Why Choose the Subaru Forester?

Compact crossovers comprise the best-selling vehicle category in the U.S. It is also the largest, with at least 18 competing models from mainstream brands. Luxury brands add another 15 or so luxury models. With so many compact crossovers out there, why should you choose the Subaru Forester?  Unsurprisingly, Twin Falls Subaru can think of several reasons.

The Forester dates back to 1997. Though Subaru already had crossover success with the Outback, it lacked one thing many wanted in a crossover, which is a high seating position, known as the hip-point or H-point in the industry.  Subaru created the Forester to provide the hip point and subsequent higher roof, along with the other SUV proportions people expected from a crossover model. The Forester was the first dedicated crossover model from a brand that decades before had essentially created the crossover blueprint.

Currently, in its 5th design generation, all five Forester generations have shown a dedication to capability and practicality.  Such terms may not quicken the pulse, but they and the engineering values behind them are what keep Subaru owners loving their vehicles long after the payments have ended and the doors have been dinged.  The Forester is built for long-term satisfaction.

Capability First

Long a believer in all-wheel drive, Every Forester comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The term “symmetrical” applies to the fact that all Foresters have a longitudinally mounted engine, with the transmission directly behind and a set of driveshaft sending power to the front and rear.  Seen from above, the drivetrain is perfectly symmetrical and balanced. This is in contrast to almost all of its competitors, which have transverse-mounted engines with the transmission to one side. The compact 2.5-liter horizontally opposed (Boxer) engine allows this configuration without creating a long hood. Another Boxer advantage is an engine and engine location with a significantly lower center of gravity as the crankshaft emerges from the center of the engine, rather than below it, allowing the entire engine to be mounted lower.  

Subaru also has a long history with continuously variable transmissions, which can always match the perfect ratio to the conditions without the inefficiency of gear changing, and has applied this knowledge to the Forester.

As a benefit of its all-wheel drive experience, Subaru adds X-MODE to the drivetrain, which uses lower gear ratios to generate extra power at the wheels that have grip and deactivates the transmission’s lock-up clutch to better direct power to slipping wheels.  The result increases traction and control in slippery on and off-road conditions. Subaru likens  X-MODE to a music conductor coordinating all of the AWD, ABS, and vehicle stability functions to work together in all conditions. X-MODE is a major differentiator between the Forester and its all-wheel drive competitors.  

Go Further and Deeper with the Wilderness

The Forester’s standard 8.7-inch ground clearance is already greater than most competing crossovers. For those with more ambitious off-road plans, the new Wilderness model in the lineup has 9.2-inch ground clearance along with longer coil springs and shock absorbers to provide more vertical wheel articulation.

The Wilderness is additionally equipped with Yokohama GEOLANDAR® all-terrain tires for increased traction on muddy or gravel roads. It also includes a standard full-size tire stored under the cargo area, to give owners confidence while on the trails.  The Wilderness is ready to be filled with snow-covered, wet, or muddy gear or people thanks to water-resistant StarTex® seating surfaces, all-weather mats, and a cargo tray.

Cabin Shape and Size

The Forester’s boxy proportions aren’t due to a lack of imagination on the designer’s part but rather because the box has long been recognized as the most efficient container shape. Consequently, the Forester can offer up to 74.2 cubic feet of easily accessible cargo space. That is more than what many competitors offer while still providing a compact footprint. Rear legroom is also generous for the class, and everyone has plenty of headroom.

The Forester instrument panel is not designed to dazzle. Instead, it provides no-nonsense analog gauges and a pair of displays intended to inform, not distract. The tall windows and thin pillars provide clear sight lines in all directions. While the Forester may be practical, it does not ignore fun or convenience.  Key examples include the available Harman Kardon® premium audio system and a Power Rear Gate.

Built to have Repeat Customers

As a Subaru, safety was built into the core of the Forester.  All models come standard with the EyeSight® driver assist technology, which includes:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keep Assist
• Pre-Collision Braking
• Pre-Collision Throttle Management

In addition, the Outback has an overall 5-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It has also received the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) designation of Top Safety Pick.

Many competitors offer wagon-shaped models and give them all-wheel drive options.  By contrast, Subaru builds the Forester based on over 50 years of providing all-wheel drive, off-road-capable cars. It is why people in Northern and mountainous areas have sworn by Subarus for years. Experience what that experience means to you with a Forester test drive at Twin Falls Subaru.