I’m always impressed by your ability to offer an honest assessment of vehicles you have owned or have a preference towards. That creative “de-Explorer” segment… pure Sarah-n-Tuned! 😉 Thank you, Sarah. 👍👍👍
Wow!!! I'm very impressed with this review!! I've yet to see any other review on the Forester that covers technical, underbody, interior, drive characteristics both on & off road, plus hill climb/descent. You really packed in pretty much everything a prospective buyer needs to know about this new car in one video. Well Done!!!!
I love your reviews. As a new 2025 Forester owner, I probably watched every RU-vid review---yours is the best! Your technical overview, actual driving, and animated comments is terrific.
Sarah, I love your car reviews. They're the perfect mix of technical details, driving experience and funny stuff. I love it when the rubber hand flies off the stick. Don't ever change. The penguins have become a part of your reviews too, so keep those guys employed.
You always do a nice job with the reviews Sarah. I appreciate your thorough yet quick delivery. Serious fact-filled presentation flavored with fun. Very nice.
<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="391">6:31</a> that's most likely the center airbag that deploys in side collisions. It stops the front occupants from hitting each other. I believe it's mandatory to get a 5 star rating in the Australian NCAP tests, so perhaps Subaru just includes it in all markets for production simplicity
In the Great Smoky Mountains this week. I saw tons of Foresters, Crosstreks and Outbacks. The most I’ve seen here. All of exploring we did, they were everywhere. Even saw a Legacy. They were all over.
Genius modification to that front grill. I agree about the Ford front end. Great brakes and some decent off- road chops, but hello it needs an XT and/or Wilderness edition. A car for a safe, boring person ?!
You know how much I love the off-road reviews❤ - and the Rally Special Stage 2.0 seems like so much fun ❤❤❤❤❤ - and silly penguin antics always puts a big smile on my face😂 - And speaking of faces; your "facelift"-suggestion was a big improvement, hoping someone at Subaru takes note. Thank you for what you do and Stay Awesome! ❤
I really wanted a turbo. Knowing the Forester wasn't going to get one, I bought an Outback Touring XT a few months ago. Turbo was the biggest reason, but I love my ventilated seats.
Moving the Celica to get this on the lift was super worth this excellent video! Been interested in a Forester for awhile and this is great info as always Sarah 🎉
Thanks Sarah for another great vid! A lovely way to start my day. You could produce a line of inexpensive, just-for-fun aftermarket parts that change the look/design of vehicles. They could also be used to change the look of your vehicle when fleeing the scene of whatever crime you might have committed - like overenthusiastically vigorous shaking of vehicles why communing with penguins! Many, many centre console buckets full of respect from the UK.
Almost anyone can make a car review that is a little bit fun. This one has three of the most delightful things on the internet: a Subaru, penguins, and the one and only Sarah. With Angel's voice making a cameo.
Sarah allll I want is a compilation video of nothing but "in the name of science I am now going to give it the beans. Bolstering assessment...(assesses bolstering)". It will get 1 million views bc I will watch it 1 million times 😂
Having owned 6 subies, yes the older fun ones, it is amazing to see that regardless of newness, they still make the things the same every model. Even if they made a 'lil Fordester, it is still a Subie. I wish turbos would come back though. Subie was big into turbos when no on else really was. Again, that is why I had the older fun ones. Still rocking an 05 OBT. Thing still takes off like a rocket. Great video Sarah!
Hey Sarah, excellent job on this one. I know you care about the direction that the car companies are going, but great to see just how much. hopefully Toyota has some influence and Subaru will bring back some of their awesome models. I wouldn’t be surprised and nice job with the shapes fixing the Forrester.🙂🐧🐧🐧👍
Best test drive what I have seen about this mode so far! 😍😍 Beautiful exterior and design since it is close to classic Forester design. And of course beautiful girl 😍😍 What I have not see yet is how is acceleration in manual mode.
loved the review!! everything seems ok with this Forester except for the Explorer front, and your solution was actually what I would do if I bought one!
Great work Sarah. Super detail that the other reviewers leave out. Also hoping for an XT and the promised hybrid. Still miss my 240k mile 2001 SF., what a car.
I think that tweaking of the lowest gear ratio really aided that steep hill-climb test, especially given it’s not even a Wilderness model; excellent review !
Okay, I’ve always scratched my head about the obsession around the kisluxbag book totes and their practicality, but this one is adorable!! Congratulations
Your presentation is wonderful. I love these wagons but have been on the sidelines because of the high cost of any possible engine repair. That aside, the car does remarkably and exceptionally well off road. Did not expect that ability at all. Your channel is great.
Excellent and timely review, Dear Lady! My SIL is looking to trade her '15 Forester, and this review will have her 100% comfortable with what's available. 10-Q!! 🤩
Just the greatest channel and content creator! And where else can you get themed penguins! 🐧 (not steamed penguins - pay attention 😀) just the greatest 🙂♥️
I'd sit tight & cross your fingers. Wait until the fall elections, and let's see if the American people (voters) learned their lesson over the past four years. If so.... 🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠
@@eskieman3948i don’t see what that has to do with anything. Regardless of what happens, people are not going to buy XT Foresters. They will still sell tons of non-turbo, fuel efficient models because that’s waht people want, unless you think an XT model will sell for $25k 😂
@@SarahnTuned My wife has the 2021 Forester Sport. We wish they would’ve had a XT model too. Hands down that would’ve been the model we would’ve bought. An STI model in world rally blue limited edition would be awesome but not holding my breath on that one.
<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="322">5:22</a> yep and that’s why I never got rid of my OEM rims….. When I first got the car, I took the rims off and cleaned the inner barrels (Sarah cleaning levels here ) and realized who the oe manufacturer was for Subaru….
You are a big reason why I got my 18 FXT, and I am still loving that thing! But without another XT coming, I'm stuck wondering where I'm going next. :/
I find more pleasure in keeping a vehicle in new condition as it ages. My Forester is 10 years old now and it literally still looks brand new in and out. So I say just be OCD about keeping your '18 in perfect condition and save your money! Be sure to do a CVT fluid change every 30k on it, disregard what the dealer may say, it's vital to make that TR690 last. MRT Performance in Australia did a great video on the high torque Subaru CVT on one that they tore apart.
The adjustable rear seats is the bane of my 2011's existence along with the fridge foam in the rear well. Other than that after 13 years of use its one of the best cars we have owned. Its the 2 ltr diesel with the pox dpf and egr setup other than that mechanically has been great. When Im done with it Sarah Ill sell your the six speed manual for your gump :)
Great review . . . I choose the Corolla Cross hybrid to buy because of dependability and fuel consumption but I wanted a Subaru all wheel for my steep drive . . . I couldn't get past the oil consumption problem. Love the the grill solution, Cheers.
I had my Forester 9 1/2 years now. Zero oil consumption issue. I also have only ever done my own maintenance and use high end performance oils and filters though.
So the fake shifting in a CVT has a purpose, I learned. It’s to prevent excessive wear on the CVT cones under full throttle. The fake shift varies the chain’s position on the cones to reduce wear.
If it is properly lubricated that should not be a factor. How about the add in a cvt fluid exchange into the service manual and then have the CVT do what a CVT is supposed to do. Excel at fuel economy.
fake shifting helps nothing at all at any point. the entire point of a cvt is to constantly adjust for optimal performance, the chain changes position every time it adjusts the ratio
@@bradhaines3142 - spoken like a true armchair expert. Did you even READ what I wrote? It doesn’t look like it since your response clearly doesn’t address my point.
@@tobysurmann1936 engineering explained has said before it does effectively nothing, and logic alone would prove youre wrong. the hesitation and jump of a 'shift' would only be worse for something designed to be consistent and smooth.
It is nice to see they keep making improvements to the CVT. An issue I ran into multiple times in my impreza is it will just completely shut down power in some situations to prevent damaging the transmission so you get some engine RPM but no wheel movement at all. DCTs have the same issue. Its fine on the road and like snow in the walmart parking lot though.
CVT in my 24 Crosstrek Sport (same engine as this) is better than in the 21 Outback XT with the 2.4 turbo. No unpredictable fake shifts that make the car slingshot unpredictably.. Either the CVT is better or it's a better match for the 2.5L torque than the turbo torque.