2016 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium on 2040-cars

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Subaru debuts tougher-looking Outback for Australia [w/poll]

If you're going to name a car after a specific location or region, you'd better make sure it's taken seriously in the place it's named for. You're not likely to see a Chevrolet Monte Carlo in Monaco, and the Alfa Romeo Montreal was never even officially offered in North America, but the Subaru Outback is another story.
Subaru apparently takes the Australian market, whose wilderness its jacked-up Legacy wagon is named for, very seriously. So it is apparently rolling out a revised version of the current Outback in Australia itself. The updated Outback, which arrives less than a year before the all-new model is expected to bow, answers Aussie customer feedback with a more rugged look. It's got new roof rails, body cladding, wheel arches, mud flaps, underbody protection plates and blacked-out headlight surrounds and grille trim.
The Motor Report reports that the AUD $2,500 worth of extra equipment - around $2,300 USD - comes with just an AUD $500 ($468) price hike. As far as we can tell, though, there are no plans to bring this latest look to our shores - Subaru has already detailed North America's Outback for the 2014 model year, and these changes aren't mentioned. Should this look be offered in our market? Vote in the poll below and then have your say in Comments.

2019 Subaru Forester priced at $25,270

The Subaru Forester is all new for 2019, but it's not toting along a big price increase. A base 2019 Forester starts at $25,270 including destination, which is a reasonable $500 premium over the 2018 version. For that price, buyers get 17-inch steel wheels, but a $600 upcharge brings aluminum wheels and roof rails. Standard equipment includes Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology and Starlink infotainment package, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power windows, door locks, and side mirrors, remote keyless entry, and tire pressure monitoring. A step up to the Premium trim for $27,670 adds the automaker's off-road X-MODE with hill descent control, a panoramic power moonroof, a 10-way power driver's seat, and rear seat HVAC outlets. A WI-FI hotspot and the latest Starlink safety services are optional, as are blind spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert, keyless access with push-button start, and a power rear gate. Sport trim is new for 2019, and it stickers at $29,770. On top of Premium, Sport adds SI-DRIVE with Intelligent and Sport Sharp modes and an upgraded Dual X-Mode system. A CVT transmission is standard across the range, but the Sport gets a 7-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle-shifters. Limited ups the wheels to 18 inches, and gains an upgraded interior with leather seats and dual-zone automatic climate control for $31,770. Limited also includes all of the active safety technology that's optional on lower trims. At the top of the 2019 Forester range is the Touring trim. For $35,270 buyers get unique 18-inch wheels, Subaru's DriverFocus safety system that remembers the preferences of up to five drivers, perforated leather seats (powered for the driver and passenger) in Saddle Brown or Black, heated rear seats, and an eight-inch touchscreen. Expect the 2019 Subaru Forester to hit dealers sometime this fall. Related Video:

Ford Bronco, Bronco Sport, sub-Ranger pickup and GM EVs | Autoblog Podcast #618

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder and Road Test Editor Zac Palmer. Top of the list this week are the leaked photos of the 2021 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport. Then they talk about the possibility of a small Ford pickup based on the Focus, as well as all the electric vehicles Snyder saw in person at GM's "EV Day." The editors have been driving the Ram Power Wagon and Hyundai Sonata, and Palmer took Autoblog's long-term Subaru Forester to New Orleans. Finally, they help a listener choose a small luxury crossover in this week's "Spend My Money" segment. then, just as they're about to wrap up the show, they learn that the 2020 New York Auto Show has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Good times. Autoblog Podcast #618 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown 2021 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport leaked photos (and, just as we predicted, more photos) Ford shows its dealers the sub-Ranger pickup More details about everything we saw at GM's "EV Day" Driving the 2020 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Driving the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Driving our long-term 2019 Subaru Outback to New Orleans Spend My Money: Audi Q3, Volvo XC40 or Range Rover Evoque? 2020 New York International Auto Show postponed Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: