2023 Subaru Forester Overview What’s new: There have been relatively few adjustments made to the features and the availability. In 2019, the fifth generation of Foresters came out. In the late 1990s, the Subaru Forester was one of the first small SUVs with a crossover body style. It has become one of Subaru’s most popular cars and has a strong reputation. Due to its basic all-wheel-drive system and high ground clearance, the Forester is famous for people in cold climates. Because it can handle mild off-road trails, it is one of Subaru’s four SUV models, along with the Outback, the three-row Ascent, and the smaller Crosstrek. The Forester will be back for the 2023 model year, but it will be much better than in 2022. Most of the changes are updates to the software for the safety systems and a wider field of view for the camera that faces forward. The Wilderness level now comes with a giant touchscreen for entertainment. The Forester can go off-road, but it can also do much more. It has a roomy, comfortable interior, several basic, high-tech driver aids, and a lot of technology. But the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, or Hyundai Tucson may be better choices because they don’t have as many problems. Pros vs Cons Pros: Standard four-wheel drive All features that help the driver are standard. Higher-than-average ground clearance makes it easier to drive off-road. Significant cargo capacity Cons: The engine needs to be stronger. A low tow rating limits how helpful something can be. Performance How do you drive the Forester? The Forester’s engine doesn’t have enough power. The automatic transmission and four-cylinder engine make it hard to speed up quickly. During Invoice Pricing testing, the Forester took 9.3 seconds to speed up from 0 to 60 mph. But its handling, steering, and brakes are better. Even though it’s not very athletic, the Forester feels safe compared to its top competitors and makes quick, confident turns. The Forester is excellent on dirt roads and has access to moderately complex off-road trails. Forester has 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode. With its improved suspension, all-terrain tires, and slightly higher ground clearance, the Wilderness model is perfect for exploring the outdoors. The Forester is generally better at going off-road than the average small crossover SUV. Comfort How good is Forester’s comfort? The Forester will keep you comfortable whether you have a long commute to work or are on a relaxing vacation. The suspension makes it easy to ride over bumps and ruts in the road, and the front seats have enough back support, padding, and bolstering. There isn’t much noise from the road. The Forester’s high profile generates some wind noise, a minor drawback given the vehicle’s superior outward visibility and commanding driving position. Temperature controls are easily accessible when driving. The automatic climate control, an option, works well, and most Foresters have heated seats as standard. Interior How does the inside look? All of Forester’s controls are easy to find and label. Nothing is a big deal or done too much. The 8-inch touchscreen in the middle, optional, is clear and easy to use. The Forester has been made well in every way. The large doors and SUV-like ride height make getting in and out easier. There are enough seats for at least four adults and maybe even five. Telescoping the steering wheel and adjusting the driver’s seat are substantial changes. Technology How good is the tech? Even a driver who needs to learn more about technology can use the infotainment features of a Subaru. The two screens in the middle look nice and are easy to use. The GPS understands verbal instructions. Subaru has adopted both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as industry standards. We were impressed by how well Subaru EyeSight helped us drive. The adaptive cruise control system works great, and adding lane centering to the lane-keeping assist feature keeps the Forester from going off the road. Also, front collision mitigation is there, but we never used it when we tested the car. Storage What about putting things away? The Forester has less total storage space than competitors like the Honda CR-V, but its high roof and clever cargo design make it easy to carry heavy items. But the Forester will let parents down when installing child safety seats. The child safety seat anchors will be hidden in the backseats; more giant chairs cannot be mounted. The Forester’s maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds makes it hard to tow, but the Wilderness’s rating of 3,000 pounds makes it more accessible. Fuel Economy How well does it use gasoline? On average, the Forester gets 29 miles per gallon, which is close to the top of its class. During testing, we found that because the engine wasn’t powerful enough, we had to push the gas pedal harder, making the car use more gas in real life. Value Should I get a Forester instead of another car? The Forester gives buyers many options based on their budget and how luxurious they want their vehicle to be. The high quality of the inside construction ensures that you will feel like you got your money’s worth. Wildcard The Forester’s only fundamental flaw is that it needs to move more quickly. Even though it is necessary, more is required to detract from the things that make the car unique. Comfort, technology, driving assistance, storage capacity, and outdoor experiences are all top-notch. The Forester’s outstanding design and sturdy build make it stand out. Standard all-wheel drive and high ride height. What is Invoice Pricing's Recommendation? You should get the Premium trim. Even though it is the second least expensive trim, it has a nice mix of features. The Premium trim adds heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a panoramic sunroof, and keyless entry with a push-button ignition to the list of features. In addition to the standard set of high-tech driving aids, these upgrades make the car even better. You can add a powered tailgate, a blind-spot detection system, and rear cross-traffic alerts for a small fee. Subaru Forester Models: Six trim levels are available for the 2023 Subaru Forester: base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. All Subarus come with all-wheel drive, no matter what trim level they are. 2023 Subaru Forester Video Review
