Jun 24, 2021
A red 2021 Subaru Forester with bicycles on the roof driving on a tree-lined road.

There are a lot of compact crossover SUVs on the market these days, which means you have plenty of options available to you when shopping. This can also make it a bit tricky to narrow down your choices and find the right one, however, which is why it often helps to look at what different models have to offer. If you haven’t yet considered heading to Williams Subaru, your local Subaru Forester dealership, to see what the Forester brings to the table, then you certainly should.

Of course, you don’t just have to take our word for it; there are plenty of Subaru fans out there who have already discovered just how great the Forester is. Today, we’re going to take you through some of the things that so many drivers have already found to love about the latest Subaru Forester model. Whether or not it’s right for you really depends on what you’re looking for, but if a compact SUV seems like a good fit, then the Forester can’t be beat.

1 – A Great Engine

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking at a high-performance sports car, a powerful full-size truck, or a family-friendly compact SUV; the engine is the heart of any vehicle. So even with a smaller model like the Subaru Forester, you still want to see that it has an engine that makes it fun to drive. Fortunately, the Forester really comes through in this regard, and it’s one of the things a lot of drivers really love about it.

You get a 2.5L engine in the Forester that delivers 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, which comes paired with a continuously variable transmission for a smooth drive. This is the only engine available, so you don’t have to worry about paying more for greater power; plus, every model comes with Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel drive. With a lot of other models out there, you have to choose certain trims for all-wheel drive, so getting it standard really lets you choose the other features you want while knowing the Forester is up for pretty much any adventure.

A green 2021 Subaru Forester driving through the rain in the woods.

2 – Terrific Fuel Economy

One of the things that keeps some people from choosing an SUV, even though the design would really be perfect for them, is a concern about fuel economy. For a long time, SUVs were pretty synonymous with poor fuel efficiency, and that meant spending a lot more at the gas pump each month. Fortunately, a lot of models have become much better about that. A compact option like the Subaru Forester is perfect for giving you the great functionality of an SUV while also keeping your gas costs low.

No matter which Forester model you choose, you’ll get an estimated 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. You can see why so many people choose the Forester for family road trips since you can hit the interstate and go a long time without stopping for gas. With excellent city fuel economy, the Forester is also a terrific option for running errands, getting to work each day, and everything else you need to do.

3 – The Spacious Interior

While a compact SUV is great for fuel efficiency, its smaller size can make them come up short for some people. Fortunately, despite its compact design, the Subaru Forester still gives you a tremendous amount of room inside for you and your passengers. This is a two-row model with seating for up to five people.

Up in front, you’ll get about 41 inches of headroom and 43 inches of legroom. Passengers in the back row will get about 39 inches of headroom and 39 inches of legroom. Keep in mind that choosing a model with the available panoramic power moonroof will reduce headroom slightly upfront and in the rear. Altogether, you can get around 111 cu.ft. of total passenger volume inside the Forester, which means all of your passengers have their own space to stretch out and be comfortable.

4 – Plenty of Cargo Space

Half the fun of owning an SUV, even a compact model, is the great functionality it offers, with lots of space to load up with everything you need to take with you. Behind the rear seats, you get 31.1 cu.ft. of cargo volume to use, which gives you lots of space for grocery bags, coolers, and supplies for a weekend camping trip. If you lower the rear seats, then you can get up to 74.3 cu.ft. of total cargo volume inside the Subaru Forester. This makes it a great choice for long road trips or taking care of anything you need to do around town.

5 – Great Comfort and Luxury

In general, one of the things that a lot of Subaru fans love about this brand is the high level of comfort they find in every vehicle – the Forester is no exception. What you get will depend on the trim level you choose, with higher trims offering more in terms of luxury. Standard features include comfortable cloth upholstery, automatic climate control, and a 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat.

If you look at the highest trim, the Forester Touring, then you get a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, 8-way power front-passenger seat, and heated front and rear seats. The Forester Touring also features a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-trimmed upholstery, and dual-zone automatic climate control. With five different trims to choose from, you can find just the right combination of interior features for the level of comfort that you prefer.

The infotainment screen in a 2021 Subaru Forester.

6 – Impressive Technology

Comfort is important, of course, but the technology inside the Subaru Forester is also one of the big draws for a lot of drivers who appreciate a connected and streamlined lifestyle. For example, standard features for the starting trim include an analog cluster with a 4-inch color display, mounted controls on the steering wheel, and a pair of USB ports in the front. A 6-inch infotainment display with support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also standard, along with a 4-speaker sound system.

Looking at higher trims, however, you can get even more impressive features and options. The Forester Touring, the highest trim, features a 6-inch color display for the driver, along with keyless access with push-button start, a power rear gate with automatic close and height memory function, and additional USB ports for the rear seats. You also get an 8-inch infotainment display with Navigation on the Forester Touring, plus a 9-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system that makes for a fantastic drive.

7 – A Safe and Smooth Ride

Nothing is quite as important as safety when looking at a vehicle, which is why the standard and available safety systems for the Subaru Forester are so impressive. Features like Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Keep Assist and Sway Warning, and Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control are standard on every model as part of the EyeSight Driver Assist package. Additional systems like Blind-Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Reverse Automatic Braking are available.

There’s even a DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System available that detects when a driver’s attention to the road seems to have wandered and reminds you to stay alert. All of these systems come together to make the Subaru Forester one of the safest vehicles on the road, helping you to keep your loved ones safe.

With so much to offer inside and out, it’s easy to see why so many drivers love the Forester. Come visit us at Williams Subaru to find out more and see everything the 2021 Forester has to offer for yourself.