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2015 Subaru Forester

2015 Subaru Forester

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$13,508 — $24,712 USED
25
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Sport Utility
5 Seats
25-27 MPG
(Combined)
 Key specs of the base trim
 — 
Compare 6 trims

Overview

Is this the car for you?
 (4.6) 198 reviews

The Good

  • Visibility
  • Backseat space
  • Backup camera now standard

The Bad

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

What to Know

about the 2015 Subaru Forester
  • EyeSight safety option $500 cheaper
  • Choice of four-cylinders, including turbo engine
  • Manual transmission or CVT
  • All-wheel drive standard

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Our Take

from the Cars.com expert editorial team

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.

What Is the 2015 Subaru Forester?

The 2015 Subaru Forester is a compact SUV with seating for five. It is comparable to models like the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4. The Forester is available in six trim levels: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.0XT Premium, 2.5i Touring and 2.0XT Touring. All-wheel drive is standard.

What's New on the 2015 Subaru Forester?

For this model year, a backup camera and color dashboard display are newly standard features. In addition, packages with the EyeSight safety system are $500 less for 2015.

How Does the 2015 Subaru Forester Compare to Other Compact SUVs?

The Forester is comfortable and powerful without losing to competitors in terms of price and efficiency. When compared with other all-wheel-drive models in its class, the Forester is a top contender.

What Features in the 2015 Subaru Forester Are Most Important?

The Forester is outfitted with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower. A 250-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is also available. Shoppers have the choice of a six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission. There is a CVT with manual-shift modes for the turbo 2.0-liter model.

Significant standard features include 17-inch wheels, cloth upholstery, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, Bluetooth streaming audio, a 60/40-split-folding backseat and a CD stereo with iPod connectivity. Notable options include 18-inch wheels, foglights, a power liftgate, high-intensity-discharge headlights, a panoramic moonroof, leather upholstery, a power driver's seat, navigation, a Harman Kardon premium stereo and keyless access and start.

As required in all new vehicles, the 2015 Forester is outfitted with front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system. Other standard safety features are front-seat side-impact airbags, a backup camera, driver's knee airbag and side curtain airbags. Subaru EyeSight with adaptive cruise control, precollision braking and lane departure warning is also available.

Should I Buy the 2015 Subaru Forester?

Its noteworthy visibility, backseat space and standard backup camera make the Subaru Forester a good choice. Although it is a beneficial feature, the EyeSight cameras -- mounted to either side of the rearview mirror -- are a little intrusive.

Cars.com's Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com's long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don't accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com's advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

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 i... Read More

Consumer Reviews

What drivers are saying

4.6
198 reviews — Read All reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.6)
Performance
(4.7)
Interior Design
(4.4)
Comfort
(4.5)
Reliability
(4.8)
Value For The Money
(4.6)

Read reviews that mention:

(5.0)

The best car I have owned so far

by Fozzie19 from Paducah, KY on December 7, 2018

The only make of vehicle I plan on ever purchasing in the future. I can take it off road and it handles snow amazing. Awesome vehicle. Read full review

(5.0)

Very reliable winter vehicle

by Russell from Shirley,mass on December 6, 2018

Great car all around except infotainment and nav screen. Better than any other cars with their phoney paid for jd. Power awards don't listen to their bogus ratings on this car it's far superior to any ... Read full review

Safety

Recalls and crash tests

Recalls

The 2015 Subaru Forester currently has 1 recall

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.

Warranty

New car and certified pre-owned programs by Subaru

New Car Program Benefits

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    36 months / 36,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    60 months / 60,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    36 months / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned Program Benefits

  • Maximum Age/Mileage

    5 years/80,000 miles

  • Basic Warranty Terms

    Coverage available for purchase

  • Powertrain

    7 years/100,000

  • Dealer Certification Required

    152-point inspection

  • Roadside Assistance

    Yes

  • View All CPO Program Details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See warranty FAQs or visit the manufacturer's website

Latest 2015 Forester Stories

See all 2015 Subaru Forester articles

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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

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