arranged a whirlwind tour to give a handful of journalists, including Autoblog, a chance to see, hear, touch and drive the new Forester before it goes on sale overseas this month. American dealers won't see this CUV until early next year, and we won't even get our first view of it in the metal and undisguised until the LA Auto Show in two weeks - we were only afforded a brief drive in disguised prototypes, so more in-depth impressions will have to wait until we have more time with the car.

Unbeknownst to Subaru, though, I was probably one of the few people it didn't want driving its new model - especially with jet lag. After all, I find the current Forester overrated and underpowered. Yes, it comes with a unique boxer engine, all-wheel-drive capability and hippies in sandals touting Subaru love, but still I detest it in all nine factory colors. Its oversized greenhouse, gangly stance and the tacked-on hood scoop on the turbocharged model has never sat well with me. To me, the Forester has always been a vehicle never quite done.

With this fourth-generation model, though, there are a slew of improvements that promise to make the Forester more palatable from looks to performance, though the addition of a new Continuous Variable Transmission on the spec sheet did cause me some consternation as I approached the Forester for the first time.

Continue reading 2014 Subaru Forester

2014 Subaru Forester originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Subaru Forester revealed ahead of LA debut

Scott Burgess — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, SUV, Subaru

Subaru has released two pictures and some preliminary details of the all-new 2014 Forester that will make its public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The new Forester arrives with either a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine that produces 170 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque or a 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine that will make 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

The exterior adds some more refinement and the turbo model loses its iconic hood scoop - something some of us are glad to see go. Instead, the turbocharged Forester receives a unique front fascia, seen here in the image above. Subaru says that the Forester's fuel economy will improve, but final numbers have not been released. The Forester will debut a new six-speed manual transmission and a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission. (The CVT includes either six- or eight-speed manual modes so you can swap through the 'gears'.)

The fourth-generation Forester also features a new suspension and 8.7-inches of ground clearance for any tough off-road obstacles.

We'll have all the official details (as well as driving impressions) in about one month's time. For now, scroll down to read Subaru's official press release and stay tuned for the new crossover's live unveiling in Los Angeles.

Continue reading 2014 Subaru Forester revealed ahead of LA debut

2014 Subaru Forester revealed ahead of LA debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Subaru Forester caught loafing outside factory

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Subaru, Design/Style

Last month, we got our first sneak peak of what the 2014 Subaru Forester will look like courtesy of some scanned brochure images, and now we're finally seeing some images of the new crossover out in the open thanks to these spy shots of the new Forester in Japan. These are likely early production build vehicles, and they give us a good look at the newest Subaru from multiple angles, including our first glimpse of a sportier model.

The new Subaru Forester is an even bigger departure from the boxy, station wagon-like design that was only abandoned in the model's most recent generation. These pics show off attractive lines and proportions that better fit in with the compact CUV segment it helped create. In the spied images, the front of the 2014 Forester incorporates Subaru's new corporate grille with a stylish (if predictable) new face that is somewhat reminiscent of the first-gen Acura RDX, while the rear styling is instantly recognizable with other Subaru models, especially the Impreza hatch and its lifted brother, the XV Crosstrek.

A couple of the pictures also show what appear to be a sportier model with an aggressive front fascia and new wheels with a machined and painted finish. There is also the outside chance that this could be a new turbocharged Forester XT, but that would likely mean the top-mounted intercooler has been moved to a more conventional location behind the grille.

Subaru has not yet indicated when and where the 2014 Forester will make its debut, but these images suggest the new CUV is very close to hitting the road.

2014 Subaru Forester caught loafing outside factory originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fresh-faced 2014 Subaru Forester revealed in JDM brochure scans

Chris Paukert — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Subaru, Design/Style

Upon its introduction for 2008, we couldn't help but feel that the third-generation Forester was perhaps Subaru's most attractive design effort in many, many years. While there was little that was groundbreaking about the design, its simple two-box shape was - and is - clean and free of extraneous details. To be fair, the Japanese automaker has always been renowned more for their technological designs (e.g. all-wheel drive, boxer engines) than their aesthetic ones, but this Subaru was proper work. Thus, we've been awaiting the range's promised successor with more than a little trepidation - we've seen modest design tweaks undue the visual appeal of previous Subarus too many times. Judging by this early look courtesy of what look to be scans of a Japanese Domestic Market brochure, we needn't have been so concerned.

The new Forester is expected to carry a 2014 model year designation here in the U.S. when it goes on sale here next year, and it's almost certain to share its platform with the new-for-2012 Impreza and XV Crosstrek. Based off the measurements disclosed in the JDM brochure, the new Forester will ride on a modestly longer wheelbase (less than an inch longer than the 2012 model), be a bit longer (roughly 1.4-inches) and wider by under an inch. It will also stand a sliver taller, but such minor differences will likely be very tough to discern with the naked eye.

Up front, the Forester has a bluffer and more assertive face, with a markedly more aggressive lower fascia with what look like vertical slat vents adjacent to smaller, low-mounted fog lamps. Subaru's wing-form element has nestled into a boxier grille form - the outgoing model's chrome fillet and badge rode on the top edge of the grille, but here it slides down a bit, standing out more thanks to a dark mesh backdrop. Like the new Impreza, the Forester adopts a five-window greenhouse, with a small quarterlight up front and new door-mounted side mirrors. The rest of the two-box shape looks decidedly similar to the outgoing generation, but that's not a bad thing. Prominent fender flares and new wheels mark out the rest of the profile. Out back, there's a larger roof-mounted spoiler, new rear hatch skin and a fresh bumper cap as well.

What we can see of the dashboard in the grainy brochure image appears to be the same unit found in the Impreza, which is to say simple and frill-free. We're hoping there are some upgrades in the materials and center stack technology, as we found the Impreza's cabin to be honest but underwhelming.

In Japan, the Forester will apparently be available with the buyer's choice of a 146-horsepower, 2.0-liter four (yoked to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a Continuously Variable Transmission) or a 276-horsepower, 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged four, the latter only available with a CVT. For those keeping score, the outgoing Forester is available in the U.S. with a pair of 2.5-liter engines, one with 170 hp and the turbocharged model with 224 hp. It isn't immediately clear what engine(s) will be available in the States, but we think it's unlikely that the JDM 2.0-liter will be offered, if only not to go "backwards" on the spec sheet in terms of power. Thus, it's reasonable to assume that the company's newer 2.5-liter FB flat-four will find a way underhood, and it offers 173 horses in today's Legacy.

While there's no official word on when this Forester will make its global debut, we expect it to be very soon, as reports have the car going on sale in Japan in mid-November.

Fresh-faced 2014 Subaru Forester revealed in JDM brochure scans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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