The Subaru Forester is a well-known compact crossover vehicle with all-wheel drive. This is Subaru’s best-selling model. The Forester looks more like a pickup truck than an SUV; in fact, it was the Forester that invented the crossover. It adds practicality and versatility to its rugged all-weather capability. You can carry five other people and their bags, or even all their hiking gear. There’s a roof rack for that. You’ll even be able to tow a small trailer.
Competitors come with the Mazda MX-5, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota RAV4; but, ironically, its main competitor is the Subaru Impreza XV Crosstrek.
The entry-level Forester 2. 5i is powered by a 2. 5-liter H4 engine with 170 horsepower (horizontally opposed cylinders, known as a boxer engine). The faster Forester 2. 0XT is powered by a 2. 0-liter direct-injection turbocharged boxer engine, which reaches 250 horsepower. horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
The Forester 2. 5i is one of the few compact crossovers you can get with a 6-speed manual transmission, but the top one opts for the CVT. The Forester 2. 0XT comes with a CVT.
For 2016, Forester gets few changes: some additions to security and infotainment, enhancements to the system Subaru calls Starlink. This generation of the Forester was completely redesigned for the 2014 model year.
Forester is one of the IIHS’s most sensible protection options. In NHTSA crash testing, it earned five stars in all front-impact categories, where it earned four. Its EPA fuel economy of 24/32/27 mpg city/highway/combined is at the bottom of the compact crossover class.
The Forester 2. 5i comes with a manual transmission ($22,395). The standard device includes a rearview camera, 6. 2-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming. Only Premium, Limited, and Touring models get Starlink infotainment and safety updates. , adding the 7. 0-inch display.
The Forester’s grille is high, not aggressive, and its headlamps sweep and taper. The hood is aggressively creased, but the sides are softer, with modest fender flares and taillights taken from Impreza. The lines are simple, a design that takes into consideration easy access, cabin space, and visibility.
The Forester 2. 5i looks bigger than the 2XT, with all its air vents, lights, grilles, and accents. It’s still a competitive air barrier rather of an air intake on the hood.
The interior of the Forester is extraordinary for a compact crossover. The driver’s long legs can stretch out over the seat cushion, but rear passengers have plenty of legroom. The rear seats fold down using a one-touch mechanism. The interior is quiet thanks to the additional insulation of the door panels and dashboard.
The refreshing dashboard is shared with the Outback and Legacy sedans. It’s forward and low, opening up the cockpit a bit.
Ornaments are basically made up of matte surfaces that are comfortable to the touch. The data display, larger in 2016, sits above a center console with undeniable climate and audio controls. On the driver’s elbow is an armrest, cup holder, and a garage. Containers.
The Subaru Forester is sportier than its competitors, namely the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota RAV4. The steering is well-weighted and the square frame doesn’t roll much. The ride is comfortable and not too steep on big bumps. The Forester doesn’t have the athletic ride or guidance of the Ford Escape, nor the driving thrill of the Mazda CX-5, however, it’s fun and performs very well on the road, in the snow and on gravel roads.
The acceleration of the 2. 5i is rarely very fast, but it is adequate. Its 9. 3-inch zero-to-sixty time is rarely very impressive, but since its 174 pound-feet of peak torque is available from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm, you’ve got the punch when you need it.
If you want quick acceleration (from 258-pound-feet of torque) spend another 11 grand for the 2.0XT and pump in premium gas. It will accelerate from zero to 60 in just 6.2 seconds. It offers quickness in other areas, such as turning and stopping, the XT offers a sport suspension on 18-inch alloy wheels with grippy tires, and bigger brakes with ventilated rotors.
Subaru’s SI-Drive formula offers 3 modes, Smart, Sport and Sharp Sport, which replace throttle reaction and shift issues (the base Forester 2. 5i doesn’t have this feature).
The CVT will be suitable for a maximum of people. It’s livable and discreet, the least annoying CVT we’ve ever seen. And when you ask for a lot, for example in Sharp Sport 2. 0XT mode, its eight-speed simulation alleviates any discomfort, with quick changes on the shift paddles. In Smart or Sport mode, there are only six simulated gears.
We like the 6-speed manual. The clutch pedal is smooth and we enjoyed shifting manually.
The Forester is perfect for off-road outings, with about nine inches of floor clearance, a neat turning radius of 34. 8 feet, and steep departure and technical angles. Its all-wheel-drive formula is front-to-back, but a feature called X-Mode that shifts force from left to right at low speeds, putting the Forester on the same terrain as Jeep and Land Rover. In one demonstration, we saw a Forester climb up a steep and slippery ramp. Subaru has a lot of delight in the all-wheel-drive and suspension design and is very clever in both.
The entry-level Forester 2. 5i is an incredible value of less than $23,000. You’re shown all-wheel drive, sturdiness, balanced handling, safety, 27 mpg, a non-distracting dashboard, five-person area, and tons of shipping area. If you want extras, there are 3 improved templates. If you need the Speedy Edition of Mr. Hyde, the 2. 0XT turbo.
Sam Moses contributed to this report.