We tested the XT on the way to Michigan’s famous Sno*Drift rally
We took Subaru’s top-tier Forester XT up to
While the base Forester comes with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated H4 making a modest 170 hp, the XT is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer — raising output all the way to 250
Spreading that power to all four wheels is an oft-maligned continuously variable transmission. In this case, though, it’s hard to complain. The CVT performed smoothly under normal driving, as it should, but it really shined when romped on. The CVT holds the boosted boxer-four at peak power and makes this thing hustle over the snow-packed roads. The power does come at a slight cost; we could only manage around 21 mpg on the highway.
Of course, that should come as no surprise considering this is essentially a WRX packaged as a CUV. Keeping that family resemblance alive, Subaru equipped the Forester XT with a noticeably stiffer suspension than the base trims. Even so, it’s still much softer than the WRX chassis from which it was liberated. Brake dive is noticeable, as is body roll, though not offensively. The XT also gets more ground clearance than its rallying cousin, though we didn’t take it off-road. We did, however, encounter some northern
2016 Subaru Forester XT
The 18-inch alloys were wrapped in factory all-season rubber but still managed their northern expedition without a hiccup. While the highway wasn’t heavily covered, the city streets were. The only problem the Forester showed in these treacherous conditions was stopping, which is more due to the all-seasons not having enough bite. Grab winter tires, it’ll be a snowmobile.
Aside from a more potent powerplant, the XT also gets a few cosmetic upgrades and a marginally nicer cabin. The XT’s front and rear fascias are sportier than the standard-issue Forester’s, with chrome-tipped dual exhaust pipes exiting from the rear. The interior is spattered with soft-touch materials that help justify the $ 36,000 price tag.
The heated leather helped stave off fatigue during our three-hour tour north. The switch for the seat heaters is placed at the base of the center stack. Unlike other manufacturers that use a button to control the heat in the seat, Subaru employs a three-position rocker switch.
Intuitive design is present throughout the rest of the cabin. The multifunction steering wheel is easily mastered, as is the touchscreen infotainment system. Navigation is optional but worth considering. The only packaging problem we found with the Forester XT is the awkward placement of the USB ports. They’re in the center console storage area, under the removable tray.
Like the rest of the tech in the Forester, the adaptive cruise control is laughably easy to use. The button is within reach of the thumb on the steering wheel, as is the adjustment for speed. While there isn’t a lane-keep assist, there is an annoying lane departure warning that can thankfully be turned off. At first, those warnings are annoying enough to be effective, however — one trip through a construction zone will induce horrific flashbacks of digital alarm clocks on weekend mornings.
2016 Subaru Forester XT
The cabin has another fault: noise. While Subaru stepped up the weather stripping over the base model, the XT is still full of wind noise. It’s easily loud enough to make talking to a passenger a problem at speed.
Visibility is where the Forester thrives. The narrow A-pillars, combined with well-placed mirrors, make for an easy-to-drive people hauler. The blind-spot warnings aren’t even really necessary because of how effective mirror placement is, but we still appreciate it.
Anyone interested in a utility vehicle is concerned with space, and the Forester comes in strong with 68.5 cubic feet of storage space. That should be enough for any family’s regular routine — anything more, and you probably shouldn’t drive an SUV anyway.
Although we touched on this before, the price for this top-notch Forester is hefty. You could shave off a grand by not checking the box for navigation — which can be replaced with any TomTom or Garmin, or your iPhone — but it won’t be as sleek as the built-in setup. With the nav, we’re looking at $ 36,040 including destination, which puts us on the more expensive side of the crossover world. Though, if you’re considering a WRX and are concerned with space and winter capabilities, then you can stop looking with this XT. The Forester is your destination. However, if you’re looking for a quieter cabin, a more refined ride, then you might want to look elsewhere.
