In Spain, there are few forests and Foresters, that is, Subaru Forester crossovers. But suddenly the fourth generation Forester will be a breakthrough? There are assignments.
Isn't this a restyling? The length is 3.5 cm longer, the preserved silhouette and front design are in the style of the “junior” crossover Subaru XV. And the interior... Exactly like the XV! I didn’t find a dozen differences: except that the Forester has normal door handles instead of recesses on the XV, there is button illumination not only on the driver’s door, and a different “podium” of the transmission lever.
By the way, they are platformers - after all, the Forester is built on the Impreza chassis, and the XV is the Impreza, just “raised”. And, creating a new Forester, the Japanese wanted to "breed" both cars, so that if not to avoid, then at least reduce the "internal competition" between them.
The mount and the sunroof drive mechanism and the unaesthetic rag covering the gap above the steering column - awkward, right ...
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I started my acquaintance with the Forester with the basic version: the old 150-horsepower 2.0-liter FB20 “boxer” plus a new mechanical six-speed gearbox from XV. Alas, the resting "switch" remained a generic Subar feature - I was pleased only with a peppy start from a place, and even then only because the Forester with "mechanics" no longer has a demultiplier and instead, the creators "shortened" the first gear.
The “square boxer” FA20DIT with a cylinder diameter and a piston stroke of 86 mm lost the Toyota combined injection system, as on the Subaru BRZ (fuel is supplied only to the combustion chamber), but retained the intake and exhaust phase shifters. The location of the turbocharger under the engine reduces the warm-up time of the closely located catalyst and accelerates the response to the accelerator pedal due to shorter inlet pipes. But under the "turbine" I had to attach the oil sump crankcase, the oil from which is pumped out by a special pump driven from the intake camshaft
I change the “handle” to the Lineatronic TR 580 variator from the Impreza. It is better! The unit is more like a good “automatic” - it intelligently “switches”, imitating six quasi-gears, knows how to slow down the engine and is in no hurry to turn up the speed during acceleration. But this well-seasoned duet is completely “transport”: the linear trolleybus sensations with it are exactly the same as on the Subaru XV, moreover, adjusted for an extra centner of mass.
Lineatronic CVTs on all versions - with a "manual" mode and comfortable paddle shifters. Behind the selector is the button for turning on the X-Mode system. To the right of it is a button to turn off the start-stop system, which will not be on cars for the Russian market
The external air intake on the hood, through which air is supplied to the intercooler (the famous “nostril” subarya), has been replaced by an air duct from the “inside out” of the hood for the sake of aerodynamics
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We still won’t see the two-liter EE20 diesel engine (147hp) necessary for the Forester and affordable for Europeans - the automatic transmission necessary for our market has not yet been fitted to it. But the “American” FB25 engine with a volume of 2.5 liters (170 hp) will remain, but also with an Impreza CVT instead of the traditional “automatic”. And the top of the range is a completely new two-liter turbo engine FA20DIT (240hp), the closest relative of the atmospheric unit from the BRZ coupe.
Turbo versions of the Forester are equipped with an alloy engine compartment protection, immediately behind the slots of which you can see the turbocharger
The suspension has not changed structurally, but the diameter of the front stabilizer has increased by 3 mm, the rear subframe has become more powerful and the rear wheel alignment angles have changed.
The optional electric tailgate “eats up” 12 liters of usable volume. You can activate it with the buttons on the door or on the instrument panel. The right button on the license plate light bar locks the side doors
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How will he make friends with the Lineatronic TR690 series CVT from Subaru Legacy and Outback?
Friends, their union is beautiful! A small hitch - only at the start, while the torque converter, which works instead of the clutch, will digest the 350 Nm of torque already available from 2400 rpm. And then - the endless pressure of the Twin Scroll turbocharger with a double "snail". Acceleration - almost without CVT "rubber" and mournful hangs at speed. This is the best continuously variable transmission in my memory!
The settings of the proprietary SI-Drive (Subaru Intelligent Drive) system, which is in charge of the transmission operation algorithms, are also pleasing. You select the Sport (S) mode with the button on the steering wheel - and the variator holds the “downshift” longer, preventing the engine from rolling off the “shelf” of maximum torque. The Sport Sharp (S#) mode allows you to snap off not six, but eight quasi-gears with comfortable paddle shifters, jumping two or three “steps” down when asked to accelerate in an instant.
It’s a pity that the smart SI-Drive system does not simultaneously change the control program of the newfangled electric power steering that appeared on the Forester - it was uncomfortable on narrow winding and deserted paths near Seville because of it. The steering wheel is “empty”, in turns the steered wheels seem to lag behind it, and the trajectory has to be groped as if blindfolded.
The front seats for all versions are the same shape. The lateral support is rather weak, the back profile is unsuccessful - after a couple of hours my lower back ached
But off-road ... Of course, the Forester is not a Land Rover Freelander: first of all, “thanks to” the fleshy front and rear overhangs. By the way, I advise future owners of supercharged cars to be especially careful: the lowest part of the engine is an expensive turbocharger, albeit covered with an aluminum protection sheet.
But Lesnik will leave the vast majority of other SUVs behind! And I'm not just talking about versions with "mechanics" that have retained permanent all-wheel drive with an interaxle differential that is blocked by a viscous clutch. We are talking about "automatic" Foresters! It would seem that their rear axle is connected by a multi-plate clutch with electronic control. And the variator and off-road - are they compatible?
Against the background of the previous Forester, the unpretentious interior from the XV is a breakthrough. But, unlike the optional "music" Harman / Kardon, full-fledged automatic windows on all doors are not available and for a surcharge
The rear seats have retained the backrest angle adjustment, and thanks to the thinner backrests of the front seats, legroom has increased.
Mirrors on colossal visors - without illumination
The side doors stretched down and covered the protruding parts of the thresholds with overlays - you no longer have to get your trousers dirty
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Imagine yes. On the Andalusian hills, I deliberately drove CVT Lesniks up steeper hills, and on the way I mockingly stopped and started in the middle of the slopes, anticipating the smell of a well-fried transmission, but I didn’t wait for it. Because Subaru uses not V-belt, but V-chain CVTs with a Luk steel stacking chain - like on Audi. I undertake to assume that the resource of the chain variator will be much more than the "belt" 150-180 thousand kilometers.
Moreover, the CVT Forester copes with difficult terrain in any of the transmission modes so easily that the “off-road” X-Mode system seems to be nothing more than a marketing bait. It makes itself felt by dulling the accelerator pedal, holding the “gear” and slowing down the slipping wheels harder. But, for me, the main point of X-Mode is the HDC (Hill Descent Control) descent assistance mode “wired” into it. But be careful: HDC only works up to 20 km / h, exceed even a little bit - and suddenly you will be left without an assistant.
The "supercharged" Forester can be externally distinguished only by a more aggressive front bumper (pictured on the left), but "in the load" with 18-inch wheels for a surcharge it can be obtained on any version
The "fourth" Forester will come to us only by the summer, and the prices will be announced closer to May. But Subarovtsy made it clear that the basic versions of the Forester will overlap in price with the top trim levels of the Subaru XV (1.2-1.3 million rubles) - that is, they will rise in price by 100 thousand that way. But the current Subaru Forester is already 50-60 thousand rubles more expensive than classmates Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota RAV4 or Nissan X-Trail and is sold three to four times worse. It seems that his replacement can only rely on Subar's individuality. Today, these are not frameless doors, "nostrils" on the hood or demultipliers, as in the old days - in addition to boxer engines, the stake is made on CVTs on all, even "charged" versions. Will it work?
| Passport data | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automobile | Subaru Forester | |||
| Modification | 2.0 | 2.5 | 2.0XT | |
| Number of places | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
| Dimensions, mm | length | 4595 | 4595 | 4595 |
| width | 1795 | 1795 | 1795 | |
| height | 1695 | 1695 | 1695 | |
| Turning radius, m | 5,3 | 5,3 | 5,3 | |
| Trunk volume, l | 500 (488*)/1548(1541**) | |||
| Engine | petrol | petrol | petrol, turbocharged | |
| Location | front, lengthwise | front, lengthwise | front, lengthwise | |
| Number and arrangement of cylinders | 4, opposite | 4, opposite | 4, opposite | |
| Working volume, cm3 | 1995 | 2498 | 1998 | |
| Cylinder diameter / piston stroke, mm | 84,0/90,0 | 94,0/90,0 | 86,0/86,0 | |
| Compression ratio | 10,5:1 | 10,0:1 | 10,6:1 | |
| Number of valves | 16 | 16 | 16 | |
| Max. power, hp/kW/r/min | 150/110/6200 | 172/126/5800 | 240/177/5600 | |
| Max. torque, Nm/r/min | 198/4200 | 235/4100 | 350/2400-3600 | |
| Transmission | mechanical six-speed / CVT | variable speed drive | variable speed drive | |
| Drive unit | permanent full/pluggable full | pluggable full | pluggable full | |
| Front suspension | independent, spring type McPherson | |||
| Rear suspension | independent, spring, multi-link | |||
| Front brakes | disc, ventilated | disc, ventilated | disc, ventilated | |
| Rear brakes | disk | disk | disk | |
| Tires | 225/60R17, 225/55R18 | 225/60R17, 225/55R18 | 225/55 R18 | |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | suburban cycle | 7,9 (8,0***) | 8,2 | 8,5 |
| CO 2 emissions, g/km | 182(189***) | 190 | 197 | |
| * Power tailgate ** With sunroof *** With manual transmission |
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Foresters
The compact crossover project at Subaru was laid in the early nineties. As conceived by the creators, the car was supposed to combine the best qualities of a passenger car (comfort, high dynamics, efficiency, controllability) and the advantages of off-road vehicles (cross-country ability, strong and rigid body, high seating position). In 1995, the Subaru Streega "concept" was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show, and two years later the first-generation serial Forester debuted. For fifteen years, more than two million Foresters of three generations have been produced, and the design has hardly changed.
The first generation Subaru Forester (1997-2002) with a length of 4460 mm is built on the Impreza platform: four-cylinder boxer engines (122-250 hp) and two types of all-wheel drive transmission were inherited from it: with a center differential blocked by a viscous coupling and a demultiplier for machines with "mechanics" and with a multi-plate clutch in the rear wheel drive for versions with "automatic". 520515 vehicles produced
The second generation Forester (2002-2008) has grown in length to 4485 mm. The power structure of the body has changed, new automatic transmission and brakes with four-channel ABS have appeared, engine power has slightly increased (125-265 hp). In 2005, Forester underwent modernization: the “facial expression” changed, and engines with two camshafts in the block heads and an intake phase control system were registered under the hood, although they have been installed on cars for the Japanese market since 1998. 674993 vehicles produced
The third generation Subaru Forester (2008-2012) has become not only longer (4560 mm), but also noticeably taller than its predecessors - 1700 mm versus 1585 mm. The McPherson rear suspension has given way to a new multi-link, frameless doors are a thing of the past for the sake of passive safety. The range of engines has not changed much (145-263 hp), but in 2008 the Europeans were finally offered a turbodiesel, and in 2010 a new generation of gasoline engines appeared. 854988 cars produced
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What could be better than a review of two Japanese cars with a noble history? Subaru Forester or Toyota Rav 4? We will conduct a detailed comparison and find out which car is worth buying.
Exterior
Both SUVs released new versions of their models in 2013, and in 2016 each manufacturer showed restyled versions. The appearance of both turned out to be ambiguous and made car owners more than once remember the kind word of the designers of the companies.
The exterior of the Rav 4, released in 2013, was received extremely critically. Of course, any change in habitual appearance takes time. But with Toyota, things were more complicated. The appearance turned out to be unassembled and even feminine, while customers expected brutality.
Restyling in 2016 tried to reverse this idea by changing certain features of the exterior. Objectively, the body has not undergone a large-scale modernization, but individual elements, such as bumpers, headlights, a radiator grill and stamping of certain parts, have changed the design for the better.
There are more sharp aggressive lines. The head optics are now represented by LED headlights with an adaptive light system. The appearance became more balanced, but the new look still took some getting used to.
The opponent seems to have the opposite situation. The 2013 Forester was more expressive than the updated model. Although there were few changes in 2016, restyling has lost its former aggression.
The fact is that the Subaru Forester, which has a rally suspension, has tremendous potential (we will discuss this later), and many expected that its “rally” will be traced in appearance. But seeing him on the road, absolutely no emotions arise.
He is fresh. There is not the slightest hint of the title of leader. Moreover, the inflated shape of the cab does not even allow you to notice that the SUV has the highest ground clearance in the class - 220 mm.
The rounded body visually hides this advantage. However, the new Forester is attractive and friendly. Its design looks complete, though not catchy.
Interior, options and trunk
Toyota Rav4 is a comfortable and spacious crossover. Seats, both the first and second row are very comfortable. They do not have a pronounced relief and stylish lines that add elegance to the design, but they are comfortable to sit in.
Unlike the Forester, Toyota's ergonomics are not perfect. The buttons seem to be scattered around the cabin, and an attempt to find a tool to control one or another option will resemble a small quest.
The dashboard design isn't modern, but it's not primitive either. Although some buttons are reminiscent of the last century. Plastic inserts under the tree look undignified. In more expensive versions, an 8-inch display is located on the center console, which does not have a high response rate. But the car has a fully equipped winter package, where there is heating even at the back of the rear sofa.
Salon Subaru Forester is even more conservative. The materials used for finishing are very high quality and neat. But you will not find original lines or fresh modern solutions in design.
Ergonomics of the car at height! All controls are in place and within easy reach. On the center console there are 2 displays at once. The upper one is responsible for information content, and the second one is for the multimedia system and navigation. The speed of work will please you.
Although there is no less space in the second row than in the Rav 4 2017, the car still feels very compact. But that doesn't make it any less comfortable. At the back you will find climate control buttons, and the almost absent central tunnel will allow a third passenger to sit.
The trunk of Toyota is definitely larger: 577 liters. against 505 for Subaru. Under the floor of both is a stowaway. If you don't have enough room for your hunting or fishing gear, you can always lower the second row of seats.
Now for the options. The undisputed leader at this stage is Rav 4. In comparison with Forester 2017, the opponent has more options and requires less money for them. Think about it: Subaru's light and rain sensors are only available starting with the "S Limited" package, which costs more than 2 million. And the system for monitoring blind spots and movement in the lane is available only in cars from 2,189,000 rubles.
Meanwhile, Toyota offers light and rain sensors already in trim levels for one and a half million. And the maximum version for 2,058 thousand rubles contains not only object detection systems in blind spots and assistance when driving in the lane, but also 4 cameras with a 360-degree view, as well as parking sensors, which, by the way, you will not find in Subaru for what money. And this is extremely sad! But if you have already begun to criticize the Forester, wait. Rest assured, the new Subaru will be bought, because its main advantage is not at all in the options.
Controllability
Crossovers began to be produced at every step. It is no longer so easy to determine: where a car can really overcome obstacles with dignity, and where all-wheel drive is just a marketing ploy that has no basis. Therefore, when comparing Forester and Rav4, it is necessary to find out whether they are worthy of wearing the “AWD” nameplate on their body.
In short, the Forester, unlike the Rav 4, is not a crossover, but a real SUV! Moreover, the CVT does not at all prevent him from conquering peaks from various coatings. The maximum configurations are equipped with the X MODE system, which brings all the components of the car into off-road mode. You don’t have to worry too much about the clutch, because it has the same cooling circuit as the variator. Therefore, you will not experience rapid overheating, as, for example, on the new CX-5 (see comparison of Mazda CX 5 and Toyota Rav 4).
The Subaru's off-road ability was also influenced by the symmetrical all-wheel drive, which evenly distributes traction on both sides, the boxer engine, which shifted the center of gravity, and the car's light weight. Due to this, he confidently rushes to any surface and easily gets out of it. The only problem is the plastic protection under the bottom. Therefore, rushing under snags or into pits, you should be careful.
Forester's suspension can be safely called rally. Even at high speeds, it gently and quickly overcomes bumps. However, the weak point of the car is acceleration. Due to the variator, the dynamics are almost trolleybus. But the gas pedal is too sharp, and in order to slowly move a short distance (for example, while parking), jewelry accuracy is required. At the same time, there is no parking sensors in the car.
As for the Toyota Rav 4 2016-2017, the main achievement of the restyled version was the improvement of the suspension. If we compare it with the previous model, where the chassis was extremely sensitive to bumps, the new modification managed to increase the smoothness and energy intensity, but at the same time did not lose the sharpness of control.
Perhaps Rav 4 is even more convenient for urban conditions, but the Forester is definitely the off-road crawl! Rejoice, subarists!
Prices and equipment
As of March 2018, the new Forester was offered with 3 types of units:
- 2.0 l. 150 hp;
- 2.5 l. 171 hp;
- Turbocharged 2-liter engine with 241 hp.
At the same time, the first two types of motors are equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT to choose from. The turbocharged 2-liter engine comes exclusively with a CVT. The initial cost of the SUV is 1,659 thousand rubles. A modification with a 2.5 liter engine can be bought for 2,189,900 rubles, and the maximum configuration will cost you 2,599,900 rubles.
Toyota also comes to the market with 3 types of engines:
- Two-liter capacity of 146 hp;
- 150-horsepower diesel engine with a volume of 2.2 liters;
- 2.5 liter with 180 hp
Models with a 2-liter engine can be equipped with a 6-speed manual or a CVT. The owners of this modification also had a choice between 4x2 and 4x4 wheelbase types. The other two versions have only 4 × 4 and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The cost of the initial version starts from 1,499 thousand rubles, and the maximum - from 2,209 thousand rubles. However, this is still 400,000 rubles. cheaper than the opponent.
What's better?
Subaru is an excellent cross-country car, but its appearance does not allow it to stand out from the crowd, and the set of options does not justify the high cost. If you like to travel, go hunting and fishing, and the path to your dacha runs through impenetrable mud, you need a Forester.
But if you're on a tight budget and city trips when deciding what to pick, get the Rav 4. And don't underestimate Toyota's off-road capabilities. This off-road car will surpass many modern crossovers. But Subaru's rally suspension is hard to beat.
Your decision will depend on the type of road surface, priorities and financial possibilities. Therefore, what is better - to choose, in the end, is for you.
This car is now suitable for city trips, and for a family trip to the country, and for hunting trips. That is, before us is not some kind of all-terrain wagon, but a full-fledged crossover with ambitions to conquer even off-road of moderate severity. By the way, the former "Forester" always seemed to me empty, although a mannered undertaking - it was made too simply (in any case, the quality of workmanship and interior equipment did not match the price tag), and outwardly it looked more like the UPP mentioned above, but not at all like a modern SUV.
lucky rebirth
I don’t know how the “traditional” fans of the brand will react to such a rebirth, but I frankly liked the car in its current incarnation. And this indirectly confirms that now Forester may have new fans. There are all preconditions for that. And even the price of lower trim levels does not seem excessive, if you are not afraid of a boxer engine and no alternative all-wheel drive.
By the way, true “subarovods” shouldn’t be especially upset either: monodrive “Foresters” never appeared in nature. Machines with "mechanical" gearboxes are still equipped with a CDG system with an interaxle self-block and a viscous coupling, and versions with CVTs, like the one we had, are equipped with an ACT drive with active torque distribution.
Another thing is bad: the “trolley” on which the SUV is built is taken from its predecessor. It was slightly modified, stretching the wheelbase by 32 mm and increasing the clearance to 220 mm. But, in fact, everything was limited to this: for a 35-mm increase in height, you need to thank those who designed the "shell". At the same time, the width of the cars increased by 15 mm, but hardly anyone is able to appreciate this handicap - it is too microscopic.
And yet this does not mean that the engineers approached the Forester carelessly. In functional terms, the SUV has added much more than it might seem at first glance.
Think about comfort...
The increased opening of the driver's door immediately catches the eye here: the bottom of the A-pillar is moved forward by 20 centimeters, which made it possible to make the openings 13.5 centimeters wider. By the way, this is not all. The interior space has also been noticeably enlarged. Those 15 mm that the engineers squeezed out of the old platform could not, in principle, affect comfort and fit, so interior designers got down to business. "Compacted" internal panels and rearranged the controls of some systems.
By and large, it also depended on them how freely the rest of the inhabitants of the car would feel. The wheelbase, as we have already found out, has grown by 32 mm, however, the margin of space in the legs of the front passenger has grown by the same 32 mm, the rear - by 36 mm. Wonder where they got them?
But enough numbers. How does Subaru behave on the go, what annoys travelers? Imagine - nothing! Perhaps you will be a little upset by the “heterogeneity” of interior trim materials. Here, interspersed, are elastic, pleasant to the touch and eye panels, and frankly “Chinese” plastic.
But the Japanese managed to fit all this together in such a way that no matter how your correspondent expected the appearance of "crickets" and other "bugs" that violate acoustic comfort, he did not wait. Moreover, the sound insulation is also good, and the wonderfully calculated aerodynamic component: at any speed, the driver talks to both the front and rear passengers without raising his voice.
... without forgetting about controllability
Yes, and the "fifth points" does not get. Here I really want to recall the nuances of the suspension of previous generations of Forester, but the apologists of this device already remember everything perfectly, and I will please the new converts. The asphalt stiffness familiar to the brand is noticeably softened - a crossover is a crossover, with all the resulting ride comfort. But at the same time, the car did not lose any controllability. It goes like on rails, fits into any (well, or almost any) turns even at high speeds filigree, without making the driver's heart skip a beat for fear of losing control of the car. Everything is just very predictable and reliable. I repeat, only those who regularly changed them will feel the nuances in managing the new and old generations. Well, I sympathize with that...
And the rest I congratulate on the amazing energy intensity of the suspension. One of her colleagues spoke of her as capable of "digesting" any bomb crater that is found in abundance on domestic asphalt. But I, forgive me the traffic police, prohvatil on this broken asphalt two hundred kilometers from the capital at speeds of 120-140 km / h, and "self-made" speed bumps forced by 60-70 km / h. And never even a hint of a “breakdown” of shock absorbers or problems with handling.
And finishing with the topic of comfort, I would especially like to note the previously missing function, like an electric drive for the tailgate.
What are we going to and where?
As for the line of power units, it may not be impressive, but it will definitely satisfy every taste (I won’t say about the wallet, but more on that below). At the top of the range is a turbocharged 2-liter engine with 240 hp. They are equipped with the most expensive Forester, with a price tag of 1.9 million. Then comes the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine with 171 horsepower. The most “low-powered” is a 2-liter 150-horsepower gasoline unit. Who and where will fly in our country on the first one, and is there any point in such an expensive purchase, I find it difficult to say, and the rest (especially the “average one”) will clearly find their owners.
On the "mechanics" (it is equipped with the "cheapest" - 1.2 million rubles - version with a 2-liter aspirated), I could not ride, and as for the variators, they quite successfully imitate the work of the "honest" 6-speed "automatic ”And I can’t find fault with the clarity of their actions with all my desire.
Well, and most importantly, for those who are going to use the Forester not only in the metropolis, but to carry guns and, of course, loot in it. That is, at least on light off-road. I will make a reservation right away that during this test the car was shod in ordinary rubber, and the Moscow region was just covered with showers.
As a result, on a slippery primer, the car was noticeably “worn”, although even here you can completely do without assistants. But I really wanted to press the cherished X-mode button, which activates a simply universal, according to the manufacturer, off-road assistance system of the same name.
Why universal? But how else to say, if with one “touch” the driver brings to life electronic control of wheel slip, redistribution of torque, and when descending a mountain, the car itself chooses the necessary speed and trajectory of movement? ..
Pressed. Yes, the car has become noticeably less “carrying”; “Catching” the slip, the car itself began to slow down and “choke” the engine, which means that it became possible to pay more attention to taxiing.
That is, compared to most other crossovers, Forester showed a real ability to help the owner in difficult conditions. And if you consider that the owner is definitely not a boy, but quite a wealthy and family gentleman noticeably “over forty”, a long and happy life with this car is guaranteed to him.
- Exterior
- Interior
- Control
- economy
- Comfort
- Price
Subaru Forester XT
We like
A spacious interior, a structurally provided opportunity to increase the power of a turbocharged engine from 240 to 300 hp with the help of chip tuning.
We do not like
The X-mode rough road assistance system never turns off completely, which can be a disservice on serious off-road
Verdict
Subaru Forester has become an ordinary crossover. Which, given its price and design features, can alienate its old fans from the brand and not attract new ones
Competitors
Nissan X-Trail
If you want to own a brutal SUV, then you should hurry, because the third generation X-Trail has undergone, by and large, the same changes as the new Forester. The car was greatly glamorized and turned from a “male” crossover into the most banal “SUV”.
However, if we discard the less “passable” body geometry, Nissan has not lost the available arsenal. The car received a lot of auxiliary electronics such as automatic distribution of engine thrust between the axles, emergency deceleration using engine braking, and a new cornering stabilization system. So far, the novelty is equipped with a 2-liter gasoline aspirated engine with a capacity of 147 hp, aggregated only with a CVT variator. However, Europe and Russia can be pleased with the old 2.5-liter gasoline engine and turbodiesel. The price of the "old" X-Trail ranges from 1,023,000 to 1,444,000 rubles, and its replacement is unlikely to become cheaper.
Honda CR-V
Well, a very comfortable and quiet crossover for those who prefer the calmness of a measured and leisurely ride to driving excitement. Well, what kind of drive can you expect from a 2-liter 150-horsepower engine aggregated with the equally famous 5-speed “automatic”? Yes, and a 2.4-horsepower unit does not change things much, although it is more powerful - 190 hp.
At the same time, the handling of the sideboard is worthy of all praise, and even at relatively high speeds, you can easily cope with a moderately steep turn. The car also easily and imperceptibly for riders "digests" any flaws in the roadway.
As for the off-road features (which, however, the model has long lost), now, despite the smart all-wheel drive system, when the electronics are in charge of the redistribution of torque, it is completely reduced to zero by a “ridiculous” clearance of 170 mm (185 for the older version) . Price - from 1,179,000 to 1,449,000 rubles.
Toyota RAV4
The current generation of the RAV4, once the world's first compact crossover, has little competitive advantage. Classmates not only do not breathe down the back of the head of the ancestor, but in some ways they are even ahead of him.
Today "Rafik" is one of many cars in the class, guaranteeing the owner a reliable, comfortable ride. A good range of power units is not suitable for active drivers (in the base there is a 2-liter gasoline “four”, giving out 146 hp, then comes a 2.5-liter unit and a 2.2-liter 150-horsepower turbodiesel), and the lack of a full-fledged 4WD makes the “Japanese » powerless off-road.
But at the same time, the RAV4 remains a very practical car: very spacious, with solid, although not “natural” finishing materials and well-thought-out ergonomics. Although in terms of design, the current version of the crossover has become quite controversial. Price - from 1,014,000 to 1,582,000 rubles.
Subaru Forester review: appearance, interior, specifications of the new crossover, price and equipment. At the end of the article, a photo and video review of the 4th generation Subaru Forester.
Review content:
Japanese cars have proven themselves quite well in different classes. One such example is the Subaru Forester crossover, which has established itself as an all-terrain family car. Subaru Forester began its history in 1997, the car was presented at an exhibition in Detroit. In total, there were 4 generations during the release period of the model, the changes in the bodywork are colossal and well noticeable. Despite different reviews from motorists, the Subaru Forester crossover has been and remains popular in Russia and neighboring countries.
Exterior crossover Subaru Forester 2017-2018
Consider the last, fourth generation and its features. The appearance of the new crossover has changed quite seriously and, according to the owners, for the better. The manufacturer promised to introduce the fifth generation in 2017, but for unknown reasons it was postponed to 2019.
The front of the new Subaru Forester 4 crossover received a modern style. The radiator grille is divided into two parts by a chrome strip with the company logo in the center, the same thick chrome trim follows the contour of the entire grille. The front optics of the Subaru Forester is made in a strict sporty style with formidable features at the top and bottom. Along the perimeter of the optics, designers have installed daytime running lights that enliven the car, and in the center there are lensed optics based on LEDs.
The front bumper of the Subaru Forester, like the optics, is more sporty, but will largely depend on the configuration. The central part of the top-end bumper is decorated with a black plastic insert, which also acts as an additional radiator grille for engine airflow. The side of the Subaru Forester bumper is decorated with two elongated aerodynamic openings, with LED fog lights at the bottom.
In the basic configuration of the Subaru Forester crossover, there is no black central part, but there are two additional air intakes at the top and bottom. Similarly, the shape around the front foglights has changed, becoming rectangular, with a chrome strip in the center. The hood of the Subaru Forester crossover, somewhat reminiscent of the Toyota RAV4, lies on top of the wings and optics, with curved edges and two lines from the grille to the windshield.
The side of the new Subaru Forester crossover has not changed as much as the front, although the features have become softer. The arches of the front and rear wheels speak of patency, as there is a fairly good gap between the tire and the body. In the basic configuration, the designers placed a repeater on the front fender, which is not found in other Subaru Forester trim levels.
The side mirrors of the Subaru Forester, unlike the first generations, were located on the body part of the doors, and not in the corner of the front glass. The side mirrors are equipped with an electric drive, electric adjustment and turn signal repeaters. But the engineers decided not to bother with changing the shape of the front windows and simply added blank glass in place of the previous mirrors, although on the other hand this is a design move.
Otherwise, the details of the side of the Subaru Forester crossover remained unchanged, the lower part of the doors is decorated with a curved line that stretches along the wheel arches from the bumper. Thresholds, like the entire car around the perimeter, are decorated with a black plastic body kit.
Dimensions of the fourth generation Subaru Forester crossover:
- crossover length - 4610 mm (in the 2.0XT configuration - 4595 mm);
- width excluding mirrors - 1795 mm;
- height excluding roof rails - 1735 mm;
- wheelbase - 2640 mm;
- front wheel track - 1545 mm;
- rear wheel track - 1555 mm;
- minimum ground clearance - 220 mm.
The upper part of the cover is decorated with a sports-type spoiler, with a stop repeater in the central part. The rear bumper of the Subaru Forester, unlike the front, received minimal changes. The lower part is decorated with a black plastic body kit, in which the designers placed long LED foglights and a recess for the exhaust pipe tip.
The body colors of the 4th generation Subaru Forester crossover are varied:
- white pearl;
- gray metallic;
- light green metallic;
- blue pearl;
- bronze metallic;
- red pearl;
- dark gray metallic;
- black metallic.
For an additional fee, you can install plastic wheel arch extensions, mudguards, window deflectors, crankcase protection and a protective film in front. Also in the list of exterior accessories are towing, lining on the trunk sill and door sills, as well as side moldings on the front bumper.
The exterior of the 4th generation Subaru Forester crossover is not bad, sporty and at the same time designed for family out-of-town trips. Small size, well-thought-out arrangement of parts makes this car universal for any conditions, including cross-country.
Salon of the fourth crossover Subaru Forester
The interior of the Subaru Forester crossover is quite rich and includes a considerable number of auxiliary and security systems. The center console is not empty, each centimeter is reserved for a specific purpose. The upper part is occupied by an on-board computer panel with a color multifunction display. They display the state of the car, the temperature inside and outside, the direction of air supply to the passenger compartment, the fuel level and the crossover tilt level.
Below are two air inlets with chrome surrounds, a large emergency stop button and a top screen control button. Going down the center console, they placed a 7 "touchscreen display of the multimedia system. Along the contour of the display, there were buttons for controlling the audio system, navigation and the entire system as a whole. Another plus for convenience in the Subaru Forester crossover is voice control, which allows you not to be distracted from control.
Nearby is the control panel for the dual-zone climate control of the Subaru Forester crossover. Many owners note the convenient location of the handles and the fact that the designers did not replace them with touch controls. Quite a lot of space is reserved for a compartment for storing small items, wireless charging and an ashtray, in total they occupy almost the same area as the multimedia system. Closer to the gearshift lever, there are buttons for controlling seat heating and some Subaru Forester security systems.
In every centimeter of the front panel of the Subaru Forester crossover, the style and hand of an experienced designer can be seen. The passenger side features a small insert in polished aluminum or wood and a storage compartment. The driver's seat of the Subaru Forester is made as convenient as possible for driving and off-road driving. The maximum number of sensors, indicators and all possible information that may be useful.
The dashboard of the Subaru Forester consists of a tachometer, a speedometer and a display in the central part. The backlighting of the dashboard is so realistic that at night it feels like a solid screen, rather than individual instruments. The instrument panel display shows the distance traveled, gear selected, fuel level and other possible data.
The steering wheel of the Subaru Forester sits well in the hands, starting from the basic configuration, covered with leather and heated, which is not often seen in cars of this class. On the side spokes, according to the standard, the engineers placed the control buttons. The complete set with an automatic transmission is equipped with paddle shifters. The steering wheel can be adjusted both in height and in depth, which allows the driver of any physique to sit down. To the right of the steering wheel, the Subaru Forester has a Start / Stop engine button, which is a sign of the presence of a keyless entry system in the car. On the left are the control buttons for lighting devices and security systems.
Despite a considerable list of modern technologies, Subaru Forester engineers decided to leave the handbrake mechanical, and not electromechanical, as in many modern cars, it is more reliable when driving off-road. There are two cup holders next to the handbrake, and an armrest, although the latter is not so convenient, since it is short, it serves more for storing various small things.
The interior of the Subaru Forester crossover itself is designed to accommodate five passengers, including the driver. The front seats, as expected, are more of a sporty type, lateral support keeps cornering well, and a massive back and headrest will give confidence in landing. The rear seats of the Subaru Forester crossover are made in the form of a “sofa” with three head restraints, an armrest with two cup holders is hidden in the central part of the back. With the touch of a button, the second row can be folded down, thereby increasing the boot. For an additional fee, the manufacturer offers to install textile mats and a rubberized trunk mat in the Subaru Forester. There are three 12V outlets around the perimeter of the interior.
For the interior trim of the Subaru Forester crossover, designers used a combination of fabric or high-quality leather. The color of the interior is not so diverse:
- fabric upholstery in black;
- brown skin;
- black skin;
- gray skin.
Specifications Subaru Forester 2017-2018 MY
The Subaru Forester crossover has proven itself well in the market of different countries. The fourth generation of 2017 is presented with three different engines. The first and weakest is considered a two-liter DOHC gasoline unit, based on 4 cylinders and 16 valves. Power is 150 horses, and the maximum torque is 198 Nm.
The Subaru Forester 4 crossover with such an engine will overcome the first hundred on the speedometer in 10.6 seconds, and the maximum speed will be 190 km/h. Fuel consumption is not the most economical, and as many say, this is a minus of the Subaru Forester. The city will require 10.4 liters per hundred, on the highway - 6.7 liters, and the combined cycle will take 8 liters per hundred - all this, provided that it is equipped with a 6-speed manual.
If the Subaru Forester is equipped with a Lineartronic CVT, then the consumption increases. The urban cycle requires 11.4 liters, outside the city - 6.4 liters, and in mixed mode - 8.2 liters. Acceleration to hundreds will take 11.8 seconds, and the maximum speed is 192 km / h. The curb weight varies from 1551 to 1621 kg, but the total weight of the Subaru Forester crossover with a two-liter unit is 2015 kg.
The second Subaru Forester engine is slightly more powerful, a 2.5-liter injection gasoline unit. will be able to give out 171 horses, with a maximum torque of 235 Nm. The engine is paired with only a CVT gearbox and no mechanics. The maximum speed of the Subaru Forester crossover in this design is 197 km / h, and it can overcome the first hundred in 9.8 seconds.
According to the urban cycle, the consumption of the Subaru Forester is 10.9 liters, outside the city - 6.8 liters, and in the combined cycle 8.3 liters. Unlike the previous version, the curb weight of such a Subaru Forester is 1585-1626 kg, but the total weight is still the same 2015 kg. The trunk volume of two such configurations for engines does not exceed 1548 liters.
The latest engine option for the 4th generation Subaru Forester is a turbocharged gasoline, horizontally opposed DOHC, 2 liter. The power of the unit is 241 hp, with a maximum torque of 350 Nm. The dynamic parameters of such a Subaru Forester have increased significantly, the maximum speed is 221 km / h, and it will overcome a hundred in 7.5 seconds.
In a pair to such a crossover engine, only a CVT gearbox is available. On the highway, such a Subaru Forester will require 7 liters per hundred, in the city - 11.2 liters, and the combined cycle - 8.5 liters. The curb weight of the Subaru Forester crossover has also changed - from 1702 to 1722 kg. The total weight also became more - 2110 kg. Trunk volume with folded seats - 1541 liters.
As you can see, the technical data differ, but not so much. The trunk volume of the fourth Subaru Forester in the standard version is 489 liters. The volume of the fuel tank is 60 liters. Despite the declared fuel consumption, many owners say that these figures are for ideal conditions, but in real conditions it differs by a couple of liters up. The Subaru Forester is based on 17" or 18" depending on the configuration, with 225/60 and 225/55 tires, respectively.
The front brakes are ventilated disc brakes, and the rear disc brakes, but can be ventilated or non-ventilated. The suspension of the Subaru Forester is well adapted to off-road driving, and the balanced balance makes the car completely predictable. Thanks to the SI-Drive system, the driver can adjust the response of the car, taking into account driving style and road conditions. In general, the characteristics of the crossover are designed for the most unpredictable situations, and it is really clear now why it is called a family one.
4th generation Subaru Forester crossover security systems
No less than technical data, engineers have thought through the safety of the Subaru Forester crossover. Stability is the main thing worth noting in this car, achieved through weight centering and low ground clearance. The second is the reinforced annular body of the Subaru Forester, thereby forming a monoblock frame. Due to such a body and a special form of the engine, during a head-on collision, the unit simply goes under the car, thereby saving passengers.
The NCAP standard during the tests of the Subaru Forester 2017-2018 awarded the crossover five stars, and this is the highest possible rating. Other safety systems include a rain and light sensor, hill descent and start assist, airbags, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control and adaptive headlights.
Subaru Forester active security systems make up a whole list:
- emergency braking system - EBD;
- braking priority system - BA;
- dynamic stabilization - VDC;
- ERA-Glonass system.
Price and equipment Subaru Forester 2017-2018
The fourth-generation Subaru Forester crossover is offered in eight different trim levels. From basic with mechanics, to the maximum, with a turbocharged engine:
- Subaru Forester Base - from 1659000 rubles;
- Standard - from 1749900 r;
- comfort- 1859900 r.;
- Comfort+ or S Limited from 2009900 r.;
- Subaru Forester Elegance from 2189900 r.;
- Elegance + from 2249900 rubles;
- Top equipment Premium from 2599900 rubles.
Video review of the crossover Subaru Forester 2017-2018:
Other photos of the Subaru Forester crossover:
In recent years, more and more crossovers are trying on “glamorous attire”, losing even the slightest opportunity to conquer off-road and turning into typical city dwellers. Against their background, the fourth-generation Forester stands apart, which for many years tried not to change its traditions - a “male” appearance and exclusively all-wheel drive.
The fourth generation Forester made its world debut in 2012 on the stage of the Los Angeles Auto Show, and before the European public it appeared in all its glory in March 2013 at the bride in Geneva.
Two years later, still in the same place - in Los Angeles, the Japanese from Subaru presented an updated crossover, which, without changing in appearance, acquired minor improvements in the cabin, tightened up in terms of safety and lost its "mechanics" (for the Russian market).
The Forester IV experienced its second modernization in May 2016 - this time it was slightly tweaked with bumpers, optics and a radiator grille, improved sound insulation, expanded the list of available equipment and returned (for our country) a “manual” gearbox.
The next, extreme for today, update affected the car in September 2017 - this time the Japanese bypassed the design of the exterior and interior, but again separated the previously inaccessible options and added new levels of performance.
In general, we can say that the “fourth” Subaru Forester is designed in a discreet and deliberately rough style, which makes it unmistakably recognizable against other models. Most of the design frills are concentrated around the “front” part: a radiator grille with branded “six faces” and “sharp” headlights with LED running lights, complemented by a bumper with a regular or “sporty” design with characteristic “flying” foglights.
The Forester's profile shows muscular and solid proportions with swollen wheel arches that house 17-18-inch alloy wheels, a sidewall rib and a large glass area.
The monumental stern of this Subaru off-road vehicle is framed in a concept typical of crossovers - compact lights, a characteristic trunk lid and a bumper, into which one or two exhaust pipes are integrated, depending on the version.
The 4th generation model formally acts in the compact crossover segment (although in fact it has already come close to the “mid-size ones”): 4610 mm long, 1795 mm wide and 1735 mm high. The length of the wheelbase is 2640 mm, and the minimum ground clearance (with curb weight) is 220 mm.
In the stowed state, the weight of this car varies from 1551 to 1702 kilograms.
The interior of the Subaru Forester cannot be called exquisite - inside everything is quite ascetic and simple, but it is located “in its place” and is of high quality. In general, the decoration of this "Japanese" can be described as "the embodiment of reasonable sufficiency."
The instrument cluster with analog dials is easy to read and provides just the information you need, and the well-shaped multifunctional steering wheel is comfortable and attractive in appearance. The central part of the front panel is crowned with a color monitor, which displays the readings of the on-board computer and information about the operation of the all-wheel drive transmission. A little lower, depending on the configuration, you can watch the radio, or a large display of the multimedia center, as well as three "lambs" of the dual-zone air conditioning system.
In the cabin of this crossover, there is neither high cost nor outright cheapness - finishing materials are inexpensive, but of high quality, and the build level is at all at a high “European” level. In the "top" versions, the seats are upholstered in genuine leather.
One of the features of the 4th generation Subaru Forester is a well-organized interior space. The front seats are not only endowed with a comfortable profile with well-defined support on the sides, but also with the necessary adjustment ranges. For passengers in the back row, a comfortable sofa with an adjustable back angle, a reclining armrest and a solid supply of space in all directions is installed. There is only one drawback - a bulging transmission tunnel on the floor.
For the transport of goods, the "fourth Forester" provides a 488-liter luggage compartment of the correct form, a wide opening and an acceptable loading height. The "gallery" is laid almost flush with the floor, which increases the usable volume to 1548 liters and allows you to transport bulky items. In a niche under the floor, only a compact spare wheel could be accommodated.
The 4th incarnation Subaru Forester, updated in 2017, is offered to Russian consumers with three gasoline four-cylinder units with a horizontally opposed configuration of “pots” and a 16-valve DOHC timing belt. In cooperation with each of them, an all-wheel drive system with dynamic traction distribution (ACT) operates, which has an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in its arsenal. By default, the moment is divided between the axes in a ratio of 60:40, however, depending on the situation, this proportion may vary.
- Under the hood of the basic versions of the crossover, a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine (1995 cubic centimeters) with multi-point power is “registered”, generating 150 “mares” at 6200 rpm and 198 N m of possible potential at 4200 rpm.
Sharing with a 6-speed “mechanics” or a Lineartronic V-chain CVT, it allows the Forester to gain 100 km / h after 10.6-11.8 seconds, exchange 190-192 km / h as much as possible and “eat” no more than 8-8.2 liters of fuel in the “ city/highway. - It is followed in the hierarchy by a "aspirated" 2.5-liter (2498 cubic centimeters) with distributed injection, whose peak performance values are 171 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 235 N m of torque at 4100 rpm.
In combination with it, only a variator is installed, thanks to which the car breaks down from standstill to 100 km / h in 9.8 seconds, conquers the bar at 197 km / h and consumes 8.3 liters of gasoline in mixed conditions. - The top of the power palette is “occupied” by a 2.0-liter “four” (1998 cubic centimeters) with turbocharging and direct fuel supply (giving out 241 “horses” at 5600 rpm and 350 N m of maximum torque at 2400-3600 rpm) - aggregated with Lineartronic transmission.
It takes only 7.5 seconds for such an all-terrain vehicle to “run” to the first “hundred”, its “maximum speed” exceeds 220 km / h, and its “appetite” does not go beyond 8.5 liters in the combined cycle.
The fourth-generation crossover is based on a modified Subaru Impreza platform with MacPherson struts on the front axle and a multi-link part on the rear axle. Subaru Forester is equipped with an electric power steering and an efficient braking system with disc devices on all wheels (front with ventilation) with ABS and ESP.
On the Russian market, the Forester 2018 model year is offered in eight equipment levels - Base, Standard, Comfort, Comfort +, S Limited, Elegance, Elegance + and Premium.
For the basic package, dealers ask for a minimum of 1,659,000 rubles, and its functionality includes: seven airbags, four power windows, ABS, EBD, BA, VDC, an assistance system when starting uphill, ERA-GLONASS technology, 17-inch steel wheels, heated front seats, climate control, multimedia system and some other equipment.
For a crossover with an automatic transmission, you will have to pay from 1,749,900 rubles, and the “top modification” with a 241-horsepower engine is sold for at least 2,599,900 rubles. “Full stuffing” boasts: 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, an electric sunroof, leather trim, heated rear seats, a dual-zone “climate”, rear-view cameras, light and rain sensors, a navigator and a huge number of other “gadgets” .
