2019 Subaru Forester Road Test and Review

The 2019 Subaru Forester is all-new with a complete redesign that touches every part of this popular compact SUV. It’s been 20 years since the Forester was first introduced and, in that time, it has become the brand’s best-selling vehicle. That makes it a key part of the lineup and calls for a careful update that adds features and capability while ensuring it still looks and feels like a Subaru.

The update includes expanded safety features, an updated engine, and improved capability for those who plan to venture off the pavement and into the dirt. There are also myriad small changes throughout the Forester that make it better than the outgoing model. Let’s take a closer look at the all-new Forester and see if Subaru’s best-seller has what it takes to continue its reign.

The Forester range includes five trim levels starting with the Base at $24,295. It includes standard all-wheel drive, EyeSight driver-assist technology, and a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium at $26,695 adds a 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar, hill descent control, and X-Mode custom drive modes. Coming in at $28,795 is the new Sport trim with 18-inch wheels, heated front seats and exterior mirrors, a unique front grille, and a sport mode. The Limited at $30,795 adds dual-zone automatic climate control and an 8-inch infotainment screen.

At the top of the lineup is the Touring. Priced at $34,295, this trim adds DriverFocus safety technology, an eight-way power passenger seat, heated rear seats, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. The Forester is capable in any trim, with a range of features designed to appeal to every customer while keeping pricing in check.

Power for the Forester comes from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 183 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission, with Sport and Touring trims adding a seven-speed manual shift mode and steering wheel paddle shifters.

The lack of a turbocharged engine option might at first seem to be a major drawback. It’s important to note, however, Subaru didn’t simply get rid of the turbocharged engine and keep the existing engine unchanged. The updated engine in the new Forester includes direct injection, which, according to Subaru, gives it quicker acceleration. It does feel quick — with aggressive acceleration that won’t leave you struggling to merge with high-speed traffic. Even when you need a quick burst of power for passing on the highway, the Forester complies without hesitation. It lets you drive with confidence the Forester will be ready to go when you hit the gas.

The Forester holds plenty of appeal for those on a tight budget with pricing that makes it affordable. It’s not just how much you spend at the dealership, but how much you spend over time that makes a car one you can truly afford. That’s where fuel economy comes into play. The 2019 Forester gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined. That’s only a slight improvement over the outgoing model, which achieved an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined.

While there aren’t great fuel economy gains, the Forester remains competitive in its segment. It comes out ahead of the competition overall, making it a solid choice for those in need of a capable crossover that can handle the daily commute.

The Subaru Forester has a reputation for being a crossover that rides more like a car - especially in weather. The new 2019 Forester builds on that reputation. In addition to standard all-wheel drive, there’s active torque vectoring on all but the Base model. There’s also X-Mode. This system lets the driver select the mode best suited to current road conditions from mud to snow and optimizes the engine, transmission shifts, and brakes. It includes hill descent control, which makes off-road driving down steep dirt roads effortless. The Forester has the features you need to confidently handle a variety of driving conditions.

Those familiar with past Foresters will find the new one handles well with controlled, responsive steering. The overall feel, however, is somewhat heavier. It makes this Forester more planted and gives it more sure footing on twisting roads, but it doesn’t feel quite as light and nimble as its predecessor.

The interior of the Forester includes automatic climate control and new front seats that are comfortable and supportive, even over rough roads. Although it looks like a crossover on the outside, it feels like an SUV on the inside. There’s an open, airy cabin with ample room for five adults, and its longer wheelbase gives those sitting in the back increased rear legroom. Subaru also widened how much the rear doors open, which parents will appreciate when they’re trying to wrangle a squirming toddler into a car seat.

Engineers set out to create a quieter cabin in the new Forester, and it shows. There’s minimal road and wind noise, even on the highway, and sound only makes its way from under the hood and into the cabin under hard acceleration. Otherwise, the Forester is a quiet, comfortable, and relaxing ride for driver and passengers.

The Forester features the latest Subaru Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, AM/FM/SiriusXM radio, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Starlink apps — a feature that includes iHeart Radio, Stitcher, and Yelp — is also standard. An 8-inch touchscreen is available as an option starting with the Sport trim and becomes standard on the Limited. The Limited adds the option for navigation and a nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, both of which are standard on the top Touring.

The system is fully featured with key items like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto even on the base trim. Those who want integrated navigation have to opt for the top two trims, but as long as you’re comfortable using your smartphone’s navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto help pick up the slack. Overall, the Forester comes with a solid system that provides what people want and not an endless list of features most will never use.

The Forester is a crossover, so it needs to accommodate people and cargo. It easily does both with up to 35.4 cubic feet of cargo room behind the 60/40 split-folding rear seat and 76.1 cubic feet with that rear seat down. The rear bench isn't perfectly fold-flat, but it's close, so loading long cargo is still easy. Adding to the Forester’s versatility are the dimensions of the cargo area. It’s 34.8 inches high and 43.3 inches wide, so loading bulky items is easy. If that’s not enough room, it can tow up to 1,500 pounds.

The Forester also has a power rear tailgate that’s optional on the Sport and standard on both the Limited and Touring. It’s height-adjustable for shorter drivers or low garages, and it opens and closes quickly. Finally, you can lock the whole vehicle and close the tailgate simultaneously. If you have cargo needs, the Forester is up for the job.

The 2019 Subaru Forester has not yet been crash-tested by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The previous generation of the Forester performed well, and the expectation is the new one will follow suit. Absent test results, the Forester still offers numerous safety technologies to keep passengers safe and help prevent crashes in the first place.

Standard across the lineup is EyeSight driver assistance technology, which includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, lane departure and sway warnings, a lead vehicle start alert, and lane-keep assist. The Touring trim also features new DriverFocus safety technology. This system uses facial recognition software to identify signs of fatigue or distraction. It then displays a visual warning and sounds a tone to alert the driver.

The 2019 Subaru Forester adds key features to Subaru’s best-selling vehicle. It has new standard safety technologies to keep you and your family safe, a more spacious interior, and plenty of room for cargo. The Forester is also ideal for those with an active lifestyle, thanks to standard all-wheel drive, great handling, and technologies like X-Mode to help you tackle dirt roads and more rugged terrain.

Adding to the Forester’s appeal is new styling that gives this crossover a fresh face that’s modern and rugged on the outside and comfortable and tech-savvy on the inside. Finally, there’s its affordable pricing that ensures families on a budget have the opportunity to park the all-new 2019 Subaru Forester in their driveways.