New Subaru SUV- 7 passenger-

[War Eagle]

I think some key wording in the MotoTrend article on a possible smaller new FJ Cruiser is "...to appeal to hard-core off-roaders". Emphasis on "hard-core". I don't think they will be designing it for shuffling kids to soccer or quick trips to the local Whole Foods. More like driver plus navigator buddy plus cooler full of "refreshments" in the back and head to the nearest dirt trail. A shorter wheel base not only means tighter turning radius for sharp switch-backs on steep mountain trails and navigating through thick woods but also taller "break over" angle to reduce the chance of getting high-centered when rock climbing. Perhaps some Toyota executive saw the Super Bowl ad for Jeep Wrangler and said,"We gotta make one of those!" Although naturalists are now mad at Jeep for that ad, claiming Jeep is promoting destruction of waterways and erosion of associated raperion zones. You can't win....

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

Although naturalists are now mad at Jeep for that ad, claiming Jeep is promoting destruction of waterways and erosion of associated raperion zones. You can't win....

They ran a disclaimer across the bottom saying that it was a film set they had built. Even so, they were suggesting that it's OK to drive a vehicle through a stream and destroy fish spawning habitat.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

I think some key wording in the MotoTrend article on a possible smaller new FJ Cruiser is "...to appeal to hard-core off-roaders". Emphasis on "hard-core". I don't think they will be designing it for shuffling kids to soccer or quick trips to the local Whole Foods. More like driver plus navigator buddy plus cooler full of "refreshments" in the back and head to the nearest dirt trail. A shorter wheel base not only means tighter turning radius for sharp switch-backs on steep mountain trails and navigating through thick woods but also taller "break over" angle to reduce the chance of getting high-centered when rock climbing.

I agree with the intent, and with the benefits of a short off-roader; however, I'll note that even most Wranglers are rarely actually driven off-road, and even those owners who do go off-road usually choose the enormous 4-door... leading to my comments about a small real market.

For towing, longer wheelbase is good.

Originally Posted by War Eagle

Perhaps some Toyota executive saw the Super Bowl ad for Jeep Wrangler and said,"We gotta make one of those!"

Seems likely!

[War Eagle]

Not to over generalize, but in our neck of the woods, the "cool kids" (usually meaning their parents have enough money to buy them whatever they want) have 4-wheel drive something. For guys, it's generally a jacked up, tricked out, extended cab, short bed pickup with colored glow lights all around. For girls, it's an SUV, the higher end the better, but a growing proportion those is a 4-door Wrangler with some cute name or message on the spare tire cover or the front or back window. I even saw a 4-door Wrangler painted Barbie Doll pink the other day with a "Pretty In Pink" decal across the top of the windshield. To each there own....

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

They ran a disclaimer across the bottom saying that it was a film set they had built. Even so, they were suggesting that it's OK to drive a vehicle through a stream and destroy fish spawning habitat.

If I was king the only off roading that would be allowed is using your own two feet " WALKING" The damage caused to the enviroment by people attempting to get away from society and supposedly commune with nature is not justified IMHO
No reason to get mad cause I ain't king , just my opiniin

[Iowa Dave]

Advertisements that include off roading UTVs., ATVS, SUVs and Motorcycles etc. I do not appreciate. I have seen destruction caused by all of these forms of Transportation and spent hundreds of hours personally fixing the damage and thousands of taxpayer dollars assigning work crews and buying supplies used on public land to repair and prevent future damage. It has long been time to treat our
World with a lot more respect than we do and showing rock throwing, stream muddying vehicles defacing the land, public or private disgusts me. I’ll never be king but these cretins should hope I never hit the lottery because I know how I’d spend the first couple million. ������ Jerks.
Iowa Dave

[Duer]

I hope that Subaru has truly done a redesign on this 2.5 L version.
My experience owning and towing with a 2010 Forester
I had my head gasket blow with only moderate towing use. As well I’ve had two friends with 2.5 Foresters blow head gaskets.
Unfortunately, the 2.5 is a bored out 2.0 L
As well Subaru brakes are another problem again perhaps a new vehicle design will correct these very important weaknesses

Cheers

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Duer

I hope that Subaru has truly done a redesign on this 2.5 L version.
My experience owning and towing with a 2010 Forester
I had my head gasket blow with only moderate towing use. As well I’ve had two friends with 2.5 Foresters blow head gaskets.
Unfortunately, the 2.5 is a bored out 2.0 L

It looks like Subaru has had two 2.5 L engines:

• EJ25 - 2010 would be the last year of Forester to have this older engine series, which was introduced (in smaller displacements) in 1989 and as a 2.5 L in 1995
• FB25 - used in the Forester starting 2011; 2.0 L versions (FB20) used in other models starting soon after

The FB design is much newer than the EJ design, and is substantially different. Both are built in various displacements, including 2.0 and 2.5 L; there is nothing wrong with being a larger displacement variant of an engine which also comes in a smaller displacement. The EJ25 is increased in both bore and stroke from the EJ20; the FB25 is increased only in bore from the FB20 (so it essentially is a "bored out 2.0 L", but the 2.5 actually came first).

I have no idea what engine will be in the Ascent; however, it seems very unlikely to be related to the old (now obsolete) EJ25, and I note that it has been announced (from the first post of this thread) as a "2.4-liter Direct-Injection Turbocharged SUBARU BOXER® engine", so it's apparently not any existing 2.5L variant. Rationally it must be from the current FA or FB families (especially with direct injection), but I'm not aware of a current 2.4L of any kind (the 2.4 Forester mentioned earlier appears to be a 2.5), or a turbocharged FA or FB larger than 2.0L.

[Bobbie54]

What brakes problem? I've had a 2000 Subaru Forester and have a 2012 now and towed with both. I did hit the cylinder head problem at about 190,000 miles on the 2000 but no brake problems on either. Mine are both manual transmissions.

I'm interested in the new Ascent as I look to move up to something with more towing capacity but am also looking at the Highlander and Kia Sorrento. And Honda Ridgeline. (Don't like the Pilot- just feels like a tank.) And haven't yet driven any of the three existing and obviously not the Subaru.