Subaru Gives 3 Reasons Why They Axed Popular Forester 2.0XT

I have owned 3 Subaru Foresters. One XT. My current ride is a 2017 XT Touring with every option. I can afford to drive much more expensive rides. I chose my XT for greater driving joy after owning 2 Forester 2.5 Limiteds with just adequate power from an ancient engine. The 2.0 turbo is Superior by every measure.
The biggest reason XTs are not big sellers is because they are not available at dealers to test drive and compare and wooo prospective customers. Each is a custom order and the wait from order to receive can be up to 4 months...
I will enjoy my XT for as long as it serves my needs with reliable go anywhere transport....
Hopefully, a new XT will be before us then... when my need arises. Otherwise, Other Manufacturers’ alternatives surely will be there.
I really hope Subaru realizes every Engine will be turbo and Electrical Assisted or combination and that the 2.5 will be completely inadequate against the competition. Keep the Forester Relevant.

New flag flying at subaru hq:
dwflags.com/store/images/NO%20BULLSHIT%20WEB.jpg

Sorry, I don't buy their rationale. Sportiness versus Power? Give me a break!Apparently, they're dismissing enthusiasts and looking to just expand the Forester foot print with drivers that don't care about performance. A slower vehicle doesn't make for a more engaging one. You can recalibrate the faux CVT gears all you want to mimic active shifts, but power is power.That's all well and good, but their reasoning for pulling the turbo XT is just "marketing smoke and mirrors"...

This article needs some fact checking. In America you can't buy a 2018 Subaru Forester XT with a stick shift. You can buy the 2.5 motor with a stick.

"Eyesight across their entire lineup is more important than having a 2.0XT with a 6-speed manual gearbox."

So Subaru is saying they are incapable of mating an automatic transmission to a tc'd 2.0l? Really?!?
I think Subaru has been brainwashed by Toyota's 86 crew.

I've owned MY 2009 and 2014 Forester XTs and loved them both. I've moved on from the Subaru brand since they axed the Forester turbo. Would've loved more power in a 2019 MY turbo, but no go says Subaru. Oh well... I'm now the proud owner of a 2018 Audi Q5! Yeah, baby!!!

So the Ascent built on the SGP that has a FA24 turboed engine. It has a beefy CVT and eye sight standard. Your telling me the FA20 from the WRX can't fit in the same spot the FA24 dose?

The real reason they are cancelling the turbo is the gas mileage of the turbo (24 mpg) brings down their mpg standard, making it harder to comply with US regulations. The replacement is supposed to be rated at least 32 mpg.

I don't care about power (drive a 2018 Crosstrek) but the turbo is necessary for adequate performance in the Colorado mountains. Suppose I could get an Ascent for the turbo to scavenge O2 but a lot of those old donkey trails are narrow and bigger vehicles have a bit of a disadvantage.

I barely see "the 3 reasons" why they axed it. I'm glad I have my '15 XT here in Utah. When loaded down with all of my outdoor crap.. getting up and over the mountains and/or onto the highways is a breeze.

Okay, if the 6mt doesbt work with eyesight then dont sell the 6mt version of the XT. In fact, why not give the forester xt the same drivetrain as the ascent and same towing capacity without the extra size? People would be all over a smaller more sporty SUV with 5k lb towing capacity that runs in regular.

Give me a break subaru.

My guess is that for 2020 they'll put the ascent 2.4l turbo in the forester and possibly wrx. More power but runs on regular and they are just making excuses so people still buy the inferior current model vs waiting.

Subaru lost me as a buyer. I bought a Forester XT for the power. They lost the sportiness when they chose not to have a hood scoop. They took it further by making the new Forester even bigger. If the time comes that I need a new vehicle and Subaru doesn't offer the turbo, I will sadly be moving on.

Another poor excuse from "the top" at Subaru. 6 speed? I thought the eyesight would work with the CVT automatic? Wife had a '04 XT loved it, but thought we needed something a bit bigger so bought a '16 FTX and she loves that as well with the CVT. Reason we went with Forester vs Outback or Crosstrek is BECAUSE of power available on acceleration.

It's pretty common for corporate executives, owners etc to become "detached" from the consumer. Focus groups never tell the whole story either. Curious about the comments about having to wait for a XT to come in by special order. Always seemed available around my parts. I think Subaru could have easily sold more of them if the ADVERTISED they were available. With all of Subaru's ads I never once saw one for the FXT.

I have a 2010 XT Premium and I bought it for that now missing Turbo I wish mine had the six speed stick wasn't an option or I'd have it too. I could care less about the eyesight system. I can see well enough for myself. Aka I don't look at my phone while I drive! Anyway Subaru won't listen they have a safety rating to uphold in a generation of the phone obsessed who can't be bothered with looking out the window and screen themselves

They Should get rid of a car that when you need a new headlight bulb it will cost you $77.00 to replace . They will rip you off on other bulbs and spark plugs too .They will give you a one year warranty on the headlight bulb.

Sorry, sportiness is power. All the flashy chrome and fancy wheels are nothing without the zip to get down the road. And not having a manual transmission option was a major busy as it is, but no turbo is a joke. All of the whiz, none of the bang. I had to drive almost five hours each way to buy a six year old used xt and I would do it again for the turbo model. The level of performance is worth it at every stop sign, traffic light, and time I have to pass someone. All of this in one of the safer cars with all wheel drive is a no brainier. I hope they change their minds. I don't want to have to change my car.

"The Forester 2.0XT with a 6-speed manual gearbox won’t work with EyeSight."

Other than the fact they haven't offered a manual Forester XT since, oh, 2008, and my 2015 Forester XT had eyesight, but whatever.

The Mazda CX-5 adds a turbo for 2019 and Subaru takes it away. The Mazda handled like a dream, but definitely lacked pep, and now Subaru will trade places. Almost every vehicle in this class offers a turbo option. I'll test drive it to give it a chance like the Mazda, but I'm not holding my breath.

Is Subaru still having problems with oil burning and having to add 1 quart of oil every 2000 miles.

The article mentions a manual 6 speed XT. They haven't made a manual XT in years, at least not in the US.