Subaru Forester

The Forester is a compact crossover SUV with room for up to five passengers. In Subaru's lineup, it sits between the smaller Crosstrek and the larger Outback. Its most recent (fifth) generation debuted in 2019, featuring updated styling, more interior space, and additional standard safety features.

The Forester comes in a range of trims, including the base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring. The base model includes essential features, while the Premium typically adds features such as a panoramic sunroof and a power driver's seat. The Sport offers a more aggressive-looking exterior and unique interior touches, and the Limited adds some luxury upgrades such as leather upholstery, automatic climate control, and a power liftgate. The upscale Touring trim includes even more high-end features such as a larger touchscreen, a premium audio system, and additional advanced safety features. Other notable trims include the performance-oriented XT (available through 2018), which features a more powerful engine, a sport-tuned suspension, and other performance-related upgrades, and the Wilderness, which debuted in 2022 and caters to outdoor enthusiasts seeking more ruggedness and off-road capability.

The fourth-generation Forester (2013-2018) employs a base 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower, while the sporty XT trim offers a turbocharged 2.0-liter with 250 hp. Subaru revised the base engine for the debut of the fifth generation Forester in 2019, increasing its output to 182 hp. All versions come standard with Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

In 2014, the Forester first got Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system as standard on all trims, with a 6.2-inch or 7-inch color touchscreen display, depending on the trim level. In 2018, an upgraded 8-inch unit became available on higher trims, and the following year, the system was further updated to include a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The automaker’s EyeSight suite of advanced safety features, which includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane departure warning, first become available as an option on select trims in 2014, and in 2019, it became standard on all trims (except the base model with a manual transmission).

We recommend that used car shoppers interested in the Forester target 2019 and newer models due to their updated styling, roomier interiors, and additional standard features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and the EyeSight safety suite. The Premium and Sport trims offer a good balance of features and value, while the Limited and Touring trims offer additional amenities and advanced safety features. Performance-minded buyers should seek out the more powerful XT models, which were offered through 2018.