The Subaru Forester is a rugged two-row SUV with standard all-wheel drive. It’s designed for outdoor adventures with the capability for light off-roading. There’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance—9.2 inches on the Wilderness trim, which also gets an enhanced suspension system, skid plates and all-terrain tires for the ultimate in off-roading.
Especially for new off-roaders, hill descent control is a great feature. It manages speed and braking downhill, like cruise control but on the dirt. This feature allows you to focus on steering, which I found especially helpful on tricky terrain that included narrow trails and loose rocks.
Inside, the Forester is roomy and comfortable with supportive seats and attractive trims, but it’s not fancy. Materials are durable enough to stand up to kids as well as dirt and muddy dog paws, so there’s no need to worry about ruining your interior.
The Base infotainment touchscreen is only 6.5 inches wide, with an available 8-inch touchscreen for higher trims. Either way, it’s easy to use, with intuitive menus and good responsiveness, so you won’t be jabbing the screen in frustration.
Power for the lineup comes from a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower that does the job but isn’t particularly aggressive. The upside is good fuel economy with 33 mpg on the highway. The Forester handles well and delivers a quiet ride, so the kids can nap on your next road trip.
There’s plenty of room for everything you need to bring on that trip, with up to 28.9 cubic feet behind the 60/40 split-folding rear seats and 74.2 cubic feet when you fold them down. It can also tow up to 3,000 pounds.
- Starting Price: $27,095
- EPA-estimated fuel economy: 26/33 mpg city/highway
