The Subaru Forester is a smart, well-executed small SUV that boasts a roomy interior, great fuel economy, and a comfortable ride.
Beneath the boxy design, this SUV is a sensible, no-nonsense vehicle. The ride is comfortable and supple, the steering is responsive, and handling is secure.
The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is adequately powerful but it doesn’t make the Forester quick. Sprinting from 0-60 mph takes 9.2 sec—which puts it on the slow side compared to other small SUVs. In the real world, however, the Forester has enough power to pass and merge successfully. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) is unobtrusive, but drivers still hear a pronounced engine buzz under acceleration.
Fuel economy is impressive at 28 mpg overall, which is one of the best in this class.
The Forester is adept at absorbing road imperfections, making it one of the better riding SUVs in the category. And yet, it benefits from responsive handling with contained body roll and fairly quick steering when rounding corners.
The spacious interior has controls that are easy to use, plenty of headroom, and some of the best visibility of any new vehicle. The driving position helps provide a commanding view of the road ahead. Most versions come with a power seat that is comfortable and supportive, thanks in part to its adjustable lumbar support.
As is often true for Subaru, the controls are simple to reach and use. The latest infotainment system is intuitive and is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
On the utility front, the split rear seat folds nearly flat, leaving a slightly inclined surface for cargo. Opening the power liftgate exposes a wide, square-shaped space that can swallow a fair amount of bulky warehouse-store items or stack a pile of folding tables and chairs. There’s even enough space with the rear seat folded down to fit a bicycle with both wheels on.
The Forester falters only when it comes to refinement. Despite upgraded soft-touch surfaces and additional padding, some interior materials look cheap. But what the SUV lacks in panache it makes up for in practicality.
Forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning (LDW), and lane keeping assistance (LKA) come standard. Note that BSW only comes on Sport and higher trims.