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The Subaru Forester XT is well-loved by automotive enthusiasts around the globe because it offers the utility of a small SUV, all-wheel-drive off-road capabilities, matched with Subaru’s 2.0-liter turbo-boxer engine for sporty performance. It’s a great combination for driving enthusiasts. Unfortunately, it’s gone forever after the 2018 Model Year.
Loyal owners and fans were not at all pleased when Subaru Corp decided the all-new fifth-generation 2019 Subaru Forester will no longer be available with a turbo option. It’s a niche product, but slower sales are not really the reason why Subaru is axing the popular Forester 2.0XT.
A report by Top Gear Philippines says at the 2019 Forester’s regional launch in Taiwan, Subaru Corp executives explain why the Japanese automaker chose the non-turbo route. They say sportiness does not necessarily mean having more power. Tomohiro Ishitobi, Subaru Corporation’s senior general manager for sales and marketing division says, “Our interpretation of sportiness does not rely on engine power.”
Sportiness is not about more power
Ishitobi says expressing sportiness in the Forester is more about synergy and how the engine responds to driver inputs and its overall driving dynamics. “There is a way to express the sportiness of the SUV, and that’s what we think we have accomplished with the new Forester. We have prepared a different type of engine, not just the 2.0-liter that we’re launching this time. But regardless of engine displacement, we focused on engine response, it’s the key thing we focused on.”
By the numbers
All new fifth-generation 2019 Subaru Forester trims get the newly-upgraded 2.5-liter boxer engine. The new power plant comes with direct injection, higher compression, along with active valve control system (AVCS) on the exhaust side. The new engine produces 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, versus 170 hp and 174 lb-ft in the previous-generation Forester. It’s quite a downgrade compared with the XT’s 2.0-liter turbocharged FA20 Boxer producing 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
READ: All-New 2019 Subaru Forester Sport vs. Forester 2.0XT Comparison
New SGP
We know the new Subaru Global Platform (SGP) will change the new Forester’s driving dynamics because the newly-redesigned Impreza and Crosstrek prove that. It’s the next reason why the 2.0XT is gone. Glenn Tan, managing director of Motor Image parent company Tan Chong International, said “It’s really something that makes the new Forester handle completely different from other SUVs,” Tan says his favorite feature of the car is its drivability.
All Foresters have new eyes
A big reason why the Forester 2.0XT is gone is so Subaru can move forward with having all models in their lineup come standard with their EyeSight driver assist safety system. The Forester 2.0XT with a 6-speed manual gearbox won’t work with EyeSight. One of Subaru’s core values is safety, and they won’t compromise it for anything. It’s also about reaching a new consumer who has never purchased a Subaru product before. Tann goes on to say, “I believe that EyeSight created a whole new bunch of customers for us.” when talking about strong sales of the new-generation Crosstrek.
Subaru Corp says they axed the Forester 2.0XT because sportiness does not rely on power alone to achieve it, the new SGP offers improved driving performance, and standard Eyesight across their entire lineup is more important than having a 2.0XT with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Reaching a customer who has never purchased a Subaru Forester before could be another reason. We will see just how sporty the all-new 2019 Subaru Forester 2.5i is when it arrives this fall. Stay tuned.
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Photo credit: Subaru USA
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Comments
Test drove a 2019. It's
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Test drove a 2019. It's lethargic. I used to be a die hard Toyota Guy, but the Rav4 without the V6 is also a dud. Current Best in Class is Mazda's CX-5, which in top trim gets a 250 HP mill.
I have the 2017 XT which has
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I have the 2017 XT which has the CVT [not the 6 speed manual.
I don't see why having eyesight precludes producing the CVT turbo.
If I were to buy now I would have to consider Mazda with turbo
To me Subaru equals turbo and
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To me Subaru equals turbo and AWD. Without these two things, it's just not a Subaru anymore.
In my opinion the wrong
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In my opinion the wrong people have been given control of Subaru. Give it back to the Japanese and only the Japanese. Certainly with say Mazda and Kia some Yanqui influence has been at work but Subaru has a bigger job...keeping up with itself. This '4th industrial age b/s sees corporations going to the wall and also confusion because it has become ….please me now....now please me again orgasmic hedonism from the modern lot.The Subaru recalls have been massive...thousands...because they have lost their way and their calling in trying to please the hedonists. If Subaru foxed say 20 problems every year...permanently ...it would become a legend of sound engineering and consumer care.. They don't have to be the fastest car on the planet but they do have to maintain the turbo and they do have to maintain the 2.0 Litre to be Subaru. SAAB, great car was chewed up by GM making it was it was not. Subaru could also go out backwards or like SAAB end up owned by the creators of motor vehicle (and other) trash...the Chinese. Why is the new development so important? Who really cares? We have auto control cars killing people. I suppose one might also ask whether the destruction of 'peoples' choice is just more steps in the ladder of mono-culture in the NWO..as is the refugee crisis and the US attacks on ME......an attempt to destroy great cultures totally, their will, heritage, artifacts and create an inescapable planetary serfdom enforced by military, police militias and letting loose religious maniacs and fascists. The people must challenge these things or they will go down before them.... and I mention them because I think Subaru enthusiasts should challenge...in bulk...Subaru's actions in taking away what we want to try to appeal to a new market....one they purport has been created when in fact they are trying to create it. Say what WE want and demand Japanese totality in the organisation....because otherwise we will be lost in the wash....Eventually wreckers will close their doors on older parts....as has 3P in Brisbane. Only our enthusiasm for keeping the greater models alive and even refusing to buy the new types will get the message across to the vacuous Australian and American dealers. Think seriously and deeply about what's 'actualy going on'...or you'll be driving some piece of boring rubbish.
I owned a 2013 Forester for 5
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I owned a 2013 Forester for 5 years and traded it for a 2018 Forester XT touring. The turbo makes it into a completely different vehicle. I will have to go away from Subaru in the future.
Shame on you Subaru... Shame
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Shame on you Subaru... Shame on you! The XT Turbo Forester is the best Forester. No if, buts or maybe's. A losing move from a company that has lost the plot!
Agreed. New Forester lacks
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Agreed. New Forester lacks guts. Looks like my first Forester (2017 2.0 XT) will be my last Subaru. Too bad, love the XT but don't like the Outback. Mazda got smart and added a 250 hp turbo to the CX-5.
Denis you're loads of shit,
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Denis you're loads of shit, axing the XT so you can have eyesight? cause the manual wont work? since when did any forester in the US have manual?!
I say, put the 6 cyl in there
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I say, put the 6 cyl in there. That thing kicks azz in theOutback.
I have a 2018 Forester 2.5L 6
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I have a 2018 Forester 2.5L 6-speed that I ordered from Japan in June 2018. It’s arguably that last 6-speed produced for the US market.
Regardless, the 6-speed is much more fun to drive than the CVT version; no m/t version of the 2.0 liter available.
Would love to do an engine swap another year down the road.
Currently own 2017 2.0 XT…
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Currently own 2017 2.0 XT Forester. I bought it for the engine, and it doesn’t disappoint!!!! Subaru has nixed this engine and I will be hanging onto mine for as long as I can with hopes they bring back a more powerful engine. If not, sadly, I will be looking elsewhere for my next car.
I currently own my second…
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I currently own my second Forester XT and have had it for 5 years. I would have traded it in for a new Forester 2 years ago, but will not buy a piece of hybrid rubbish.
I have been looking at other SUVs, but cannot find anything that really appeals to me.
Yet still, I will not buy that piece of hybrid rubbish which is the new Forester.