WASHINGTON — You might think of Subaru as a different car company with no trucks, vans or very large SUVS that many other companies thrive on.
But that really doesn’t matter for Subaru, which seems to be growing very well with sedans, wagons and smaller crossovers. Most Subaru vehicles are all-wheel drive (AWD) and more capable than other cars in their class.
The Forester, the larger crossover for Subaru, starts at around $23,000 with standard AWD and is a bargain. However, I just spent a week in the $36,765 Forester 2.0XT Touring, which is big money for the class, but there is big performance from the turbo-charged engine.
Most Forester models have to make do with 170 hp; the 2.0XT model has 250 hp. I enjoyed that extra power when loaded up with people, and easily merged and kept up with traffic.
The turbo-charged engine makes this one of the quicker crossovers in its class. The CVT transmission isn’t bad in this version, and with different driving modes, it can be very responsive with a touch of a button.
The fuel economy is rated 25 mpg, but I only managed 21 mpg in mixed driving in my 305 miles. But the ride is good, with a more hushed cabin for 2017 and good vision for the driver.
This is the Touring model, so there is a bit of luxury in this Forester. It includes leather heated seats that are very comfortable and plenty of space inside. The heated steering wheel is a nice touch. The rear seats are also very spacious with plenty of head and leg room, but there are no rear vents for some reason. Some of trim has been upgraded, but there are still some hard plastic pieces throughout. Overall, it seems better than before.
My car had the upgraded Starlink NAV system which had an improved display with better resolutions, but it was a NAV system that was often late with directions, leading me to not use it after a day of frustration.
Luckily, the Harmon/Kardon sound system with 440 watts sounds pretty good; the touch screen is easy to use, with buttons for volume and tuning.
Also, the Eyesight Driver’s Assist system works well with Adaptive Cruise Control, plus Pre-collision Braking and Lane Keep Assist to help keep you safer on the road.
For 2017, the Forester gets a bit of a makeover outside, with new front-end styling and updated headlights and grill. While not transformational, it gives the Forester a more aggressive look up front. My top-of-the-line Touring model comes with larger standard 18-inch wheels that offer a step up in styling compared to lower trim levels. This is a taller crossover, so there is a lot of glass on the side, adding to that airy interior. The rear-end styling has been updated with new tail lights and the rear spoiler at the top of the power lift gate to add some visual appeal. Dual exhaust compounds the look and signals that this isn’t an ordinary Forester.
The Subaru Forester 2.0 XT now has the extra power to get you to where you want to go, and with a capable AWD system and good ground clearance, it can do with or without a paved road. With some luxury touches, you can drive in comfort, with plenty of space for you and your things.
