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Forester

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2012 Subaru Forester
2012 model year

What's new for 2012.

For 2012, the Forester focused on enhancing its infotainment and connectivity options. A new height-adjustable front passenger seat was added to several trims to improve comfort. The most notable change was the introduction of a new optional voice-activated GPS navigation system with a 6.1-inch LCD screen, which included HD Radio, iTunes tagging, and SMS text messaging capability.

Subaru also updated the standard audio systems for the Premium and Limited trims, adding Bluetooth audio streaming and iPod control as standard features. The exterior saw the introduction of Ice Silver Metallic, replacing Steel Silver Metallic.

Technology

  • New 6.1-inch voice-activated navigation system
  • Standard Bluetooth audio streaming on most trims

Interior

  • Height-adjustable front passenger seat added to higher trims

Trims

8 configurations

Select a trim to see its specs and equipment.

2012 Subaru Forester

2.5X

Horsepower
170
City MPG
21
Highway MPG
27
Engine
2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER
Horsepower
170 hp
Torque
174 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Subaru Symmetrical AWD
Transmission
5-speed manual
City / highway MPG
21 / 27
Seating
5 seats
Wheel size
16 in
Ground clearance
8.9 in
Cargo, seats up
33.5 cu ft
Towing capacity
2400 lb

Standard equipment

  • Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
  • Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)
  • 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
  • 4-speaker single-CD audio system

The trims, side by side.

Scroll sideways to see every trim →

"Optional" means the feature needs an upgrade or package.

8 of 8 trims
2012 Subaru Forester · Full trim comparison
Trim
2.5X
2.5X Premium
2.5X Limited
2.5X Touring
2.5XT Premium
2.5XT Touring
2.5X AUTOMATIC
2.5X Premium AUTOMATIC
City / Hwy / Combined (MPG)21 / 27 / 2321 / 27 / 2321 / 26 / 2321 / 26 / 2319 / 23 / 2119 / 23 / 2121 / 26 / 2321 / 26 / 23
Horsepower170 hp170 hp170 hp170 hp224 hp224 hp170 hp170 hp
Seating capacity5 seats5 seats5 seats5 seats5 seats5 seats5 seats5 seats
2.5X2.5X Premium2.5X Limited2.5X Touring2.5XT Premium2.5XT Touring2.5X AUTOMATIC2.5X Premium AUTOMATIC
DrivetrainSubaru Symmetrical AWDSubaru Symmetrical AWDSubaru Symmetrical AWDSubaru Symmetrical AWDSubaru Symmetrical AWDSubaru Symmetrical AWDSubaru Symmetrical AWDSubaru Symmetrical AWD
Transmission5-speed manual5-speed manual4-speed automatic4-speed automatic4-speed automatic4-speed automatic4-speed automatic4-speed automatic
Name2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter DOHC turbocharged SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter DOHC turbocharged SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER
Type4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed4-cylinder horizontally opposed
Displacement l2.52.52.52.52.52.52.52.5
Aspirationnaturally aspiratednaturally aspiratednaturally aspiratednaturally aspiratedturbochargedturbochargednaturally aspiratednaturally aspirated
Fuel injectionActive Valve Control SystemActive Valve Control SystemActive Valve Control SystemActive Valve Control SystemActive Valve Control SystemActive Valve Control SystemActive Valve Control SystemActive Valve Control System
Horsepower170170170170224224170170
Horsepower RPM58005800580058005200520058005800
Torque lb ft174174174174226226174174
Torque RPM41004100410041002800280041004100
Fuel typeUnleaded gasoline (87 octane)Unleaded gasoline (87 octane)Unleaded gasoline (87 octane)Unleaded gasoline (87 octane)Premium unleaded gasoline (91 octane)Premium unleaded gasoline (91 octane)Unleaded gasoline (87 octane)Unleaded gasoline (87 octane)
2.5X2.5X Premium2.5X Limited2.5X Touring2.5XT Premium2.5XT Touring2.5X AUTOMATIC2.5X Premium AUTOMATIC
City MPG2121212119192121
Highway MPG2727262623232626
Combined MPG2323232321212323
2.5X2.5X Premium2.5X Limited2.5X Touring2.5XT Premium2.5XT Touring2.5X AUTOMATIC2.5X Premium AUTOMATIC
Length (in)179.5179.5179.5179.5179.5179.5179.5179.5
Width (in)70.170.170.170.170.170.170.170.1
Height (in)65.966.966.966.966.966.965.966.9
Wheelbase (in)103103103103103103103103
Ground clearance (in)8.98.98.98.98.98.98.98.9
2.5X2.5X Premium2.5X Limited2.5X Touring2.5XT Premium2.5XT Touring2.5X AUTOMATIC2.5X Premium AUTOMATIC
Curb weight lb32503300336033603450346032503300
Towing capacity lb24002400240024002400240024002400
Passenger volume (cu ft)107.6102.1102.1102.1102.1102.1107.6102.1
Cargo volume seats up (cu ft)33.530.830.830.830.830.833.530.8
Cargo volume max (cu ft)68.3636363636368.363
2.5X2.5X Premium2.5X Limited2.5X Touring2.5XT Premium2.5XT Touring2.5X AUTOMATIC2.5X Premium AUTOMATIC
Wheel size (in)1617171717171617
Wheel materialsteelaluminum-alloyaluminum-alloyaluminum-alloyaluminum-alloyaluminum-alloysteelaluminum-alloy
Wheel finishwith wheel covers5-split-spoke5-split-spoke5-split-spoke5-spoke5-spokewith wheel covers5-split-spoke
2.5X2.5X Premium2.5X Limited2.5X Touring2.5XT Premium2.5XT Touring2.5X AUTOMATIC2.5X Premium AUTOMATIC
Vdc standardYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
2.5X2.5X Premium2.5X Limited2.5X Touring2.5XT Premium2.5XT Touring2.5X AUTOMATIC2.5X Premium AUTOMATIC
Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel DriveYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
6-way manually adjustable driver’s seatYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
4-speaker single-CD audio systemYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Panoramic moonroof-YesYesYesYesYes-Yes
10-way power adjustable driver’s seat-YesYesYesYesYes-Yes
Raised roof rails: black-YesYesYesYesYes-Yes
Bluetooth connectivity-YesYesYesYesYes-Yes
Leather-trimmed upholstery--YesYesYesYes--
Automatic climate control system--YesYesYesYes--
Fog lights--YesYesYesYes--
All-Weather Package--YesYesYesYes--
HID low-beam headlights---YesYesYes--
Dual-zone automatic climate control system---YesYesYes--
7-speaker audio system with HD Radio---YesYesYes--
Electroluminescent gauges---YesYesYes--
Turbocharged engine----YesYes--
Functional hood scoop----YesYes--
Aluminum-alloy pedal covers----YesYes--
HID low-beam headlights and fog lights-----Yes--