2017 Subaru Forester Review

Detailed Review

The first generation of the Subaru Forester known as the SF started its production in 1997 and continued up to 2002. It was built on the platform of the Impreza in the style of a taller station wagon. The Forester designated SG’s second iteration debuted in 2002 and was produced up to 2009. In this period, Subaru launched a sportier version of the Forester known as the STI (Subaru Tecnica International) which had a new grille, a revised bumper, and new headlights. The rear end was also redesigned and added a rear spoiler.

The third generation of the Forester codenamed SH commenced its production in 2009 and continued up to 2014. Here, the Forester’s body design moved towards a crossover SUV. The SJ marked the fourth generation of the Forester and was produced from 2014 to 2018. It had a major revamp of the interior. The fifth generation of the Forester known as SK has been in production since 2018 and is currently ongoing.

The 2017 Subaru Forester comes with four engine options, a 2.0 L FA20F, a 2.0 L FB20 (Petrol), a 2.5 L FB25 (Petrol), and a 2.0 L EE20 (Diesel) linked to either a 6-speed manual transmission or Linear-tronic CVT.

2017 Subaru Forester grades

1. Subaru Forester 2.5i- This grade comes with upgraded speakers, an Auto-dimming mirror/ Compass and home link, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a power-assisted steering wheel.
2. Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium- This grade features an AM/FM stereo HD Radio, a CD Player, Bluetooth connectivity, iPod control capability, and smartphone integration.
3. Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited- This grade has a body-colored bumper, a spare wheel, power mirrors, a 12-volt power outlet, power door locks, and power windows.
4. Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium- This grade boasts 18-inch alloy wheels, a rack & pinion steering, an LCD screen, voice-activated controls, and a rear vision camera.
5. Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring- This grade is equipped with dual USB ports, 6 speakers, satellite connectivity, central door locking, deep tinted glass, and body-colored front & rear bumper.
6. Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Touring- This grade is fitted with power windows, AM/FM Radio, smartphone integration, Bluetooth connectivity, and a voice activation control.

Interior

Legroom & Space

The 2017 Subaru Forester has a spacious cabin that fully supports practicality and comfort. The first row offers plenty of legroom and headroom and the seats can recline to fit a desired position. The second row is impressive as well with ample knee room and headroom. Another standout attribute of the Forester is its phenomenal visibility.

Cabin Storage

The 2017 Subaru Forester encompasses various storage compartments that are used to improve the comfort of occupants by storing or holding items like soft drinks, keys, paperwork, and other stuff. The first row features a glove box compartment, door pockets, two cup holders, and a center console. The second row includes two cupholders, door pockets, and jacket pockets.

Boot Space

The 2017 Subaru Forester has a spacious cargo area that can ferry tons of freight. With the rear seats up, the Forester boasts 34.4 cubic feet of space and 74.7 cubic feet with them folded.

Exterior

The 2017 Subaru Forester does not break away from its traditional boxy design but depicts elegance and refinement. The front end features a nicely curved chrome grille with the Subaru emblem affixed on it to stamp its presence. Compared to its predecessor, it has sleek headlights that are not boxy, and together with the LED daytime running lights, they lend the Forester a modern touch. The lower fascia incorporates fog lights, air vents, and body-colored bumpers. The side profile depending on the variant either features 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels. A sunroof is fitted on higher grades to allow ambient lighting. The rear encompasses tail lights and turn signals. A rear spoiler is incorporated to improve the aerodynamics and give the Forester a sporty look. Its tailgate is electronically actuated which is very convenient especially when your hands are full of cargo.

 

2017 Subaru Forester Safety Features

The 2017 Subaru Forester features traction control, stability control, an anti-locking braking system, multiple airbags, and electronic brake force distribution. It also incorporates Starlink Safety Plus telematics system which includes emergency assistance and automatic collision notification.

2017 Subaru Forester Fuel Consumption

2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 L petrol engine consumption- 11.4 km/l on average

2017 Subaru Forester 2.5 L petrol engine consumption- 10.6 km/l on average

2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 L diesel engine consumption- 15.8 km/l on average

2017 Subaru Forester Acceleration

2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 L petrol engine accelerates from 0-100km/h in 11.1 secs

2017 Subaru Forester 2.5 L petrol engine accelerates from 0-100km/h in 10.3 secs

2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 L diesel engine accelerates from 0-100km/h in 9.8 secs

The 2017 Subaru Forester Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 liters

Ground Clearance

The 2017 Subaru Forester has a ground clearance of 8.7 inches.

Service Intervals

Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil.

Major Service: At 10,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil.

Spare Parts and Availability

Service parts are available and fairly priced in Kenya. Body parts on the other hand are expensive and mostly available from Subaru Kenya.

Stability And Handling

The 2017 Subaru Forester delivers a smooth and comfortable ride. Its steering wheel is power-assisted so it adapts to road curvature making driving easy and complacent. The suspension system protects passengers from experiencing jarring movements especially when driving on uneven road surfaces. Compared to its competitors, there is more engine noise in the Forester. Its visibility is top-notch and allows the occupants to have a better view of what lies ahead.

Its approach and departure angles are good enough to allow it to traverse in off-road terrains. The Forester comes standard with an all-wheel drive system which makes it a perfect crossover SUV in its class to navigate uneven surfaces.

Other technologies incorporated in the Forester to enhance its stability include an anti-lock braking system, stability control, and traction control.

Reliability

The 2017 Subaru Forester is considered a reliable car. It features a high ground clearance that enables it to be driven in off-road terrains without the worry of damaging its body components. Shuddering while shifting gears, excessive oil consumption, as well as premature battery failure are the common problems reported in the 2017 Subaru Forester.

Refer to the Subaru Forester buyer guide for a thorough reliability report. We also urge that you always follow the instructions in the owner’s manual.

Resale Value: Good

Subaru Forester Competitors:  Mazda CX5, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Escape, and Hyundai Tucson.

What we like about the 2017 Subaru Forester

Plenty of room in both rows

Above-average off-road capability

Optional turbocharged engines provide spirited acceleration

Impressive fuel economy for an all-wheel drive crossover SUV

What we don’t

CVT may seem less responsive than a traditional automatic

Its maximum towing capacity is not robust

It doesn’t feel as sporty around turns compared to its rivals

Conclusion

The 2017 Subaru Forester is a versatile and practical car that makes it ideal for individuals with a family as its safety features are highly rated. The availability of its all-wheel-drive system does not hinder it from exploiting challenging terrains, unlike its rivals. For enthusiasts who value performance, there is a turbo variant with paddle shifters or manual transmission that gives the thrill of driving a fast car. However, its high acquisition price limits individuals on a tight budget from owning it.