Our Opinion - 2024 Suburu Forester Review The 2024 Subaru Forester is a small car that can go in a lot of different directions. It’s not too expensive either. It is a car that you should think about. Another option is the Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-50, which perform better on the road. However, the Forester is still quiet and comfy enough to get you from REI to Trader Joe’s without any problems. The Forester’s wide trunk and roomy back seat make it easy to carry big camping stuff or a week’s worth of groceries. All Forester models have a good kit except for the base model, which needs some features added. No matter how much you pay, you’ll get a lot of driver-assist technology. You’d expect a Subaru crossover to come with all-wheel drive, but the 182-hp flat-four engine could be more powerful. What's New? This year, 2024, the Forester doesn’t get any changes. The base and elite trims are still affordable, but the most expensive ones are the Limited and Touring, as well as the Wilderness, which was made for rough terrain. Pros and Cons Pros Cabin with lots of space and comfort. There is a very good view outside. Excellent scores for safety and features. Cons It is not looking good. I am taking it easy while driving. Not an electric or boosted engine. Engine, Transmission, and Performance All Forester types are powered by the same 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine that makes 182 horsepower and can pull up to 1,500 pounds. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) sends power from the engine to Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system. On our test track, our Forester Wilderness got to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds. This may be a different performance than this, but it should be good enough for most people. The Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, and CR-V all have turbochargers that can give you more speed. The Forester moves well for an SUV that wasn’t made for racing. The brakes are strong enough to stop in an emergency, the steering is accurate, and the ride is smooth and comfy. Safety All Subaru models come with EyeSight, a set of camera-based tools that help the driver. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have websites where you can find out more about the Forester’s crash test findings. Some important safety factors are: Normal automatic stopping in an emergency. Normal lane exit alarm that helps you stay in your lane. It comes with adaptive speed control. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The Forester’s cabin is simple and plain, giving you a great view outside and a comfortable driving position. The inside of our Touring model was nicely finished. The dashboard, door panels, and seats were all covered in caramel-colored leather. The rest of the cabin had textured plastic trim that felt and looked very high-quality. Glossy black plastic on the center stack and shiny chrome-metallic and matte plastic trims made things look better. Because the back seat is pretty roomy (there isn’t a third row), even adults should be able to sit comfortably on the bench seat on long drives. Eleven of our carry-on bags fit behind the back seat, and 23 of them fit when the back seats are folded down. Even though the CR-V’s back seats can only hold 25 carry-ons, that’s more than the CX-5 or RAV4. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG With EPA estimates of 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, which are about the same as most compact crossovers, the Forester is likely to appeal to buyers who want to save money on gas. Our Forester Touring test car got 32 mpg while going 75 mph, which is one mpg less than its highway fuel economy rating. That number, on the other hand, fits with how well the Toyota RAV4 works. Infotainment and Connectivity All types of the Forester come with Subaru’s newest Starlink interface built into a touchscreen infotainment system. Base, Premium, and Sport models all come with a 6.5-inch display. Limited and Touring models come with an 8.0-inch display as standard, but Sport models can choose not to have one. On the back of the center panel, there are two USB ports for people in the front seats and two more USB ports for people in the back seats to charge their phones. Navigation isn’t required, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are, and they can send turn-by-turn directions from a smartphone to the car for people who want to stick with a cheaper model. On all models except the base Forester, Wi-Fi is built in through a 4G LTE data link. Price and How to Choose The Premium model has the best mix of features and value, even though the Limited and Touring trims are a bit more polished. Cosmetic changes like body-colored side view mirrors, a rear spoiler, and 17-inch wheels have made it look less like a rental car. There is a six-speaker sound system, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, sliding back seatbacks, and a Wi-Fi hotspot inside the car.
