2016 Subaru Forester 2.0XT
EPA ratings: 23/28mpg; 25mpg combined 0-60mph: 6.3 seconds. Price as tested: $36,250
The Subaru Forester XT might be the most insouciant crossover you can buy right now. Shaped like the box it could have come in, it makes style-less look stylish.
Like all Foresters, it has a very open, airy interior thanks to the huge windows and slim pillars, and functional cockpit architecture. The seats are upright and supportive in both rows, cargo room generous—it has more capacity than my own Jeep Grand Cherokee—and materials appear robust. The infotainment system is fast and intuitive with most modern devices. However, avoid the optional safety systems because of the huge number of false alarms they send.
The way the XT drives makes it really special. It doesn’t trade ride quality for useless lateral Gs. It smothers bumps and floats over most of our balky roadway network, and it is not overly bothered by road or wind noise.
While it will track through faster bends, it rolls and understeers like the high-CG vehicle it is. But it has real ground clearance for trails, accurate steering, progressive brakes, and a powertrain that excels in our thinner air.
Unlike most other Subarus, this one’s 250hp 2-liter turbocharged engine pairs well with its continuously variable transmission, zipping into the powerband to lessen lag, then pulling smooth and hard towards redline. It’s quick and feels it; only the 2-liter Ford EcoBoost Escape is as fast in this class, and the Subaru gets better real-world fuel economy.
In an age of overstyled, underdeveloped “lifestyle” vehicles, this Forester 2.0XT honesty makes it a rebel who just doesn’t care.
Isaac Bouchard is owner of Bespoke Autos, an auto brokerage that helps people save time, money and hassle when buying or leasing vehicles. Since 1991 he has helped his clients save over $1 million dollars. He has written extensively about getting the best deal possible when buying or leasing a vehicle, arranging financing or trading in a car. Isaac has been a professional automotive journalist as well for over 12 years, having reviewed most all types of car, truck and SUV.
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