I guess this news is a bit old and I'm not sure how reliable this source is, but it sounds like the Forester XT might be going away, along with Foresters with manuals (only available with the 2.5l NA engine now)...
https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-w...orester-arrives
. If true, this reminds me very much of Toyota dropping the 3.5l V6 from the list of RAV4 options with their last redesign, forcing buyers to step up to a Lexus to get a small SUV of that brand that would get out of its own way in a hurry (Toyota and Lexus are the same brand to me). I looked at the Acura RDX (a CRV that can move) very closely before buying the FXT, I guess since Subaru does not have a luxury "brand" this means they would be out of the crossover/small SUV performance market for the time being and would only offer the V6 Outback wagon as a vehicle that has good utility and can also get going (assuming that engine in that model is safe).
Maybe a performance hybrid could be in the works for the Forester?
No More Forester XT?
- Thread starter Virtus_Probi
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That’s a shame. I always like the look of the XT over the regular Forester. Subaru has been stuck on the same basic design for years. They remind me of Mitsubishi in that regard.
I also like the Subaru Outback model with the euro style roof rails compared to the old “safari” look of the standard models.
The safety systems are pushing the manual transmissions into history.
Yeah, the Legacy platform cars do offer the 180 degree V-6. LOL!!
The Forester market has changed over the past couple of decades.
The early Forester was consider edgy and appealed to younger drivers as well as (let's be honest) [censored] women, to whom Subaru actively marketed them.
Since the 2009 redesign, the Forester has appealed more to young families with a small kid or two as well as to (let's be honest) older women.
My wife is my age so can no longer be considered young. She loved the '09 Forester and she also loves the '17.
Neither young families nor older females feel any need for a fast turbo car, so the turbo Forester may well go away. Most young people know as much about driving a stick as I do about flying a LEM and while most older women can probably drive a stick they are likely no longer interested in doing so in a daily driver. This is the case with my wife. It would therefore not surprise me to see the stick go away as well.
This model has seen a sea change in its buyer demographic. Look at those you see driving Foresters these days.
gathermewool
Site Donor 2023
I got rid of my '08 STI for a '14 FXT. The FXT is the family-man's WRX. My wife has the FXT now, and she's converted from a timid, laid-back driver to a lead-foot! She loves the fast-spooling twin-scroll turbo.
Subaru CANNOT do without something similar to the XT. So, they'll either come out with some new turbo wagon, a sportier version of the new Ascent, or they'll bring the FXT back a couple of years later, all in a lame attempt to garner new fervor over a relatively benign vehicle.
Either Subaru will offer a turbo motor standard in the next Forester or a nice HP/TQ increase. I find NA Subarus to be anemic on power, especially since the CR-V is pushing towards 200HP and Toyota could drop the new 2.5L Dynamic Force engine in 180HP form in the RAV4.
Of course a business argument would be not to offer a turbo engine in the Forester so it doesn't cannibalize sales of the Ascent which will come with a TGDI 2.5L H4.
The Forester is popular in my neck of the woods, Subaru is going norm-core away from their traditonal crowd. They don't call them Lesbarus for nothing.
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Originally Posted By: nthach
Either Subaru will offer a turbo motor standard in the next Forester or a nice HP/TQ increase. I find NA Subarus to be anemic on power, especially since the CR-V is pushing towards 200HP and Toyota could drop the new 2.5L Dynamic Force engine in 180HP form in the RAV4.
Of course a business argument would be not to offer a turbo engine in the Forester so it doesn't cannibalize sales of the Ascent which will come with a TGDI 2.5L H4.
The Forester is popular in my neck of the woods, Subaru is going norm-core away from their traditonal crowd. They don't call them Lesbarus for nothing.
gathermewool
Site Donor 2023
Originally Posted By: PimTac
Originally Posted By: nthach
Either Subaru will offer a turbo motor standard in the next Forester or a nice HP/TQ increase. I find NA Subarus to be anemic on power, especially since the CR-V is pushing towards 200HP and Toyota could drop the new 2.5L Dynamic Force engine in 180HP form in the RAV4.
Of course a business argument would be not to offer a turbo engine in the Forester so it doesn't cannibalize sales of the Ascent which will come with a TGDI 2.5L H4.
The Forester is popular in my neck of the woods, Subaru is going norm-core away from their traditonal crowd. They don't call them Lesbarus for nothing.
Personally I thought the XT was strange but fun. Not surprised.
We will likely replace our 2005 Legacy turbo 5mt wagon with the Ascent if decent.
wemay
Site Donor 2023
This is sad news indeed. While in Trinidad & Tobago late last year one of my friends showed me his Forester STi and i fell in love. We took it through some riverbeds, up and down mountains and through some gnarly pot-holed streets. His Subie is a 2004 variant. We've always been into rally inspired cars and i felt this or the XT would hit the spot now that i'm in my 40s...deep 40s.
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Originally Posted By: PimTac
Originally Posted By: nthach
Either Subaru will offer a turbo motor standard in the next Forester or a nice HP/TQ increase. I find NA Subarus to be anemic on power, especially since the CR-V is pushing towards 200HP and Toyota could drop the new 2.5L Dynamic Force engine in 180HP form in the RAV4.
Of course a business argument would be not to offer a turbo engine in the Forester so it doesn't cannibalize sales of the Ascent which will come with a TGDI 2.5L H4.
The Forester is popular in my neck of the woods, Subaru is going norm-core away from their traditonal crowd. They don't call them Lesbarus for nothing.
Not surprised. Subaru is now in business of making strictly appliance cars. WRX is there, but most of products are made for people who strictly want to go from point A to point B. Nothing else.
Originally Posted By: PimTac
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Originally Posted By: PimTac
Originally Posted By: nthach
Either Subaru will offer a turbo motor standard in the next Forester or a nice HP/TQ increase. I find NA Subarus to be anemic on power, especially since the CR-V is pushing towards 200HP and Toyota could drop the new 2.5L Dynamic Force engine in 180HP form in the RAV4.
Of course a business argument would be not to offer a turbo engine in the Forester so it doesn't cannibalize sales of the Ascent which will come with a TGDI 2.5L H4.
The Forester is popular in my neck of the woods, Subaru is going norm-core away from their traditonal crowd. They don't call them Lesbarus for nothing.
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Originally Posted By: edyvw
Not surprised. Subaru is now in business of making strictly appliance cars. WRX is there, but most of products are made for people who strictly want to go from point A to point B. Nothing else.
Subaru has an outdated turbo 1.6 litre that it sells in a wagon(Levorg) outside the U.S. that makes 170hp. They will replace it or update it soon with something that can be 1.5 litres to 1.7 litres with and without turbo. Under 2000cc is important in other world markets to avoid big jump in displacement tax.
Perhaps this engine is what's coming in the next XT?
Originally Posted By: 555
Subaru has an outdated turbo 1.6 litre that it sells in a wagon(Levorg) outside the U.S. that makes 170hp. They will replace it or update it soon with something that can be 1.5 litres to 1.7 litres with and without turbo. Under 2000cc is important in other world markets to avoid big jump in displacement tax.
Perhaps this engine is what's coming in the next XT?
Subarus are very popular where I live, yet you rarely see a Forester XT model. They only stock a few at any given time, but my area dealers have to deal with that weird distributor [censored], so they get what they get. Lots of premiums and base models. LOTS of XV Crosstreks.
wemay
Site Donor 2023
Originally Posted By: Virtus_Probi
In Japan, one can get the Levorg with the 2.0l DIT jacked up to just under 300HP (compared to 268 in the US WRX and 250 in the US FXT).
This may be available in Australia and other countries outside of North America, not completely sure.
Subaru always seems to have performance oriented cars in Japan...
Originally Posted By: PimTac
Originally Posted By: nthach
Either Subaru will offer a turbo motor standard in the next Forester or a nice HP/TQ increase. I find NA Subarus to be anemic on power, especially since the CR-V is pushing towards 200HP and Toyota could drop the new 2.5L Dynamic Force engine in 180HP form in the RAV4.
Of course a business argument would be not to offer a turbo engine in the Forester so it doesn't cannibalize sales of the Ascent which will come with a TGDI 2.5L H4.
The Forester is popular in my neck of the woods, Subaru is going norm-core away from their traditonal crowd. They don't call them Lesbarus for nothing.
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Originally Posted By: wag123
There isn't any reason why this new engine technology couldn't be adapted to Subaru's boxer engines. In fact, using this technology in Subaru's boxer could make the engines even more powerful and efficient than the other inline 4cyl engines that Toyota and Mazda manufacture.
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