The Forester delivers on nearly every area that you're likely interested in, including rugged capability along with comfort and technology at a good value.
The Forester is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (182 horsepower, 176 lb-ft of torque). Handling feels planted and the Forester changes direction with speed and confidence. The Forester shines off-road thanks to 8.7 inches of ground clearance and an X-Mode drive setting that includes trail capability and hill descent control. There's much more off-road prowess here than you get in a standard all-wheel-drive crossover.
The EPA rates the Forester at 29 mpg combined (26 city/33 highway), which is near the top of the class.
Whether you've got a long daily commute or a refreshing retreat on the horizon, the Forester will keep you riding in comfort. The front seats are well-padded and have good bolstering and lumbar support, and the suspension easily smooths out bumps and ruts in the road.
All controls inside the Forester are clearly labeled and easy to reach. There's no fussing around or overdoing things. The available 8-inch center touchscreen is crisp and simple to navigate. Subaru provides infotainment features that any owner, tech-savvy or not, can appreciate. The dual-screen center layout is attractive and easy to use. The navigation system is clear and even takes voice commands well. If Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are more your flavor, Subaru has you covered by making them standard equipment. Multiple USB ports are in both the front and rear.
This Subaru is nicely equipped and features include adaptive headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, 8-inch touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, power liftgate, panoramic sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, raised roof rails, a power-adjustable driver's seat and hill descent control, heated seats, heated side mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer.