Overview
The 2024 Subaru Forester is an reasonably priced compact crossover with the flexibility to enterprise not less than a bit off the overwhelmed path. Opponents just like the Honda CR-V or the Mazda CX-50 present higher on-road driving habits, however the Forester is quiet and comfy sufficient to get you from REI to Dealer Joe’s with out grievance. The Forester’s again seat is spacious, and the cargo space offers greater than ample area for giant tenting gear or every week’s price of groceries. The Forester comes nicely outfitted in all however the sparse base mannequin, however no matter how a lot you select to spend, you will get a bunch of driver-assist tech. As is perhaps anticipated of a Subaru crossover, all-wheel drive comes commonplace, however the 182-hp flat-four engine struggles to carry a lot punch.
What’s New for 2024?
The 2024 mannequin yr brings about no modifications for the Forester. The budget-friendly Base and Premium trims stick round, with the higher-end Restricted and Touring in addition to the rugged-looking Wilderness occupying the highest of the lineup.
Pricing and Which One to Purchase
Base
$28,000 (est)
$31,000 (est)
Sport
$33,000 (est)
Restricted
$35,000 (est)
Wilderness
$36,000 (est)
Touring
$38,000 (est)
Whereas the Restricted and Touring trims are a lot fancier, we expect the Premium mannequin provides one of the best mixture of worth and options. The outside upgrades—17-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, and body-color side-view mirrors—make it look much less like a rental automobile. The inside contains luxuries similar to a panoramic sunroof, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, reclining rear seatbacks, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker sound system.
Engine, Transmission, and Efficiency
All Forester fashions are powered by the identical 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine that makes 182 horsepower and may tow 1500 kilos. A constantly variable automated transmission (CVT) routes the engine’s energy to Subaru’s trademark all-wheel-drive system. At our take a look at observe, our Forester Wilderness take a look at automobile required 8.0 seconds to succeed in 60 mph—not precisely thrilling efficiency, however it’ll meet the wants of most patrons. These searching for extra oomph ought to try the CR-V or the turbocharged variations of the Mazda CX-5 and the Kia Sportage. For an SUV with none sporting intentions, the Forester’s dealing with is competent. The journey is compliant and refined, the steering is correct, and the brakes are adequately sturdy for emergency stops.
Gasoline Economic system and Actual-World MPG
With EPA fuel-economy rankings that match a lot of the compact-crossover phase (26 mpg metropolis, 33 mpg freeway), the Forester will possible fulfill patrons in search of effectivity. In our 75-mph freeway fuel-economy take a look at, our Forester Touring take a look at automobile missed its highway-fuel-economy ranking by 1 mpg, returning 32 mpg. Nevertheless, that determine matches the outcome that the Toyota RAV4 delivered. For extra details about the Forester’s gasoline economic system, go to the EPA’s web site.
Inside, Consolation, and Cargo
The Forester’s cabin is a simple, frill-free affair with a great driving place and nice outward visibility. Our Touring mannequin’s inside was properly completed with caramel-colored leather-based on the seats, door panels, and sprint; textured plastic trim layered on the remainder of the cabin appeared and felt of top quality, too, whereas gloss-black plastic on the middle stack and the chromed and matte-metallic plastic trims spruced issues up fairly nicely. The again seat is lots spacious (there isn’t a third-row choice), and even adults ought to discover the bench seat a cushty perch for street journeys. We match 11 of our carry-on suitcases behind the again seat and a whopping 23 with the again seats folded. That is greater than both the CX-5 or the RAV4 might muster, however the CR-V maxed out at 25 carry-ons with its rear seats stowed.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All Forester fashions come commonplace with a touchscreen infotainment system utilizing Subaru’s newest Starlink interface. Base, Premium, and Sport fashions come commonplace with a 6.5-inch show, however a bigger 8.0-inch unit is non-obligatory on the Sport and commonplace on the Restricted and Touring fashions. Two USB ports are supplied for front-seat passengers; two extra are non-obligatory and reside on the again of the middle console, giving rear-seat passengers a strategy to juice their smartphones. Navigation is non-obligatory, however for many who determine to stay with a decrease mannequin, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality are each commonplace and may present turn-by-turn instructions broadcast from the person’s gadget. Onboard Wi-Fi through a 4G LTE information connection is commonplace on all however the base Forester.
Security and Driver-Help Options
All fashions come commonplace with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of camera-based driver-assistance options. For extra details about the Forester’s crash-test outcomes, go to the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embrace:
Normal automated emergency braking Normal lane-departure warning with lane-keeping help Normal adaptive cruise management
Guarantee and Upkeep Protection
The Forester’s guarantee is primary, and patrons will probably be paying out of pocket for upkeep visits. Rivals such because the Sportage and the Hyundai Tucson, each of which supply a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain guarantee, and the RAV4, which provides two years of complimentary scheduled upkeep, all present extra worth right here than the Subaru.
Restricted guarantee covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain guarantee covers 5 years or 60,000 miles No complimentary scheduled upkeep
Specs
Specs
2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness
Automobile Kind: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Examined: $33,945/$36,015
Choices: Audio and Navigation package deal, $1850; engine skid plate, $220
ENGINE
DOHC 16-valve flat-4, aluminum block and heads, direct gasoline injection
Displacement: 152 in3, 2498 cm3
Energy: 182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque: 176 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
TRANSMISSION
constantly variable automated
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.4-in vented disc/11.2-in vented disc
Tires: Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
225/60R-17 99T M+S 3PMSF
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 104.9 in
Size: 182.7 in
Width: 72.2 in
Peak: 68.9 in
Passenger Quantity: 108 ft3
Cargo Quantity: 27 ft3
Curb Weight: 3659 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 8.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 16.3 sec @ 86 mph
100 mph: 24.1 secResults above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Begin, 5–60 mph: 8.7 sec
High Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.3 sec
High Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.9 sec
High Pace (C/D est): 115 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 181 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.77 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Noticed: 22 mpg
75-mph Freeway Driving: 28 mpg
Freeway Vary: 460 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Mixed/Metropolis/Freeway: 26/25/28 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
Extra Options and Specs