A great SUV can be measured on many scales. It should possess desirable features that help you navigate whatever lies ahead, have a unique style, and also offer the power and performance you’re looking for in a vehicle this size. Regardless of your budget, a great SUV should be comfortable and fun to drive. It should have an array of enticing infotainment and connectivity features, a suite of standard safety features, and a thrilling powertrain. The styling, exterior, and interior should connect to you and your driving needs and be a timeless representation of your sensibilities. Most of all, your SUV should be full of value, delivering on your investment by satisfying all the criteria you set out for when purchasing a new vehicle.
Let that great SUV you’ve been looking for be the 2023 Subaru Forester. It’s no accident that the Forester has been a best-selling vehicle for Subaru since its debut in 1997. It’s evolved over five generations, adapting to the best in efficiency, entertainment, and safety technologies. The Forester is a shining example of Subaru’s reputation as one of the safest vehicles on the automotive landscape, with consumers checking out to see if there’s a Subaru Forester for sale near them with every model year.
In fact, a staggering 97 percent of Foresters sold in the last decade are still on the road today. Perhaps that’s why Kelley Blue Book awarded the Subaru Forester with the Best Resale Value and Lowest 5-year Cost To Own awards for its class. Its reputation for safety and reliability makes for loyal customers who buy the Forester again and again. If you haven’t had the chance to explore this year’s models, this is your opportunity to learn how Subaru brought inspiration into the 2023 rendition and released a truly great Forester.
An Overview of the 2023 Forester
The 2023 edition is part of the ongoing fifth generation of the Forester. Because the previous year saw a major remodel of the Forester, there aren’t any major changes for 2023, paying homage to the high quality of previous Forester models. Choose from one of six trim levels packed with value, including the Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Wilderness, and the Touring. Many high-end features begin with the Limited trim and above, and with a base price of only $26,495, there are many ways to choose the Forester you want and still save tons of money compared to competitors. Aside from choosing the trim level, you can also choose from an array of eye-catching exterior colors like Autumn Green Metallic, Geyser Blue, Crystal Black Silica, Crimson Red Pearl, Crystal White Pearl, and many more.
Enhanced Performance
If you’re looking for a great SUV, you’re going to be looking for one that’s equipped with a thrilling powertrain that delivers power and efficiency in a seamless blend. Having the power you need will help tackle any situation, whether navigating busy city traffic or exploring the wilderness on an off-road adventure. The standard powertrain on every trim is a smart 2.5L four-cylinder Subaru BOXER engine that delivers 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque without sacrificing efficiency.
You’ll enjoy an EPA-estimated 33 MPG on the highway and 26 MPG in the city. Like other Subaru models, the Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive to help conquer tricky weather conditions like snow and ice. The all-wheel drive system also helps if you end up navigating mud, dirt, or sand. Most trim levels have a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 lbs; however, if towing is a must on your list of priorities, the Wilderness trim can tow up to 3,000 lbs.
To assist you in off-roading, the 2023 Forester comes equipped with several features that help it perform on a variety of terrains. All but the Base trim have X-MODE, which works to optimize the engine’s output and up the all-wheel drive engagement. This works to reduce individual wheelspin if you’re on uneven pavement, allowing you to utilize the Deep Snow/Mud setting on the Sport, Limited, Wilderness, and Touring models. There is also Hill Descent Control incorporated with X-MODE that helps maintain vehicle speed, even on a steep downhill slope, for maximum control. Overall, these features and the impeccable handling built into every model serve as a reminder that your SUV is made to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at it.
Plenty of Safety Tech
As previously mentioned, one of the biggest draws to the Forester, and Subaru in general, is the impeccable reputation for safety and dependability. Plus, there’s proof to back up Subaru’s reputation. The 2023 Forester earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There are a generous amount of standard safety features that come on every model, as well as a selection of additional driver assistance features available for higher-level trims.
Subaru’s standard suite of safety features is called EyeSight Driver Assist Technology because it uses sensors and cameras to send data to the vehicle about potential hazards, like a second set of eyes. This suite includes the Pre-collision Braking System, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, and Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering. High Beam Assist technology also comes standard on all 2023 models.
Once you start moving into higher-level trims, it grants access to even more driver assistance features that make your commute easier and more safe. This includes features like the available DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System, the Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Reverse Automatic Braking, 180-Degree Front-View Monitor, and Subaru Starlink Safety and Security, which sends automatic notifications and offers Enhanced Roadside Assistance.
Interior Styling
A marker of a great SUV is having all the stylish touches in the cabin that make the most of any trip. Things like comfortable fabrics, cargo space, and technology give everyone something to enjoy on your daily commutes. The 2023 Forester is practically overflowing with high-end features throughout the interior that give everyone something to smile about. From quality materials to innovative entertainment technology, the Forester feels like a home away from home.
Comfortably seating up to five passengers, this great SUV takes advantage of contrasting stitching and textures to evoke a deep sense of style and attention to detail. Each trim has its unique flavor, like the orange accent trim and two-tone gray upholstery inside the Forester Sport. The Forester offers more space than most of the vehicles in its class, with an impressive 74.2 cu.ft. of total cargo space.
An available built-in WiFi hotspot keeps you connected, even on the go. The intuitive tech is complimented by the ample amount of available convenience features like a voice-activated navigation system powered by TomTom, an available Power Rear Gate, 60/40-split flat-folding rear seats, and a panoramic power moonroof. Finding the right trim for your lifestyle and budget has never been easier.
The Forester Is Ready for What Lies On the Road Ahead
Having built successful models of the Forester for so many years prior, Subaru knew exactly how to execute the 2023 Forester to exceed the expectations of their fanbase. While it didn’t see any drastic structural changes for the model year, the new 2023 Forester delivers on all the latest technological advances in safety and convenience features that make it stand out among other SUVs.
Whether you opt for the Base trim or go big with the Limited or Touring, you’ll end up with a potent powertrain that’s thrilling to drive yet still efficient. The standard safety features give you peace of mind, and Subaru’s spotless reputation for reliability is the cherry on top. All around, the 2023 Subaru Forester is the great SUV you’ve been dreaming of driving. Now it’s time to experience this innovation and power for yourself.
