The 2024 Subaru Forester: A Comfortable and Capable Compact Crossover
The 2024 Subaru Forester is a compact crossover SUV that offers a comfortable ride, spacious interior, and standard all-wheel drive. While it may not be the most exciting vehicle to drive, it’s a practical choice for those who value reliability, safety, and versatility. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Forester’s features, performance, fuel economy, and more.
Overview
The Subaru Forester has been a popular choice among compact SUV buyers for many years. It’s known for its practicality, reliability, and off-road capabilities. The 2024 model year brings no significant changes to the Forester lineup, which includes the Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Touring, and Wilderness trims. The base model starts at an estimated $28,000, while the top-of-the-line Touring trim is priced at around $38,000.
Engine and Performance
All Forester models come with a 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that sends power to all four wheels via Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. While the engine may not be the most powerful in its class, it provides adequate acceleration and towing capacity (up to 1500 pounds).
According to Car and Driver’s testing, the Forester Wilderness trim took 8 seconds to reach 60 mph, which is slower than some of its competitors. However, the Forester’s handling is competent, with accurate steering and strong brakes. The ride is comfortable and refined, making it a good choice for long road trips.
Fuel Economy
The Forester’s fuel economy is competitive with other compact crossovers. It has an EPA-estimated rating of 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined. In Car and Driver’s testing, the Forester Touring trim achieved 32 mpg on the highway, which is impressive for an SUV with all-wheel drive. The Forester’s fuel tank can hold up to 16.6 gallons, giving it a maximum range of around 460 miles on the highway.
Interior and Cargo Space
The Forester’s interior is spacious and practical, with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, while the rear seats offer ample legroom and headroom. The cabin is well-insulated from road noise, making it a quiet place to be on long drives.
The Forester has a generous cargo capacity of 27 cubic feet behind the rear seats, which expands to 76 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This makes it one of the most spacious vehicles in its class, with enough room for large items like camping gear or furniture.
Infotainment and Technology
All Forester models come with Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system, which includes a touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration. The base model has a 6.5-inch display, while higher trims get an 8.0-inch display. The Touring trim also comes with a premium Harman Kardon sound system and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.
Safety Features
The Forester comes standard with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver assistance features, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims also get blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking. The Forester has received excellent safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Which Trim to Choose
While all Forester trims come well-equipped, we recommend the Premium trim for its balance of features and value. It comes with 17-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. It also offers several optional packages, including the All-Weather package (heated front seats, heated mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer) and the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System (driver monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning).
Conclusion
The 2024 Subaru Forester is a practical and capable compact crossover that offers standard all-wheel drive, a spacious interior, and excellent safety ratings. While it may not be the most exciting vehicle to drive, it provides a comfortable ride and plenty of cargo space. We recommend the Premium trim for its value and features.
