[sinbad]

I wish Subaru gave a software setup choice.
1: quickest, most economical, and smoothest (CVT mode)
2: fake shifting. (pretend geared transmission, deviates up and down from optimum power and fuel efficient rpm )

 

[sinbad]

In a way - they do....

If you have an XT, then you have the shift paddles and you have the "S" and "I" functions on the steering wheel controls.

But either way, the CVT in at least the "first generation" of the SJ models (2014 - 2018) drive smoothly (no shifting) when you're not flooring the pedal... I can drive my 2014 non-XT model and if I keep the RPMs in the 2000 - 2500 range, I have no shift "points" going forward. But if I romp the go pedal and keep it pinned, I get shifts...

Sorry for any confusion. I am not trying to engage manual mode on my 2015 XT's CVT. I am complaining about the absence of a fake shifting mode on the 2021 Foresters and Outback XT's I have driven.

 

[sinbad]

But... It's there... Just slap the shifter over.

Sweet, nice to know it's possible to slap away the new Subaru's fake shift points and revert to a CVT with no fake shift points.