We’ve taken a first look at the 2019 Subaru Forester and thought you might be interested in seeing this fifth generation SUV as well. It looks much like the last generation, but there’s a nice array of comfort and tech amenities to make the American family happy.
Exterior Look at the 2019 Subaru Forester
The new generation offers a smoother style, but not by much. In fact, most people aren’t going to recognize the subtle differences. It’s grown slightly and the company is also offering some new wheel choices.
Drivetrain Changes
The most significant changes in the 2019 Forester are under the hood. Unlike some other models, the Forester only comes with a CVT and no manual transmission option. Long gone are the days when Subaru assumed their drivers wanted a stick shift.
It also comes complete with a naturally aspirated, 2.5-liter flat-four that produces 182 horsepower to all four wheels. That gives it the power to go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds which isn’t that impressive.
Interior Look at the 2019 Subaru Forester
What people want in the 2019 car lineup is technology and Subaru doesn’t disappoint. There are five trim levels: base, Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring. They all feature the same drivetrain, just feature different tech specs.
Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist comes on every model plus the Starlink Multimedia infotainment system. That allows you to utilize Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. With the Premium trim, you also receive the Safety and Security bundle plus a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, 10-way power driver’s seat and the coveted panoramic sunroof.
In the Sport trim, you get a push-button start, keyless access and SI-Drive engine management system. This level also features heated front seats plus two-tone cloth upholstery. In the Limited and Touring trims, you receive leather, blind-spot detection, dual-zone automatic climate control, cross-traffic alert and optional heated seats.
Pricing and Buying Options
The 2019 Subaru Forester features a starting price of $24,295. Each step up the trim ladder will add about $2,000 to that price. At the very top of the line, you’ll pay $34,295 for the Touring lineup. Of course, there are also some add-ons available. The 2019 Forester is in stock at some dealerships, so you don’t have to wait any longer.
We will have to see how the Subaru Forester fairs against the latest lineup of the Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue which were all 2019 Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buys.