Why did Subaru get rid of Forester XT?
The Forester XT was discontinued as Subaru rationalized its lineup to emphasize efficiency, reliability, and broad family appeal. In short, turbocharged Forester models sold in smaller volumes, carried higher maintenance costs, and did not fit the brand’s evolving focus on safety and value for most buyers.
What the Forester XT was
The Forester XT was the higher‑performance variant of Subaru’s compact SUV, featuring a turbocharged engine to deliver more power than the base Forester. Over its run, it served buyers who wanted extra acceleration without stepping up to a larger vehicle. Here are the key points about its role in Subaru’s lineup and market presence:
- Engine: Turbocharged flat‑four engine options across generations, paired with all‑wheel drive
- Performance: Distinctly higher power output than the non‑XT Forester variants
- Positioning: Sold as a sportier, more performance‑oriented trim within the Forester family
- Market niche: Attracted enthusiasts and buyers seeking extra performance in a compact SUV
- Discontinuation trend: The turbo variant was gradually phased out as Subaru streamlined the Forester lineup in the mid‑ to late‑2010s
In summary, the XT badge signified a performance focus within the Forester, but market dynamics and product strategy led Subaru to retire that variant.
Why Subaru retired the XT
Subaru’s decision to end the Forester XT stemmed from a mix of demand, cost, and strategic alignment with the rest of the lineup. The reasons reflect broader automotive industry trends as well as Subaru’s own product roadmap for the midsize SUV segment:
- Sales performance: Turbo Forester variants consistently sold in smaller volumes than more affordable or feature‑rich trims
- Cost and maintenance: Turbo engines add complexity, potential maintenance costs, and warranty considerations
- Emissions and fuel economy goals: Subaru aimed to balance performance with stricter fuel‑economy standards by consolidating powertrains
- Brand positioning: The Forester’s identity shifted toward practicality, safety features, and reliability over high‑performance variants
- Product simplification: Reducing trim fragmentation helped streamline manufacturing, inventories, and dealer training
Taken together, these factors made the XT less viable within Subaru’s broader SUV strategy, especially as the brand emphasized accessible efficiency and safety across its mainstream trims.
What replaced the XT in the Forester lineup
With the XT out of the lineup, Subaru preserved the Forester as a practical, safety‑oriented compact SUV. The emphasis moved from turbocharged performance to efficiency, reliability, and modern convenience features across the remaining trims. Buyers today see a Forester lineup that prioritizes everyday utility, with more standard safety technology and improved fuel economy rather than turbo power.
- Core engine: Predominantly a naturally aspirated 2.5‑liter engine across most trims
- Trim approach: Continued emphasis on Premium, Limited, and Touring levels with enhanced safety and interior features
- Branding and naming: Subarus’ trim naming shifted to reflect value and safety emphasis rather than performance badges
In short, Subaru redirected the Forester away from turbo performance toward a focused blend of safety, efficiency, and practicality, leaving turbo variants to other models in the lineup.
Summary
The Forester XT was retired as part of Subaru’s lineup rationalization to improve efficiency, reduce complexity, and align with market demand for practical family SUVs. The brand continues to offer a capable Forester focused on safety, comfort, and reliability, without a turbocharged option in recent years, while performance enthusiasts can find turbo power in other Subaru models such as the WRX rather than in the Forester.
