2019 Subaru Forester: First impression

When a car has been around for well over two decades, it tends to build a reputation. People expect certain things from it and are disappointed when the expectations are not met. And only a few cars have lived up these expectations as consistently as the Subaru Forester.

The Forester first arrived at the scene in 1997 and made a name for itself with its boundless practicality, versatility and reliability. It is all the car that a normal family ever needs. Through the years the SUV has been through four generations and the fifth generation is all set to hit the roads. So what are the first impressions like?

For starters, these are not exactly the first impressions. Subaru had already launched the car in many markets and the models we are getting here, are not the same. There is an additional 2.5-litre engine option that does not come to our market. There were also talks of a sporty hybrid engine option that came with an all-electric range of 50 km. But it seems that we will have to wait till 2020 for it to reach our shores.

But fret not, the new Subaru Forester is just as good as it was. The 2019 Subaru Forester specs tell us that there is just the one 2-litre boxer engine that produces 156 PS of power and 196 Nm of torque which might feel a little less to some. Subaru has somehow avoided turbocharging the engine which is a rarity in the days of eco-friendly engineering.

Subaru assures us that the Forester is just as sporty as ever despite this configuration. But with no turbocharging in sight, people feeling the pinch in power will have to wait for the Hybrid. Being a Subaru, it also uses the Lineartronic continuously variable transmission that featured in the previous generation as well. Also, the Symmetrical AWD is standard across all the variants.

Also included in the package is the X-Mode selectable traction system from the previous generation that allows even the most inexperienced drivers to find traction on the worst surfaces. The top of the range variant comes with an advanced Special X-Mode for even better off-road ability.

With the new generation, Subaru is putting even more emphasis on safety with an improved version of the Eyesight suite that features across the range. With aids like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, low-speed follow cruise control, and lane change assist,

Subaru aims at providing the driver with a copilot that gives the driver valuable input to keep everyone safe while driving.
The Subaru Forester is first and foremost a compact SUV, which is a surprise to the people who remember that the first Forester which was designed to be the antithesis of SUV. Still,

some of that anti SUV design aesthetic is still visible in the newest generation. The boxy silhouette is still just as recognizable. Compared to the previous model, the differences are minor, but the new car has been completely revised and is wider, longer, and lower.

On the inside, the Forester is just as practical and spacious as it was before. Foresters are known for their ergonomically designed quality interiors and this new model continues the trend. The knobs are just where you expect them to be, giving company to large modern touchscreens.

The touchscreen infotainment is an 8-inch unit and supports Android Auto & Apple CarPlay. The quality of materials is top notch and there is loads of room inside. Being a family car, the Forester is also equipped with huge cargo space, one that is augmented by power folding rear seats and a power-operated liftgate on the top spec variant.

The new Subaru Forester is trying to aim at the family man. And that is not a bad thing at all. Subaru has always done a good job with the Forester and this new model seems to be ticking all the boxes as well.

If only there was a more powerful engine like the turbocharged XT from the previous generation, the celebration would have even grander. The 2019 Subaru Forester price of Php 1.6 to Php 1.8 million certainly gets you one reliable, versatile, and no-nonsense compact SUV.

Also Read:- 2019 Subaru Forester earns 5-star Euro NCAP ratings and other safety awards