2014 Subaru Forester: Well, it Looks Better Anyway...

[Atomic]

Not pretty, but they certainly the have a large faithful following... Here is the 2014...

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/10/scoop-all-new-2014-subaru-forester.html

[AutobahnSHO]

meh, looks too much like a Toyota or whatever.

I wasn't a fan of the original Forester but really liked the 2008 redesign.

[ifcar]

Taillights look awkward, but I otherwise like it. Clean and simple.

[Atomic]

Taillights look awkward, but I otherwise like it. Clean and simple.

I agree with both of you (^) and am also amazed that Subaru is using such a simple front grille design and emblem that now appears to be gracing its entire line-up (2013-14), except perhaps for its joint venture coupe shared with Scion.

[Speed_Racer]

I like it. Looks better than the Legacy.

[MrH]

Are they finally getting rid of that junk 4-speed auto?

I was going to suggest a Forester for my mom, but can't do it with good faith with how shitty that transmission is.

[2o6]

Are they finally getting rid of that junk 4-speed auto?

I was going to suggest a Forester for my mom, but can't do it with good faith with how shitty that transmission is.

Probably powertains lifted from the Impreza....CVT auto maybe.

[S204STi]

Are they finally getting rid of that junk 4-speed auto?

I was going to suggest a Forester for my mom, but can't do it with good faith with how shitty that transmission is.

Yeah, looks like it's going CVT.  Should be at least more effective than the 4EAT in most regards. 

I'm bummed that the turbo is a CVT-only motor (at least for Japan).

[Laconian]

I've never tried a turbo+CVT before. Shouldn't it be superior to a traditional automatic?

[2o6]

I've never tried a turbo+CVT before. Shouldn't it be superior to a traditional automatic?

If it's like the Nissan Juke I've driven, there's an akward latency for the turbo to spool up, and the CVT to select the right ratio, but when it does those two things it's almost always on boost. Which is cool.

[S204STi]

I've never tried a turbo+CVT before. Shouldn't it be superior to a traditional automatic?

Definitely. I just would prefer the old 5-speed with it's ultra-short 1st gear for mild OHV driving.

Better still would be a 6spd with similar gearing and a short final drive.

[S204STi]

Though I suppose, if they could program the CVT with an offroad mode (stays in a shorter ratio), with a short final drive, that could be fine for that sort of use. 

[Galaxy]

Modern 8 speed autos have a wider gear ratio then CVTs. However using the CVT as a transfer case sounds nifty.

[TurboDan]

I've always had a soft spot for the Forester but I don't really like this one. Seems like they made it more generic looking, like a cheap Toyota or something. The current generation looks a lot nicer, in my opinion.

[AutobahnSHO]

... Seems like they made it more generic looking, like a cheap Toyota or something. The current generation looks a lot nicer, in my opinion.

+1

[Colin]

Looks better than the Legacy.

........ that's damning with faint praise, is it not?

The latest Legacy is a mix of bland and awkward in saloon guise and just plain gauche in Estate/Outback form.

Subaru really do seem to be masters at goofing up the styling of their product, with nearly every new car a visual un-improvement on the model it replaces. It does not seem to have hurt US sales but with the exception of the Swiss, it has all but ended sales in the rest of Europe, as no-one wants its products any more. 

[r0tor]

Looks as boring as the last one was to drive

[AutobahnSHO]

I fear Subaru is chasing sales too much. The market is fickle, trying to break sales records will just mean a devaluation of the brand.

They made their way by giving the customer what was unavailable everywhere else- they should do that rather than try to get everyone.

[2o6]

...what did their brand stand for?



It's always been pretty generic, if not ugly.

[AutobahnSHO]

...what did their brand stand for?

It's always been pretty generic, if not ugly.

1970s= only 4wd car
1980s= quirky awd
1990s= awd wagons, OUTBACK, weird SVX
2000s= Outback, Forester, both very useful SUVs. WRX, STI= sport.

Sedan sales were always very very low versus hatchback and wagon.

[2o6]

Their niche is evaporating.

[AutobahnSHO]

Their niche is evaporating.

Time to re-invent then?     And they had 3% of car sales in the US before the recession- they grew sales every year from 2008 until today. They shouldn't be chasing more than that, the mainstream will never completely fall in love with Subie like they did Honda or Toyota.

Anyway, not a whole lot of capable wagons still exist. Sure many stole sales with crossovers and whatnot, but if they are to continue with fuel economy advances they could take some more of the littler car market.

ALSO- saw a commercial last night from Lexus, they show some hot sedans passing each other (pointless) but then their supercar passes them all. Subie needs to advertise the crap out of the BRZ- just to draw people to the showroom, even if they don't have any in stock..  (and should advertise the WRX and STI.) That "sporty" image is what validates all the lesser models to the dummies out there.

[Raza]

They do advertise the crap out of the Impreza these days.

[Cookie Monster]

Time to re-invent then?     And they had 3% of car sales in the US before the recession- they grew sales every year from 2008 until today. They shouldn't be chasing more than that, the mainstream will never completely fall in love with Subie like they did Honda or Toyota.

Anyway, not a whole lot of capable wagons still exist. Sure many stole sales with crossovers and whatnot, but if they are to continue with fuel economy advances they could take some more of the littler car market.

ALSO- saw a commercial last night from Lexus, they show some hot sedans passing each other (pointless) but then their supercar passes them all. Subie needs to advertise the crap out of the BRZ- just to draw people to the showroom, even if they don't have any in stock..  (and should advertise the WRX and STI.) That "sporty" image is what validates all the lesser models to the dummies out there.

Subaru shouldn't be trying to expand and get a bigger portion of the market? Are you insane? They're running a business, obviously they'll want to compete as much as they can with other competitors. To limit themselves just because they want to be a niche player is ridiculous.

And why would you advertise the crap out of the BRZ if you have none in stock? The people who want to buy BRZ's already know about them, and they're always out of stock on those. Why would you want to lure people into the showrooms if you don't have any? It's not like a person interested in a BRZ will be interested in an Impreza.

[AutobahnSHO]

Subaru shouldn't be trying to expand and get a bigger portion of the market? Are you insane? They're running a business, obviously they'll want to compete as much as they can with other competitors. To limit themselves just because they want to be a niche player is ridiculous.

Not saying to "limit themselves"- however they can't sacrifice long-term brand health for short-term "water the brand down"..   The things that kept Subaru from losing sales during the recession were it's "quirkiness"- lose that and they become just another car company..

They do advertise the crap out of the Impreza these days.

Saw a commercial yesterday- kids are washing the car and they also get the suds all over the interior. Dad comes out (there's also an outback in the driveway) and looks at them, and says, "you missed a spot"..   

[2o6]

Subaru was never quirky; they offered mediocre cars that aren't competitive without AWD.



Now, most manufacturers offer an AWD option on their cars, so Subaru has to fight harder.

[Raza]

Not saying to "limit themselves"- however they can't sacrifice long-term brand health for short-term "water the brand down"..   The things that kept Subaru from losing sales during the recession were it's "quirkiness"- lose that and they become just another car company..

Saw a commercial yesterday- kids are washing the car and they also get the suds all over the interior. Dad comes out (there's also an outback in the driveway) and looks at them, and says, "you missed a spot"..   

Subaru has been pushing their longevity a lot lately.  But their best commercial--and one of the best commercials period--was about the crashed Legacy. 

[ifcar]

Subaru has been pushing their longevity a lot lately.  But their best commercial--and one of the best commercials period--was about the crashed Legacy.  

Which ad is that?

I don't watch much TV, but they had a recent good one featuring the XV and an aging dog -- "it's not often you find a companion as loyal as a Subaru."

[2o6]

Which ad is that?

I don't watch much TV, but they had a recent good one featuring the XV and an aging dog -- "it's not often you find a companion as loyal as a Subaru."

This one.


I agree with Raza, great ad.

http://youtu.be/hbUsnvsXlMQ

[TurboDan]

Subaru was never quirky; they offered mediocre cars that aren't competitive without AWD.



Now, most manufacturers offer an AWD option on their cars, so Subaru has to fight harder.

LoL. The guy who has a hard-on for Toyotas is complaining about a brand being "mediocre?" Toyota is the definition of mediocre, "jack of all trades, master of none" vehicles.

Their cars would certainly have been competitive without AWD, but the thing is that they DID have AWD, for a much better price than any of the other mainstream brands were pushing. I suppose you now have the opportunity to blow obscene amounts of money on the likes of a boring mainstream midsize sedan if you want the AWD option, but I'd rather just buy a Subie that has it standard.