I recently bought a 2017 FXT Touring (Forester XT Touring). I researched it extensively. Decent review but it doesn't have the exact engine the WRX has the cam profile and valve spring rate is different, equaling a 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds not 6 second. Also it isn't SI mode. There (I) for intelligent, (S) for Sport, & (S#) for Sport Sharp. He also has a section about safety features but didn't touch on a lot of them. The Eyesight does more than just forward Collision prevention. Eyesight also has the adaptive cruise control feature and Lane keep feature. There is also Lane departure warning signs, multiple backing safety features as well which include cross traffic detection, automatic rear Collision braking, a backup camera with assistance lines, and distance radar. Now I may not have called these safety features what Subaru calls them I just used general terminology
Sooo, a month ago I went to International Motors in Sheboygan. I had driven my son’s STI and I loved it. I am 66, but I still like fast. I test drove a 50 Year Anniversary WRX with a 6 speed manual. I also drove a 2018Turbo Forester. The WRX was a joy that I loved. Realizing that the Forester was a Suv, I loved it too. I left with a decision to make. It took me two days to make it, knowing that one could be sold at any time, making my decision for me. I was really torn. I weighed everything. The zero percent with the Forester swung my vote. I am happy all around with my decision, but with different circumstances I would have gotten the WRX. Practically won out, this is WI anyway.
I just bought one and your video was so informative dude. Thankful that you made this video, I didn't know about the SI mode, Trying this today when I hope on my Forester!
The Forester XT was a very close 2nd back in 2015 when I was looking for an SUV. I bought the Mazda CX-5 GT AWD instead as it handled better, my son now drives it and it works great. I now have a 2020 WRX and love it.
I have this exact 17 XT and I love it. Im a 21 year old guy, but I wanted a practical car. I love the WRX but the XT has a better ride, can handle the NYC roads a lot better, is a lot more rare, holds a lot more cargo, and is a great sleeper. Thats why I love it and chose it over a WRX
In my country Singapore, this Forester XT is 2 times cheaper than a Mercedes C180, cheaper than a RAV4 and is very common on the road. It is only slightly more expensive than a corolla and to own this car for such a lower comparative price is a COMPLETE STEAL. Love the power and the sturdy stable platform
Only bummer is no manual :/ But their CVT is excellent and less of a pain in heavy traffic. There are plenty of fun cheap manual cars you could get in addition to a FXT if you have to have that anyway =)
Nice review, love mine, yes the turbo is a hoot! You forgot the huge opening sun roof, not two panels of glass w one over the top of the other when open. Love having a sleeper that blow's off most at a stoplight!
Jerry Slama Glad you enjoyed the review and like your XT! I loved driving it, really good family car for the man that couldn't get the sports car he wanted.
for the man that couldn't get the sports car he wanted..... i feel this is my bf . are you happy with your forester xt? performance wise im leaving a mazdaspeed3 to possibly this forester
Lili del campo The Forester XT is definitely a quick car that handles competently but I definitely wouldn't say that it handles like a sports car or as well as your Mazda Speed3 does that's for sure. If you have to get a crossover and you want it to be quick definitely give the XT a look!
Motor Minds Productions well I wish you would have made a commission cus I bought the xt and this video had a lot to do I was worried about the performance and even stock it's a great vehicle. Thanks keep up the good work
Good review covering most of the vehicle, I have the XT touring and LOVE it!! but it will be much better if you add couple more different camera angles other than looking at you. Also I would like to see the things you described throughout the video, like the turbo boost gauge, frameless mirror, etc..
I drive the same spec XT as the one in the video. The only negative I can say is the CVT. Given I am straight off of owning the BRZ, this would make sense
Yeah you definitely need to get used to the CVT. I don't mind them as long as they aren't in super underpowered cars because in that application the droning noise gets super aggravating.
RightFootForward11 they have weak windshield for some reason, they made certain years thinner to save more fuel, but now there have been many cases of cracked windshields. Not everyone but people are out there with this issue
great review! We have a Forester and a Crosstrek in the family and the only thing missing is a turbo lol. for me, the best would be the WRX engine in the Crosstrek :)
GroovyMotion Couldn't agree with you more about the Crosstrek. The standard engine's 148 horsepower is way to little for that car. Glad you enjoyed the review!
hi from Chile, have xt 2015, wondering whether change for a 2018 xt (without eyesight here in Chile) or stay put with xt15 wait next year maybe new fxt with the ascent engine.... ufff. that the dilema...
I've got a '17 XT and I agree with most of what you've said. Ill add that the power lift gate SUCKS hard. Its so slow and when I first got mine I was entering a highway on ramp and the door latch system for the tail gate failed and it automatically deployed while in motion. Fortunantly all my stuff stayed in place. Later I discovered the factory "trunk" mat was the fault so I replaced it with a Weathertech. Massive difference man. ha ha. Also, the front seats are really hard to sit in for more than 2 hours at a time. Subaru needs to completely redo these seats dude. Ok, 1 more thing.... the horn. It's so wussy. I wanna get a Hella horn Quadzilla! But am not not sure about the installation procedure yet as the ones here in TH-cam are not for the '17 :-(
MrMinecraftAtlantis Wow that sucks! Glad you enjoy everything else though! We have a review on a new Golf GTI coming up and I can honestly say the XT is just as fast in a straight line.
We have a mid-level Forester and the seats are not as comfy as in my Crosstrek. As for the latch, my mom saw the Forester with the gate open and she thought she had pressed on the remote by mistake! Definitely an issue. And yes the gate takes ages to open!
I have a 2016 FXT. With just a Cobb Accessport and 93 octane, my car does 0-60 in 5.3 seconds. I also installed a Whiteline heavy duty adjustable rear swaybar and a Custco front strut tower brace. The car does not lean at all when cornering hard. I recently installed a Nameless axleback exhaust. Now it sounds great too!
@@davidmontano7678 unfortunately, I put a hole in the engine block around 32,000 miles. I had a loaner for 12 weeks. Subaru first replaced the engine block, then replaced the heads. The dealer billed Subaru about $12,000. I sold the car very shortly after I got it back and bought a 2019 RAM 1500 Limited with 5.7 liter eTorque. Bought specifically to trailer my Jeep. Bought a used 18 foot deckover trailer Monday and registered it yesterday. Search my name on TH-cam. I posted a few videos of my Jeep.
great video bud. I had a wrx and now have a 20mo. old and another boy on the way. This is for people like me and countless others who cannot afford those biturbo V8 amg's lol. I didn't like the cvt but you make a good argument about how it makes you feel the turbo initially..so I'm gonna think about that more :-)
Brad Rutherford Yup sometimes a car like the XT just makes more sense. I can definitely tell you it's hot hatch fast in a straight line and it corners fairly well for the type of vehicle that it is. It definitely works well as a sporty, relatively cheap SUV.
Just got this car as a 2018 XT in White with brown leather. My first SUV and I love it. Had 12 KM on board when I got it and i'm up to 200 Km already in 2 days :)) Can't wait to see what she's got after 1000 Km. I'm taking it easy for a while, but it's hard :)))
I have a new one of these but metallic gray. You're right about the acceleration when the turbo kicks in!! Dayyyymn!! I actually felt g-force a few times when I launched it!! Very surprising!
Johnathan Carman You sure you drove the XT?? For a non premium crossover the XT is definitely one of the quicker ones out there, a 0-60 in the low 6 second range is pretty quick!
I recently bought a 2017 FXT Touring (Forester XT Touring). I researched it extensively.
Decent review but it doesn't have the exact engine the WRX has the cam profile and valve spring rate is different, equaling a 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds not 6 second. Also it isn't SI mode. There (I) for intelligent, (S) for Sport, & (S#) for Sport Sharp.
He also has a section about safety features but didn't touch on a lot of them. The Eyesight does more than just forward Collision prevention. Eyesight also has the adaptive cruise control feature and Lane keep feature. There is also Lane departure warning signs, multiple backing safety features as well which include cross traffic detection, automatic rear Collision braking, a backup camera with assistance lines, and distance radar. Now I may not have called these safety features what Subaru calls them I just used general terminology
Sooo, a month ago I went to International Motors in Sheboygan. I had driven my son’s STI and I loved it. I am 66, but I still like fast. I test drove a 50 Year Anniversary WRX with a 6 speed manual. I also drove a 2018Turbo Forester. The WRX was a joy that I loved. Realizing that the Forester was a Suv, I loved it too. I left with a decision to make. It took me two days to make it, knowing that one could be sold at any time, making my decision for me. I was really torn. I weighed everything. The zero percent with the Forester swung my vote. I am happy all around with my decision, but with different circumstances I would have gotten the WRX. Practically won out, this is WI anyway.
I just bought one and your video was so informative dude. Thankful that you made this video, I didn't know about the SI mode, Trying this today when I hope on my Forester!
The Forester XT was a very close 2nd back in 2015 when I was looking for an SUV. I bought the Mazda CX-5 GT AWD instead as it handled better, my son now drives it and it works great. I now have a 2020 WRX and love it.
Forgot to mention the larger brakes and sport suspension compared to regular Forester.
I have this exact 17 XT and I love it. Im a 21 year old guy, but I wanted a practical car. I love the WRX but the XT has a better ride, can handle the NYC roads a lot better, is a lot more rare, holds a lot more cargo, and is a great sleeper. Thats why I love it and chose it over a WRX
ks10308 Glad you're enjoying it! You really don't see that many of them on the road and they're really freakin fast!
believe it or not there are a lot of 2015+ WRX and STIs in NYC; seldom do you see any FXT. Definitely a sleeper
ks10308 Yeah for sure, most people buying Forester's just stick with the non-turbo 4 cylinder.
In my country Singapore, this Forester XT is 2 times cheaper than a Mercedes C180, cheaper than a RAV4 and is very common on the road. It is only slightly more expensive than a corolla and to own this car for such a lower comparative price is a COMPLETE STEAL.
Love the power and the sturdy stable platform
Only bummer is no manual :/ But their CVT is excellent and less of a pain in heavy traffic.
There are plenty of fun cheap manual cars you could get in addition to a FXT if you have to have that anyway =)
I just purchased this vehicle last week, same colors..mine is a 2018 XT and it is fun. paddle shifters are cool.
Ramguykev Glad you're happy with your purchase! It's definitely one of the more zesty crossovers out there that aren't in the luxury segment!
Nice review, love mine, yes the turbo is a hoot! You forgot the huge opening sun roof, not two panels of glass w one over the top of the other when open. Love having a sleeper that blow's off most at a stoplight!
Jerry Slama Glad you enjoyed the review and like your XT! I loved driving it, really good family car for the man that couldn't get the sports car he wanted.
for the man that couldn't get the sports car he wanted..... i feel this is my bf . are you happy with your forester xt? performance wise im leaving a mazdaspeed3 to possibly this forester
Lili del campo The Forester XT is definitely a quick car that handles competently but I definitely wouldn't say that it handles like a sports car or as well as your Mazda Speed3 does that's for sure. If you have to get a crossover and you want it to be quick definitely give the XT a look!
Motor Minds Productions well I wish you would have made a commission cus I bought the xt and this video had a lot to do I was worried about the performance and even stock it's a great vehicle. Thanks keep up the good work
Lili del campo Thanks! Glad we could help out with your decision!
Good review covering most of the vehicle, I have the XT touring and LOVE it!! but it will be much better if you add couple more different camera angles other than looking at you. Also I would like to see the things you described throughout the video, like the turbo boost gauge, frameless mirror, etc..
I miss the hood scoop.
Mirrek Balderson Haha yeah they need another Forester STI
"You couldn't get the WRX but you want to have some fun with the family" the reason I want it
I drive the same spec XT as the one in the video. The only negative I can say is the CVT. Given I am straight off of owning the BRZ, this would make sense
Yeah you definitely need to get used to the CVT. I don't mind them as long as they aren't in super underpowered cars because in that application the droning noise gets super aggravating.
Motor Minds Productions I've also just got a large crack in my windshield. Haha, that's what mountain driving will do
RightFootForward11 Man that stinks! I don't know which I hate more, windshield chips or paint chips!
RightFootForward11 they have weak windshield for some reason, they made certain years thinner to save more fuel, but now there have been many cases of cracked windshields. Not everyone but people are out there with this issue
If I got an XT, I would really miss my 6 speed manual.
HunterXray Haha the only way I'd get out of a manual car is if the car was stupid good and had a good paddleshift transmission.
great review! We have a Forester and a Crosstrek in the family and the only thing missing is a turbo lol. for me, the best would be the WRX engine in the Crosstrek :)
liked your review and subscribed btw :)
GroovyMotion Couldn't agree with you more about the Crosstrek. The standard engine's 148 horsepower is way to little for that car. Glad you enjoyed the review!
hi from Chile, have xt 2015, wondering whether change for a 2018 xt (without eyesight here in Chile) or stay put with xt15 wait next year maybe new fxt with the ascent engine.... ufff. that the dilema...
I've got a '17 XT and I agree with most of what you've said. Ill add that the power lift gate SUCKS hard. Its so slow and when I first got mine I was entering a highway on ramp and the door latch system for the tail gate failed and it automatically deployed while in motion. Fortunantly all my stuff stayed in place. Later I discovered the factory "trunk" mat was the fault so I replaced it with a Weathertech. Massive difference man. ha ha. Also, the front seats are really hard to sit in for more than 2 hours at a time. Subaru needs to completely redo these seats dude. Ok, 1 more thing.... the horn. It's so wussy. I wanna get a Hella horn Quadzilla! But am not not sure about the installation procedure yet as the ones here in TH-cam are not for the '17 :-(
MrMinecraftAtlantis Wow that sucks! Glad you enjoy everything else though! We have a review on a new Golf GTI coming up and I can honestly say the XT is just as fast in a straight line.
We have a mid-level Forester and the seats are not as comfy as in my Crosstrek. As for the latch, my mom saw the Forester with the gate open and she thought she had pressed on the remote by mistake! Definitely an issue. And yes the gate takes ages to open!
Québecois d'origine et maintenant Franco Ontarien!
Those intakes outside the fog lights are actually functional
D10N _ Not on the US Spec. I have an 17 FXT and am changing those to DRLs
Nope. It's a sealed plastic not a vent
great video wish you could have incorporated more exterior shots though
I have a 2016 FXT. With just a Cobb Accessport and 93 octane, my car does 0-60 in 5.3 seconds.
I also installed a Whiteline heavy duty adjustable rear swaybar and a Custco front strut tower brace. The car does not lean at all when cornering hard.
I recently installed a Nameless axleback exhaust. Now it sounds great too!
Man that sounds awesome! Just shows how much power making potential some of these turbocharged engines have with a few mods.
nice u should have videos of that?
Got any vids?
@@davidmontano7678 unfortunately, I put a hole in the engine block around 32,000 miles. I had a loaner for 12 weeks. Subaru first replaced the engine block, then replaced the heads. The dealer billed Subaru about $12,000. I sold the car very shortly after I got it back and bought a 2019 RAM 1500 Limited with 5.7 liter eTorque. Bought specifically to trailer my Jeep. Bought a used 18 foot deckover trailer Monday and registered it yesterday. Search my name on TH-cam. I posted a few videos of my Jeep.
@@dns711 sorry about your FXT man! Glad you got it repaired and sold though. Rams are lots of fun, had a 03 V8 and that was a blast!
great video bud. I had a wrx and now have a 20mo. old and another boy on the way. This is for people like me and countless others who cannot afford those biturbo V8 amg's lol. I didn't like the cvt but you make a good argument about how it makes you feel the turbo initially..so I'm gonna think about that more :-)
Brad Rutherford Yup sometimes a car like the XT just makes more sense. I can definitely tell you it's hot hatch fast in a straight line and it corners fairly well for the type of vehicle that it is. It definitely works well as a sporty, relatively cheap SUV.
The real fxt ended in 2005
Just got this car as a 2018 XT in White with brown leather. My first SUV and I love it. Had 12 KM on board when I got it and i'm up to 200 Km already in 2 days :)) Can't wait to see what she's got after 1000 Km. I'm taking it easy for a while, but it's hard :)))
Nick Adam Haha gotta be careful during engine break in!
What does one of these Cost??
Is this the bass model XT or the Touring XT?
The car I reviewed was LOADED!
Motor Minds Productions haha I meant base* model or touring model cause I know the touring has more goodies inside
Brendan Madsen Haha well the model we reviewed was in fact a Touring model because you cannot get the brown leather in the Premium trim, Touring only!
Bass
My wife has a 09 XT Premium and I compare the turbo to a slingshot. Hang on!
I have the same car, it's a lot of fun! When the turbo kicks in you get launched :D
I love my 15 fxt
I have a new one of these but metallic gray. You're right about the acceleration when the turbo kicks in!! Dayyyymn!! I actually felt g-force a few times when I launched it!! Very surprising!
Even in a rocking chair you feel g forces 😂😂👌🏻
Great review!
Gary Star Thanks! Stay posted for new reviews!
You didn’t show the car man
why do you keep calling it a car????
What music did you use??:)
Nesthy Adventures The song is Make You Mine (feat. Ameria) by Aire Atlantica.
Si mode = vtec!
CVT such a failure. Manual only Subaru folks 👌
Real Men Drive 3 Pedals
nel c that's why all my cars are stick 😆
I just test drove it. its real slow. I miss the 13,14,15
Johnathan Carman You sure you drove the XT?? For a non premium crossover the XT is definitely one of the quicker ones out there, a 0-60 in the low 6 second range is pretty quick!
Did you press the S mode button, makes a hell of a difference. What car are you comparing it to?
"A Forester GTI..."
Hit the nail on the head there.
Visaural Haha yeah for a non premium SUV it's really fast and relatively fun to drive!