The Forester has gained a loyal following over the years, folks endeared to its slightly off-beat personality and quality for the price. Whereas most compact crossovers are geared toward families, the Forester is more of a lifestyle vehicle that appeals to the individualists among us.
What's New For 2015
A rearview camera is now standard across the board.
Choosing Your Subaru Forester
Fully redesigned just last year, the Forester remains one of the most competent crossovers of its size. All-wheel drive comes standard, and you get a class-leading 73 cubic feet of cargo space. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces 170 horsepower and can be paired with a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT). The manual might be more in keeping with the Forester's hipster character, but the automated CVT delivers a not-insignificant 3 mpg advantage in combined driving for an average 27 mpg. The CVT is mandatory with the available 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which offers 250 horsepower for dramatically improved performance.
The Forester's trim levels correspond to engine size:
The Premium and above are eligible for a navigation system with voice controls, satellite radio and integrated smartphone apps. These trims can also get a Driver Assist Technology package with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and collision-mitigation braking.
We staunchly recommend the smoothly efficient CVT on any Forester (if it's not already standard). The Premium trim level is the best deal overall, offering lots of useful equipment for a reasonable price -- about $2,400 more than the base model.