Forester (2009-2013) compared to Forester (2014 and later)




Previous generation, in silver, at left.  All New Forester, grey, at right
 





Five Minute Video comparison:


 
BEFORE WE GET STARTED, WHAT DOES THE PREVIOUS GENERATION (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) HAVE IN COMMON WITH THE NEWEST GENERATION (2014 AND UP)?


Both come standard with:
  • Many safety features, including full time symmetrical all wheel drive  (with no buttons to push), Vehicle Dynamics Control to prevent skids, Boxer engine, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, and much more.  Click here to learn all about Subaru safety features. 
  • Many convenience features, including Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio connectivity, air conditioning, keyless entry, cd player, power windows, power mirrors, and much more. 
  • The utility and all-weather prowess of a sport utility vehicle without the sacrifices in cost, fuel economy, ride, and poor outward visibility.


Both generations purchased new at Planet come standard with:










 Differences
 Previous:  silver on left----New: grey on right
  
Ride Quality
The new Forester has a slightly longer wheelbase (an extra inch of distance between the axles).  Lengthening the distance between the axles provides an even smoother ride because the vehicle platform covers more square area and therefore bumps are less noticeable. 




 
You're looking at the front axles, with the rear axles lined up, out of sight.  New Forester, on left; axles are farther apart.











New Forester is .6 inches wider.














New Forester is 1.4 inches inches longer.












New Forester is 1.3 inches taller.


 

 



More Differences
Previous Forester
 New Forester



Outward Visibility
You sit slightly higher in the new Forester, but Subaru engineers designed both vehicles with a "command driving position" (the auto industry term that describes that great feeling of sitting high in a vehicle so you can see what's ahead.)   New Forester has ingenious door design to see past mirror. 






















Total interior space is greater in the new Forester, especially in cargo volume, where capacity increased by almost twelve cubic feet.
Foresters are great for dog owners because the low floor and high ceiling give plenty of room for your dawg.   












Dog not included.


Price
Depending on the trim, the new Forester costs $200 to $700 more than the previous generation.  The new Forester has more standard equipment at every trim level. 




 


Standard Engine and Fuel Economy
Both have 2.5 liter four cylinder with 170 horsepower, both run regular unleaded.  You can see that the new automatic transmission really improves fuel economy.




Four speed automatic transmission:
21 city, 27 highway

Five-speed manual:
21 city, 27 highway

Continuously variable automatic transmission:
 24 city, 32 highway

Six-speed manual:
22 city, 29 highway


Need some extra go-go? Engine upgrades and fuel economy

 
2.5 liter turbocharged four cylinder with four speed automatic transmission:
19 city, 24 highway.  Requires premium fuel.



2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder with continuously variable automatic transmission:
23 city, 28 highway.





Fuel Tank
New Forester has smaller tank to save weight, but greater range because of better fuel economy. 




16.9 gallons


15.9 gallons
Noise level
 
Average


 

Subaru says that the new Forester is the quietest cruising car they have ever built!




 Hatchback door


 
Manual operation









 




Optional power rear hatch, with pre-adjustable memory height so you don't whack your garage roof.  Click to watch.






 
Airbags





 
Previous generation has  six:  front airbags (deploy from the steering wheel or dashboard), torso airbags (deploy from the edge of the seats), and curtain airbags (deploy downward from the roof).






New Forester gets all the airbags from the previous generation, plus a bonus airbag that deploys below the steering wheel to protect the driver's knees.

 




Interior Finishes
New Forester has more "soft touch" surfaces.








 



Subaru X-Mode
Subaru's latest traction control system debuts on the new Forester.   X-Mode comes packaged with Hill Descent Control.  Click here to learn more. 
 

Not available
on previous
generation.





 
Standard on all Limited, Touring, and XT Models.

 

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About:  Planet Subaru, a Boston Subaru Dealer in Hanover, Massachusetts, serves Quincy, Braintree, Plymouth, Brockton, Cambridge, Brookline and all of New England.