The 2017 Subaru Forester offers enjoyable on-road dynamics, decent off-road capability, and, if you choose the turbocharged XT model, spirited performance - Car Connection
2017 Subaru Forester Engine and Transmission
Running point on the performance front of the 2017 Subaru Forester is a familiar 2.5L naturally aspirated falt-4 engine, that is able to push out a respectable 170 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. This is standard for the lower trims of the Forester, but coming to the 2.0XT Premium and 2.0XT Touring trims, Subaru also offers a 2.0L turbocharged unit, able to put out 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Further transmission duties are taken care of by a 6-speed manual unit in the lower trims, while the higher trims are stuck with a loathsome CVT. It also comes with Subaru's famed all-wheel-drive, which is meant to take on anything and everything that is thrown at it. The 6-speed manual would be our obvious choice, if not for it being standard just in the lower trims, although the CVT is no good either, as it fails to drone out the noise from down under.
Models
|
2017 Subaru Forester
|
2017 Toyota RAV4
|
2017 Honda CR-V
|
2017 Mazda CX-5
|
MSRP
|
$22,595 |
$24,410 |
$24,045 |
$24,350 |
Engine
|
2.5L NA Flat-4
|
2.5L NA I-4
|
2.4L NA I4
|
2.5L NA I-4
|
Transmission |
6-speed manual |
6-speed automatic |
CVT |
6-speed automatic |
Horsepower |
170 hp @ 5,800 RPM |
176 hp @ 6,000 RPM |
184 hp @ 6,400 RPM |
187 hp @ 6,000 RPM |
Torque |
174 lb- ft @ 4,100 RPM |
172 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM |
180 lb- ft @ 3,900 RPM |
185 lb- ft @ 3,250 RPM |
Subaru's famed Boxer engine allows for enough grunt while jaunting through city streets and open-tarmac freeways. Moreover, in terms of off-road ability, there are none of the competitors that can even come close to what the Forester can offer. By far, the cheapest offering in this segment, its horsepower figures are also the least in this segment. Nevertheless, the acceleration figures are decent, despite the case.
2017 Subaru Forester Acceleration
The 2017 Subaru Forester is able to sprint from 0-60 MPH in just about 8.5 seconds, all the while crossing the quarter-mile mark in just about 17.3 seconds. This turns out to be one of the fastest times put up in the segment, despite it having the least power figures of all. Nevertheless, it was more than adequate to wade through traffic, and pull on overtaking maneuvers out on the freeway.
Models
|
2017 Subaru Forester
|
2017 Toyota RAV4
|
2017 Honda CR-V
|
2017 Mazda CX-5
|
0-60 MPH
|
8.5 secs
|
8.3 secs
|
8.6 secs
|
8.6 secs
|
Quarter mile
|
17.3 sec
|
16.7 secs
|
16.8 secs
|
16.7 secs
|
There is a Sport mode to, that sharpens the throttle response, at the higher end, which also is a huge boon. The rivals too put on some decent times, although, Mazda's CX-5 fairly disappoints us the most, as even with the segment best figures, it turns out to be the slowest crossover of the lot, courtesy of its heft
2017 Subaru Forester Ride and Handling
The 2017 Subaru Forester offers a note-worthy ride and handling dynamics, despite it not being powered by the best-in-class powertrain figures. The Subaru Forester does have the backing of its potent all-wheel-drive system, which renders it good even for taking on the unbeaten path. With it being 40% more rigid than the previous iterations, with the help of Subaru's new Global Platform, body rolls through corners are much more succumbed. The new heated steering wheel is supremely responsive, while the shorter dimensions also make it a breeze taking the Forester through jammed city streets.
2017 Subaru Forester Braking
The 2017 Subaru Forester with 11.8-inch front rotor discs and 11.3-inch rear rotor discs is able to come to a complete dead stop from 60 MPH in just 129 ft. This turns out to be one of the least impressive figures in the segment, despite it housing one of the biggest braking in the segment. The brakes are adequately responsive and do inspire confidence to the fullest.
Model
|
2017 Subaru Forester
|
2017 Toyota RAV4
|
2017 Honda CR-V
|
2017 Mazda CX-5
|
Brake Front (in.)
|
11.8
|
11.5
|
11.1
|
11.7
|
Brake Rear (in.)
|
11.3
|
10.8
|
10.2
|
11.9
|
Curb Weight (lbs.)
|
3422
|
3455
|
3358
|
3527
|
60-0 MPH (ft.)
|
129
|
125
|
117
|
126
|
For the year 2017, the Forester also has a brake-based torque-vectoring system, which is a huge help too. Honda CR-V takes the cake in this matter, with the least distance taken to come to a complete stop, despite it having the smallest brakes in the segment.