Subaru rolled out at the 2019 Subaru Forester in New York and with the three “mores” drivers want: more room, more power and more features.
The fifth generation of the popular sport utility vehicle is the roomiest, most capable and most versatile Forester ever made and also features groundbreaking new safety technology, according to Subaru of America CEO Tom Doll, who was promoted in time for the rollout.
The new Forester also is expected to help maintain Subaru’s sales momentum, which has led to 10 consecutive years of growth. The new model is built on the Subaru Global Platform to deliver significantly higher levels of driving pleasure, agility, crash protection, ride comfort and quietness, he added.
The all-new Forester, which is one of two completely new vehicles being added to the Subaru during 2018, will be available in standard, Premium, Limited, Touring and new Sport trim levels.
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All are powered by an enhanced direct-injection, 182 horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine featuring Auto Stop/Start and paired with a standard Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission). Also standard on all trim levels is Subaru’s legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
For 2019, all Foresters come standard with the award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist Technology.
The top-of-line Touring debuts the segment-exclusive DriverFocus safety technology which offers yet another layer of safety and convenience for the driver. The system can alert the driver of fatigue or distraction while on the road as well as automatically adjust many driver settings at start-up.
The new Forester will come with new technology aimed at reducing distractions to drivers.
With DriverFocus, Subaru said the Forester will use new technology to address one of the biggest issues in the automotive industry, which each day leads to the injury of more than 1,000 people in car crashes where drivers have failed to keep their eyes on the road.
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DriverFocus is a driver monitoring system that uses facial recognition software to identify signs of driver fatigue or driver distraction. It works with Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology to reduce the chance of an accident.
The all-new Forester is the first in its segment, and among the first vehicles in the industry to incorporate technology that can adder. The system can also store the features of five different drivers of the Forester.
The 2019 Forester debuts a more rugged style that showcases Subaru’s new design language while retaining a strong family resemblance to the rest of the brand’s portfolio. The exterior has shoulder lines that follow around the pillars to emphasize height and strength.
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The wheelbase is increased to 105.1 inches from 103.9 inches, with the gain benefitting rear seat legroom, which is now 39.4 inches, a 1.4-inch increase. The additional space is expected to attract customers who by passed the Forester in the past because they thought it too small, noted Mike McHale, Subaru’s director of communications.
