Overview
With a rugged look and a sensible cabin, the 2023 Subaru Forester is a compact crossover with outdoorsy avenue cred. Its driving demeanor isn’t as satisfying as rival SUVs such because the Honda CR-V and the Volkswagen Tiguan, nevertheless it’s a quiet and comfy experience that can get you to your subsequent tenting vacation spot with out protest. Hauling your gear is simple within the Forester too, as its giant rear cargo space is accommodating for bigger gadgets and the remainder of the cabin is dotted with considerate storage cubbies. All-wheel drive is normal however the 182-hp flat-four engine fails to offer the Forester a lot kick. Aside from the too-spartan base model, the Forester comes generously geared up and all fashions include Subaru’s suite of driver-assistance options as normal.
What’s New for 2022?
Following a styling refresh final yr, the Forester sees no modifications in any way for 2023. It’s nonetheless supplied in value-oriented base and Premium trims, in addition to rugged Wilderness and high-end Touring fashions.
Pricing and Which One to Purchase
Whereas the Restricted and Touring trims are a lot fancier, we predict the Premium model presents the very best mixture of worth and options. The outside upgrades—17-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, and body-color side-view mirrors—make it look much less like a rental automobile and the inside contains luxuries equivalent to a panoramic sunroof, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, reclining rear seatbacks, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker sound system.
Engine, Transmission, and Efficiency
All Forester fashions are powered by the identical 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine that makes 182 horsepower and might tow 1500 kilos. A constantly variable computerized transmission (CVT) routes the engine’s energy to Subaru’s trademark all-wheel-drive system. At our take a look at monitor, our Forester Wilderness take a look at automobile required 8.0 seconds to succeed in 60 mph—not precisely thrilling efficiency, nevertheless it’ll meet the wants of most patrons. These searching for extra oomph ought to take a look at the CR-V or the turbocharged variations of the Mazda CX-5 and the Kia Sportage. For an SUV with none sporting intentions, the Forester’s dealing with is competent. The experience is compliant and refined, the steering is correct, and the brakes are adequately robust for emergency stops.
Gasoline Economic system and Actual-World MPG
With EPA fuel-economy rankings that match a lot of the compact-crossover phase (26 mpg metropolis, 33 mpg freeway), the Forester will possible fulfill patrons searching for effectivity. In our 75-mph freeway fuel-economy take a look at, our Forester Touring take a look at automobile missed its highway-fuel-economy ranking by 1 mpg, returning 32 mpg. Nonetheless, that determine matches the end result that the Toyota RAV4 delivered. For extra details about the Forester’s gasoline economic system, go to the EPA’s web site.
Inside, Consolation, and Cargo
The Forester’s cabin is a simple, frill-free affair with driving place and nice outward visibility. Our Touring model’s inside was properly completed with caramel-colored leather-based on the seats, door panels, and sprint; textured plastic trim layered on the remainder of the cabin seemed and felt of top quality, too, whereas glossy-black plastic on the middle stack and the chromed and matte-metallic plastic trims spruced issues up fairly effectively. The again seat is loads spacious (there isn’t any third-row possibility), and even adults ought to discover the bench seat a snug perch for street journeys. We match 11 of our carry-on suitcases behind the again seat and a whopping 23 with the again seats folded. That is greater than both the CX-5 or the RAV4 might muster, however the CR-V maxed out at 25 carry-ons with its rear seats stowed.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All Forester fashions come normal with a touchscreen infotainment system utilizing Subaru’s newest Starlink interface. Base, Premium, and Sport fashions come normal with a 6.5-inch show, however a bigger 8.0-inch unit is non-obligatory on the Sport and normal on the Restricted and Touring fashions. Two USB ports are supplied for front-seat passengers; two extra are non-obligatory and reside on the again of the middle console, giving rear-seat passengers a technique to juice their smartphones. Navigation is non-obligatory, however for individuals who determine to stay with a decrease model, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality are each normal and might present turn-by-turn instructions broadcast from the consumer’s gadget. Onboard Wi-Fi by way of a 4G LTE information connection is normal on all however the base Forester.
Security and Driver-Help Options
All fashions come normal with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of camera-based driver-assistance options. For extra details about the Forester’s crash-test outcomes, go to the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embrace:
- Customary automated emergency braking
- Customary lane-departure warning with lane-keeping help
- Customary adaptive cruise management
Guarantee and Upkeep Protection
The Forester’s guarantee is fundamental, and patrons will probably be paying out of pocket for upkeep visits. Rivals such because the Sportage and the Hyundai Tucson—each of which supply a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain guarantee—and the RAV4—which presents two years of complimentary scheduled upkeep—present extra worth right here than the Subaru.
- Restricted guarantee covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain guarantee covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled upkeep
Specs
Specs
2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness
Car Kind: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Examined: $33,945/$36,015
Choices: Audio and Navigation bundle, $1850; engine skid plate, $220
ENGINE
DOHC 16-valve flat-4, aluminum block and heads, direct gasoline injection
Displacement: 152 in3, 2498 cm3
Energy: 182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque: 176 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
TRANSMISSION
constantly variable computerized
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.4-in vented disc/11.2-in vented disc
Tires: Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
225/60R-17 99T M+S 3PMSF
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 104.9 in
Size: 182.7 in
Width: 72.2 in
Peak: 68.9 in
Passenger Quantity: 108 ft3
Cargo Quantity: 27 ft3
Curb Weight: 3659 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 8.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 16.3 sec @ 86 mph
100 mph: 24.1 sec
Outcomes above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Begin, 5–60 mph: 8.7 sec
High Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.3 sec
High Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.9 sec
High Velocity (C/D est): 115 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 181 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.77 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Noticed: 22 mpg
75-mph Freeway Driving: 28 mpg
Freeway Vary: 460 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Mixed/Metropolis/Freeway: 26/25/28 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
Extra Options and Specs
