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Subaru Forester Overview

The Subaru Forester is a compact crossover vehicle that blends many of the best attributes of a sport-utility vehicle with the ride and driving dynamics of a car. It offers the capability of Symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive, as well as a versatile rear cargo area with liftgate, underfloor storage and up to 74 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

The Forester is available in six trim levels: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Touring, 2.0XT Premium and 2.0XT Touring. All 2.5i variants are equipped with a 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower. For 2014, both "XT" variants get a new 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection, generating 250 horsepower compliments of an intercooled turbocharger. Transmissions are also new for this model year - the 2.5i and 2.5i Premium get a six-speed manual, while all other trims are mated to a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) with manual shift mode (available on the 2.5i and 2.5i Premium). Notable (trim-dependent) features include a sport-tuned suspension, panoramic glass sunroof, power liftgate, 17- or 18-inch aluminum wheels, automatic climate control, heated front seats, leather upholstery, HD and satellite radio, a USB port and Bluetooth wireless phone/audio streaming capability. A revised touch-screen voice-activated navigation system is found on Touring trims, complete with premium harman/kardon audio and Aha Infotainment smartphone integration. Standard safety equipment includes electronic stability and traction control systems, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, active front head restraints, front side-impact airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; additionally, a rear-vision camera is standard on all but the 2.5i trim level. New for 2014, a driver's side knee airbag has been added to every Forester.

The Subaru Forester is completely redesigned for the 2014 model year. It receives exterior and interior design revisions, a new, more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, new transmissions, and a host of additional standard features. Dynamic new technologies include: Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE), an engine management system that allows the driver to customize performance characteristics by selecting one of three modes - Intelligent, Sport, and Sport Sharp; X-mode manual locking of the AWD variable transfer clutch for enhanced control; and Eyesight driver assist, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and collision mitigation.

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