Subaru overhauls Forester SUV, keeps outdoorsy vibe
NEW YORK – Subaru revealed a redesigned Forester sport utility vehicle this week as the Japanese automotive brand aims to continue its hot streak in the U.S. market.
The 2019 Forester debuted at the New York International Auto Show with more safety features, a peppier engine and more interior space than its predecessor.
It goes on sale in the fall.
The overhauled Forester gets a 182horsepower, 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine with stop-start technology and continuously variable transmission. That’s up from 170 horsepower in the previous model.
Powered by all-wheel drive, sensible design and savvy marketing, Subaru is on a roll. The brand is gaining market share even as competitors have de- clined amid an overall industry decline in sales.
For the fifth generation of the Forester, Subaru is projecting fuel economy of up to 33 miles per gallon on the highway.
The highest-end trim level of the Forester, called Touring, will feature a new facial recognition system to watch for driver fatigue.
Called DriverFocus, the system is paired with other safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and lanekeeping assistance.
Subaru designers chose a “more rugged style” for the Forester, illustrating the brand’s commitment to maintaining its outdoorsy vibe.
The Forester also has standard LED headlights. The vehicle is a little longer than its predecessor, and passengers will have slightly more room on the interior.