2015 Subaru Forester

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$14,722–$25,414 Inventory Prices
(4.6) 164 reviews
2015 Subaru Forester
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Key Specs

of the 2015 Subaru Forester base trim shown

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Visibility
  • Backseat space
  • Backup camera now standard

The Bad

  • No stick shift for 2.0XT
  • Liftgate should open higher
  • EyeSight cameras intrude

Notable Features of the 2015 Subaru Forester

  • EyeSight safety option $500 cheaper
  • Choice of four-cylinders, including turbo engine
  • Manual transmission or CVT
  • All-wheel drive standard

2015 Subaru Forester Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview

When it was redesigned last year, the Subaru Forester compact SUV stayed nearly the same size outside, but became roomier inside. It also gained interior and feature upgrades, including optional high-tech active safety features like EyeSight, which uses a camera to control adaptive cruise control, precollision braking and lane departure warning. The 2.0XT version features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Forester competitors include the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

New for 2015

The price for packages with the EyeSight safety system are $500 cheaper, and a backup camera and color dashboard display are now standard.

The below is a list of highlighted features and not an exhaustive list. Features are standard unless otherwise noted.

Exterior Highlights

  • 17-inch wheels; 18-inch wheels available
  • 8.7 inches of ground clearance 
  • High-intensity-discharge headlights available
  • Fog lights available
  • Power liftgate available
  • Panoramic moonroof available

Interior Highlights

  • Seats five
  • Cloth upholstery; leather available
  • Power driver's seat available
  • Heated front seats available
  • Tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls
  • 60/40-split folding backseat; reclining backseat available
  • CD stereo with iPod connectivity and MP3 jack; Harman Kardon premium stereo available
  • Bluetooth streaming audio
  • Navigation system available
  • Keyless access and start available

Under the Hood

  • 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder ...
Vehicle Overview

When it was redesigned last year, the Subaru Forester compact SUV stayed nearly the same size outside, but became roomier inside. It also gained interior and feature upgrades, including optional high-tech active safety features like EyeSight, which uses a camera to control adaptive cruise control, precollision braking and lane departure warning. The 2.0XT version features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Forester competitors include the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

New for 2015

The price for packages with the EyeSight safety system are $500 cheaper, and a backup camera and color dashboard display are now standard.

The below is a list of highlighted features and not an exhaustive list. Features are standard unless otherwise noted.

Exterior Highlights

  • 17-inch wheels; 18-inch wheels available
  • 8.7 inches of ground clearance 
  • High-intensity-discharge headlights available
  • Fog lights available
  • Power liftgate available
  • Panoramic moonroof available

Interior Highlights

  • Seats five
  • Cloth upholstery; leather available
  • Power driver's seat available
  • Heated front seats available
  • Tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls
  • 60/40-split folding backseat; reclining backseat available
  • CD stereo with iPod connectivity and MP3 jack; Harman Kardon premium stereo available
  • Bluetooth streaming audio
  • Navigation system available
  • Keyless access and start available

Under the Hood

  • 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine
  • 250-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder available
  • Six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission with 2.5-liter four-cylinder
  • CVT with manual-shift modes for turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder
  • All-wheel drive
  • Hill descent control available

Safety Features

  • Required in every new car: front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system
  • Front-seat side-impact airbags
  • Driver’s knee airbag
  • Side curtain airbags
  • Backup camera
  • EyeSight with adaptive cruise control, precollision braking and lane departure warning available

 


2015 Forester Video

Editor's note: This review was done in March 2013 about the 2014 Subaru Forester. Little of substance has changed with this year's model.

View 23 Photos

Latest 2015 Forester Stories

See all 2015 Subaru Forester articles >

What Drivers Are Saying

4.6
164 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.6)
Performance
(4.7)
Interior Design
(4.4)
Comfort
(4.5)
Reliability
(4.8)
Value For The Money
(4.6)

Latest Reviews

(5.0)

it's reputation of best AWD and durability

by Nikylish from Waco, TX on April 6, 2018

I looked into finding the best car with AWD, and consumers reviews were best on Subaru, plus my daughter lives in CO. She says everybody drives a Subaru. I had some friends who owned a Subaru and said ... Read full review

(4.0)

Great vehicle for around town

by SunnyBeach from N Topsail Beach, NC on April 4, 2018

I think it is great. This is my fifth Subaru and the AWD system is hands down the best in the industry. It never loses traction or hydroplanes. It generally gets around 28 mpg except out on the ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2015 Subaru Forester currently has 1 recall

IIHS Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

Based on 2015 Subaru Forester 2.5i

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.

Front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/thigh
good
Lower leg/foot
good
Overall evaluation
good
Retraints and dummy kinematics
good
Structure and safety cage
good

Head Restraints and Seats

Dynamic Rating
good
Overall Rear
good
Seat Head/Restraint Geometry
good

Moderate overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Left Leg/Foot
good
Overall Front
good
Restraints
good
Right Leg/Foot
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Other

Roof Strength
good

Side

Driver Head Protection
good
Driver Head and Neck
good
Driver Pelvis/Leg
good
Driver Torso
good
Overall Side
good
Rear Passenger Head Protection
good
Rear Passenger Head and Neck
good
Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg
good
Rear Passenger Torso
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Small Overlap Front - Driver Side

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/Thigh
good
Lower Leg/Foot
good
Overall Evaluation
good
Restraints and Dummy Kinematics
good
Structure and Safety Cage
good
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers.

Manufacturer Warranty

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    36 months / 36,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    60 months / 60,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    36 months / 36,000 miles

CPO Program & Warranty

Certified Pre-Owned by Subaru

Program Benefits

24-hour roadside assistance and Carfax vehicle history report

  • Limited Warranty

    7 years / 100,000 miles

    Powertrain: 7 years/100,000 miles from original date of first use. Roadside assistance: 1 year from date of purchase

  • Eligibility

    Under 6 years / 85,000 miles

    Vehicles receive a 152 point inspection and reconditioning.

Have Questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Forester received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*

Third-row access

N/A

Infant seat

A

Booster

(second row)

A

Booster

(third row)

N/A

Latch or Latch system

A

Forward-facing convertible

(third row)

N/A

Forward-facing convertible

(second row)

A

Rear-facing convertible

A
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.
For complete details,
read the full report

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker