2019 Forester is the roomiest yet
Subaru debuts new DriverFocus system using facial recognition to ensure attentiveness
What is it? The next generation of Subaru’s biggest volume seller, the Forester SUV, now in its roomiest, largest guise ever. It’s one of the vehicles Subaru counts on both to bring back repeat customers and to draw in new ones.
Why does it matter? First, the engineers at Subaru have gone to task on the Forester’s insides, miraculously finding more interior space and cargo volume and freeing it up so you can fit more stuff or people. Even the tailgate opening has been revised to offer the largest aperture possible and make loading the trunk easier.
Second, the 2019 Forester will debut Subaru’s DriverFocus tech, which uses facial recognition software to determine if a driver is drowsy or distracted and give them a poke, like an attentive co-pilot. Working alongside Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, you’re looking at an SUV with a
next-level active safety suite. When is it coming? You can expect to see the new Forester in Canadian dealerships later this year, but the company’s not revealing pricing until closer to its on-sale date.
Should you buy it? If you’re shopping for a vehicle with carlike handling and SUV-like capability, the Forester should strike that balance pretty well. Power comes from a 182-horsepower 2.5-litre boxer engine with a new SI-Drive that intelligently adjusts throttle response. But there’s also a new dual-mode X-Mode upgrade that’ll optimize the high-riding Forester for Snow/Dirt or Deep Snow/Mud. Those looking for a Forester XT will be disappointed; the 2019 Forester loses its more powerful turbocharged engine option for now.
Of course it gets standard symmetrical full-time all-wheel drive, but it also gets standard active torque vectoring for improved handling.