“Great car with good acceleration and fuel economy. Only drawback is cup holders and phone position. Would buy again.”
2023 Subaru Forester: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2023 Subaru Forester is largely a carryover with no major changes. Its one notable update is a revised standard 6.5-inch touchscreen setup for the base trim.
About the 2023 Subaru Forester
5th gen (2019-2024), second year after the 2022 refresh.
Subaru positions the Forester as a practical compact SUV for people who want everyday comfort without giving up bad-weather confidence or light-trail usefulness. The brand leans on standard AWD, strong safety messaging, generous outward visibility, easy cargo loading, and a roomy cabin. Compared with many rivals, the Forester is pitched less as a flashy city crossover and more as a durable, confidence-building family SUV for commuting, road trips, and outdoor weekends.
The six-trim lineup ranges from the straightforward base model to the comfort-focused Limited and fully equipped Touring. The Wilderness stands apart with 9.2 inches of ground clearance, underbody protection, revised gearing, and a 3,000-pound tow rating, while the Touring adds navigation, Harman Kardon audio, and heated rear seats.
What changed, by category
Tech
The base trim gets a revised standard 6.5-inch touchscreen setup with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2023 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 | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 7-Spd Manual Mode | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 7-Spd Manual Mode | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 7-Spd Manual Mode | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 8-Spd Manual Mode |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg |
| Horsepower | 182 hp | 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 | 176 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 3000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 74.2 cu-ft | 69.1 cu-ft | 69.1 cu-ft | 69.1 cu-ft | 69.1 cu-ft | 69.1 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 39.4 in | 39.4 in | 39.4 in | 39.4 in | 39.4 in | 39.4 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Hill Descent Control | ||||||
| Active Lane Keep Assistance | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | ||||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||||||
| 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 | ||||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | ||||||
| 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 changed on the 2023 Subaru Forester compared with the 2022 model?
Very little changed for 2023. The base trim received a revised standard 6.5-inch touchscreen setup with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the rest of the Forester largely carried over from 2022.
Did the 2023 Subaru Forester get a new engine?
No, the 2023 Forester kept the same 182-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, and standard all-wheel drive across the lineup.
Was the Forester Wilderness new for 2023?
No, the Forester Wilderness arrived for 2022 and carried into 2023. It has 9.2 inches of ground clearance, an engine skid plate, revised gearing, a front-view camera, and a 3,000-pound tow rating.
Did Subaru change the Forester’s safety equipment for 2023?
No major safety hardware changed for 2023. Every trim continued with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist suite, including adaptive cruise control and lane centering.
Which 2023 Forester trims have the larger 8-inch touchscreen?
The Limited has an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Touring adds built-in navigation to its 8-inch system. The base and Premium trims use a 6.5-inch touchscreen.
2023 Subaru Forester Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2023 Subaru Forester.
4.3
2023 Subaru Forester
(371 reviews)
“I feel completely safe in my car. It does so much to keep me safe and aware. It is solidly built and has a good amount of space and storage.”
“If you're looking for an SUV that delivers a safe, reliable driving experience, with an abundance of technological features and is fun to drive, then you should definitely consider a Subaru Forester.”