?2019 Subaru Forester Touring?
Fifth Generation Forester Adventure Ready
First introduced more than 20 years ago, Subaru of America Inc. debuted their all-new for 2019 Forester SUV at the 2018 New York International Auto Show. This fifth generation Forester is without question the most capable and roomiest to date, and is based on Subaru?s Global Platform, delivering improvements and enhancements in virtually every respect. The 2019 Subaru Forester is available in five distinctive levels of trim: the base or standard Forester; the Premium Forester; the new Sport trim level Forester, featuring unique styling cues inside and out, and the upscale Limited and Touring models.
OVERVIEW
The all-new Forester is a versatile five passenger (or six friendly passenger) SUV that bows with groundbreaking new safety technologies such as Driver Focus, which helps reduce distracted driving by identifying signs of driver fatigue and distraction. This segment-exclusive system is standard on Touring trim Foresters.
Subaru?s EyeSight? Driver Assist Technology is now available as standard fare on all trim levels. Subaru recently registered their 82nd consecutive monthly sales growth ? take a trip into the Northwest regions of the U.S. and Subarus are the predominant vehicle. Their model names suggest rugged, active lifestyles, whether or not their owners fit those name profiles, but we?re here to review the vehicle and not the buyers as a recent buff book review did. 97 percent of Subaru Forester models sold in the last decade are still on the road
Virtually every part, except for a few random nuts and bolts is all new for the venerable Forester, which is based on Subaru?s stiffer global platform architecture with new bracing to fortify the front suspension.
BOXER ENGINE UPDATE
The source of propulsion for the new Subaru Forester is an enhanced 2.5-liter, DOHC, 16-Valve, front mounted, horizontally-opposed (BOXER) flat four-cylinder engine with electronic throttle control that now features Direct Injection. The horsepower rating is 182 at 5,800 rpm, while the torque is rated at 176 lb.-ft. at 4,400 rpm.
Motive force reaches all four wheels of Subaru?s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive via a Lineartronic? Continuously Variable Transmission with a manual shift mode and steering wheel paddle shift control switches for driver selectability that simulates 7-speeds. This is now the only powertrain available ? a turbocharged version engine is no longer available, nor is a manual gearbox.
SIMILAR STYLING
The 2019 Forester displays a rugged style showcasing Subaru?s new design language while retaining a strong family resemblance to the rest of the brand?s lineup. The exterior?s shoulder lines follow around the pillars emphasizing height and strength along with prominent wheel arches. Front, side and rear underguards are standard on all models. with color finish according to trim line. New LED headlights are standard for all trims, complementing the brand?s signature hexagonal grille. All Forester models feature lower body side cladding, which helps protect against mud, rocks and other road debris. Roof rails are standard on all but the base model.
The new 2019 Subaru Forester is not dramatically different from its predecessor, and a close study is necessary to note the variances, which are not readily apparent simply at a glance. Changes in packaging yield an additional 1.4 inches of cargo space and rear seat legroom, and the maximum width of the rear gate opening has been increased by 5.3-inches over the previous model.
Additionally, the new Forester is now less than an inch longer and wider than the vehicle that it replaces. Subaru?s focus has shifted from performance to safety, touting its standard symmetrical all-wheel drive system as a necessity for winter climates and conditions, as well as the inclusion of their EyeSight driver assistance system as standard fare for all trim levels.
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
The 2019 Touring is the most luxurious Forester yet, with standard and exclusive features. A worthwhile plus feature for top-of-the-line Touring models is the segment-exclusive DriverFocus distraction mitigation system that is able to identify signs of driver fatigue or driver distraction by delivering an alert in the form of an appropriate audio voice warning, as well as automatically adjusting many driver settings at start-up.
The front seats are both comfortable and supportive, and outward visbility is excellent. A Panoramic moonroof serves as another desirable feature. The material used for the cargo area floor, sides and rear gate interior trim offer a textured surface to resist dirt. The robust material also resists scuffing. The cabin is the roomiest and quietest yet.
Subaru?s latest touchscreen STARLINK multimedia system handles connectivity and there?s an available in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot that provides internet access via high-speed LTE? communications, and Apple CarPlay?, Android?Auto and Sirius XM? All-Access Radio are included as standard features.
A standard driver-selectable SI-DRIVE is a powertrain performance management system that allows the driver to tailor the vehicle?s throttle characteristics by selecting either an ?Intelligent? or ?Sport? mode, adding more flexibility for driving conditions. A new power rear lock button is available on the rear liftgate that closes and locks the gate and all doors.
Forester provides 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which is more than most competitors, while maintaining an easy step-in height.
For difficult driving conditions like snow or mud, Forester Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring come standard with driver-selectable X-Mode? with Hill Descent Control. X-Mode optimizes control of the engine, transmission shift pattern, Active AWD front/rear clutch force, brakes and the Vehicle Dynamics Control system enhanced wheel control on slick surfaces and steep inclines. New for 2019, Sport, Limited and Touring models come standard with a dual-mode version of X-Mode that offers Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes for even greater capability. Active Torque Vectoring is also standard on all 2019 Foresters
TOURING MODEL TESTED
During the national press launch of the 2019 Subaru Forester, my driving partner drew a loaded Horizon Blue Pearl finished Touring model with a Brown and Charcoal interior. Full pricing info was not available was not available at the time, but I was later able to test a Touring model at home with the new exterior finish of Jasper Green metallic. Its base sticker read $34,295., which came to $35,270 after adding the destination and delivery charge.
PERFORMANCE
The 2019 Subaru Forester Touring model truly epitomizes Subaru?s tradition of providing an optimal blend of SUV capability with car-like ride comfort and sporty, capable handling characteristics. Admittedly, the old turbo engine delivered a moir? brisk performance, but the enhanced 2.5-liter direct injected four-banger delivers a substantial amount of power that will serve the majority of buyers well for its intended purpose.
OUR FINAL TAKE
The 2019 Subaru Forester Touring is a go anywhere in any kind of weather vehicle that guarantees safe, comfortable, transport for personal adventures along with the improved EPA fuel economy rating of 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway for travel that won’t break the bank.
Adding to the Forester?s appeal and answering the call to adventure is a host of accessories geared to enhancing lifestyle activities. One of the coolest accessories is a $1,300. tent with a platform that attaches to the Forester for real on-site camping convenience.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2019 Subaru Forester Touring
Base Price: $34,295.
Price as Tested: $35,270.
Engine Type and Size: 2.5-liter, DOHC, 16-Valve horizontally-opposed (BOXER) with Direct Injection and electronic throttle control.
Horsepower (bhp): 182 @ 5,800 rpm
Torque (ft./ lbs.): 176 @ 4,400 rpm
Transmission: Lineartronic? CVT with driver selectable 7-speed manual shift mode and steering wheel Paddle Shift Control switches.
Drive Train: Flat four Boxer front mounted engine / Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
Suspension: Four-wheel independent
Front – MacPherson-type struts, lower L-arms, coil springs, stabilizer bar and hydraulic engine mounts
Rear – Double wishbone, coil springs and stabilizer bar.
Brakes: Power-assisted 4-wheel disc with Electronic Brake- force Distribution and 4-channel / 4-sensor ABS with Brake Assist and Brake Override safety systems;Active Torque Vectoring; Auto Vehicle Hold; Electronic Parking Brake, VDC, Traction Control and rollover sensor.
Tires: Falken Ziex 225/5 R18 98H all-season mounted on 5-geo spoke alloy wheels.
Wheelbase: 105.1 inches
Length Overall: 182.1 inches
Width: 81.3 inches w/ mirrors
Height: 68.1 inches w/roof rails
Curb Weight: 3,588 lbs.
Turning Circle: 17.72 ft.
Fuel Capacity: 16.6 gallons
EPA Mileage Estimates: 26 mpg city / 33-mpg highway
Drag Coefficient: Not listed
0 – 60 mph: Not tested
Arv Voss is a Northern California based freelance motoring Journalist and member and past officer of several noted Automotive Journalist organizations who contributes regularly to a number of national and international media outlets. He reviews not only cars, trucks and SUVs, but motorcycles and unusual wheeled vehicles as well.
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