2017 Subaru Forester

February 10, 2016 2017, SUBARU No comments

The 2017 Subaru Forester is still technically a fourth generation model, although with the amount of improvement, it is starting to drift away from its designation as such. This newest facelift is certainly a welcome sight, but the fact is Subaru was doing fine even without it, and the time and resources might have been better spent on future models instead.

Still, the list of updates continues, and by the time it finally hits the market, quite a few of them might pile up, even more than any of us predicted or expected.

Design – Exterior & Interior

On the outside, the 2017 Subaru Forester features a newer face but there are some recognizable features as well. The new fascia has been redesigned and it now looks wider than before. These changes also extend to the new grille, although they don’t really come to “light” until you look at the headlights and taillights, both of which have been completely redesigned with a distinctive U shape and a new LED high/low setup.

The best part is that they respond to the steering wheel and move accordingly. The body is more aerodynamic, while the standard wheels are still in the 17 and 18-inch versions. The appearance is completed by a set of new paint jobs, so the new Forester looks classier than ever before, despite the fact that this is by no means a luxury model, and it still shows.

Refined Interior

On the inside, the 2017 Subaru Forester features new materials, albeit nothing revolutionary in this regard. Most of the new upholstery sports leather of a higher tier and this is certainly a welcome sight. The instrument panel has also been slightly changed. It now features a new display, even if it is mostly used for assisted driving needs. The voice recognition has also been improved, and the same goes for the navigation system. The seats and the steering wheel have remained unchanged.

The Engine range & Specs

Speaking of unchanged, the engine options for the 2017 Subaru Forester bring no surprises for now. The same goes for transmission. The base version comes with a 2.5 L engine that brings 170 hp to the table, although a more powerful, 2.0 L with 250 hp is also an option. The base version comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, although continuously variable transmission, or CVT, is also an option. The CVT has a new software, set to simulate an 8-speed automatic, although the feeling will never be the same.

The 2017 Subaru will feature an all wheel drive, and its superior quality has been one of its main selling points. The one part where Subaru has constantly been failing in the past has been the handling, which still lags behind its competition, even with a new upgrade that it received.