“The Forester is the comfortable, nimble, easy to drive and seriously fun! The upgraded trim package is wonderfully luxurious. The HK sound system amazing!”
2021 Subaru Forester: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The most important 2021 Forester change is that LED headlights that turn with the steering, along with automatic high beams, became standard on every trim. Otherwise, this was a light equipment update with the same five-trim lineup, 182-hp 2.5-liter engine, automatic transmission, and standard AWD.
About the 2021 Subaru Forester
5th generation (2019-2024), third model year and the last pre-refresh year before the 2022 styling and safety update.
Subaru positions the Forester as a practical compact SUV for people who want daily-use comfort, a roomy cabin, and extra confidence in bad weather or on rough roads. Its core selling points are standard AWD on every trim, strong safety technology, easy outward visibility, and useful cargo space. Compared with many rivals, the Forester leans less on speed or flashy design and more on a clear view out, everyday versatility, and light-adventure capability.
The base Forester covers the essentials with standard AWD, a driver-assistance safety suite, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium adds comfort and utility features such as heated seats, a panoramic moonroof, and extra traction settings, while Sport adds bolder trim and more advanced traction controls. Limited brings leather and a larger touchscreen, and Touring tops the range with navigation, premium audio, heated rear seats, and a driver-monitoring system.
What changed, by category
Safety
LED steering-responsive headlights with automatic high beams became standard across the lineup, and every trim gained a rear seatbelt reminder. Sport also made blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assistance, and rear cross-traffic alert standard.
Tech
Premium made proximity keyless entry and push-button start standard. Limited added steering-wheel paddle shifters.
Styling
Fog lights became standard on the Premium trim.
2021 Subaru Forester specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & Manual Modes | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & Manual Modes | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & Manual Modes |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg |
| Horsepower | 182 hp | 182 hp | 182 hp | 182 hp | 182 hp |
| Torque | 176 lb-ft | 176 lb-ft | 176 lb-ft | 176 lb-ft | 176 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 76.1 cu-ft | 70.9 cu-ft | 70.9 cu-ft | 70.9 cu-ft | 70.9 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 39.4 in | 39.4 in | 39.4 in | 39.4 in | 39.4 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Hill Descent Control | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||||
| Privacy Glass | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Reclining Rear Seats | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest difference between the 2021 and 2020 Subaru Forester?
The biggest difference is that every 2021 Forester has LED headlights that turn with the steering and automatic high beams. The 2021 model also adds a rear seatbelt reminder across the lineup and makes several previously optional Premium features standard.
Was the 2021 Subaru Forester redesigned?
No, the 2021 Forester was not redesigned. It is the third model year of the fifth generation and received a light equipment update before the styling and safety refresh for 2022.
Did the 2021 Subaru Forester get a new engine?
No, the 2021 Forester kept the 182-hp 2.5-liter engine, automatic transmission, and standard AWD used for 2020. Its changes focused on lighting, safety reminders, and trim equipment.
Which 2021 Subaru Forester trims gained equipment?
Several trims gained equipment for 2021. Premium made fog lights, proximity keyless entry, and push-button start standard; Sport made blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard; and Limited added steering-wheel paddle shifters.
Is the 2021 Subaru Forester worth considering over the 2020 model?
Yes, especially if standard steering-responsive LED headlights and the updated Premium or Sport equipment matter to you. The underlying engine, transmission, AWD system, and five-trim structure are otherwise unchanged, so the difference is modest rather than transformative.
2021 Subaru Forester Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Subaru Forester.
4.3
2021 Subaru Forester
(640 reviews)
“We are at an age that we needed a car that offered good safety features and reliable transportation, this car meets those requirements very well. It looks nice and can safely transport up to five people safely and comfortably.”
“Great value for the money; excellent performance & gas mileage, fine safety features”