2023 Subaru Forester

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$26,495

starting MSRP

2023 Subaru Forester
2023 Subaru Forester

Key specs

Base trim shown

SUV

Body style

29

Combined MPG

5

Seating capacity

182.7” x 68.1”

Dimensions

All-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

The good:

  • Roomy, comfortable interior
  • Smooth ride
  • Excellent outward visibility
  • Expansive cargo area
  • Large liftgate
  • Towing capacity (Wilderness)

The bad:

  • Meager acceleration
  • Wind, road noise on the highway
  • Some poorly arranged controls
  • Minimal cabin storage
  • Base trim looks and feels the part

6 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2023 Subaru Forester trim comparison will help you decide.

See also: Find the best SUVs for 2023

Notable features

  • Five-seat compact SUV
  • All-wheel drive
  • Subaru EyeSight suite of active-safety features
  • Lane-centering steering
  • Off-road-oriented Wilderness trim
  • 182-hp, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine
  • 8.7-inch ground clearance (9.2 inches for Wilderness)

2023 Subaru Forester review: Our expert's take

What Is the 2023 Subaru Forester?

The 2023 Subaru Forester is a five-seat compact SUV with standard all-wheel drive. Getting the Forester down the road is a 182-horsepower, 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Fuel economy is class-competitive at an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving, but it dips to 26 mpg if you choose the off-road-themed Wilderness trim, which rides on a raised suspension and all-terrain tires. The Forester competes against popular models such as the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson

What’s New on the 2023 Subaru Forester?

Other than slightly higher prices, the Subaru Forester carries over essentially unchanged from 2022.

What Features in the 2023 Subaru Forester Are Most Important?

Standard features include:

  • 6.5-inch touchscreen
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Split-folding second row
  • Satellite radio
  • Four-speaker stereo
  • 17-inch steel wheels
  • LED headlights
  • Automatic high-beam headlights
  • Lane departure steering assist
  • Rear-seat reminder
  • Adaptive cruise control with lane centering

Available features include:

  • 8-inch touchscreen
  • Heated front seats
  • Leather seating
  • Keyless entry
  • Push-button start
  • Raised suspension (Wilderness)
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Rear air vents
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Power liftgate
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Blind spot warning

Should I Buy the 2023 Subaru Forester?

The Subaru Forester has a low entry price, a fuel-efficient engine, and a spacious interior that’s attractive and feels built to last. The four-cylinder engine is wheezy when you ask too much of it, but standard AWD is something many SUV shoppers will appreciate more than oodles of horsepower. The base Forester is a bargain, but moving up at least one trim level gets you handy features like keyless entry, push-button start, rear air vents and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. We think it’s worth the upgrade.

Consumer reviews

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.9
  • Interior design 5.0
  • Performance 4.6
  • Value for the money 4.9
  • Exterior styling 4.8
  • Reliability 5.0

Most recent consumer reviews

5.0

Great Bang for the Buck

This is my third Subaru. The first was a 2018 Outback which proved to be a little to large for my taste so I traded it in for my first Forester a 2021. This was a great car until someone side swiped me in an accident and totaled it. I was so impressed with the job it did protecting me from harm that I bought another one in 2023 after the accident and it is even better. I have had a chevy small pick up, two jeeps, a camaro, a Acura and two BMWs and in the area that counts most, safety, the Forester outshines them all. It may not be as fast some of my previous cars but I am older now and the police tell me I need to slow down some. Ha!Ha! It has more pop than you think.

5.0

2023 Forester

Only had the Forester for one month. Loving it every day it is very big inside the controls are very intuitive. I would certainly recommend this car.

5.0

2023 Forester Wilderness

This is my first Subaru and the quality of the vehicle is spot on. I would highly recommend the Subaru Forester Wilderness to anyone, can hardly wait to drive it in the snow!

See all 13 consumer reviews

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Subaru
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
36 months/36,000 miles
Corrosion
60 months/unlimited distance
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?

Compare the competitors

See all 2023 Subaru Forester articles