[dawgMobile]

Here is a great article that I think gets what Car and Driver doesn't get. It's not a review per se, but it does examine the dimensions of subaru that go untested/unappreciated in the performance oriented reviews.

http://www.torquenews.com/1084/three-reasons-buyers-are-flocking-2014-subaru-forester

 

[dawgMobile]

Another positive review:
Review: 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium | Autosavant

I do think the subaru old timers are right to be worried about the '14 (which I love) losing some of its subaruness. This is captured in the "scrabble" paragraph. I've noticed this on mine. The '14 isn't starting split like subes typically have in previous gens.

 

[OldFart]

As a long-time reader of "Car and Driver" (since the early 80s), I think their editorial credibility has slipped in recent years. I don't put a great deal of weight on their findings, though I do still find the magazine entertaining to read. Pitting the least performance-oriented Forester model against its foes in a test heavily weighted toward finding the best performance only reinforces my skepticism of the magazine.

Well, in the article that I read they used the base models of the three cars in its segment, not testing the VW that they had already tested and has not changed. So I have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[X-Mode]

Another positive review:
Review: 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium | Autosavant

I do think the subaru old timers are right to be worried about the '14 (which I love) losing some of its subaruness. This is captured in the "scrabble" paragraph. I've noticed this on mine. The '14 isn't starting split like subes typically have in previous gens.

Thanks for posting the link to this review. Regarding the review-the author says that the AWD control had decoupled the rear drive. Hence the front wheels spun and traction control was engaged. Many other people on this site say that the split isn't 60:40 anymore but more like 90:10 most of the time. Now it sounds like the AWD system is only part-time-just like the competition. If this is true, Subaru is losing the one big advantage it had over the competition. I have always thought highly of Subaru's AWD system but if this is how the AWD system now works, the advantage they had is now gone. I really wondered how Subaru could get such great mileage in the 2014 Forester-CVT helps but I think the biggest reason is Subaru played with the AWD system making it more of a part-time system.
Can any of you guys who have owned previous Subarus with an automatic transmission+now own the 2014 Forester comment on your observations on differences in driving. Thanks!

 

[Kactus]

Well, in the article that I read they used the base models of the three cars in its segment, not testing the VW that they had already tested and has not changed. So I have no idea what you are talking about.

The Mazda was the 2.5 not the base 2.0.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Thanks for posting the link to this review. Regarding the review-the author says that the AWD control had decoupled the rear drive. Hence the front wheels spun and traction control was engaged. Many other people on this site say that the split isn't 60:40 anymore but more like 90:10 most of the time. Now it sounds like the AWD system is only part-time-just like the competition. If this is true, Subaru is losing the one big advantage it had over the competition. I have always thought highly of Subaru's AWD system but if this is how the AWD system now works, the advantage they had is now gone. I really wondered how Subaru could get such great mileage in the 2014 Forester-CVT helps but I think the biggest reason is Subaru played with the AWD system making it more of a part-time system.
Can any of you guys who have owned previous Subarus with an automatic transmission+now own the 2014 Forester comment on your observations on differences in driving. Thanks!

Until they provide some sort of proof that the rear wheels are decoupled, I won't believe it. Autoblog made the same statement about a 2012 Impreza (2.0 non WRX/STI) with the manual transmission, saying only the front wheels were powered unless they slipped. Those who know the manual transmission, know that it is entirely mechanical for power transfer front to rear (at least the 5 speed which they were testing) and thus the rear wheels cannot be disabled without removing the drive shaft or messing with the center diff. Autoblog was clearly wrong (they also claimed in the same article that they got an upgraded sway bar pack from SPT (subaru performance tuning) to increase the handling of the car-no such pack exists, and autoblog still said how horrible it was to drive). They (writers of the article about the forester) could just be trying to sound knowledgeable, but truly not know what they are talking about (it is the internet after all...).

The 2013 Outback uses a CVT transmission, and a 60/40 split and gets 30 MPG highway while being a heavier vehicle, with an older CVT transmission. The Forester getting 32 being lighter and a new CVT (and new aerodynamics) and having a 60/40 power split is still reasonable.

Subaru is still advertising their AWD as powering all 4 all the time, so if that wasn't true, I'm sure we would be hearing about it.

While I'm at it, Car and Driver's review of the 2012 Base impreza also claimed it had an inline 4 with 120HP (H4 with 148HP). Autoblog also had an article (was fixed after a ton of people pointed out the error) of the 2014 Forester being equipped with an inline 4 and v6 as an upgrade. There are more I've read, but just don't remember. Auto websites make mistakes too

 

[Allan Ostling]

Another positive review:
Review: 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium | Autosavant

The reviewer didn't do his homework. He thought he was testing a Premium, when in fact he was in a Touring. His vehicle had Eyesight, Keyless, and HID, available as options only on the Touring.

 

[dawgMobile]

The reviewer didn't do his homework. He thought he was testing a Premium, when in fact he was in a Touring. His vehicle had Eyesight, Keyless, and HID, available as options only on the Touring.

Actually, I think he submitted this originally to a Canadian site, and that's why the misnomer.

 

[pger_98]

Not Ready...

Fellow Subie lovers I need to vent for a moment... So recently I drove both turbo and non turbo 2014 Foresters. Unfortunately, I am not too impressed.

I like the changes that were made overall. I miss the hood scoop. Makes me feel unique and not feel like a Ford Edge driving around town. :Banane02:

My husband and I have a 2010 and 2013 XT. In the new model, I cannot get over the CVT. I can tow 2400 pounds, but 2014 is only 1500 pounds.

After test driving, I think my 2010 and 2013's get up and go much quicker. I understand the difference, however it's not positive for me.

I liked the sport-mode in the new Forester, BUT I really miss the Manu-Stick for the 2014. I'm not a Paddle Shifter fan. All i can say is shift in a turn. Yes, i know you should shift pre-turn, but we all make mistakes. The Manu-shift is a fun and nice feature, especially in the snow and ice.

What am I missing here? For the last 8 years we have only owned Subaru's. I kinda feel like Subaru is abandoning the people who love to drive and catering to Soccer mom central. (Disclaimer: I am a soccer mom who LOVES to drive her Subaru the way it was meant to be).

 

[daviddeep]

I think a lot of Subaru die-hards would say that Subaru gave up on the idea that Forester buyers cared about driving enjoyment with the introduction of the SH since it was no longer available with a proper manual transmission (in the U.S.). I tend to agree, and would add that I was disappointed that the "performance" model XT really only consisted of the turbo motor, the cool vented hood, and the pointless aluminum pedals. Why no upgraded suspension? Why no improved, more heavily bolstered seats? Why no full instrumentation with a boost gauge, oil pressure gauge, water temp, etc.?

That said, when considering CUVs last fall, my wife and I still agreed the SH XT was the most fun to drive option, even considering the highly touted Mazda CX-5. Thus we bought a '13 XT, and I really do like it.

I haven't driven the new XT yet, but at least I am pleased to learn that Subaru made an effort to make it "more special" as compared with the normally aspirated model than they did with the SH.