2024 2023

4.9

Subaru Forester

Starts at:

$26,395

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Choose your trim

Compare all trims

Key specifications

Highlights

1,500 lbs

Towing Capacity

Regular Unleaded H-4

Engine Type

26 City / 33 Hwy

MPG

182 hp

Horsepower

Engine

Regular Unleaded H-4

Engine Type

176 @ 4400

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

182 @ 5800

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

2.5 L/152

Displacement

Suspension

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Rear

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Front

Weight & Capacity

N/A

Curb Weight

1,500 lbs

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.

N/A

Curb Weight - Rear

N/A

Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx

Safety

Standard

Stability Control

Standard

Automatic Emergency Braking

Standard

Backup Camera

Entertainment

Standard

Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto®

Electrical

N/A

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

N/A

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

Brakes

Yes

Disc - Front (Yes or )

11 in

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness

N/A

Brake ABS System (Second Line)

4-Wheel Disc

Brake Type

See specifications list

Photo & video gallery

Exterior

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Interior

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Factory warranties

Basic

3 years / 36,000 miles

Corrosion

5 years

Powertrain

5 years / 60,000 miles

Roadside Assistance

3 years / 36,000 miles

The good & the bad

The good

Roomy, comfortable interior

Smooth ride

Excellent outward visibility

Expansive cargo area

Large liftgate

The bad

Meager acceleration

Wind, road noise on the highway

Some poorly arranged controls

Minimal cabin storage

Base trim looks and feels the part

See all specifications

Most recent

By Chevy

Owns this car

July 2, 2024

Likes: spacious interior despite modest exterior

Likes: spacious interior despite modest exterior dimensions, easy to maneuver, great visibility all around, comfortable ride, good traction, handling, and braking, nice interior finish on sport model, strong steering responsive headlights yet they don't blind opposing traffic, very good optional Harmon sound system, numerous

effective safety features, low insurance premiums, adequate acceleration..a few cons: actual economy slightly under EPA estimates, seat may be a bit too firm for some but easy to address by adding a thin seat cushion, mandatory sunroof on all but the base model..I wish Subaru would just make that a single option..rough engine start-stop ..however I disable it each time I start engine so it can be a non issue...no reliability issues yet but since this has a cvt and fairly complex safety features, long term reliability is unknown..

Does recommend this car

Comfort 5.0

Interior 5.0

Performance 4.0

Value 4.0

Exterior 4.0

Reliability 5.0

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By Jeff & Julie from Naperville, IL

Owns this car

April 21, 2024

Safety first

This is our second Forester. Our first was a 2011 Premium we bought as a CPO in 2014 and unfortunately went through the headache of excessive oil consumption within months of buying it. Subaru did eventually replace the engine short block on their dime, but only after repeated oil consumption tests and being told by the dealer

service department that it was within normal limits. Calling Subaru of America was the only way we got it resolved. I was impressed that they approved the service, and that's the reason we bought another Subaru. We also have a 2018 Outback Premium in our garage--no oil consumption, and no major issues except replacing the radio for failed lighting behind the volume knob and a minor leak in the oil pan (no dripping underneath the car though) at about 42k miles. We like our 2023 Forester Sport overall, and first and foremost we like its excellent safety ratings and features. I will say the ride is much firmer than our Outback which is only a couple hundred pounds heavier. Wish it had a little more storage in the center console and beneath the climate controls. We look forward to many years of driving with the Forester (and our Outback). Based on our experience, I do feel getting a Subaru-backed extended warranty is worth it for peace of mind (we bought them for our first Forester and now our Outback and both eventually paid for themselves). You DON'T have to buy the warranty when you purchase the vehicle. Call different dealers in your state and ask for their price on an extended warranty for your vehicle--we saved hundreds of dollars by doing this. You have until your manufacturer warranty expires to add an extended warranty.

Purchased a New car
Used for Transporting family
Does recommend this car

Comfort 4.0

Interior 4.0

Performance 5.0

Value 5.0

Exterior 4.0

Reliability 4.0

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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.