2015 Subaru Forester

With winter around the corner I'm dreading another year of massive snowstorms. Here in Canada we are known for our 40 plus centimeter snowstorm daily dumps at least 5 to 10 times per winter. As much as I love my little sub-compact for it's great gas mileage even my studded winter tires can't help sometimes.
My research for the ultimate SUV has brought me to the 2015 Subaru Forester. It was completely redesigned in 2014, as most of you well know, never purchase a vehicle in it's first year of production. Usually most manufacturers are still getting some of the kinks out of the armor. A good example is was the new Ford Escape, eight recalls and counting (see my previous Escape recall blog)

Now to the 2015 Forester (not including XT). Power comes from a 2.5L (4 cyl.) Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valve, horizontally opposed, 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER engine with Electronic Throttle Control and Active Valve Control System. Power output is 170 hp @ 5800 rpm and 174 lb-ft torque @ 4100 rpm. Acceleration from 0-98 km/h (60 mph) is 9.3 seconds which is average for this segment.
There are two transmission choices available a 6 speed manual and a CVT automatic. AWD (all-wheel drive) is standard across all 2015 Forester models. With the manual transmission you get the Subaru symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive system: Viscous-coupling limited-slip center differential (power distribution is 50/50 front/back wheels). The CVT gets the Subaru symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive system: Electronically controlled multi-plate transfer clutch (60/40 front/back under normal conditions).
Hill Descent Control is standard on all CVT models only as well as four wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution)
Front and rear stabilizer bars, MacPherson strut with lower L-arm suspension in the front and double-wishbone suspension in the back are standard across the lineup.
In the latest Consumer Reports automotive magazine it was rated as the most efficient small SUV on the market. It is also the IIHS top safety pick in it's category of small SUV.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2014/04/top-picks-2014/index.htm
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings

Consumption for the 6 speed manual is 10.6/8.4 (City/Hwy) (L/100km) (27/34 mpg) and 9.6/7.5 (City/Hwy) (L/100km) (29/38 mpg) for the CVT auto. For those outside of North America these numbers are for regular grade gasoline of only 87 octane.
Cargo volume is 974 Liters (34.4 cubic feet) with seats up and a whopping 2115 (74.7 cubic feet) with the rear seats folded and passenger volume comes in at 3067 Liters (108.3 cubic feet)


As for the price, starts at $25,995 Canadian for the base model and ends up at $35,695 for the Limited with technology package. PDI and freight is $1650 then you have to add the dreaded taxes which will bring you to almost $32,000 for the base model.
Although base model comes well equipped with A/C, cruise control, review camera, heated front seats, and bluetooth connectivity.

2015 Subaru Forester review at TheCarConnection.com (8.4/10): http://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/subaru_forester_2015

Autotrader.com review: http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/car-reviews/222370/2015-subaru-forester-new-car-review.jsp

KellyBlueBook review (8/10): http://www.kbb.com/subaru/forester/2015-subaru-forester/?r=427533221041997950

Motortrend.com review (4/5): http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2015/subaru/forester/

Subaru Canada: http://www.subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebSiteID=282&WebPageID=19198&Range=Forester&ModelYear=2015
Subaru USA: http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/forester/index.html

All photos from TheCarConnection.com to view more:
http://www.thecarconnection.com/photos/subaru_forester_2015

Subaru AWD system explained on allwheeldriven: http://www.awdwiki.com/en/subaru/

Apart from the so-so looks this SUV looks like a winner, especially for those of us who still prefer the manual gearbox over the auto. (Just wished it had the styling of the 2015 Lexus NX)