The Subaru Forester was one of the first compact crossovers to hit the market in the late 90s, and it's also been one of the brand's most successful models. It appeals to people, especially those living in cold climates, looking for a sturdy, all-wheel drive (AWD) SUV with enough ground clearance for easier driving on off-road trails.
The Forester lineup has remained the go-to vehicle for millions of people, and as its launch day is just around the corner, let's look at what's new with the 2023 Subaru Forester.
What Can You Expect?
2023 Subaru Forester By Subaru.com
The 2023 Subaru Forester will be up against the Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai Tucson. Since it will be a carryover of its previous version, you won't see major changes to the SUV until 2024, when we expect the brand to redesign the lineup. However, that doesn't mean you won't find any new or relevant features for this version.
This family-friendly all-wheel drive SUV will feature a roomy passenger cabin, impressive tech gadgets, several standard safety features, and outstanding outward visibility. As a carryover version, some things will remain the same as the 2022 Forester, including the Wilderness trim, a revised front end, upgraded roof rails, and an anti-glare hood decal.
The 2023 Forester will come in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. Since its appearance on the 2022 Forester, the Wilderness trim has been the lineup's star and combines Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive and a specially revised drivetrain. This trim will also come with more ground clearance (9.2 inches) and cladding, a max towing capacity of 3,000 pounds, and all-terrain tires. All other trims will preserve their 1,500-pound towing capacity.
Pricing Options, Release Date, and Recommended Model
Although Subaru hasn't released many details on the pricing options for the 2023 Forester, we expect the vehicle to follow in the footsteps of prior versions. If that's the case, the 2023 Forester may have an MSRP of approximately $25,000.
According to an official statement, the lineup will go on sale in late fall. If you don't want to miss the launch date, please get in touch, and one of our team members will keep you posted.
Based on what we know from the 2022 Forester, we recommend you check out the Premium trim, as it will have an excellent price-quality correlation. This trim level will come with keyless entry, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, and advanced driver-assistance features, with the option of adding blind-spot monitoring and a rear cross-traffic alert.
Performance
We don't yet know the engine specifications for the 2023 Subaru Forester. But we're sure that Subaru will either surprise us with a new and impressive engine system or keep the four-cylinder engine with an automatic, constantly variable transmission (CVT). If it's like the 2022 Forester, the SUV will be able to reach 60 mph in just 9.3 seconds and boast good steering, handling, and braking.
Overall, the Subaru Forester has more off-road capabilities than most small crossover SUVs. Although not a sporty vehicle, it will confidently handle speed and direction changes, not to mention also tackling light and moderate off-road trails. Its X-mode driving setting will allow you to drive on dirt. If you need something more suited to nature, opt for the Wilderness model.
Comfort
If you have a long daily commute or spend a lot of time driving around Lunenberg, then comfort may be a priority for you in a vehicle. The good news is that the Forester will let you drive in comfort with well-padded and heated seats, excellent lumbar support, and an efficient suspension system that smooths out bumps and ruts in the road. The Forester keeps external noise to a minimum, so you can enjoy the SUV's outward visibility without distracting outside noises.
Interior
All controls and buttons inside the SUV, including those for controlling the vehicle's climate, will be perfectly placed, so you won't have to take your eyes off the road to push one of them. It will also come with an automatic climate control system to make it even easier for you to focus on the road ahead.
The Forester will come with an 8-inch HD center touch screen with vivid and crisp graphics. For your comfort, a wide range of adjustments will be available for the driver's seat, and the steering wheel will have plenty of telescoping range.
Infotainment System
The newest Subaru Forester will come with a wide range of technology features that any owner will appreciate, especially if you're not tech-savvy. The SUV's dual-screen infotainment system will be easy to use with a simple interface. The navigation system will be highly intuitive, take voice commands, and work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There will also be several handy USB ports in the SUV's front and rear, so you and your passengers can always stay connected. You may be surprised with the many driver-assistance features that will be available, such as forward collision mitigation, Subaru EyeSight, an adaptive cruise control system, and lane-keeping assistance.
Fuel Economy
The 2023 Subaru Forester will come with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 29 mpg combined — automatically ranking it among the top of its class.
Cargo Space
The Subaru Forester will have less cargo space than competitors such as the Honda CR-V. But thanks to the high roof and smart cargo layout, you'll have plenty of space for large items. If you're a parent, installing a child safety seat may be challenging, as the seat anchors are buried deep in the rear seats, but it will still be possible.
As stated before, the Subaru Forester will have a max towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. The only exception will be the Wilderness trim with its 3,000-pound towing capacity.
At North End Subaru, we want to help you find the perfect vehicle, so if the 2023 Forester SUV has caught your attention or you want to look at any of our other new vehicle inventory, please come in and see us, and we'll gladly help you on this journey.
