All-New 2019 Subaru Forester Sport vs. Forester 2.0XT Comparison

i am just turning in my leased 2015 XT for a 2018 XT. I have to say that I liked this 2.0 more than any other Subaru I have driven. Like many folks above, I am not looking for someone to race with and I'm not an off-roader (I live in Westchester, NY) That being said, I did like the acceleration when I needed it and the extra power to get me out of the snow drifts that plagued our area this past winter. I have been a Subaru driver for the past 30 years and would never switch out to an inferior brand just to prove my point. I know that despite the power loss with the 2.5 your still going to have a superior experience in difficult situations with a Subaru than another brand at a similar price point. They have 4 wheel drive down. That being said, I may just wind up buying this car instead of doing another lease. It has what I sant and the Touring trim gives me the 440 watt 8 speaker HK sound system I crave as well as a host of safety features that will prove to be handy. For 35K it can't be beat. My neighbor has a Lamborghini-he has to garage it all winter.

What was the point of axing the turbo in the XT then re-introducing it in the all-new Accent? Seems to me they could have easily offered the Forester with the Accent motor. Especially now considering the Forester is be made in the same plant in Indiana. Forester will no longer come from Japan.
It's too bad, the company was making great strides in 2010-2011. Now they have become drunk with $$$ from year-over-year sales and their new outlook seems to be heading the wrong way. I was excited with Subaru and the 5th generation legacy. Then came the 6th generation and the engineers dropped the ball. Poor engine performance and poor fuel economy. I'll be looking at other brands next year when I am ready to trade.

Very disappointing to see the downgrades. Good job I purchased a new XT only a few months ago. By the time I'm ready to trade it in, hopefully Surbaru will have listened to their customers, instead of their accountants.

I was waiting to replace my 2.5 with the - hoping for - XT. I will now look at other brands. Subaru did well because it was unique - they are not very reliable and expensive to fix - compared to much of its competition. Now moving to be more granola - less competitive uniqueness. Lack of XT sales was also a packaging issue. I am pretty sure the XT would have done well if you did not have to load it up to get one.Performance enthusiasts do really want all the bells and whistles. Good luck with their high mileage, cost saving effort.

Very disappointed with Subaru. We Will leave The Brand after 7 years. Really said.

Looks like I will be shopping at KIA for a SPORTAGE SX. Gonna go with the company that makes what I want. Waited over 2 years for this bad news regarding no XT. After 4 new Subaru vehicles in the last 7 years, they have lost me as a customer. They are becoming the old people car company. Boring, slow and still practical. It is now just an appliance vehicle. The zest is gone.

Whoo, hooo !!!! I got the XT, OMG it is zippy fast. And with a COBB Tuner Kit it will hit 300HP on stock equipment. It's already fast without it though.

OMG, the Paddle Shifters give me a Turbo BONER !

Subaru would be very stupid to eliminate this engine from their line up.

After my 3rd Turbo Forester I am forced to ditch the brand. Have to see what Volvo can offer.

Regarding Subaru's "3 reasons," if they want to cut engineering and multiple-model support costs, why don't they instead scrub the 2.5, simply standardize on the 2.0 turbo, add an easy-to-design "Eco" drive mode option that restricts (or shuts off) the turbo response, and put that drive train (with paddle shifters) on ALL their trim levels. Save the Sport trim for suspension and braking upgrades for instance, and there you have it: a 2.0 litre displacement engine instead of 2.5 and you now have your overall fuel efficiency for putzing around town or driving 65 on the e-way all day, one engine-trans to service, and you keep everybody happy. Am I missing something?

Have never thought about buying another brand after having 3 turbo foresters they just ticked all the boxes even my wife is devastated. We have been spoilt just can't
go back to car with such a power difference normally when I buy a new car it usually has more power not less looks like I'll being buying a volvo next.

Subaru Forester is loosing its soul. I have had turbocharged Foresters since 2003. In the total 4 of then. From 2003 to 2014 (my actual one) Forester had gradually gained gadgets and loosing drive dynamics. Now no more turbocharge at the new Forester put an end on a virtuosity circle. And the about put one engine in all Subaru models ... well, that is turning Subaru’s into fast food.

The only reason I bought the Subaru Forester is for the turbo. Thought about trading in my 2017 XT for a 2019 and found out they discontinued the turbo. I’ll be keeping my 2017.

There seems to be a consistent message here from mainly Forester XT owners. It would be at least respectful if Subaru could comment. In the absence of a reply, I guess the message is load and clear.... Subaru doesn't care!

Where can I find a side-by-side comparison of the 2019 Subaru Forester trims?

After having my XT any other car would be second best.
Had a 2005 WRX STI it was good but not as good as the XT.
The XT is a keeper !

My wife and I currently own a 2014 and 2016 Forester XT. Live in Colorado and drive frequently in the mountains up to 10,000 - 12,000 foot passes. Turbo is great for uphill power and when you need occasional rapid acceleration. Prior to the XTs I had a RAV4 V6. I am not a power monger at all, but like the extra horses for going up long mountain grades. I got the '14 Forester XT as Toyota had dumped the V6 RAV4 option, so I sadly said adios to Toyota. I love the Subaru 2.0 liter turbo. Not putting it in the new Forester is total crap. I am on a company car plan and purchase a new car every 4 years and my wife gets the previous car. Looks like I will be done with Subaru, as I don't want to go back to a whining 4-banger going up to the Eisenhower Tunnel. Boooooooo Subaru. So I guess I will look at the new Volvo or Acura small SUVs with their turbos. Total bummer. Totally disappointed. From the comments above, I am not alone.

Simply stated, my wife and I are disappointed that the 2.0XT has been dropped. I previously owned a 2000 outback (new) and found it lacked power. Thus I bought other brands throughout the years, until 2018 when I bought the Forester, touring with 2.0XT. Totally happy with the vehicle and its quickness. I now need to buy a 2nd vehicle for the wife in the next few weeks. Not sure we will buy Subaru since the decision was made to drop this engine.

Expect I will want to replace a 2005 2.5XT Forester that has been great (with 0-60 in 5.4 second performance that is nice to have at times) sometime next year. I am just starting the process of shopping for a different brand. Mercedes, Volvo, Perhaps Infinity or Lincoln all likely have models that should prevent 2.5xXT envy, but involve spending quite a bit more. I am hoping the old 2.5 holds out until my car account is up to the challenge of a more expensive replacement!

in Japan, 2019 forester still has 2.0 turbo, so i believe it is just North America market.

I believe 2020 model will have turbo engine.

We're in the market for a new car, I've had plenty of Forester XT's, starting with 2004 XT and then 2011 XT and now we need another XT and lo-behold, Subaru is nixing FXT how shameful of them, they are losing their soul. I had an 06 STI, 05 LGT and now this? FU Subaru and off to the dealer I go to see if I can still get 2018 FXT.

I have a '14 XT that I was looking forward to replace with a new XT in the next year or two, but that isn't going to happen now. I hear Mazda has a 2.5L Turbo CX5 coming...

Own a 2014 XT and both wife and I love it. My next new car would have been a turbo forester as well (2020). But without the turbo available will be buying another brand.

What's this talk about Subaru becoming an "old mans" company? I'm 83 and couldn't live with the 2016 2.5 (literally). Put a few hills on the road (as in Arkansas or trip from AR to Albuquerque and back) and either learn to live with the constant downshifting and buzzing, or get rid of it pronto for an XT, as we did. (The only reason we got the 2.5 was my wife's insistence on a light interior, since the XT came only in blank. So we traded and had a light leather interior installed on the XT (an option all along which the salesman didn't tell us about even thought I was close to tears (really) in purchasing the 2.5 (and giving up the paddle shifter as well).

The XT is incredible, same acceleration as an X3 BMW 2 liter. I've driven both extensively, and give me the XT! Much more fun. I have an appointment to have the suspension tuned in Des Moines. (And note that the XT stock suspension is already superior to the 2.5's) And I'll also look into the COBB Tuner Kit mentioned above by Peter Hugh.

The tubo power of the XT is actually quite a safety and tranquility feature, since it allows you to easly extricate yourself from knots (herds) on the interstate and from left lane bandits. (So you're over the speed limit for 30 seconds. It's worth the risk.)

I dont' know what I"ll do when our XT expires. But since the trend is definitely toward greater power and maneuverability, it shouldn't be a problem, it just won't be Subaru
(says a 21 year Subaru owner).

Toyota Highlander Hybrid and BMW 330i owner since 2006. I always buy reliable cars with somewhat powerful engines and keep them for around 12 years when they look dated and start to require costly part replacements. As it came time for replacing my current vehicles , I did a lot of research and came up with the Forester XT as the perfect solution for it offers a perfect blend of horsepower, reliability and sportiness in one package to satisfy my requirements. I was really happy to learn that Subaru was updating the Forester for 2019 so I decided to put a hold on the purchase never expecting to have the XT gone from the lineup. I've never owned a Subaru before and it looks like I'll have to take another pass at the brand. Every other major manufacturer is now offering 4 cilinder engines with turbos, it seems to be the trend. At least there's plenty of other options. Maybe next time Subaru. Sayonara

I am new to Subaru. My first vehicle is the 2015 Forester XT. I specifically wanted the XT model and love it. When I saw the 2019's getting a redesign I was intrigued, although not quite in the market for a new vehicle just yet. Seeing that the XT has been abandoned, my relationship with Subaru may be a very short one. Too bad, as I've been very happy with mine so far. But I don't see going to the 2.5i. I agree with another poster that they should have kept the XT as the "one" engine offered & add a ECO button. Why get rid of one of the best features? Makes the Forester basic now. I hope they reconsider.