The Subaru Forester is a compact crossover that competes with the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Mazda CX-5, and Volkswagen Tiguan. For 2020, Subaru adds new standard safety features.
All Foresters come with a 2.5-liter flat 4-cylinder engine under the hood, which makes 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. It pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD). Subaru also packages its drive mode selector with Intelligent and Sport modes. An off-road-oriented X-Mode, with single and dual programs, is available. A 1,500-pound towing capacity and trailer-stability assist are yet more standard features. The Forester’s fuel economy sits at 26 mpg city, 33 highway, and 29 combined on regular fuel.
Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring trims make up the Forester’s range, just like last year. The Base trim gets 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-season tires, welcome lighting, a 6.5-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dual USB ports, and individual tire-pressure monitoring. Other trims get you things like a sunroof, a larger infotainment system with navigation, leather upholstery, a windshield wiper de-icer, a 10-way power driver’s seat, responsive LED headlights, LED fog lights, and Harman Kardon premium sound.
The Forester includes the full Subaru EyeSight driver-assistance suite. That includes a reversing camera, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and pre-collision throttle management. For 2020, EyeSight includes a rear-seat reminder, lane centering, and lane-departure prevention. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic detection, automatic high beams, and lane-change assist come on higher trims. Like most Subaru models, the Forester achieved a Top Safety Pick+ designation the last time it was tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
