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Sorry XT fans, the turbocharged 2.0XT Subaru Forester is gone forever and it’s not coming back. It’s been replaced by the 2019 Forester Sport trim. Here’s a detailed comparison on what Forester XT fans will be getting to replace it.
The 2.0XT Forester and its 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is gone and is replaced by the 2019 Subaru Sport with the standard 2.5-liter boxer engine. Also gone is the Forester XT’s fully synchronized 6-speed manual gearbox.
The new 2019 Subaru Forester Sport is powered by the standard 2.5-liter naturally aspirated Boxer engine. All fifth-generation Foresters get the newly-upgraded 2.5-liter boxer engine. The new power plant comes with direct injection, higher compression, along with active valve control system (AVCS) on the exhaust side. The new engine produces 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, versus 170 hp and 174 lb-ft in the previous-generation Forester. It’s quite a downgrade compared with the XT’s 250hp turbo engine.
Subaru also discontinues the 6-speed manual gearbox in all Forester trims including the new Sport trim. The 2.5-liter boxer will come mated to a Lineartronic CVT featuring a seven-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle-shift shifters. The Forester Sport model does come with a version of the Subaru WRX STI Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) with Intelligent and Sport Sharp modes as upgrades.
3 reasons Subaru axed the Forester
There are three reasons Subaru Corporation discontinued the Forester 2.0XT. The brand is focusing on global fuel-economy standards, (fuel economy in the 2.0XT w/ CVT was 27/23 city/highway mpg compared with the Sport’s 33 mpg highway), slow XT sales and engineering costs.
Subaru Australia boss Colin Christie says, “Having only one engine and one drivetrain allows us to be very clear and very focused on what we are doing. The XT turbos are nice to have, but the reality is we were down to selling 70 or 80 a month so it has not been a massive seller for us. The manual transmission was only two percent of our Forester sales anyway, so it’s a lot of cost and engineering to cater for not a lot of people.”
Subaru Corp is streamlining the 2019 Forester lineup with one engine and one transmission. This will affect all global models as the 2.0XT, 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine and 6-speed manual gearbox are also being axed in European and Australian markets.
Forester Sport specs
So the all-new Forester Sport is basically an appearance package and gets “specially enhanced” standard equipment. Here’s a list of standard features. The new Sport comes with the 182-hp Subaru Boxer engine, Dual-function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control, SI-DRIVE with Sport Sharp mode, and of course, Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
Outside appearance upgrades include 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with black finish, roof rails with integrated tie-downs, front, rear and side under guards with orange accents, and gloss black and orange exterior accents.
Inside it comes standard with dark gray sport fabric with a leather shifter, Orange stitching and trim accents, Sport gauges with color LCD display, Keyless Access with Push-Button Start, STARLINK Multimedia, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto app integration. It also gets 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, panoramic moonroof and EyeSight driver assist technology.
Optional equipment like a power rear gate with height memory functions, Harman Kardon 576-watt-equivalent premium audio system, Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Reverse Automatic Braking, 8.0-inch touchscreen, and SiriusXM Travel Link can be added.
We can understand if Forester XT fans are disappointed with the all-new 2019 Subaru Forester Sport trim. It’s an appearance package with the enhanced performance of the 2.0-liter turbo engine removed.
Reader Poll: Tell us what you think about the 2.0XT being axed and replaced with the Forester Sport. Thumbs up or thumbs down?
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Comments
Few times a year I travel
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Few times a year I travel with my family to different cities located in the Peruvian Amazon jungle and the road goes from sea level to 4,240 meters of altitud (about 14,000 ft.). We wanted to buy four 2019 Foresters XT to climb the road with ease and save 2 hours. Now we would hate to get passed by small TD pick ups and even trucks so our dream was killed along with Subaru dropping the XT
I was planning to upgrade my
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I was planning to upgrade my 2014 but now it seems it is time to change brands. Seems Subaru's mgt forgot that customers make their business and they need to satisfy them.
No XT turbo, no new Forrester
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No XT turbo, no new Forrester next year. What a dumb move Subaru. May keep my 2017 IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT COMING OFF LEASE. If not ,Mazda CX 5 is next.
Turbo in Ascent and STI but not in Forrester! What a B.S. decision to suck the Subaru DIFFERENCE out of Subaru.
The turbocharged 2.0 and 1.6
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The turbocharged 2.0 and 1.6 would have been the most economical way for Subaru. A lot of car manufacturers are going turbocharged small engine setup which combines fuel economy and power on demand. The naturally aspirated 2.5 is not a good move at all especially that the car was designed to be capable off road and versus other car brands who have already moved up to turbocharged engines.
My Subie friends have told me
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My Subie friends have told me for years to jump from my brand over to a Subaru, making sure I only bought one that was turbocharged Long story short, I left the dealership last weekend without the new Forester because the turbo had been discontinued. As someone who drives through the mountains and loves a trip to a national park, I was sorely disappointed. Scanning through these comments for a new recommendation now.
I could live without the 6
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I could live without the 6 speed manual, but a turbo option would be nice for the added power and improved performance. Especially, for those of living at higher elevations above 5000 ft. I think Subaru builds great cars, but they are missing the mark for some.
Extremely disappointed. I
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Extremely disappointed. I currently own a 2010 and a 2015 Forester Turbo. I think the 2010 is better than the 2015 so I hate to get rid of it but now I may have to in order to get the 2018 XT. I’m 58 and I don’t race but where I live in Texas if you can’t accelerate when you need to you can count yourself as road kill real soon. Very sad.
I live in South Africa and
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I live in South Africa and drive a 2000, 2lit sport Forester. It has more then 330000 km on it's clock, and still running strong. That is sad that Subaru has dropped this engin. Hope they see the light and bring it back. It's sad that a great engin must go to waste. Wake up and smell the coffee Subaru.
Without a Forester XT in the
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Without a Forester XT in the lineup in 2020, moving to another brand. Mazda, stay tuned!
Can't understand the thought
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Can't understand the thought process at Subaru, they still use the 2.0 XT engine in the WRX. Forester 2.0XT is an excellent car. Without turbo, despite other niceties, the Forester is just another shopping cart. Try to take the 2.5i up the mountains to Lake Tahoe and will find out how under-powered the 2.5i is.
Will try to keep my 2014 XT as long as it is trouble free and if the Subies in Japan don't change their mind soon, will switch to another brand. The Outback doesn't tickle me; still looks to me like a fancy old style station wagon. Hope I won't have to say bye bye Forester.
Acceleration and hill
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Acceleration and hill climbing in the XT are amazing. When it comes time for a new car, I will sadly switch brands.
Completely disappointed and
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Completely disappointed and leaving the brand.
My ‘15 XT was the perfect blend of sportiness, utility, agility and care free driving.
It is sad, might leave Subaru
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It is sad, might leave Subaru too, after 3 straight Subaru’s, Legacy, and 2x Forester. We have a 2016 Forester, and recently bought a 2018 blacked out Forester and looking to trade in the 2016, but don’t like the Ascent, for the extra $10k, and the new 2019 Sport is the only thing close to trim and safety of the blacked out edition and the Orange everything trim kills it for her....same engine and basically the same interior as the Premium.
Looking at the Rav 4 Hybrid AWD, Highlander and then RDX, willing to pay more to get what we want. Sad.
I own a 2011 Forester XT
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I own a 2011 Forester XT turbo and it still is fast with 121,000 miles. This is the best car I ever owned (had Cadillacs and BMWs). I was planning to purchase another Forester when I reach 150,000 miles, but now I am not. I like power! So when my 2011 Forest gonks out I will probably be looking for another powerful medium size SUV. Disappointed that the XT Turbo is no longer available.
Well ,we have a 2013 Forester
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Well ,we have a 2013 Forester XT and love it. We were going to upgrade to the latest Forester only to find, NO XT !!!! The new models are a large downgrade, noisy, under powered slug of an engine. No heated seats, a heating system that cannot heat the cab unless you turn up the temp above 26 degrees. The Outback has the same issue. Looks like we are going to upgrade to a PHEV instead.
Too bad. The XT is awesome
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Too bad. The XT is awesome and fun to drive. It was my first, and unfortunately last Subaru. Dropping the turbo is just plain dumb. There is hope however. Mazda CX 5 is adding a 2.0 turbo this year. mainstream 250 HP small SUV is still alive, just not with Subaru.
The marketing of a "Turbo"
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The marketing of a "Turbo" was one of the reasons I got an 1985 Sub and it was a lot of fun Though I've enjoyed many other cars since that year, I'm retired now and knew I wanted a 2018 Forester XT Touring - (how can they attempt to justify a 70 HP drop for 2019 Sport?) I had phenomenal luck when I found one coming off a canceled lease (because of a lease upgrade to a bigger Sub) after 9 months in a fleet (11,600 mi) the car was loaded and stunning 31k back in June 19. With the Sport settings and Sport# the car takes off - we love it. Since we'll keep this car for a while, note the many cool modifications available to keep the FXT fresh for years.
Subaru messed up. The "sport"
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Subaru messed up. The "sport" edition has 182 hp? Mazda added a 250 hp to their CX 5, so I guess we can go there.