Overview & Reviews

The Subaru Forester debuted in the late 1990s as an option for consumers interested in the emerging segment of compact SUVs. Essentially a tall station wagon with all-wheel drive (AWD), the original Forester offered buyers the rugged style of a traditional SUV, but because it shared its basic platform architecture with Subaru's Impreza, it had the ride and driving characteristics of a small station wagon. That meant it was pretty nimble for a utility vehicle, yet it could still handle inclement weather and the occasional trip to the trailhead.

The more recent Subaru Foresters, including the newest generation, are more in line with established crossover SUV design. They're larger, roomier and less wagonlike than earlier Foresters and have nicer interiors, though the design is still fairly utilitarian compared with some of the trendier cabin decors in this class. New or used, though, the Forester offers buyers strengths such as easy maneuverability, sure-footed handling in slippery weather, available turbocharged power and solid build quality. It's worth considering if you're shopping for a small crossover SUV.

Current Subaru Forester
Redesigned for the 2014 model year, the Subaru Forester (now in its fourth generation) is a five-passenger compact crossover SUV. Compared to the previous generation, this Forester is slightly roomier and nicer-looking inside. It's also more fuel efficient.

The Forester is available in six trim levels that are split into 2.5i and 2.0XT models. The 2.5i models use a naturally aspirated horizontally opposed (boxer) four-cylinder engine rated at 170 horsepower. Shoppers have their choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and all-wheel drive is standard. For more performance the 2.0XT models use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 250 hp. All 2.0XT models come with the CVT.

Standard equipment on all versions includes cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and an iPod/USB interface with an auxiliary audio jack. The Premium trim levels add alloy wheels, roof rails, a panoramic sunroof, a rearview camera, an eight-way power driver seat and a six-speaker sound system. Limited models add automatic headlights, a power rear liftgate, automatic climate control (single-zone), leather upholstery and reclining rear seats.

Top-of-the-line Touring models come standard with a navigation system (optional on most other trims), upgraded gauges, dual-zone automatic climate control and an eight-speaker sound system. An optional Driver Assist Technology package adds adaptive cruise control, keyless ignition/entry, xenon headlamps and Subaru's EyeSight system, which integrates lane departure warning and frontal collision warning/mitigation systems.

The newest Forester stays true to its roots, with a roomy cabin and ample cargo space. The seats are soft but supportive and the ride is fairly plush, so it's comfortable whether you're commuting to work in town or going on a lengthy highway road trip. Forester 2.5i models provide respectable power and fuel economy, though the engine does get a little raucous at high rpm. The 2.0XT, meanwhile, is one of the quickest small crossovers in its class. Above-average off-road ability is another plus to the Forester. As for downsides, the main ones are lackluster on-road handling abilities and the optional touchscreen system, which we've found slow to respond and difficult to navigate.

Overall, however, the latest Subaru Forester stands up well to best-selling competitors from Ford, Honda and Toyota.

Used Subaru Forester Models
The third-generation Subaru Forester was introduced for the 2009 model year and was produced through 2013. Bigger and roomier than the previous Forester, it officially became a crossover SUV whereas before it was often considered a tall wagon. Though the engines and transmissions were little changed from the previous generation, this Forester offered a higher-quality cabin.

It came in multiple trim levels split into 2.5X and 2.5XT models, which denoted the engine under the hood. For power, the 2.5X models featured a naturally aspirated, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine with 170 hp. Both a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission were offered. The XT models got a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine rated at 224 hp. All XTs came with the automatic, and all Foresters were all-wheel drive.

The base model was decently equipped with full power accessories, cruise control, air-conditioning and Bluetooth. Stepping up to the Premium trims added items like alloy wheels, a sunroof and reclining rear seatbacks. The upper Limited and Touring trims were equipped with such items as xenon headlamps, a rearview camera, leather upholstery, a power driver seat, automatic climate control, a navigation system and an upgraded stereo.

We liked this generation of Forester for its crisp steering and tight turning circle, which made it surprisingly maneuverable in close quarters. It also benefited from basic off-road abilities that are typical among Subarus and one of the most comfortable rides in the segment. The 2.5X models had unremarkable acceleration at best, while 2.5XT models (with the turbocharged engine) were rather swift. Both had below-par fuel economy, though.

The second-generation Subaru Forester was produced from 2003-'08. Although it didn't look much different from the previous version, improvements included more interior room, a stiffer body structure, a revised chassis and more standard feature content.

Performance for the second-generation Forester ranged from adequate to exciting. Most Foresters sold from 2003-'05 came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine good for 165 hp, while the 2004 and '05 XT models featured a 210-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. This model was a hoot to drive, especially when fitted with the five-speed manual gearbox. From 2006 and later, the standard Forester engine made 173 hp, while the turbocharged XT version swelled to 230 horses.

Originally, this Forester came in base 2.5X and upgraded XS trims, with the XT (later XT Limited) arriving for 2004 and the XS L.L. Bean trim for '05. The latter was a bit fancier thanks to some extra features and special styling details. The XS was replaced a year later by the X Premium Package, followed for 2007 by new models known as Sports X and Sports XT. Despite all these trim name changes and additions, the XT never wavered from being the more powerful and better equipped Forester.

In reviews, our editors praised this Subaru Forester for its peppy performance, classy cabin and sharp handling. Consumer comments were mostly favorable as well, with many owners noting the vehicle's comfortable seats, the sure-footed nature of the AWD system, generous stowage and large moonroof. Downsides to this model include sluggish response from the automatic transmission, more road noise than expected and a stiffer ride than many competitors of the day.

The first-generation Subaru Forester bowed in 1998. With SUV-like styling cues on its tall wagon body and the confidence-inspiring grip of its all-wheel drive, the original Forester was an instant hit. Performance from Subaru's 165-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine was snappy for the time, and back then, it packed the most power you could get in a small SUV. Other strong points for the original Forester include comfortable seats, plenty of storage options, impressive crash test scores and composed handling that shamed its rivals of the day, including the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

As this generation ran toward its end point (2002), it received improvements such as upgraded engine performance (the torque rating went up) and additional luxury appointments (including leather seating). The lack of major changes required to keep the first-generation Forester viable underscores the fact that Subaru got it right the first time.

User Reviews:

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  great car - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By birdman - January 21 - 10:00 am

  have had my forester xs 5 sp. for about a month and have really enjoyed it. It has great pickup and is as fun to drive as my beloved jetta. Climate control is great as well as the heated seats.

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  The Best Car Ive ever had !!!!! Period - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By farside7 - January 19 - 1:10 am

  I had a Chrysler 300 Limited Brand new, Chevy Impala brand new, a coup deville and to me this is the best car Ive ever owned, period. The ride is smooth, the vehicle has great power. I put a remote start on It and a trailer hitch. I get about 26 to 27 on the hwy. The interior room is awesome ! Im 510" and 280 pound! I still have plenty of room!

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  Fun and easy to drive - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By B - January 16 - 4:37 am

  This is a great car. I looked at all the competitors. CRV, Rav4, etc. Chose the Forester. Glad I did. Love the handling, in wet and especially snow. Did a lot of haggling and got a great deal. Mileage in town is about 26, in semi rural areas where the speed is slow but there are few stops, mileage is 34-37. Highway is 31. (I drive fairly economically)Passing is good on the highway. The mirror-link for your phone is a real pain in the ass. Love the visibility around the car. Love the cargo capacity. Roof rack is kind of noisy, but use it often. Liking the CVT trans. LOVE the pushbutton start.

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  Subaru For Life - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By GavinJLang - January 12 - 12:10 am

  This is one of the best cars Ive ever owned. Thats saying a lot considering Ive owned over 60 cars. No, its no race car... the pick-up is moderate... BUT the capabilities, reliability, and overall maintenance cost have been lower than anything Ive owned in the past. Perfect for running around town or getting to that hard to reach off road destination. The only thing lacking in my model is 4 high and low for better off-road capabilities, but it definitely works well. Tires make a BIG difference in its handling and capabilities, and since there are so many aftermarket pieces available thats hardly an issue.

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  Not happy - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By unhappy owner - January 8 - 10:00 am

  First day-blue smoke came out of the tailpipe on startup. Salesman said it should disappear after few hundred mi. After 1 wk it was in service w/ 400 mi with the same problem. Subaru service MGR said "the blue smoke is normal and part of breaking in." Service changed oil & filter for an OC test. This brand new car still blows blue smoke everyday on cold start and even if its been sitting for few hrs. Been going to service once, twice, & even 3x/wk and service MGR keeps telling my that my car is "normal and its part of breaking in." I lose a lot of oil within a wk (1qt+) & still waiting for Subaru to do something. Service refuse to fix the car. 1st time buying new car & not happy with Subaru.

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  no buyers remorse - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By RSH - January 6 - 10:08 am

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  No SUV is perfect -- this one is closest - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Pittsburgh Peneplainer - January 2 - 7:37 pm

  Compared this to Mazda CX-5, VW Tiguan; my other car is a 2016 VW GTI. The Forester won me over for its well-known virtues: best driving position, visibility, ease of entry, AWD system, modern safety features, fuel economy and (hopefully) reliability. The handling is better than I expected; the ride is never totally settled on the highway, but it absorbs bad bumps with ease. Its pretty quiet -- wind whistle around the mirrors starts above 65 mph -- much quieter than the CX-5. Rear seat is comfortable and very spacious; cargo area is terrific considering the exterior dimensions. I parallel park in the city every day; the visibility, big mirrors and rear-view camera make it easy. The bad: front seats (the standard cloth) do the job but nothing more; feels like youre sitting on them not in them. The interior plastics are mostly hard, shiny, brittle and ugly -- but they fit well. The EyeSight controls are strewn randomly about the cabin; the EyeSight cameras require that the sun visors arent wide enough to be useful. The power rear tailgate is slow, but its easy to just use it manually. The USB ports have no ability to retain index information between starts; check out the Forester forums on this issue. Choose the first song on your USB device carefully because youll be hearing it a lot! But still, the best compact SUV for my needs -- the redesigned 2017 Imprezas give me hope that future Foresters may overcome weaknesses in the current Forester.

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  Nice SUV - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By MSSSSW - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Like everything about this car except the rear wiper

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  Great Safe Family Car/SUV - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By BiggLou55 - January 1 - 8:46 pm

  If you have 0, 1 or 2 children and/or pets, this is a GREAT car. We looked at many different vehicles in this price range and found that the Forester fit our needs, lifestyle and budget as well as being the best of the cars we test drove. The power of the 2.5L boxer is adequate, but not as sporty as we would have liked. If you want more power, get the XT model, but we chose the comfort over the power and we made the right choice for us. Overall, we are extremely happy with our Forester, and we will definitely buy another.