The Forester Carries Significantly More Cargo than its Specs Imply

One of Edmunds.com’s unique vehicle reviews is its cargo tests, in which the editors test cargo capacity using real luggage items. In the case of the Forester, they state: “This is going to be one of those cargo tests that shows the value of doing cargo tests in the first place.” This is because the Forester carries considerably more than its cargo specification implies. In fact, the author is flummoxed as to why the Forester’s cargo figure is so low. Twin Falls Subaru gives you the details.  

Edmunds.com could obtain a quantitative comparison by filling each cargo area with tennis balls or another abundant small item and counting them. However, they instead fill the cargo areas with the type of luggage and travel items we are all likely to use. It is always the same editor who uses the same collection of luggage. One stipulation is that a majority of the interior rearview mirror must be usable, so the luggage is not filled to the headliner. He acknowledges that available digital rearview mirrors make this limitation a moot point, but he still adheres to the standard rearview mirror rule even on this digital rearview mirror-equipped Forester Touring. 

The cargo space behind the second-row seats in this Forester is recorded at 27.5 cubic feet (models without the panoramic sunroof are noted at 29.6 cubic feet), which ranks among the lowest in the segment. For comparison, the Honda CR-V measures 34.8 cubic feet and the RAV4 comes in at 37.5 cubic feet. However, numbers can be misleading. 

Consistent readers of these cargo tests know the luggage by heart, and he even names them. The initial bags always include: 

• Two hard rolling check-in bags: 

• Big Gray (26 inches long x 16.5 inches wide x 12 inches deep)  

• Big Blue (26 x 16.5 x 10)  

• Three hard rolling carry-on size bags: 

• Medium Tall (24 x 14 x 9) 

• Medium Wide (23 x 15 x 9)  

• Green Bag (21 x 14 x 9.5)  

• Plus, the Fancy Bag (21 x 12 x 11), a medium-size soft duffle bag named for its distinctive blue cloth with brown leather trim. 

When there is room to spare, the reserves include:  

• 38-quart Igloo cooler 

• Two additional soft duffle bags about the size of the Fancy Bag 

The Forester swallowed all of the first batch, and then all of the second batch while the rearview mirror was still usable; this is with a spare tire under the floor. That is equal to what the Honda CR-V achieved. In fact, with some rearranging, the editor found room for an extra rolling carry-on bag. This means the Subaru swallowed more than the CR-V, Mazda CX-5/CX-50, Nissan Rogue, and Chevrolet Equinox, and an equal amount to the RAV4–all of which have higher cargo spec figures.  

All of this makes sense when you look at the Forester and its rather large, boxy rear, but why do the specifications tell a different and self-effacing story? It’s unclear. The editor points out that the previous-generation Forester was initially rated as having 33.0 cubic feet, which is significantly closer to its actual capacity. That figure existed for one year before dropping to 26.9 every subsequent year for the same vehicle. Therefore, Subaru is clearly measuring by a different standard. Luckily, the Edmunds.com cargo tests mean you don’t have to drag all your luggage from dealer to dealer to test these numbers on your own. 

Now that you know the Forester is no laggard in its cargo-carrying ability, visit Twin Falls Subaru to discover all the other ways it can meet your needs as a compact crossover.