2019 Subaru Forester 2.0i-S Review

Nowadays, the competition in Malaysia's C-Segment SUV market is becoming increasingly fierce. Consumers pursue comfort for daily commuting, value the off-road capability for countryside or rainy weather conditions, and also have higher expectations for the richness of features. The 2019 Subaru Forester 2.0i-S, as a popular choice in this segment, has maintained high attention with its standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, spacious interior, and comprehensive safety features. In this test drive, we focused on experiencing its actual driving performance, practicality in space, and whether its features can truly meet the needs of family users to see if it deserves the title of "the all-around family SUV."

In terms of appearance, the 2019 Forester 2.0i-S continues Subaru's family-style rugged design with simple and smooth lines, devoid of overly fancy elements. The hexagonal front grille paired with chrome accents is highly recognizable, while the sharply shaped LED headlights come with standard automatic lights and daytime running lights, enhancing practicality. The side of the car features a waistline running from the front to the rear, matched with 18-inch alloy wheels, giving it a relatively sleek side profile. The rear design is relatively rounded, with horizontally arranged LED taillights that light up attractively. The silver skid plate under the rear bumper adds a touch of off-road flavor. The minimum ground clearance of the entire vehicle reaches 220mm, which is higher than many SUVs in the same class, ensuring good off-road capabilities.

Stepping inside, the interior layout is simple and practical. The materials used include extensively soft-touch materials, which feel good, and the addition of stitching on the top of the center console enhances the sense of luxury. An 8-inch central control screen is located in the middle of the dashboard and operates smoothly. It supports connections such as Bluetooth and USB, though the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is somewhat disappointing. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather, offering a comfortable grip, and comes equipped as standard with multifunctional buttons and paddle shifters, making it convenient for the driver to operate while driving. As for features, the 2.0i-S version is quite sincere. Highlights include dual-zone automatic air conditioning, rear air vents, heated front seats, and 8-way power-adjustable driver and passenger seats, all of which stand out in vehicles of the same price range. Safety features are a particular strength, with standard equipment including seven airbags (including a knee airbag), ABS, ESP, rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera, providing a strong sense of security.

Space utilization has always been a strong suit of the Forester. The 2019 model has dimensions measuring 4625mm×1815mm×1730mm, with a wheelbase of 2670mm, delivering a spacious interior. The front seats offer good support and wrapping, and the 8-way power-adjustable feature allows drivers of different statures to find a comfortable position. The rear seating is particularly impressive; a 175cm-tall passenger sitting in the back has over two fists of legroom remaining and about one fist of headroom, ensuring a comfortable ride even during long journeys. The rear seats support a 60:40 split folding configuration, which expands the trunk space from 520L to 1770L when folded down, fully meeting the needs of families carrying large items for trips. Additionally, the cabin offers many practical storage spaces, such as door pockets, a central armrest box, a glove compartment, etc., making it convenient for storing small items like phones and water bottles in daily use.

In terms of power, the 2019 Forester 2.0i-S is equipped with a 2.0L naturally-aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 156PS and a peak torque of 196N·m, paired with a CVT transmission. Judging by the parameters, such power output is at a medium level among vehicles in the same class. In actual driving, the power response during the starting phase is relatively smooth, lacking the abrupt explosiveness of turbocharged models, making it suitable for daily commuting. When you step harder on the accelerator, the CVT simulates gear shifts, the RPM rises rapidly, and power output increases gradually. For overtaking, as long as you give some advance throttle, it can meet your needs. However, at high-speed cruising, the acceleration capacity feels a bit lacking, requiring sufficient distance for overtaking. As for driving modes, it offers three options: Normal, Sport, and Economy. In Sport mode, the throttle response is more sensitive, while Economy mode focuses more on fuel efficiency.

Handling and chassis performance are Subaru's strong suits. The 2019 Forester 2.0i-S is equipped with the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, setting it apart from many two-wheel drive SUVs. During daily driving, the AWD system intelligently allocates power, enhancing vehicle stability, especially on rainy or slippery roads where grip performance is excellent. The chassis adopts a combination of front MacPherson strut and rear double-wishbone independent suspensions, tuned for comfort, effectively filtering out minor vibrations from the road. However, when driving over large speed bumps or uneven roads, the rear passengers can still feel some jolts. The steering wheel offers moderate resistance and precise control, while body roll during cornering is well managed, instilling a strong sense of confidence.

Regarding fuel consumption, in mixed driving conditions (city + highway), the fuel consumption is approximately 8.5L per 100 kilometers. On highways, the consumption is slightly lower, around 7.2L per 100 kilometers. Such performance is relatively good for a 2.0L SUV. In terms of noise control, at high speeds, some wind and tire noise does seep into the cabin, but it does not impact normal conversation, leaving the overall performance fairly decent.

In summary, the 2019 Subaru Forester 2.0i-S is a highly suitable SUV for family users. Its advantages are evident: spacious interior, comprehensive safety features, practical all-wheel drive system, and decent fuel efficiency. Although its performance in terms of power may not be its strong suit, it is entirely sufficient for daily commuting and family trips. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Forester has certain advantages in space and all-wheel drive capability, and its configuration is relatively rich. However, there is room for improvement in terms of technological features (e.g., infotainment systems).

If you are a family user who values practicality and safety, often traveling with family members, and occasionally venturing to areas with challenging road conditions, then the 2019 Subaru Forester 2.0i-S is a great choice. It may not be the sportiest or the most technologically advanced, but it is definitely one of the most versatile and worry-free family SUVs.