Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
SUVs Mitsubishi Outlander Mitsubishi Outlander vs. Subaru Forester
909 messages, Last post on Dec 05, 2009 at 5:20 AM
You are in the Mitsubishi Outlander Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
|
|
|---|---|
|
Replying to: dodo2 (May 16, 2008 9:00 am) I don't particularly disagree with anything you posted. Exept that I was responding to claims that the Forester's tranny was 'fragile'. Not the case. So I gave examples of how it could be modded. Then I was questioned on the ability to mod it, which I think I've shown it can be. So this really took a downward slightly off-topic spiral away from the stock-stock comparison of the vehicles. However, I look at a turbo-swap on a Subaru like changing a tire. Same goes for springs. It should be said that nobody has to settle for stock. If my idea of a perfect vehicle is a 'Forester STI', they unfortunately make them only in Japan, so here we have to replicate them. That being said, I agree I'm not enamoured by the stock FXT. It comes out of the box needing improvement, and will always lack the manual option. I judge a vehicle on potential, because no factory to my knowledge has ever given me what it takes to be satisfied. >>>>Grease Monkey<<<<
|
|
|
Replying to: kdshapiro (May 16, 2008 8:34 am) This doesn't sound stellar either after all the claims made here about the superior handling of the 2009 Forester XT (without even driving the car around the block, never mind on the track). "The Forester teeters on the brink of ESP all the way around the skid pad; in fact, the brakes got quite warm from it. That said, it felt tippy but freakishly neutral. Modulating the throttle did strange things to the steady arc of the skid pad, requiring more steering input than I'd prefer. In the slalom there's a noticeable steering delay and gain once the car rolls. Just as it starts to get fun, however, the ESP grabs the front brake aggressively." Let's see your spin KD.  Plus, this is what the Edmunds's editors have said about the Outlander's handling: "Respectably quick in the slalom for crossover/compact SUV. Stable and predictable and well behaved. Much better speed than grip and center of gravity would indicate." Is your excerpt from a different publication? Both Edmunds reviews were written by the same editor (Kelly Toepke) so we have the same person's view on both cars. |
|
|
Replying to: kdshapiro (May 16, 2008 9:01 am) AWD is far from useless and surely I would be using it in winter. But it is hardly a requirement on dry roads. (ASC is still available without 4WD, BTW) I get the feeling though, that a lot of people feel the car is going to drive itself because of all the modern refinements. Witness all the SUV owners you find in a ditch in snowstorms that probably were puffing out their chests minutes before feeling superior with AWD or 4WD. The human brain can do wonderful things if you listen to it. |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: ateixeira (May 16, 2008 7:28 am) 6.8 seconds for the 2.5XT, 8.2 seconds for the Outlander V6. And the Outlander has been rated at 7.1 by other reviewers, so the difference is not a lot. The transmissions also make a difference in the feeling, my Outlander 6 speed is always in the right gear. The Subaru only has 4 speeds so it has to hold the gear longer and it bogs down more when it shifts. During a full speed 0-60 run that is not as noticeable, but in everyday driving you will definitely notice it. I've had my Outlander for more than a year, so I know how it feels. When I test drove the 2009 Forester 2.5XT it didn't feel that quick. The RAV4 V6 definitely feels faster to me. |
|
|
Replying to: bigmclargehuge (May 16, 2008 9:11 am) I cannot say anything about being fragile, but being a 4-speed A/T, as good as it would be, it's just out of sync with the times. Not a good thing for a newly designed vehicle. Would you still consider a 2009 Forester "STi" (modded) in the new body style? Just out of curiosity as many were saying that the new design would alienate the old Forester enthusiast base.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: kdshapiro (May 16, 2008 8:28 am) Also quicker than the RAV4. 6.8 for the Forester 2.5XT 6.8 for the RAV4 V6 How is that quicker?
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: dodo2 (May 16, 2008 9:26 am) Lowering springs and a more squared-off front lip would make a world of difference, IMHO. I was dismayed when they didn't make it look like this: front (ignore the JDM sideview mirror) side If I could find the body kit to take it back more to a 'boxy' look, I'd be more inclined to upgrade. The differences are subtle, but necessary, IMHO. Indeed, the 2009 FXT looks like any other small CUV. It isn't set apart. Not that I'm saying the Outlander is. The Forester is still the only small CUV with even the quick potential to stand out and be something exciting.
|
|
|
Replying to: bigmclargehuge (May 16, 2008 9:33 am) True, but is the straight line or track performance a stand out for a small CUV? For example lowering a small CUV only negates one of its purposes to be higher off the ground in order to get the family through the snow, mud, back roads, etc. I guess Mitsu could easily make a Ralliart version of the Outlander (they showed an "Evolander" concept already - lowered, body kits, making 300hp), but I think they will never do it because it doesn't make business sense. These companies are in the business of making money and Subaru recognized that when they decided to go this route with the new Forester. I bet the sales numbers will show it sooner rather than later.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: dodo2 (May 16, 2008 10:11 am) 1) I know at least a dozen people in my area alone that have upgraded their Foresters. They're constantly bitchin' that there is no Forester STI like there is in Japan. What Subaru knows, as the video has shown, they would be creating competition from within their own brand. Americans are too loyal to brands. The only person who's going to buy an FSTI is someone who otherwise would have bought either an STI or FXT. 2) The ground clearance of any Suby is superior to many of the 4x4 vehicles with live axles and exposed differentials. The 2009 FXT is a full inch higher off the ground than before. For what purpose? Who's logging with the FXT? We know from rallying that anything STI height or above is adequate for snow, mud, gravel. Lower it 2", and you go back to the maximum useful height for a CUV, in my opinion, plus you'd drastically reduce body roll, which seems to be the Achiles heel of this vehicle, which in turn causes the ESP to intervene. 3) They don't need to go full Evolander. In particular I think the EVO's turbo-4 could do equivalent or better power and better economy than an NA-V6 if Mitsu were so inclined. |
|
|
Replying to: bigmclargehuge (May 16, 2008 10:30 am) I don't know, apparently Subaru owners do as Subaru underlines its "off-road" capability as strength and the Subaru fans here seem to promote the idea (see the passionate posts about the fraction of an inch advantage as well as the approach/departure angle posts). Having said that, I think having decent ground clearance on a CUV like the Outlander and Forester is great. Last winter I easily plowed through a feet of snow maybe more, in more than one occasion (lazy to shovel the driveway). I wouldn't try that with my car. To me, the Forester (2009) and the Outlander ground clearance (very similar) would be a selling point versus the ground clearance in the RAV4 and CRV. We indeed disagree here, but that's fine. It would be interesting to see, percentage wise, how many XTs Subaru sold for the previous generation. My bet is that it was around 10-15% perhaps. I think the only reason Subaru still included the XT model in their US lineup was not because they sold well, but because they didn't want to completely upset their fan base. |
|
You are here:
Forums
SUVs Mitsubishi Outlander Mitsubishi Outlander vs. Subaru Forester
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Mitsubishi Outlander
2010 Subaru Forester
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
