So I took a 2018 Forester XT Touring for a test drive, but I’ve never driven a turbo before. I keep hearing that turbos ‘kick in’ at some point … is that only when you really step on the gas?
The car felt quick, but I wasn’t flooring it or anything. We were on highways, but no freeway, so I didn’t get to really push it. Is there a chance the turbo wasn’t even doing much?
I love the Forester, and having extra horsepower sounds nice, but I don’t usually drive aggressively. Would the turbo be kind of pointless for me?
I have a 2017 Forester XT, and yeah, the turbo is always doing a little something even when you’re not gunning it. It helps from a stop and whenever you’re accelerating, unless you’re driving super gently.
If you test drive it again, switch the little center dash screen (above the AC/radio) to show boost pressure—you’ll see when it kicks in. The Forester isn’t exactly a fast car, but the XT version has the same engine as the automatic WRX, so it’s way more responsive than the base model.
The stock turbo in the FA20DIT kicks in pretty early, around 3k RPM. In ‘I’ mode (Intelligent), the car shifts early and the boost is mild. In ‘S’ mode (Sport), it holds RPMs longer and feels more responsive.
‘I’ mode is better for daily driving, but if you switch to ‘S’ or ‘S#’ mode, you’ll feel the turbo work harder.
The Forester is pretty heavy, so it won’t throw you back in your seat, but it makes merging and passing a lot easier.
@Fife
Peak torque kicks in at around 2000 RPM, so the turbo is already doing its job by then. The only time you might feel lag is if you suddenly go from cruising to full throttle, but it’s minimal.
The XT doesn’t turn the Forester into a sports car, but it makes a big difference in everyday driving—especially on hills and when passing.
I have a 2018 XT and barely use ‘I’ mode—it feels sluggish. I keep it in ‘S’ most of the time, and if I really need to move, I use ‘S#’ with the paddle shifters.
I came from a non-turbo Forester, and the difference is night and day.
I drive mine like a grandma most of the time, but it’s nice having extra power when I need it. Makes highway driving way less stressful. Plus, the Touring trim is super comfortable for long trips.
My 2018 XT still surprises people when I hit the gas. It’s quick, handles great in bad weather, and has plenty of space. The turbo makes it way more fun than the base model.
I have a 2018 XT Touring and love it. It’s great for daily driving and fun when you need it. The turbo makes merging and passing easy, and it handles well in bad weather.
Swapped out the stock stereo for something with Apple CarPlay, and now I plan to keep this car for a long time.
The turbo has a slight lag in economy mode, but in sport mode, it moves when you need it to.
