The 2013 Forester offers two 2.5-liter engine options. One of the engines is turbocharged, but both offer adequate power and sufficient mpg, with the base 2.5L naturally-aspirated engine producing 170 hp. And they particularly excel in versatility and capability on and off-road.
Key Points
- The 2013 Subaru Forester’s base 2.5L naturally-aspirated engine produces 170 horsepower and 174 lb.-ft. of torque.
- While both 2.5L powertrains carry the same displacement, the 224-horsepower turbocharged variant is a different engine.
- Both engines utilize a flat-four “boxer” layout, where the pistons lay flat and horizontally oppose each other.
- The non-turbo 2.5L engine can be mated to either a five-speed manual or archaic four-speed automatic, while the turbo engine utilizes the four-speed automatic exclusively.
2013 Subaru Forester’s Base 2.5L Engine with 170 horsepower and 174 lb.-ft. of Torque Gets the Job Done
The 2013 Subaru Forester’s base 2.5L naturally-aspirated engine produces 170 horsepower and an impressive 174 lb.-ft. of torque. This 2.5L engine was new for 2011. It features different bore/stroke dimensions, moving from a single overhead camshaft layout to a double overhead camshaft. Also, it has chain-driven cams instead of belt-driven, and a dual active valve control system with variable valve timing to optimize torque performance and emissions.
The flat-four engine design is a staple of the Subaru brand. Boxer engines are unique for their distinct engine note, caused by exhaust gas coming off the engines moving at different lengths through their unequal header lengths, which has become notoriously known as “Subaru rumble.”
Because the pistons lay horizontal and oppose each other, primary and secondary engine balance is optimized, which Subaru says keeps engine vibration low for better driving comfort and durability. Motor Trend praised the updated base engine in the 2013 Forester for its smooth acceleration and transmission shifts.
Up against competitors such as the 2013 model year Chevy Equinox, Ford Escape, or Honda CR-V, the Forester’s base engine falls toward the back of the pack in terms of power output. Mated standard to a five-speed manual or available with a radically out-of-date four-speed automatic, the 2013 Forester moves from zero to 60 in approximately nine seconds, almost a second slower than its competitors.
Although slow and underpowered against some competitors, it should be noted that all Subaru models come standard with all-wheel drive, which adds weight overall.
In terms of fuel economy, the 2013 Subaru Forester falls short of offering best-in-class fuel economy with its 23 city/highway combined mpg. Competitors like the Ford Escape or Honda CR-V achieve better fuel economy because they offer front-wheel-drive-only models, and use transmissions with more gears.
Keep an eye out for excessive oil consumption with the non-turbo 2.5L. Overall, the 2013 Subaru Forester 2.5-liter non-turbo engine is reliable, but it should be mentioned that a class-action lawsuit was filed against Subaru (and settled in 2016) for excessive oil consumption issues on a small number of vehicles, including the 2013 Forester.
2013 Forester 2.5L Turbo Sacrifices a few mpgs for Better Power, but Potential Drawbacks Include No Manual Transmission Option and Premium Fuel Required
The 2.5L turbo flat-four engine in the 2013 Subaru Forester is the only engine offered on the higher-up XT trims. Adding over 50 horsepower and 50 lb.-ft. of torque to the crossover, the 2013 Forester produces a much better 224 horsepower and 226 lb.-ft. of torque.
Despite a four-speed automatic being the only transmission option for the 2013 Forester 2.5L turbo, it moves the crossover from zero to 60 in under seven seconds, over two seconds quicker than the non-turbo engine.
Auto Week said: “Power is ample from the turbo flat-four—surprisingly strong, really—providing the ability to pull into the stream of traffic or pass with little or no worries.” The lack of extra gears in the transmission does not prevent the 2013 Forester from keeping up with competitors’ optional engines, like those in the Ford Escape or Chevy Equinox.
The additional turbocharging equipment does not affect mpg too much. The 2013 Forester attains an EPA-estimated 21 combined mpg, only two less than its non-turbo counterpart. Unfortunately, the turbocharged 2.5L engine does require the 2013 Forester to run on premium gas.
Interestingly, the 2.5-liter turbo engine is not the same engine as the non-turbo engine. This is worth mentioning because the prior-generation 2.5L engine had many issues with head gaskets, however, older model years appear to be more affected by this than newer ones.
2013 Subaru Forester Engine Options Require Considering more Power Against Higher Fuel Costs
Both 2013 Subaru Forester 2.5L engine options offer a lot of value for this crossover. While the 2.5L non-turbo engine is not the most powerful or fuel-efficient, it is a sufficient power plant for the Forester, which is built to be a versatile and capable crossover on or off-road, thanks to its ample torque rating. And, it is available with a manual transmission. The turbocharged engine offers more power with only a couple of mpg lost in fuel economy.
However, the 2.5L turbo engine does require premium gas, which may not be ideal for some buyers. In addition, the turbo engine’s possible issues with head gaskets are worth considering. Regardless of engine choice, bother were engineered to be smooth and durable thanks to their flat-four boxer design. The real question for buyers will be if the extra power is worth the extra fuel costs.
Photos: Subaru
