2020 Subaru Forester

•Rear Seat Reminder standard across Forester line

•Enhanced EyeSight Driver Assist Technology adds Lane Centering and Lane Departure Prevention

•Available segment-exclusive DriverFocus safety technology

Camden, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. introduced the 2020 Forester model line, now equipped with the award- winning Subaru EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology and new Lane Centering function as standard. The fifth-generation SUV offers the most space, capability and features in its 23-year history.

Also new for 2020, all Foresters include Rear Seat Reminder. Designed to help prevent child and/or pet entrapment, the system will alert the driver to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle.

The 2020 Subaru Forester will be offered in five trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring.

Every Forester is equipped with standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and is powered by a 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine. The direct-injection engine produces 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a standard Lineartronic® CVT (continuously variable transmission). The powertrain delivers up to 33 mpg highway fuel economy. This powertrain offers up to 1,500-lb. towing capacity and standard Trailer Stability Assist.

Standard driver-selectable Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) adds more flexibility for driving conditions, allowing the driver to tailor the vehicle's throttle characteristics by choosing between 'Intelligent' and 'Sport' modes (Sport Sharp on Forester Sport). 'Intelligent' mode helps smooth out accelerator inputs for fuel saving, while 'Sport' and 'Sport Sharp' modes tune the throttle response to emphasize performance.

Forester is known for its legendary value, and the 2020 model is no exception, equipped with a long list of standard features that includes: SUBARU STARLINK™ Multimedia system with high-resolution touchscreen, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay™, Android™ Auto and STARLINK apps; audio and Bluetooth® control switches on the steering wheel; dual USB ports in the front center console; power windows with auto-up/auto-down on driver's window; power door locks that automatically lock when the vehicle is in motion; power side mirrors; multi-function display with digital clock, outside temperature and fuel economy information; remote keyless entry; security system with engine immobilizer; and combination meter with color LCD. New for 2020, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System has been upgraded with automatic individual wheel I.D. registration.

The entry-level Forester comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels with 225/60R17 all-season tires and 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS. The exterior has body-color door handles and front, rear and side underguards. For added convenience at night, welcome lighting activates when the driver approaches or exits the vehicle. The Base trim offers an option package with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels in silver finish and roof rails.

Now standard on Premium trim, the All-Weather Package includes heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and windshield de-icer. On top of Base, the Premium adds 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels in black with machine finish, roof rails, roof spoiler in matching body color, dark tint privacy glass and a panoramic power moonroof as standard. For improved off-road performance, the Premium trim offers standard X-MODE with Hill Descent Control. The Premium's interior is upgraded with leather-wrapped steering wheel with silver stitching; center dash panel trim in black with silver metallic finish; high-grade combination meter with color LCD; high-grade multi-function display; and chrome inner door handles. Additional interior features include a 10-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support; center console rear seat a/c outlets; cargo area cover; off-delay operation on all power windows; available WI-FI hotspot (service required); and the latest SUBARU STARLINK Safety and Security services (with a complimentary 3-year subscription to the Safety Plus package).

Stepping up to the Premium trim offers more optional equipment including dual USB ports in the rear center console; Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Keyless Access with Push-Button Start. Also available is a power rear gate with automatic close & height memory.

The Sport trim adds unique appearance elements and enhanced standard equipment including gloss black exterior accents on the fog light trim, rear gate and front grille along with black-finish 18-inch wheels and a rear roof spoiler. Orange accents on the black underguards and roof rail mounts and an orange SPORT badge add a modern, youthful touch. The exclusive interior is a unique dark gray material with orange stitching and accents throughout the cabin.

The Forester Sport exclusively employs a version of SI-DRIVE with Intelligent and Sport Sharp modes and the Lineartronic CVT features a 7-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle-shift control switches. The Sport trim offers Dual X-Mode for increased capability in a wider range of environmental conditions. Building on the standard equipment of the Forester Premium trim, the Sport also features a high-grade, sport design combination meter for the instrument panel; high- grade multi-function display; LED fog lights; High Beam Assist; exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals; Keyless Access with Push-Button Start and All-Weather Package. LED cargo area lighting and an additional LED light on the inside of the rear gate provides better illumination for loading and unloading cargo.

The Sport trim offers optional equipment including Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and a power rear gate with automatic close and height memory. Also available is the 8.0-inch Multimedia Plus system and Harman Kardon® premium sound system with nine speakers and amplifier.

The Limited trim is upgraded with 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels in black with machine finish, exterior mirrors in matching body color with integrated turn signals, fog lights with chrome accent trim, Keyless Access with Push-Button Start and All-Weather Package. The Limited comes equipped with additional driver assist technology including Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, High Beam Assist and LED Steering Responsive Headlights. The interior is distinguished by perforated leather-trimmed upholstery, silver metallic with gloss black finish center dash panel trim and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever handle. The Limited comes with additional convenience features including Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control with voice activated controls and dual USB ports in the rear center console. A power rear gate with auto close and height memory is also standard.

The Limited offers optional equipment to further enhance safety, comfort and entertainment. Available Reverse Automatic Braking can apply the vehicle's brakes if an obstacle is detected while reversing. The available heated-steering wheel complements the standard All-Weather Package. Also available is the 8-inch Multimedia Navigation system and Harman Kardon premium sound system with nine speakers and amplifier.

Continuing as the top of the model line, the Forester Touring offers additional features over Limited including CVT with 7-speed manual shift mode and paddle shift switches, Reverse Automatic Braking and 8.0-inch Multimedia Navigation system with Harman Kardon premium sound system. The standard DriverFocus safety system has an added convenience feature of recognizing up to five drivers and remembering their seat and exterior mirror positions as well as climate settings. The exterior of the Touring is distinguished by unique 18-inch alloy wheels in black with machine finish, chrome exterior door handles, satin chrome exterior folding mirrors with integrated turn signal and LED fog lights with chrome trim. The flagship trim level also has sliver metallic finish mounts on the roof rails and on the front, rear and side underguards as well as chrome badges. The interior offers a choice of exclusive Black or Saddle Brown perforated leather trimmed upholstery, 10-way power driver's seat with 2-position memory (includes power lumbar support), 8-way power front passenger seat and heated rear seats. New for 2020, the Touring model adds new LED cargo-area and dome lights with off-delay as well as rear gate light.

SUBARU STARLINK In-Vehicle Technology provides hands-free connectivity and entertainment through the vehicle's multimedia or navigation system. All STARLINK Multimedia systems for Forester offer a high-resolution touchscreen; smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Aha™, Pandora®, and STARLINK apps; Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity; AM/FM stereo; Rear Vision Camera, single-disc CD player; SiriusXM All Access Radio (4-month free subscription) and SiriusXM Travel Link® (3-year free subscription) and HD Radio® as standard. The 6.5-inch Multimedia system is standard on Base, Premium and Sport trims. The 8.0- inch Multimedia Plus adds voice activated controls for phone and Near Field Communication to the list of features and is optional for Sport and standard for Limited. The top-of-the-line 8.0-inch Multimedia with Navigation adds voice- activated navigation powered by TomTom and over-the-air map updates is an option for Limited and standard for Touring.

The Forester offers an in-vehicle WI-FI hotspot to allow families to maximize the capabilities of the STARLINK Entertainment Anywhere Kit that includes two 9.7-inch iPad® 32GB WI-FI models, Harman Kardon Bluetooth headphones and OtterBox® Defender Series iPad cases. The kit is available to all Subaru owners for purchase through a Subaru retail facility.

For safety, security and convenience, SUBARU STARLINK In-Vehicle Technology offers three connected services packages that are among the most affordable in the industry. The STARLINK Safety Plus package includes SOS emergency assistance, enhanced roadside assistance, automatic collision notification, maintenance notifications, monthly vehicle health report and diagnostic alerts (3-year free subscription). For even greater peace of mind, the STARLINK Safety Plus & Security Plus package adds remote engine start with climate control and heated seats, stolen vehicle recovery service, vehicle security alarm notification, remote lock/unlock, remote horn and lights; remote vehicle locator and parenting features including boundary, speed and curfew alerts. The STARLINK Concierge package adds the convenience of in-vehicle assistance with restaurant and hotel reservations, purchasing tickets for sporting/theater events and scheduling service appointments.

by Subaru

Rivaling the Kia Sportage, the Chevrolet Tracker and the Suzuki Grand Vitara, the Subara Forester was introduced in 1998 as a ‘hybrid' vehicle that blended the attributes of a passenger vehicle and a sport-utility vehicle. A lightweight, small crossover SUV, or arguably a station wagon, the Forester was based on the Subaru Impreza platform and drivetrain. Subaru took the subcompact Impreza station wagon and raised its roofline which added a few extra inches to both the body length and width to create the Forester. Interior dimensions grew only slightly over the Impreza as a result of the wheelbase being increased fractionally. The Forester is equipped with AWD, All Wheel Drive transmission, as are all Subaru models that are marketed in the US and other international markets since the early ‘90s.

Subaru had envisioned the 5 passenger Forester being a more ‘truck-like' SUV much like the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. Trying to appeal to the SUV oriented market, Subaru advertising employed the slogan ‘SUV tough, Car Easy'. The Forester features associated with SUVs such as a large, boxy cargo area, and more ground clearance than other Subaru models. The Forester does employ a car-like unibody chassis instead of the body-on-frame construction that is associated with trucks and larger SUVs.

In India the Forester was sold as a Chevrolet along with other Chevrolet models sold there. However, since General Motors no longer holds ownership stake in Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, sales in India of the Chevrolet-badged Forester have since ended. The Forester is produced at the Gunma Yajima Factory in Japan.

Going on sale were Base, L, and S models, each using Subaru's horizontally opposed, 165-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that was borrowed from the compact Legacy. Standard was a 5-speed manual transmission and optional was the 4-speed automatic. Power was sent automatically to the wheels with the most traction due to Forester's standard all-wheel-drive system that sensed wheel slip. Driver action was not needed. Compared to the Impreza wagon, ground clearance was elevated though Forester had no provision for low-range gearing, and was unimpressive when attempting serious off-road treks. The Forester featured 2000 pounds towing capacity.

Air conditioning and split folding rear seats were standard on the Forester, while L and S version added antilock braking. The Subaru S edition featured larger wheels and tires, a chrome grille, rear disc brakes, larger power mirrors and an upgraded interior.

For 1999 the Subaru Forester received modifications to quiet the engine, along with adding four pound-feet of torque. In an attempt to provide smoother, quicker shifts, transmission were revised. For this year new interior fabrics and colors were now available. L models received power side mirrors as standard. To improve crashworthiness, Foresters also gained structural modifications. In 1999 base-model Foresters could no longer receive the optional leather upholstery and remote keyless entry system.

For 2000 the Forester lineup was trimmed by Subaru, deleting the base-trimmed model while L and upscale S editions went on sale. The S model added a standard limited-slip differential while the Forester L received standard cruise control.

The following year the Forester received a slight facelift that included the addition of a new chrome grille, revised bumper and taillights and a reshaped bumper.

For 2002 the Subaru Forester received a standard retractable cargo-area cover along with two new option packages. The S Premium model was replaced by the OV Premium Package option. This new package included front side airbags, sunroof, and distinctive alloy wheels to the S. OV equipment plus leather upholstery was added to the new OK Package. For 2000, 2001 and 2002 the Forester was the winner of Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive.

A turbocharged Forester, the XT was introduced in 2003 alongside the naturally-aspirated XS. Similar to the turbo system of the Subaru Impreza WRX, the XT model features a 2.5L turbocharged engine. The engine in the Forester XT is most similar to the engine used in the US market Subaru Impreza WRX STi. This year's model Forester showcased weight-saving refinements that included an aluminum hood, hydro-formated front frame and perforated rails.

For 2004 and 2005 the Forester was Car and Driver magazine's Best Small SUV. For 2005 Subaru launched an STI variant of the Forester for the Japanese market. Sharing the same engine as the '05 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, the Forester STI featured a different tuning that generated 320 bhp. This year also featured the introduction of Subaru's AVCS system as a standard feature on all engines used in the Forester.

The Forester was updated to include a more upscale look for 2006. Only two models were produced for this year and they included the 2.5X which had a naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 173hp and the 2.5 XT Limited, turbocharged 2.5 L flat-4 250 hp. The turbocharged engine that powered the Forest XT was awarded International Engine of the year in 2006. This engine is also used in the re-badged Saab 9-2X as well as the Subaru Impreza WRX.

In Australia three main models are available and these are the X which is naturally-aspirated with a 2.5 L flat-4 121 kW, the XS also naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 121 kW, and the XT, turbocharged 2.5 L flat-4 169 kW. The XS and XT came with the option of having a ‘Luxury Pack' fitted, which allowed for leather seats and a sunroof. The XT model featured minor styling differences like the addition of a MOMO steering wheel as a standard feature. The X does not include curtain airbags, while both the XS and XT do.

Redesigned for the 2009 model year, the Subaru Forester was debuted in Japan on Christmas day 2007. The North American version was unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

by Jessican Donaldson