Subaru Forester Fourth Generation (SJ)

2013 Subaru Forester

Hard to admit it that the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander we looked that last month really do like Free Willy in a big way but now Subaru pulled out their trump card by regenerating their crossover, the Forester, to a whole new level. Nice new look, looks better than the new Outlander in every tangible way. Also, the new, fourth generation Forester, has something that the new Outlander had; the added grunt.

The new Mitsubishi Outlander has a choice of a 2.0L engine and a 2.4L engine. This new Subaru Forester has two engine types; a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine called the FB20 and the brand new FA20 DIT engine first seen on the facelifted 2013 Legacy...

It's Subaru's first SUV to have EyeSight version 2 safety system that has a feature that automatically brakes in a near-collision situation...

FB20 models come with either a 6-speed MT or improved Lineartronic CVT while FA20 DIT variants known as the 2.0XT come exclusively with a CVT nonsense, just like the Legacy...

And it's served with Symmetrical AWD...

2013 Subaru Forester interior

So, how did Subaru invested just to regenerate the Forester to a totally different crossover that feels a bit civilized? Well, when you think about it, this new Forester doesn't seem to be so half-bad but sadly there's no soul, there's no heart, and it's not that all desperately impractical. Look at the interior for instance, it seems that it's straight from the Impreza, just like the previous model which has the familiar interior. Although I may think that this is is the bulkier brother of the Impreza, the Forester seems to work if you're a soccer mom taking her kids to school, then went out for grocery shopping, and for work, and lots of stuff. However, because this is the new model, I think that Subaru tries to shrug off the soccer mom image but no. It's still a soccer mom car pumped up.

A new Forester with the FB20 engine mated to a 6-speed MT would be fine but it isn't a serious car, it doesn't have much sense to use it on an everyday but for the one with the FB20 mated to a Lineartronic CVT, that's made for everyday use. CVT's are made for better fuel economy and smooth riding but it has the canal boat-like feeling every time when you floor it. If you have the same thought on the 2.0XT model, which the exterior can be differentiated by a shouty front face, I'd guess I'd basically plug my ears with headphones rather than hearing the canal boat sounds of the CVT mode or if I switch the Lineartronic CVT in 6-speed manual mode, it wasn't so bad. It doesn't feel like a Justy of yesteryears and it doesn't always hum to the sound of Chicago's Saturday in the Park.

Here's the thing, if you're careful, the new Forester with the FB20 engine and idling stop combined will get you up to 15.2kmpl of fuel consumption. The fuel consumption of the Forester 2.0XT (the one with the FA20 DIT engine on it) though, will be approximately 13.2kmpl. Hang on a minute, a 15.2kmpl on the new Forester with the FB20 engine and idling stop is about the same as the fuel economy of the new Mitsubishi Outlander's 2.0L engine with AS&G feature.

2013 Subaru Forester

It's still a crossover made for the outdoorsmen. You can drive it offroad and you can make it dirty thanks to its SYMMETRICAL AWD that adorned most Subarus for years but now, there's a new feature which is a first for this new model. It's the X-MODE system and this new feature enhances the stability of the new Forester in tough terrain. Whether if you're on gravel, sand, or snow, the X-MODE lets the engine, transmission, and VDC controlled cooperatively and with the X-MODE's hill descent control, it can maintain the same speed while driving down a steep hill.

Pricing? The new Forester will cost you about 2,089,500 Yen, that's cheaper than the new Outlander and that makes it a great value. Wait, hang on a minute....did I say...that's 337,500 Yen less than the new Outlander? Spoilers! But still, it's not the River Song type of spoilers, this is the bargain of the holiday season. With that affordability, I think this is the best choice for those who can't afford the new Outlander.

Better still, this crossover is all about being a somebody rather than a nobody...

AVAILABLE COLORS: Satin White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Venetian Red Pearl, Deep Cherry Pearl, Burnish Bronze Metallic, and Deep Sea Blue Pearl

PRICE LIST:

2.0 i 4WD 6-speed MT - 2,089,500 Yen

2.0 i 4WD CVT - 2,089,500 Yen

2.0 i-L 4WD 6-speed MT - 2,404,500 Yen

2.0 i-L 4WD CVT - 2,404,500 Yen

2.0 i-L アイサイト 4WD - 2,509,500 Yen

2.0 i-S アイサイト 4WD - 2,772,000 Yen

2.0 XT 4WD - 2,831,850 Yen

2.0 XT アイサイト 4WD - 2,936,850 Yen

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.