2014 Subaru Forester Review and Highlights
Known for being a decent choice among the crossovers of the modern days, the amazing Subaru Forester has now received a complete makeover! The company has released the 2014 version of the vehicle recently. There have been extensive changes made to the SUV, and one can easily notice the gorgeous new interiors and the spacious cabins. The exterior looks have also been enhanced significantly. However, the major changes that have been made include amazing performance and safety statistics. The vehicle now features a much improved fuel economy and impressive safety features!
Subaru apparently focused on increasing the fuel economy of the vehicle quite strongly, as the poor fuel economy of the old version of the Forester was perhaps the most hated feature among SUV lovers and critics. The company has now incorporated new transmission systems in the 2014 version of the SUV, which have led to the significant rise in the fuel economy. The older version featured a manual transmission of five gears while the models with automatic transmissions came with ancient four speed transmissions. The 2014 version makes use of six gears for the models with manual transmissions. The models with automatic transmissions sport the company’s new “Lineartronic” continuously variable transmission.
Also, the designing on the new Forester is quite efficient, as the company has used much better packaging options in the new version. The length of the vehicle has been increased by an inch, and hence the distance between the front and rear seats has been increased by an inch as well. However, the cramped up leg space for the rear passengers has been increased by 3 inches as the rear seats have been elevated a bit. Further, the new version is higher than the older ones, and the all-wheel drive system has been packed under the floor, increasing the foot space as well. The vehicle also features an impressive cargo space.
Subaru has decided to use the same engine in the new version as is in the older one. The 2500cc flat four engine produces a total power output of 170 horsepower and sends a torque of 174 lb. – ft. to the wheels. This engine is rated at 22 miles per gallon for city and 29 miles per gallon for highways. However, add in the continuously variable transmission system and enjoy a fuel economy of 24 and 32 miles per gallon respectively! If you wish for more power, then you can go for the turbocharged 2000cc flat four engine, which is capable of producing a power output of 250 horsepower and a torque of 258 lb. – ft. The engine is capable of pushing the vehicle from rest to 60 miles an hour in just 6.2 seconds, and boasts of fuel economies of 23 and 28 miles per gallon for city and highway respectively.
The 2014 Subaru Forester was also given the ‘Top Safety Pick +’ designation by the IIHS recently as it scored the highest among all the crossovers in a new test recently incorporated in the protocols. Who knows, the SUV might just have become the best crossover out there!
