Subaru Gives 3 Reasons Why They Axed Popular Forester 2.0XT

I bought my 2014 Forester BECAUSE of the turbo charged engine option. I travel the Florida Turnpike daily and need that power. I visited 5 South Florida Subaru dealerships before I found a Forester with the turbo engine. Most of the dealerships were not interested in discussing the turbocharge option with me and kind of put me off. One dealership told me it could cost up to $500 to have a Forester with the turbo engine shipped in for me!
I had hoped to purchase the 2019 Forester, but now I am going to.hold on to my 2014 and consider other options.

Very disappointed in Suburu discontinuing the XT. I have both a 16 and 17 XT having previously driven BMW. The XT is nowhere near the performance of the 335
But reliability and the all wheel drive makes up for the loss of fun factor. Though when you use the sport sharp mode on the Forester there is quite a wallop in performance even though it is a software trick. Hopefully the new Ascent engine will make it into a 2020 XT version. The sport version being offered in the 2019 models is just plain dumb in my opinion as who cares about orange stripes inside and outside? The fun of the current XT is that it is a “wolf in sheeps clothing”.

Living in Colorado and driving at higher altitudes, I'll purchase a turbo that has more horsepower over alleged sportiness.

The 2.5 is an absolute DOG in the mountains. The xt is much better ! The power difference is night and day and well needed. Their reason about responsiveness is a crock of s**t. The xt os a blast and super responsive. Subaru is going to lose a part of their customers. Oh well

Subaru, my friend, where did you leave your soul?

I love all the commments! You can’t fool enthusiasts. I recommend you reach out to Subaru, I do regularly. Granted, you’ll get their canned responses but your opinion will be noted. Passion is what built the Subaru customer base. Their early cars were quirky and practical and Subaru dared to be different. Imagine a new 2019 XT turbo with a hood scoop and Ascent turbo engine! The uniqueness is gone as Subaru and has been replaced with a cars for the masses mentality. Classic case of a company forgetting its roots, getting complacent in its success and shooting for the mainstream. Acura learned its lesson, I hope Subaru figures it out as well.

Its a marketing trick, The world is stuck on news articles, so create a story get alot of coverage and then change directions.

I own a 2016 FXT.. Just love my car.2 of my friends drove my vehicle and joined the subbie family.. Sad to hear they dropped XT.. I can't imagine driving a regular subaru after driving an XT. Hope they bring it back with 2020 model.

Just a lame excuse for having. Lame CVT that couldn’t handle the torque from the XT. I can see right through that spin. The world is full of thousands of manual transmission turbo freaks. Make a Forester STI with 305hp and Full STI running gear and they would sell as many as actual Impreza STI’s.

For folks that live in the high country, models like the Forester XT are great because of their horsepower. Subaru is being foolish for abandoning this market. I won't consider being a Forester without a turbocharger, sporty or not.

Do you guys do any research? The current generation Forester XT has never been available with a 6 speed manual, it's CVT only. The previous generation was never available with manual in the US, the last time a usdm fxt was offered with a manual was 2008.

Ummm....the last generation Forester XT only came auto, so that's a lie. But an SUV of that size could use an extra bump in power, that AWD selling point is only going to take it so far.

I would never buy a Forester that does not have a turbo. The XT was a unique vehicle that busted segments. The standard Forester is vanilla. I really like the Crosstrek but, the lack of power keeps me from buying one. Put a turbo in this vehicle, add a manual option with a moonroof and it will find a spot in my garage. I am not going to buy a car for its safety features. I am going to buy a car that I want to pay for and drive. I can afford cars that are more expensive than the most expensive Subaru. I do not buy Subaru’s because they make me compromise. I would like to buy a Subaru but, will not compromise. A turbo Crosstrek would be splendid but, will never happen after hearing what Subaru is planning. Sad really as it would appear that the loyal customers that participated in building the brand are no longer their target audience.

I have owned 2 foresters. The first was the 2015 2,5xt which I replaced with the 2016xt after a bad crash. Both models had a very Spartan design but their driving experience was unique! Surely the new forester seems to be a good and safe car. It has been improved in design and meterial quality comprared to the older foresters which was needed. Its front also reminds me my 2015 model which is quite nice because it has gotten that old agressive shape which the forester fans always loved! However the competitors upgraded their models too. Forester was always known for its power performance. The sooner the producer realizes this gap created and add turbo version the better for them. It is not that difficult!

I miss my 16 XT. It was great on gas and reliable in all weather. My only regret is not getting the Touring model which had every option, including better audio (which the premium package lacked). When I discovered that the Turbo is no longer available, I returned my Lease and opted to Lease the Infiniti QX50 which had comprable performance numbers. After 6months now, I remember the Forrester being more responsive and having a better CVT.
I would have Leased another XT, but I had no other options in that market in regards to ground clearance, performance and utility all wrapped up in into one great package. The QX50 is a great car, but that XT really surprised and embarrased alot of people on the Highway and off the line at red lights....great sleeper vehicle.

I purchased a 2014 Subaru XT. I loved this car! I went back and forth between the XT and the non-turbo with my purchase decision, but decided on the turbo. I later had to drive a non-turbo for 3 weeks while mine was in the shop -- wow, what a difference. It didn't have the power to climb hills with confidence, pass cars on the highway, etc. No comparison. I now have a 2018 Subaru XT. I considered waiting to get the 2019 version with the new platform -- so glad that I did not wait. Because I wouldn't have that turbo! Subaru -- please bring back a more powerful engine in whatever form it needs to take.

I just googled 2020 Forester XT and got this link.
I too have a 2017 Forester XT Touring. I bought this vs buying an Audi which was about $20k more. Other than the Audi having a nicer interior, Google map dash I found XT offered better performance. Nearly 3 years in I am very satisfied with my XT and just began think about trading for a 2020. Hence the search.
My guess, Subaru will be offering a Forester hybrid, hopefully beyond the milk toast gas milage saver with a combine HP near current 180hp level, they will offer an XE (for electric) version with huge torque (electric motor) and a combined power of 250 or sp. Just dreaming

Own a 2016 XT fully loaded. First, manual wasn't an option, automatic CVT only. Second, Eyesight works just fine in my XT, this article and Subaru's reasons are bunk and crap. When its time for a new vehicle, if they haven't put a good engine back in the Forester I'll move on. Subaru, like Mazda, is wrong on what constitutes sportiness. Too much fake junk hanging off these vehicles without enough ponies to back it up.

We've had 7 Subaru's in our family in 25 years, majority turbo. I am not replacing my 2014 XT with non-turbo Subaru. Sell me real turbo, and not that behemoth Ascent. I still remember my 2004 WRX, sitting high enough for moderate snow and fun to drive, road feel and all. Switched to Forester turbo due to WRX redesign into a city car, with ridiculous low grill and 'comfortable cabin' and 'safer' small windows. Give me Crosstreck or Forester with turbo, or I'm switching the brand.

I had a 2014 turbo and had I known it would be gone in 2019 I never would of sold it, NO comparison for me. Three time Subaru owner and I’m done. Very gratifying to hear so many others feel the same.

I've owned five Subarus.
The current one has turbo. Power output specifications speak volumes on it.
If Subaru values safety, give us a car powered with an engine that can get out of its own way in an emergency situation. .... not one that you shift and wait to MOVE!

We own a standard forester and a 3.6 Outback. I wanted to buy a Forester XT. They are losing my business. I'll check into Mazda turbo now.

Really Subaru?!? The power in the normally aliases 2.5 liter is anemic. You need to put a turbo in the Forester or I am going elsewhere for my next car. Proud owner of a 2015 Forester XT.