2019 0-60 times? MERGED

27452 Views 35 Replies 19 Participants Last post by CO_yeti, Jun 27, 2019

JohnnyKay

Discussion Starter · Dec 1, 2018

Often wondered how fast the new Forester is. I have a Premium without the paddle shifters and everything is stock. I just passed 1000 miles and this morning recorded video and analyzed it frame by frame to get at 0-60 of 8.2 seconds according to the digital speedometer readout. I kept the CVT in manual mode and with traction control off. There were no fake shifts which I encountered when I had it in intelligent mode where I recorded 0-60 in 8.8 seconds.

Not a perfectly controlled test. Road seemed mostly level. Seemed to be no wind of consequence. 35 degrees outside. Car was well warmed up with oil temp. of over 180 deg. F.

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JohnnyKay

Discussion Starter · #2 · Dec 2, 2018

manual mode CVT

The main reason I started this post was because most of the automotive reviews on-line and in car magazines were lamenting the "glacial" acceleration of the 2019 Forester. What I discovered was that it was faster off the line by 0.6 seconds (0-60) using the Manual mode of the CVT transmission. The only thing I could find in the owner's manual was that the manual mode was useful for downshifting braking while going down steep hills. It seem to be useful in acceleration by bringing the engine speed near redline faster and holding it there longer than using the intelligent mode of the CVT.

Anyone find any mention of manual mode other than what I found?

KLEMMER

· #3 · Dec 2, 2018

I think I saw 2.5 weeks as the 0 to 60 for the "19. Like the reviews said just under a glaicer. No really the following article says 9.3 seconds.

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019/2019-subaru-forester-first-test-review/

BSSP11

· #4 · Dec 2, 2018

The December issue of Car and Driver has a one page article on the 2019 Forester Touring, direct injected 2.5 engine, CVT with manual shifting mode. Their test results is 8.5 seconds for 0 to 60. Having read C and D for quite a few years, I think they really work at trying to get the best technique for acceleration times. They seem to frequently have quicker 0 to 60 times than other publications/sources (particularly Consumer Reports...). The article doesn't state whether they used the manual mode or not, unfortunately, but it seems reasonable to assume they tried both methods. It does say that sport mode sharpened the throttle response, but there wasn't much power at the top end.

DragonSubie7

· #5 · Dec 2, 2018

That's the complaint I've heard as well @BSSP11 "there wasn't much power at the top end" - Specifically acceleration when the car is travelling at 60mph when you need to pass or get out of the way... That is a lot more significant than getting up to speed, but in all cases, buying a non-turbo Foz for its high performance considerations is the inverse of evaluating hyper cars by their availability of rear seat passenger legroom...

adc

· #6 · Dec 2, 2018

A 2.5 NA foresteris what it is-gutless. Why worry about 0-60 times? The time to think about that is before you buy. My 2.5 '08 was not the greatest. But I knew that when I bought it. Funny though, in the 180K miles I had it, I can't recall even one time when the acceleration caused a problem.

I bought the 2.0 FA bc I can. But its not about acceleration..its flat out a much stronger engine.

Reactions: 1

jzmtl

· #7 · Dec 2, 2018

BSSP11

They usually brake torque the hell out of it, not something people should do to their own cars. So the slower times, or 5~60 if available, is much more realistic.

securityguy

· #8 · Dec 4, 2018

I bought one of those turbinators off eBay that goes into the intake and I now hit 0-60 is 5.2 sec.:wink2: It was under $14.00 on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-A...=item58f51be26d:g:VY4AAOSwtGlZCTxV:rk:19:pf:0

Reactions: 3

cjecpa

· #9 · Dec 4, 2018

KLEMMER said:
I think I saw 2.5 weeks as the 0 to 60 for the "19. Like the reviews said just under a glaicer. No really the following article says 9.3 seconds.

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019/2019-subaru-forester-first-test-review/

They actually had 9.6 seconds.

Although the 2019 Forester received more power, the 182-hp 2.5-liter flat-four is underpowered. At the track, the 2019 Forester finished the 0 -60 run in 9.6 seconds and the quarter mile in 17.3 seconds at 82.3 mph. This makes the Forester one of the slowest cars in its class, and you feel it every time you prod the accelerator.

They also said in another review.

Those folks usually have a placid driving demeanor, as if there were a market-fresh egg under the gas pedal. So it won't bother them that the redesigned Forester is gutless or that it terrified us in passing maneuvers with what Christian Seabaugh described as "glacial" acceleration. It's actually slower than the smaller, cheaper Crosstrek. The CVT almost saved it by "performing hero's work," according to Scott Evans.

Worse still, the engine's lethargy made it so the Forester got stuck following a slushy-silt slope panic stop—regardless of the X-Mode all-wheel drive's talents. We had to back up and take another run to surmount the gently sloped hill. That's not encouraging when conjuring steep Vermont driveways after a snowstorm.

I wouldn't go by the reviews a lot when it comes to performance or driving the 0 to 60 will be all over the place. You have to test drive it yourself and see if it meets your requirements.

BSSP11

· #10 · Dec 5, 2018

jzmtl said:
They usually brake torque the hell out of it, not something people should do to their own cars. So the slower times, or 5~60 if available, is much more realistic.

I absolutely agree the 5 to 60 time is more realistic if you don't want to beat the daylights out of your car. Trying to match a C&D 0-60 time isn't something I'd try. To me the 0-60 and 5-60 times are just interesting benchmarks in general; some cars have more significant drop-offs for 5-60, different publications have different times for the same vehicle, and the manufacturer's stated time may not match anyone's, etc., etc.

JohnnyKay

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 17, 2018

slow?

The original post of 0-60 time of 8.2 seconds was not achieved by extraordinary brake torqueing, just using L mode on the transmission.

I searched this subaru forester forum about the use of L, and it is legitimate to use it for extra passing power, although not always convenient ...

When I used it for the 8.2 second run (here is the Youtube link:

) it brought the engine near redline faster and held it there without any fake shifts. Very effective when accelerating.

Here is a quote from Subaru of America in a post in these forums dating from 2014

Quote:

"Thank you for taking the time to contact Subaru of America, Inc....

I have been advised that there is no speed limitation for L gear on the 2015 Forester 2.5i models. Since there is a CVT (continuously variable transmission) in your vehicle and it is constantly moving and changing, it will adapt on the fly.

In L gear, the CVT Transmission Control Unit controls the shifting. In L gear, you will have the same forward variable speed changes that you have in "Drive;" but you will also have engine braking, which you would not have in "Drive." That is changed by vehicle speed and accelerator opening angle. The vehicle speed in L gear is essentially the same speed as in "Drive."

I remember a time when driving a 1995 Mazda Miata where people in those forums extolled the virtues of revving the engine to you are actually using the horsepower that is there in the upper rev bands.

When I drove a 70's ear Datsun B210 which was positively lethargic, I had to plan passing well ahead of time, get a running start, and rev the heck out of the engine and masterfully shift gears to get the most out of it. I paid for the 97 some odd horsepower and took full advantage of it.

Is the 2019 Forester galcial in its acceleration? No way. Just drop it into L and floor it! Although realistically I never do it. I just floor it in Sport mode. Doesn't hurt the engine one bit, especially with synthetic oil and an engine that is fully warmed up.

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Reactions: 3

adc

· #12 · Dec 17, 2018

JohnnyKay said:
Doesn't hurt the engine one bit, especially with synthetic oil .

I would just say that syn oil really doesn't protect the engine better in this type of scenario. The chief benefit of syn oil is extended oil drain intervals. Viscosity is what protects the engine. As a practical matter 30 wt will protect wear surfaces better than 20 wt. Hence 30 wt used in the FA20 engine.

17FozzieXT

· #13 · Dec 17, 2018

Im curious if the 0-60 time will drop significantly on full weight load.

DragonSubie7

· #14 · Dec 18, 2018

The same power (for 0 to 60 time you are using everything available) has to move more weight when the car is loaded.
When the same force (horsepower in the drive train) is applied to more weight it takes longer to reach the same speed because it's basic physics.
On a fully loaded (100% of GVWR) the car can be 150% of its curb weight.

The mitigating factor is if the vehicle is overpowered, where excess horsepower (unused when the vehicle is lighter) can overcome the additional weight. On a Forester, especially with a NA engine, which is in no way overpowered, that is not the case.
Expect a dramatic increase in 0 to 60 time like you would with most other vehicles.

Reactions: 1

adc

· #15 · Dec 18, 2018

17FozzieXT said:
Im curious if the 0-60 time will drop significantly on full weight load.

Drastically

titleman

· #16 · Dec 18, 2018

17FozzieXT said:
Im curious if the 0-60 time will drop significantly on full weight load.

Time yourself running around the block and then have your wife get on your back and time yourself around the block once more. This will probably answer your question.

17FozzieXT

· #17 · Dec 18, 2018

Haha, i laughed even though i dont have a wife which is probably a lot sadder.

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John Kirzec

· #18 · Dec 21, 2018

in a hurry ...

I previously owned a 2017 Forester XT and 2009 Honda Accord 6sp V6, and I actually enjoy hustling down back roads with the 2019 much more than those older cars, even though they were faster 0-60, because of crisp handling and sufficient power when you use the throttle and rev range fully.

To me, the car is a blast to drive fast. Not "track day" fast, but "safe street" fast. Not a "sport coupe" some reviewers say? I beg to differ ...

Reactions: 1

JumpingJackFlash

· #19 · Dec 22, 2018

We have both a 17 XT and a 19 Touring. Each has it's own particular advantages. I love the XT's turbo power and I actually do like it's exterior design look better than the 19. There is no comparison in the road feel, handling, superior interior fit and finish, Driver Focus and head unit display/sound system with the 19. The 19 wins hands down - it's a game changer. If they do produce a turbo version in the future, I will definitely get one. I am thankful that I can presently drive a Gen 4 Turbo and a Gen 5 NA interchangeably.

The world will not end, and you can safely merge on to an interstate with a 19. Even with the short on ramps, some of which are on an incline, here in Pittsburgh. One very positive note with the 19 - so far no speeding tickets! The 17 XT has gotten us into some trouble a few times...it just picks up speed so quickly. Fortunately the Officers were very decent and we have been given only warnings or a no points/no record ticket. So each owner from Generation 4 and Generation 5 has something to be proud of.

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Davesxx01

· #20 · Dec 25, 2018

But, since this thread IS about the performance of the new engine/platform regardless of what else there is out there available and one of my Christmas presents was the “Dragy” performance meter I will be posting up results likely tomorrow. Testing both Intelligent mode and Sport/Sharp.

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