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The Greenest Car of 2024 Isn’t an EV2024 Subaru Forester Review
The 2024 Forester: part SUV, part station wagon, all Subaru. We take a look at trim levels, interior quality, technology, and more in our review.
What’s New for the 2024 Subaru Forester?
Is it a station wagon? Is it an SUV? The 2024 Subaru Forester is technically classified as a compact crossover as that’s the segment it competes in, but regardless of how it’s described, the Forester is 100% Subaru with standard “Symmetrical AWD” and a “boxer four” engine.
Aimed at the outdoorsy crowd and ubiquitous in certain Snow Belt regions – looking at you New England – the 2024 Forester arrives with no changes versus last year’s model, which makes sense as the 6th-gen model is poised to arrive in 2025. But the latest Forester still has plenty to offer like the beefier Wilderness version that brings true off-road chops to this adventure-focused wagon-meets-crossover.
2024 Subaru Forester – subaru.com | Shop 2024 Subaru Forester on Carsforsale.com
Carsforsale.com Score
8.5/10
Powertrain
Score
8/10
Interior
Score
9/10
Technology
Score
8.25/10
Value
Score
8.75/10
The Breakdown
Standard AWD
Fairly priced
Legit off-road capability
Needs more power
Small standard infotainment screen
Light on available driver aids
A non-traditional crossover
2024 Forester Specs
- 182 horsepower from base engine
- 176 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 26.9 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 69.1 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats folded
- 5-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating
- 180° front-facing camera
- Trailer sway control is standard
- 5 years of powertrain coverage
2024 Subaru Forester Powertrain 8/10
To better differentiate the Forester from its fancier, larger, and more expensive Outback brethren, the 2024 Forester does not offer a turbocharged powertrain. Instead, all models come with a naturally aspirated 2.5L “boxer” four-cylinder good for 182 hp and 176 torques. It’ll get you around just fine but pales against the 260-horse turbocharged mill the Outback offers.
However, as with nearly all Subarus, the Forester does come standard with AWD – not to be confused with 4WD – and a CVT that routes power in concert with active torque vectoring. That helps in the slippery stuff and the 8.7 inches of standard ground clearance allow the 2024 Forester to get off the paved path with relative ease. But with 9.2 inches of clearance, all-terrain tires, and a front skid plate, the Wilderness model is more receptive to dirt roads.
Fuel economy for all models except the Wilderness comes in at 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. With that extra running gear, the Forester in Wilderness spec drops to 25/28 mpg in city/highway driving. But, unlike the 1,500-pound tow rating of every other 2024 Forester, Wilderness models can pull up to 3,000 pounds.
2024 Subaru Forester Interior 9/10
Subaru has done a fine job giving all 2024 Foresters handsome cabins. Even the base model has a two-tone black and light gray scheme that dresses up an otherwise simple interior. Water-repellent StarTex fabric makes the Wilderness that much more outdoor-ready and top-spec Touring trims look downright ritzy with exclusive Saddle Brown leather that extends to the doors and dash.
Though the Forester is only a two-row five-passenger vehicle, unlike the three-row Mitsubishi Outlander Sport that we compare here, Subaru’s compact crossover has a significant cargo hold advantage. There are up to 29 cubic feet of room behind the second row in the Forester and up to 74 cubic feet when that row is folded flat. The Mitsubishi measures 22 and 49 cubic feet for those metrics, respectively.
2024 Subaru Forester Technology Features 8.25/10
Most 2024 Subaru Foresters have a relatively small 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. An 8-inch display can be selected with an optional package and is fitted to the Wilderness trim and above. But the 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is only included on the Touring model, other Foresters make do with a basic 4- or 6-speaker setup.
EyeSight is Subaru’s bundle of advanced driver aids. Standard across the lineup, it includes forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. The Forester also has 7 airbags and a 5-star overall crash-testing rating from the NHTSA. Though the IIHS has yet to test a 2024 model, it gave the 2023 Forester a Top Safety Pick rating.
2024 Subaru Forester Trims & Pricing
Base – $28,390
The literally named Base Forester comes with 17-inch steel wheels, adaptive LED headlights, and keyless access. Cabin amenities include cloth upholstery, automatic climate control, and a single front USB port. There are no available packages at this level.
Premium -$31,390
Premium models bring alloy wheels, a panoramic moonroof, tinted rear glass, access to the full exterior paint palette, and a rear spoiler. Inside, you’ll find heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. These Foresters also come with 6 speakers, and app-based vehicle control with Subaru’s Starlink system.
Sport – $32,960
With 18-inch black rims, LED fog lights, and red accent stripes outside, Forester Sport looks the part. The theme continues inside with black cloth accented by orange stitching and a leather-wrapped shift knob. Tech improvements include dual rear USB ports, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and evasive steering assistance.
Limited – $35,075
At the Limited level, 18-inch alloys and a power-operated rear liftgate are included as is gray leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an 8-inch infotainment interface. For about $1,700, an available package offers reverse automatic braking, a navigation system, a 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and a heated steering wheel.
Wilderness – $36,015
Along with a higher ride height and knobby tires, the Wilderness trim – which was not offered on the last generation Forester – sports reinforced roof rails, matte black rims, copper-colored accents inside and out, as well as a matte black anti-glare hood panel. The cabin features Forester Wilderness logos on the front seat headrests, an exclusive 180° front-view camera, and water-repellent StarTex upholstery.
Touring – $38,490
Atop the Forester lineup sits the Touring with a power-adjustable front passenger seat, a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats, driver-side memory settings, exclusive Saddle Brown leather upholstery, a driver-attention monitor, navigation, and the Harman Kardon stereo system.
2024 Subaru Forester Overall Value 8.75/10
The Subaru Forester Premium model is easy to recommend with its reasonable price tag and high level of features that make it a better buy than the base model thanks to the panoramic moonroof, heated front seats, and tinted windows.
However, it is worth comparing to a Kia Sportage EX AWD. Though the Kia runs about $1,000 more than the Forester Premium, it has more driver aids, a much bigger touchscreen, and the automaker’s famous 10-year powertrain warranty. Subaru’s warranty is pedestrian in comparison with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic term, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain term, and no complimentary maintenance.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 8.5/10
2024 Subaru Forester – subaru.com | Shop 2024 Subaru Forester on Carsforsale.com
Though the 2024 Subaru Forester has stiff competition, it’s a hard vehicle to beat for those who regularly drive in slick conditions. Which is part of the reason roads in states like Colorado and New Hampshire are positively overflowing with them. Subaru has been perfecting all-wheel-drive for decades and it shows. The high safety ratings and “Great” J.D. Power reliability score of 84/100 are two more feathers in the Forester’s cap.
It could use some more power, a bigger infotainment screen, and a deeper roster of advanced driver aids – but that’s what the Subaru Outback is for. And while the reasonable 2024 Subaru Forester pricing is nice, it’s always worth checking out the latest new car incentives before you go shopping.
2024 Subaru Forester FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester an SUV?
Yes, the Forester is often referred to as a compact SUV even though it looks like a tall station wagon.
Where is the Subaru Forester Made?
The 2024 Subaru Forester is made at the automaker’s factory in Gunma, Japan.
Can a Subaru Forrester Tow a Trailer?
Yes it can, the Forester Wilderness is rated for 3,000 pounds of towing, while all other models can handle 1,500 pounds.
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