Great clear cut test. My wife owns that white Forester. I personally miss her 17 Outback. Less tech to break and much more comfort as a taller passenger. As a driver they are similar. I’m only 6’1” but find if I don’t tilt and slide the seat forward my arm hits the pillar(between doors) versus resting on the armrest ahead of me. As someone with leg/muscle aches, I require the seat set back a bit. And my knee rubs a lot on the hard plastic which connects the counsel to the dash. Appearance is the only thing I like more about the 2023 Forester. I haven’t had it in harsh conditions, but this video suggests it’s more dependent on technology/button settings to achieve any additional performance. Both cars have terrible radio/climate controls. Touchscreens do not belong in vehicles, isn’t being on our smartphones while driving illegal? I like the smaller Forester touchscreen versus the massive Outback’s, but then they added another annoying second screen above it. Vehicles are becoming more distracting and complex to operate with time. It should be the other way around.
Perfect job as usual ) I like your channel and the way you perform all your tests 👍.I own Forester 2,5 2016 y.b.Exellent car,especially for winter and slippery roads.
The X-Mode only represents the software side of the total drivetrain management. That doesn't mean conventional mechanical chassis controls can't be implenented to work in tandem with such electrical systems, which is why I often question the move to not equip the right LSDs in the ACT-4 system......
Wow, I didn't know that "X-Mode 1" in the newer ones works better than standard X-Mode from the previous generation. I thought it was the same just with a "deep snow/mud" mode
I bought a 2022 forester I choose the premium trim because I really wanted to get the regular X Mode and not the dual X mode it just not the same beast simple as that !
Must be something to do with the programing. The last test made the newer car more reliant to X-Mode than the older car. But then again, the system is more than adequate in most scenarios.
I've heard that the new ones are tuned more for fuel economy. So then they rely more on the driver to press a button, which as an owner of the SK V-gen I am very happy with that choice. I can press a button ;)
I’ll never forget when “car question” did their diagonal test with a 2019 forester base model (no x-mode). I was shocked how it struggled compared to the previous Gen. Forester with x-mode turned off. The performance in that video actually stoped me from buying a base model forester! (Ended up with a Crosstrek with x-mode lol)
@@matthewjohnson1211 Similar for me but updated version: dual-mode X-mode was one of the reasons I bought Forester in 2020. :) This and that ugly shape - I need a square usable box for road trips. It does a good job at it :)
SK is sold here as a hybrid (2.0i e-boxer), so why not test that model. I'm really interested in the rollers test, because many of the tests on YT show, that SK hybrid is struggling much more than previous ones. Looks like there's some programming problem.
Thank you. That is the most important video for me since I own the SK ;) Are there any mechanical differences btw the generations in terms of AWD systems?
Hi, unfortunately I have no idea if there are mechanical or only software differences. System is integrated with CVT which is changing but I don't know the details...
@@4x4.tests.on.rollers So far the only difference I came across with was the the rear axle can be totally disengaged for fuel economy or that the minimum engagement (the viscous clutch pressure) is lower than before. I'm not sure how true is that. My Forester e-boxer hasn't slipped the wheels yet. I don't go snow often, but rain + Rail crossing + steep hills + corners etc are common. It is very comfortable that the wheels never slip, which was happening all the time in my previous 2WD. It's not the best car ever, but the value for many and fit for my needs is excellent.
@@valdius85 "So far the only difference I came across with was the the rear axle can be totally disengaged for fuel economy or that the minimum engagement (the viscous clutch pressure) is lower than before. " I really doubt both.
@@valdius85 There is no viscous clutch. Clutch-pack is electronically controlled and it is in the same oil as entire transmission. Thus it has good thermal capacity. I think that via software the clutch-pack can open itself completely. In the past driver could do that by putting additional fuse.
Widzę że nowsze Subaru testowane w Rzeszowie pod Castoramą. Jakbyście chcieli jeszcze raz przetestować Kuge MK1, ale tym razem 2.0 TDCI 2012 to ja chętnie :D
Excellent content as usual! What about adding a picture of the AWD/4WD scheme of the car you are testing at the beginning of the video? That would be very informative.
You can't have it all when everything turns to the software engineering side, a major and ongoing problem with the modern tech world. Just as you think newer has to be better, this comparo test shows the otherwise. Anyway I'm impressed at how the older single-setting X-Mode can still get things right. As for the newer dual-mode setup perhaps the throttle/traction management algorithm needs some revision. Also a return of actual LSD usage would also be highly desired. Sure enough the CVT is a problem as well but it'll be up to Subaru to make the decision to change back to conventional AT box, which I'm not sure if that can be inplemented easily under the current ACT-4 setup......
Subaru offers two AWD modes and is expecting the drivers to click the button ;) I think the new gen is tuned for better fuel economy, which is perfectly fine since they offer the buttons to change that behavior.
@@valdius85 and then, in addition to marketers, a new trend is environmentalists ... and in the end: all these are useless people in the automotive industry
@RN BV, it's not worse, it's just different. The newer 2 stage X-Mode is different than the original X-Mode in some ways. It's often suggested that the newer X-Mode set on Deep Snow is equivalent to older X-Mode with traction control turned off. Based on this video, you can see that it's probable. In other words when X-Mode was set to Deep Snow, the newer model has absolutely no problems with that last test. Why does Subaru need 2 modes now? Who knows, I am sure there are plenty of reasons. For one most people probably have no idea to attempt to turn X-Mode on to begin with, not to mention to try it with combination of traction control in on-off position. The settings in the newer model are much more intuitive and would make sense to anyone, even those that don't understand the first thing about cars. Everyone understands what "Dirt" or "Snow" means. I am sure there are other tweaks as well, fuel economy related, etc. It's quite possible having a less aggressive "Dirt" setting has its uses as well.
Both cars have been quite impecable, especially the blue one.
Great clear cut test. My wife owns that white Forester. I personally miss her 17 Outback. Less tech to break and much more comfort as a taller passenger. As a driver they are similar.
I’m only 6’1” but find if I don’t tilt and slide the seat forward my arm hits the pillar(between doors) versus resting on the armrest ahead of me. As someone with leg/muscle aches, I require the seat set back a bit. And my knee rubs a lot on the hard plastic which connects the counsel to the dash.
Appearance is the only thing I like more about the 2023 Forester. I haven’t had it in harsh conditions, but this video suggests it’s more dependent on technology/button settings to achieve any additional performance.
Both cars have terrible radio/climate controls. Touchscreens do not belong in vehicles, isn’t being on our smartphones while driving illegal?
I like the smaller Forester touchscreen versus the massive Outback’s, but then they added another annoying second screen above it. Vehicles are becoming more distracting and complex to operate with time. It should be the other way around.
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
Perfect job as usual ) I like your channel and the way you perform all your tests 👍.I own Forester 2,5 2016 y.b.Exellent car,especially for winter and slippery roads.
Thank you!
The X-MODE is 👌
The X-Mode only represents the software side of the total drivetrain management. That doesn't mean conventional mechanical chassis controls can't be implenented to work in tandem with such electrical systems, which is why I often question the move to not equip the right LSDs in the ACT-4 system......
@@vampyrelycan99 I understand...
Perfect video bro
Thanks!
Wow, I didn't know that "X-Mode 1" in the newer ones works better than standard X-Mode from the previous generation. I thought it was the same just with a "deep snow/mud" mode
last test shows that the previous generation is better )
Seems like the electronics slow down the engine way more in a new generation, perhaps good in some cases (sand)
@@kf4620 I'd say the brake control is more aggressive on each wheel helping to have less spin and the car move better
I bought a 2022 forester I choose the premium trim because I really wanted to get the regular X Mode and not the dual X mode it just not the same beast simple as that !
Must be something to do with the programing. The last test made the newer car more reliant to X-Mode than the older car. But then again, the system is more than adequate in most scenarios.
I've heard that the new ones are tuned more for fuel economy. So then they rely more on the driver to press a button, which as an owner of the SK V-gen I am very happy with that choice. I can press a button ;)
I’ll never forget when “car question” did their diagonal test with a 2019 forester base model (no x-mode). I was shocked how it struggled compared to the previous Gen. Forester with x-mode turned off. The performance in that video actually stoped me from buying a base model forester! (Ended up with a Crosstrek with x-mode lol)
@@matthewjohnson1211
Similar for me but updated version: dual-mode X-mode was one of the reasons I bought Forester in 2020. :)
This and that ugly shape - I need a square usable box for road trips. It does a good job at it :)
SK is sold here as a hybrid (2.0i e-boxer), so why not test that model. I'm really interested in the rollers test, because many of the tests on YT show, that SK hybrid is struggling much more than previous ones. Looks like there's some programming problem.
If we only find the hybrid we will test it.
Thank you. That is the most important video for me since I own the SK ;)
Are there any mechanical differences btw the generations in terms of AWD systems?
Hi, unfortunately I have no idea if there are mechanical or only software differences. System is integrated with CVT which is changing but I don't know the details...
@@4x4.tests.on.rollers
So far the only difference I came across with was the the rear axle can be totally disengaged for fuel economy or that the minimum engagement (the viscous clutch pressure) is lower than before.
I'm not sure how true is that.
My Forester e-boxer hasn't slipped the wheels yet. I don't go snow often, but rain + Rail crossing + steep hills + corners etc are common. It is very comfortable that the wheels never slip, which was happening all the time in my previous 2WD.
It's not the best car ever, but the value for many and fit for my needs is excellent.
@@valdius85 "So far the only difference I came across with was the the rear axle can be totally disengaged for fuel economy or that the minimum engagement (the viscous clutch pressure) is lower than before. " I really doubt both.
@@valdius85 There is no viscous clutch. Clutch-pack is electronically controlled and it is in the same oil as entire transmission. Thus it has good thermal capacity. I think that via software the clutch-pack can open itself completely. In the past driver could do that by putting additional fuse.
@@4x4.tests.on.rollers
Thank for pointing that out!
... now I need to research what a viscous clutch is, exactly :)
Widzę że nowsze Subaru testowane w Rzeszowie pod Castoramą. Jakbyście chcieli jeszcze raz przetestować Kuge MK1, ale tym razem 2.0 TDCI 2012 to ja chętnie :D
Jeśli tylko będzie odpowiednia pogoda, to zapraszamy 🙂
@@4x4.tests.on.rollers To w razie czego proszę o kontakt :)
@@mojamuzykaism OK, czekamy na suchy i względnie ciepły weekend 👍
Excellent content as usual! What about adding a picture of the AWD/4WD scheme of the car you are testing at the beginning of the video? That would be very informative.
Thanks! That's a good idea which we actually used in a few videos but indeed that would be informative for future videos!
Love ur channel, I’m thinking of getting the single X mode or dual X mode crosstrek, or XV, can u test between them? 🙏
I wish but so far I couldn't find any...
@@4x4.tests.on.rollers oh, hope y’all can find one someday! It’ll be interesting, :)
I saw no difference, except for the last test. but it is not clear why a more recent and improved (in theory) system works worse than an earlier one?
You can't have it all when everything turns to the software engineering side, a major and ongoing problem with the modern tech world. Just as you think newer has to be better, this comparo test shows the otherwise. Anyway I'm impressed at how the older single-setting X-Mode can still get things right.
As for the newer dual-mode setup perhaps the throttle/traction management algorithm needs some revision. Also a return of actual LSD usage would also be highly desired. Sure enough the CVT is a problem as well but it'll be up to Subaru to make the decision to change back to conventional AT box, which I'm not sure if that can be inplemented easily under the current ACT-4 setup......
Subaru offers two AWD modes and is expecting the drivers to click the button ;)
I think the new gen is tuned for better fuel economy, which is perfectly fine since they offer the buttons to change that behavior.
@@vampyrelycan99 alas, marketers are getting more and more dominating over engineers
@@valdius85 and then, in addition to marketers, a new trend is environmentalists ... and in the end: all these are useless people in the automotive industry
@RN BV, it's not worse, it's just different. The newer 2 stage X-Mode is different than the original X-Mode in some ways. It's often suggested that the newer X-Mode set on Deep Snow is equivalent to older X-Mode with traction control turned off. Based on this video, you can see that it's probable. In other words when X-Mode was set to Deep Snow, the newer model has absolutely no problems with that last test. Why does Subaru need 2 modes now? Who knows, I am sure there are plenty of reasons. For one most people probably have no idea to attempt to turn X-Mode on to begin with, not to mention to try it with combination of traction control in on-off position. The settings in the newer model are much more intuitive and would make sense to anyone, even those that don't understand the first thing about cars. Everyone understands what "Dirt" or "Snow" means. I am sure there are other tweaks as well, fuel economy related, etc. It's quite possible having a less aggressive "Dirt" setting has its uses as well.
Could you please review Forester SJ with manual transmission?
If I only find it...
Can u test Skoda Yeti and Octavia Scout? Would be awesome..
I wish but so far I couldn't find them...
@@4x4.tests.on.rollers ☹️ Hope u find them eventually. Thank you so much for these videos. ✌️👌👍
Spoiler - Subaru performs better 😉
2.0i is N/A or turbo? Thanks.
N/A.
@@4x4.tests.on.rollers thanks sir!
@@phannam2406 FB20 and FB25 respectively; both NA and no e-Boxer semi-hybrid involved...
Only JDM Forester Sports has CB18 turbo equipped
Wychodzi na to, że lepiej wypada starszy model
Wypadają inaczej. Nowszy nie ma żadnych problemów, wymaga tylko ustawienia odpowiedniego trybu.
@@4x4.tests.on.rollers czyli starszy jedzie zawsze tak samo dobrze, a nowszy musi dostać zadanie dobrej jazdy 😁
@@SIATKOSZ Wszystko zależy od warunków 🙂 Szybka i agresywna reakcja kontroli trakcji nie zawsze jest potrzebna.
A tymczasem WRX STI mało rolek nie rozwali 😂 th-cam.com/video/sqZE52Os_qE/w-d-xo.html