The 2013 and earlier Foresters have a towing capacity of 2,400 lbs. with the 2.5 L 4 cylinder engine. The 2014 and later model Foresters have a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs.with the same engine. The CVT is not the culprit as the ratings for the standard transmissions are the same. The 2014 Outback with the same 4 cylinder 2.5L engine and torque specifications and weighing two to three hundred pounds more has a towing capacity of 2,700 lbs. The six cylinder is rated for 3,000 lbs., only 300 lbs. more than the 4 cylinder. I called my Subaru dealer and spoke with the service manager who had no logical explanation. I don't get it! Can anyone explain it?? Tony
We didn't buy the Outback because the tongue weight was only rated at 200 pounds. That didn't sound right to me.
I have a 2011 Outback. Subaru advertises a fairly decent tow weight but once you read the fine print in the owners manual it cuts the allowable tow weight by quite a bit. A single tank S-13 with brakes and flatland towing is all I would recommend. My next car will not be a Subaru for that reason. In reality with the tongue weight limitation the Subaru's should be only rated for 2K lbs. or less.
Eddie
When I bought my 2013 Outback they were touting the 2014 Forester re-design and improved fuel economy. Maybe they reconsidered the tow rating with the new design?
For what it is worth, I have friends who took a 6 month road trip with a refurbished Burro, which is admittedly lighter than a new Scamp, using a CR-V as their tow vehicle. (Same tow capacity as a Forester.) They weighed it before they left and packed very lightly for 2 adults and a toddler, but made the trip just fine.