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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  Good auto - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By ChrisJ - July 6 - 11:54 pm

  seems to be a great car for the price - only had it 3 weeks

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  good all around vehicle - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By martyk - July 6 - 12:03 am

  my 04 subaru forester is a wonderful car. awd is fantastic. lots of headroom and front seat legroom. 25k miles and no problems. i fit my office in it, can carry material and my daughter fits in her child safety seat all at the same time. not bad for a small car. awd gives a feeling of total traction in rain and snow. the crash test results seem to be excellent. i hope i never have to test these features.

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  My "new toy" - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Frank - July 2 - 5:41 am

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  So far so good - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Hammerhead - June 30 - 3:20 am

  My wife and I are "heavyweights" so we appreciate extra leg and hip room. The Forester has plenty for us. I like the peppy power train and tight turning radius. Its like driving a go-kart. More power than I expected from a 4 cylinder 170 HP engine. I think the fuel economy is great, Weve gotten 33 mpg on the highway and up to 24 mpg in the city. That far exceeds the 22 mpg EPA estimate on the sticker. I believe that a 6-speed auto transmission would help increase the gas mileage even more. We have the "Limited" edition which has the upgraded interior, but the interior seems a bit cheap and thin plastic is abundant.

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  Good Value Overall - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Speedwagon - June 27 - 1:26 am

  This is the first Subaru Ive owned and it compares favorably to the RAV4 and the CR-V. Its a tremendous value for the money. However, the interior lacks the refinement of European counterparts - both in terms of materials and ergonomics. Road noise and wind noise are excessive. Although the engine has nice low-end torque, it has inadequate passing power on the highway.

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  Ours is a LEMON! - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By efsevers - June 26 - 10:00 am

  I dont know if we got a lemon or what, but we have had nothing but problems with our 2001 Forester S+. Every time we take it in with a complaint, the Subaru rep says thats standard for this vehicle...which leads us to believe their products are garbage. We WILL be trading it in within the next month or two.

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  Perfect Winter car - 2000 Subaru Forester
  By Dustinson - June 23 - 6:53 pm

  I bought a high powered rear-wheel drive car and needed something for winter. I hated the look of this car, but am glad I bought it. I drive through snow half way up the door panels with ease. I cant imagine going back to just a front-wheel drive car for winter.

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  Headaches from toxic fumes from ac - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Jay - June 22 - 1:11 pm

  Dear 2017 Forester owners. I desperately need a feedback. I bought this brand new Forester with all the bells and whistles. Like any new car it had an upholstery smell which generally goes away with time but not in this car. I have been driving this car now for almost 2 months. My whole body would smell like old leather or shoe polish including from my breath. I always owned a new car but never a Subaru. This smell turned into headaches and lightheadedness and watery eyes when I turned my Heater on few days back. To experiment whether it is me only I told my wife to test drive with my son. Just 30 minutes into driving she started getting headaches and watery eyes. She had to stop the car and tell my son to go on the back seat to avoid a/c due to he getting nauseated. I took the car to dealer who found nothing wrong and referred me to Subaru tech team and I am still waiting to hear from them. I have kept my windows open but no improvements. I am so scared to drive because of headaches and drowsiness kicking in. Can someone please let me know if they are going through the same. One article I read showed in 2007 study that Forester was one of the 10 worst car for toxic fume in the cabin. I dont think since 2007 they have done any improvement in the quality of material they are using. Surprisingly only Forester was mentioned and no other Subaru models were mentioned. I felt so bad that I leased this vehicle. If they dont take back I dont know what my options are. Please any advice is highly appreciated. Jay

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  Could not have made a better choice - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Jeffrey Lubeck - June 22 - 10:00 am

  Three months and 2,300 miles in and the choice of this vehicle feel better and better with each driving session. This vehicle gives the you power of a turbo, without a huge lag time. As a driver you are afforded the ability to pass with speed, safety and feeling of control. The Fit and finsh of the leather package and the clean lines of the interior make driving easy and comfortable.

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  This is my third Forester - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By janet - June 13 - 7:00 pm

  I love the Forester. It really meets my needs. I live in a large city where parking is limited and I find the ease of handling and parking to be wonderful. The 2006 has more leg room in width than my previous Foresters. Also the console and dash are in a better position. I had a bad car accident in 2001 (kid on a cell phone) and the Forester saved my life. I dont know if I will ever own any other car! It takes regular fuel, a plus for me. I have never had problems with any of my Foresters and dont expect any now with the new one. I didnt replace my second Forester; its still in the family.