Tag Archives: subaru forester
2014 Subaru Forester: A Redesigned Treat
Subaru has always managed to impress us with its excellent blend of utility, comfort and all year around weather capability, which has always remained a staple in its cars. But this time, with its redesigned 2014 Subaru Forester, the company has gone a step ahead with almost the same ingredients and recipes but managed to make key improvements with a slight change in its cooking style. This time, the Forester comes with improved and larger interior room, which is good enough to accommodate a family. Additionally, it has better fuel economy and strength which was never found in the earlier versions of Subaru. With these improved features, now the all new 2014 Subaru Forester stands proudly among the top small to midsized crossovers because of its updated transmission and engine.
The most enduring appeal of Subaru lies in the fact that it comes with all the traditional SUV features that a crossover lover want to have or would like to use in an SUV. Full time all wheel drive feature, hatchback utility and little bit more ground clearance without making a full blown bulky SUV are some of the highlights of 2014 Subaru Forester. Before we dig deep into Foresters’ driving dynamics and other tech specs, you must understand that it is no Jeep or for that matter a Range Rover while off road, but it still has more ground clearance to offer than any of its competing crossover. Subaru has made its 2014 Forester tough enough to handle all kinds of dirt roads and still make its drive feel like a car in all sort of tough situations.
The more efficient and variable transmission of 2014 Subaru Forester is the result of the replacement of its last years’ four speed automatic and the main driving force behind the new forester is its improved fuel economy rating, which is quite considerable if compared to other crossovers. Last years’ five speed manual transmission has been replaced by six speed manual transmission which also a factor behind this year Foresters’ fuel economy. Just like before, Subaru is offering two engine choice for its Forester, which include the base 2.5 liter four cylinder engine known for its adequate power and the all new optional 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder which is more potent than the previous Forester XTs’ 2.5 liter turbo.
If you look inside the cabin of the 2014 Subaru Forester, you will find it more contemporary then its previous version along with the use of high quality materials. An increase in rear seat legroom is quite evident along with expansive cargo area. If you drop the rear seats you will get enough space to make it a warehouse for a day for long trips and carrying stuff like tents, kayaks and bikes.
In terms of competition, 2014 Subaru Forester has to compete with the likes of Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape as they all are leading the fore front in small crossover section. But if you are giving importance to interior space and light off rod ability then 2014 Subaru Forester is an ideal choice.
2014 Subaru Forester: A not so gorgeous yet powerful SUV
So from the first look, there is hardly any chance that you will find the 2014 Subaru Forester stunning or even gorgeous, because the car is all about being wide, long and roomy, however this version of Subaru is a lot sleeker than its predecessors. For all those Subaru buyers here comes the good news, the base motor now comes with the all new crisp, six speed gearbox giving rest to the age old five speed version. The new CVT is more efficient than the automatic four speed transmission.
The newly launched turbocharged XT model of 2014 Subaru Forester comes with 250 hp engine which offers same fuel economy as the currently available 170hp 2.5X model. Its fast acceleration from 0 to 60 within 6.2 seconds makes it one of the fastest over among its competitors. The lovable 2.0 liter engine in the XT comes with direct injection feature.
The latest version of Subaru Forester is well planted, composed and is a quieter SUV that comes with a complete package if Subaru Forester features that a buyer looks for. The car is intercooled, has turbocharged monster engine, beefed suspension and amazing stouter brakes that makes it an all comfort drive during snowy stormy days. Well calibrated steering has electronic assistance feature that makes path adjustments simple and direct. Stiffer chassis and no hint of rattles make it a best car in class.
Over the years Subaru has proved its mantle over bringing subtle and smart changes in the detailing of their luxury vehicles and this continues with the latest Subaru Forester as well. Front doors come with no sill which means you will no more find dirt collecting place near front doors. Interiors are all stylish with panache of any banquet and this also the same place where Subaru lacks. No negative word for this SUV in terms of its driving quarter, comfortable seating position, telescoping steering wheel and the clearly reengineered structure, but the SUV still lacks sex appeal, which can easily be found in its competitors like Mazda CX 5, Kia Sorento and Ford Escape that comes at approximately same price.
In more than many metrics, the 2014 Subaru Forester is very well darned and is also one among many crossovers that can be taken to a muddy terrain without much thought. The 8.7 inch ground clearance keeps you safe until you end up bumping on some seriously tough road. Manual gearbox version is also available for the buyers, but the newly launched CVT with manual gearbox makes a less logical choice for obvious reasons and one among them is fuel economy.
Ample of rear legroom and overall improved cargo space as compared to Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV-4 makes it a comfortable and spacious option while buying a crossover. The driving dynamics of Forester being an engaging option is still arguable because of competition coming from Crossover leaders like Mazda and Ford but none of them offers Subaru’s ground clearance. Vanilla cockpit can certainly put the sale of Subaru Forester at the back burner.
The 2014 Honda CR-V
Having remained one of the best selling SUV’s for several years the Honda CR-V is a perfect blend of practicality, comfort, usability, driver involvement, fuel economy, reliability and low ownership cost and these qualities still remain unmatched by any other compact crossover SUV till date. Folks who look for a small family vehicle this little SUV should top your test drive list. The 2014 Honda CR-V carries over unchanged into the new year and no issues with that since the compact crossover one of the best in its niche.
What best describes the Honda CR-V is the word “easy” because that is certainly what it makes your life. The 5 passenger crossover SUV comes in LX, EX and EX-L trim levels. While the LX comes standard with 16 inch steel wheels, full power accessories, keyless entry, a blind spot mirror, a rear view camera, cruise control a height adjustable driver seat, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, a 60.40 split folding seat with reclining trunk mounted fold handle, Pandora internet radio control and all the fancy stuff that there should be in a modern compact crossover, the EX adds to it 17 inch alloy wheels and other luxuries like a sunroof, fog lights, body colored mirrors and door handles, rear privacy glass, a cargo cover and six speaker sound system. The EX-L boast everything along with roof rails, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, dual zone climate control, leather wrapped steering wheel and leather upholstery, eight way power driver seat with two way power lumbar, satellite radio and even a seven-spear surround sound system including a sub woofer.
Powered by a 2.4 liter four cylinder engine, the 2014 Honda CR-V runs on 185 horsepower and twists with 163 pound feet of torque and is mated to a five speed automatic transmission that comes standard with all the models. There is a choice for the buyers between front or all-wheel drive on all models. The fuel economy rates at 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 26 mpg combines while they drop by 1 mpg each in AWD models. The real world driving also testifies the numbers. The Honda CR-V greets the driver with a very precise steering wheel and commendably steady handling. Also, ride quality is smoother and unlike the previous generations, 2014 Honda CR-V sports a relatively quiet cabin.
The 2014 Honda CR-V faces tough completion with competitors like the Chevy Equinox, the 2014 Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport and of course the 2014 Mazda CX-5. In fact, the Jeep Cherokee and Subaru Forester also stand as strong alternative. And since the exterior of the 2014 Honda CR-V is quite bland and materials used in the cabin aren’t as high-quality as in some of the rivals, it seems hard to get excited about the vehicle. But for those who believe in making decisions based in practicality and sensibility rather than an emotional choice based on a highly stylish grille or amazingly plush interiors, nothing comes remotely close to the 2014 Honda CR-V.
2014 Kia Sorento Is The Safest SUV!
Among the vast number of compact SUVs that have been coming out in the market since crossovers gaining support over their truck based fathers, the 2014 Kia Sorento has stepped up and made a mark which might help in making the model a huge success in the SUV world. With the help of its brilliant safety features, the Sorento joined the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester in the category of five star winners from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Also, the 2014 Sorento gained a Top Safety Pick Rating from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).
Orth Hedrick, the director of product planning in the US was quoted as saying, “Already a compelling entry in the compact SUV category, earning a five-Star rating from NHTSA makes the Sorento an even stronger contender within its segment while underscoring Kia’s overall commitment to delivering safety and exceptional value to our customers.” Officials at KIA stated that the vehicle showed great results in all the three categories of frontal crash, side crash as well as rollover crash.
The trend of making changes to an existing model so as to keep them on the top continues to breed within companies and the 2014 Sorento is the result of the same. Although the changes that Kia has made to the Sorento can barely be seen directly, there are still a number of structural changes which led to the five stars that the SUV now flaunts. If the company is to be believed, then the Sorento now sits on a new platform. Further, you might find a few changes in the exterior looks as well!
The new 2014 Kia Sorento features a mighty 3300cc V6 engine which is capable of providing a massive torque of 252 lb.-ft. (290HP). Paired with a highly efficient 6 speed automatic transmission system, this engine provides as much or even more thrust to the vehicle that any average user would want. The vehicle comes with an all-wheel drive drivetrain. A peculiar thing to note about the Sorento is that even though it is a compact SUV, it features a third row of seats. Yes, it is a seven seater! We like to say that the Sorento is hence, a bit larger than compact SUVs but way smaller than the large truck based ones. A nice new technology equipped in the 2014 model makes the SUV’s ride a lot more fun. We’re speaking of the FlexSteer option. The driver can choose between three modes of steering control as per his needs – Comfort Mode, Normal Mode and Sport Mode.
The conclusion that one can draw is that the 2014 Sorento is absolutely worth investing in. Being a perfect choice for families on account of the third row of seats, the Sorento just earned a factor which places it above most of the vehicles of the same category. Featuring such a good number of safety features, the SUV definitely earned the amazing ratings!
2014 Subaru Forester Review and Highlights
Known for being a decent choice among the crossovers of the modern days, the amazing Subaru Forester has now received a complete makeover! The company has released the 2014 version of the vehicle recently. There have been extensive changes made to the SUV, and one can easily notice the gorgeous new interiors and the spacious cabins. The exterior looks have also been enhanced significantly. However, the major changes that have been made include amazing performance and safety statistics. The vehicle now features a much improved fuel economy and impressive safety features!
Subaru apparently focused on increasing the fuel economy of the vehicle quite strongly, as the poor fuel economy of the old version of the Forester was perhaps the most hated feature among SUV lovers and critics. The company has now incorporated new transmission systems in the 2014 version of the SUV, which have led to the significant rise in the fuel economy. The older version featured a manual transmission of five gears while the models with automatic transmissions came with ancient four speed transmissions. The 2014 version makes use of six gears for the models with manual transmissions. The models with automatic transmissions sport the company’s new “Lineartronic” continuously variable transmission.
Also, the designing on the new Forester is quite efficient, as the company has used much better packaging options in the new version. The length of the vehicle has been increased by an inch, and hence the distance between the front and rear seats has been increased by an inch as well. However, the cramped up leg space for the rear passengers has been increased by 3 inches as the rear seats have been elevated a bit. Further, the new version is higher than the older ones, and the all-wheel drive system has been packed under the floor, increasing the foot space as well. The vehicle also features an impressive cargo space.
Subaru has decided to use the same engine in the new version as is in the older one. The 2500cc flat four engine produces a total power output of 170 horsepower and sends a torque of 174 lb. – ft. to the wheels. This engine is rated at 22 miles per gallon for city and 29 miles per gallon for highways. However, add in the continuously variable transmission system and enjoy a fuel economy of 24 and 32 miles per gallon respectively! If you wish for more power, then you can go for the turbocharged 2000cc flat four engine, which is capable of producing a power output of 250 horsepower and a torque of 258 lb. – ft. The engine is capable of pushing the vehicle from rest to 60 miles an hour in just 6.2 seconds, and boasts of fuel economies of 23 and 28 miles per gallon for city and highway respectively.
The 2014 Subaru Forester was also given the ‘Top Safety Pick +’ designation by the IIHS recently as it scored the highest among all the crossovers in a new test recently incorporated in the protocols. Who knows, the SUV might just have become the best crossover out there!
