Today
I tested more cars offered by Subaru. I went back to Hodges Subaru in Ferndale,
MI and was dealing with Danielle again (if you’re looking to buy a Subaru and
live in the Detroit area, deal with her, she’s wonderful!). Today I was testing
and measuring cars for my parents who are finally looking to replace Harmony
(2000 Subaru Outback) or Cloud (1999 Subaru Forester).
A
few notes on the Subaru product line before I review the cars. Subaru needs to
offer a wagon version of the Legacy that is less bulky looking than the new
Outback’s (this is available in Japan and should be here too). Subaru manual
transmission vehicles still suffer from very soft clutch pedals, a bit more
resistant would just let you know you’re pressing it better. Also, Subaru offers
a lot of great diesel versions of their vehicles in other countries that are
quite fuel efficient, these should be offered to the USA as well.
The
first thing to note is that it does not feel as big as it looks when you drive
it.
Second
thing of note is it is a very comfortable cruiser and has been refined
significantly since the 2000 one my family has. There is a lot less road noise.
The
new adjustable seats (standard on the Outback, Legacy, Forester, and Tribeca [I’m
not sure about the WRX and STi]) are quite comfortable. I like to put them low
as possible, raise the front under the knees a little bit, and adjust it so
grips your back relatively nicely (not quite a proper bucket seat but close
enough that I would not complain).
The
ride height and seating position is fairly high. I’d say it’s similar to our
1999 Forester.
The
dash is kind of huge and domineering. I’m not a fan, others might not mind
this.
Regarding
the engine and transmission:
1st
gear is kind of blah. Gears 2 – 6 work well.
Any
highway passing should be done in gears 3 or 4. Gears 5 and 6 are really
cruising gears and that’s it.
There
is not much engine braking when you down shift.
The
six speed will offer better short shifting options and more fuel efficiency
than the older versions.
General
Conclusion:
Good
A to B if you need the room and space.
I
worry about parking it.
2014
Forester 2.5 L 6-speed manual
Ride
height and seating position are very high, uncomfortably so for me.
The
ride height and seating position actually helped with the dash being less of an
issue and increased visibility.
Same
seats as the Outback and wonderful.
It
did not have a lot of body roll, much less than Cloud (1999 Subaru Forester)
which I affectionately nicknamed “Trundles” due to its body roll.
The
new Forester felt a lot less planted and confident in corners than any other
Subaru I have driven so far. On Cloud I have four wheel drifted it and thrown
it into just about any corner and it has been confident and willing. On the new
Forester I took an off ramp from I-696 to I-75 at 55 mph in 6th
gear. The car felt like I was approaching a limit and did not feel comfortable
there.
Regarding
the engine and transmission:
1st
gear felt a bit better here.
In
general it felt a bit more enthusiastic than the Outback.
This
transmission was the worst on downshifting for engine braking, it is basically non-existent.
General
Conclusion:
This
feels more like the Toyota RAV4 my housemate had in college. It is not as
nimble or as quick as its first or second generation Forester predecessors.
I
found it disappointing compared to other generations of this vehicle.
The
XT version with the new 2.0 L turbo engine needs to be mated to the 6-speed
manual, not just a CVT, and it needs a reworked suspension.
2014
XV Crosstrek 2.0 L CVT Lineartronic (6-speeds selectable in manual mode)
In
terms of feel and size I feel like this is much more the successor to the old
Foresters than the new Forester is.
Seating
position is about where our old Outback or Forester is.
This
actually offers slightly less internal volume than a new Impreza.
It
does offer more ground clearance, taller ride height, and a more SUV like
seating position.
This
was much more confident and planted than the Forester, I actually took it for a
drive (even though it was an automatic) because I wanted to know how it felt on
the same corner the Forester was so questionable on. It passed with flying
colors. It does not feel as planted as the Impreza, but body roll is kept in
check and overall I would say it is quite well executed.
I
dislike the seats, more on that below.
Regarding
the engine and transmission:
You’ll
want to read the section about the Impreza below to understand some of the
comments I made here.
The
manual mode on the transmission is no substitute for a real manual transmission.
The
real problem with this car is it shares the same drivetrain as the Impreza but
the CVT transmission absolutely destroys the experience and the lovely 2.0 L
engine. Get a manual, just do it.
General
Conclusion:
I
need to test a XV Crosstrek with a manual transmission just so I can directly
compare it to the Impreza.
I
would only consider one if I wanted as close to a direct replacement for a first
or second generation Forester rather than go with the new Forester.
2014
Impreza 2.0 L 5-speed manual
This
car genuinely surprised me and in a very pleasant way.
The
seats are terrible (at least for me). They angle down to the pedals. There is
no adjustability to bring the front of the seat (underneath the knees) up, so
you’re kind of sliding toward the pedals.
The
car is nimble and quick.
It’s
noisier than the Outback or Forester, engine, road, and wind wise.
It
felt lighter and more alive than the 2009 WRX that I drove a few weeks ago.
Visibility
was great.
The
dash, while joining with its brethren in the tendency for larger dashes (keep
in mind I normally drive a 1994 Honda Prelude) is well within check and not
disruptive.
Regarding
the engine and transmission:
The
little 2.0 L is rev happy. It likes to go through its full range and delivers
quite nicely. Unlike the 2.5 L in the Outback and Forester I think this engine
does much better across the entire rev range.
The
5-speed transmission while older and arguably outdated is absolutely perfect
with the engine. They are in perfect harmony and compliment each other very
well. I kind of worry what will happen when they do eventually switch to a
6-speed and if anything would be lost.
On
downshift and upshift it is great and responsive in any gear and engine braking
works very well.
General
Conclusion:
If
this car had the seats of the Legacy I would be completely happy with it.
I
like the lightness of the steering here more than I like the weightier steering
of the WRX, it reminds me more of the steering of the STi.
It
reminds me of an article I read on TopGear.com about how cheaper cars with less
performance are more fun because you can drive them closer to their limits on a
day to day compared to a sports car which is too capable to get anywhere near
its limits on a daily basis. Being able to drive these cars closer to their
limits makes it more fun and I feel like the Impreza is a great candidate for
this.
The
car was eager and rewarded you well for going through the rev range.
Most
importantly this car put a big smile on my face.
Honestly,
with nicer seats I would have considered this and be happy with it. As a daily
driver I would be very happy with it and as a 5-door it is quite practical.
Subaru
needs more cars like this in its line.
2014
BRZ 2.0 L 6-speed manual
So
this is the car I have on order, but the dealer had one in stock and I was
asked if I’d like to take it for a spin.
Simply
every gear is responsive and wants to go. The engine is wonderful and the
cornering cannot be beat unless you spend a LOT more money.
It
is quick to remind you why you chose it instead of an Impreza (so long as you
really don’t need the cargo / seating space).
It
was the first time I had one on the highway, I was quite pleased.
Next
post will be on my experience with dealerships and what I think you should look
out for.
Also,
feel free and ask any questions you have in comments.
No comments:
Post a Comment