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| The 2019 Subaru Forester Touring. |
I had to go through the TireKicker archives to be sure (after 10-plus years, that's more of a job than you might imagine)---but the last time we were in a Subaru Forester was the last time there was an all-new one---five years ago.
In that review of the 2014 Subaru Forester, we said that the marvel was that Subaru made major improvements to a vehicle that, if you'd asked us, we'd say "just don't screw it up". But they went beyond---improved things we didn't realize could be better.
And they've done it again.
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| 2019 Subaru Forester Touring. |
The 2019 Subaru Forester is built on an all new platform. EyeSight driver assist technology is now standard on all trim levels, not just the top-of-the-line Touring, which we drove. A new DriverFocus distraction mitigation system can tell when you're fatigued or looking somewhere other than straight ahead for more than a second. What was, in the last generation, a 170-horsepower engine now makes 182, paired with a continuously variable transmission. 24 miles per gallon city/32 highway five years ago is now 26/33.
There's 1.4 cubic feet more cargo space than last time. The width of the rear gate opening is now 5.3 inches larger. Your path is lit by LED high and low beams.
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| 2019 Subaru Forester Touring rear view. |
Mrs. TireKicker and I did a quick three-day weekend run from TireKicker World Headquarters in Folsom (Suburban Sacramento), California down to Los Angeles and found the Forester supremely comfortable. The tall greenhouse gave us the best view we could remember in any vehicle---even trucks. And, as you're hearing me say more and more often, Apple CarPlay is a must. And now Subaru Foresters have it----standard.
And, as you may have heard, it's been stormy here in the Golden State. We drove into snow just 50 miles north of Los Angeles, on the legendary incline known as the Grapevine. Full-time four-wheel drive made us feel very secure.
The top-of-the-line Forester Touring is $34,295---a one-price gets all proposition. Add $975 destination and delivery and the bottom line was $35,270. That's five grand more than the one we drove five years ago---and the '19 is easily five grand worth of improvement.
