Overview

The Subaru Forester has been a staple of the crossover world for more than 25 years, evolving gradually while retaining its core appeal. Designed as a tough, practical, and capable all-rounder, the Forester existed before these jacked-up family cars became mainstream. With this latest version, Subaru has made a host of subtle but meaningful updates over the old one, and is hoping to elevate its place into ranks of the best family SUVs.

Subaru has always championed function over flash, and this remains true here. The Forester is built to last, excels in off-road ability, and offers impressive space for passengers and luggage. It competes with family SUVs like the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Skoda Karoq and Toyota RAV4, but it sets itself apart from many with permanent all-wheel drive and a hybrid-assisted powertrain.

The question is, has the latest iteration of the Forester been updated enough to stand out in a fiercely competitive segment? You can also find out more about how we test cars on Parkers via our dedicated explainer page.

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What’s it like inside?

Step inside the new Forester, and it’s clear that Subaru has focused on incremental improvements. Gone is the old secondary display in favour of a large, portrait-orientated infotainment screen. It’s clear and logically laid out, but not the most cutting-edge system available. Luckily, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard across the range.

Despite the tech updates, Subaru has retained some physical controls for functions like climate settings, which is a welcome touch for usability. Cabin quality is as you’d expect from Subaru: durable, well-assembled, and built to take years of use. It won’t wow you with premium materials, but it feels robust.

Comfort is another strong point. The seats are thickly padded and well-shaped, making long journeys effortless. There’s ample space, too, with excellent headroom and legroom in the rear – even for taller passengers. Visibility is superb, aided by a lower rear window line for better rearward sight. The 508-litre (rear seats in place) boot is competitive within the segment, providing plenty of space for family adventures.

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What’s it like to drive?

Subaru’s improvements to the Forester’s refinement are immediately noticeable – and it’s here that it feels more like an all-new car. The cabin is quieter than before, with a claimed 39% reduction in road noise, and the ride remains comfortable, absorbing bumps with ease. This makes it a relaxed cruiser, especially at lower speeds.

However, performance remains a weak spot. The 2.0-litre 136hp e-Boxer petrol mild-hybrid engine feels underpowered, with a sluggish 0-62mph time of 12.0 seconds – which is a long way behind all of its rivals.

Acceleration is leisurely at best, particularly when merging onto motorways, and the CVT transmission does little to help. While it’s smoother than some rivals, it still exhibits the firm’s characteristic flat-four warble under hard acceleration.

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Fuel economy is respectable rather than outstanding. During our test, which included a mix of motorway and country roads, the Forester returned 34.5mpg – very close to its official WLTP testing figure. While that’s reasonable, it’s not class-leading, especially given the hybrid assistance.

On the road, the Forester is competent but uninspiring. The steering is light and vague, and there’s little joy to be found in spirited driving. Subaru has attempted to inject some sportiness with a ‘Sport’ driving mode, but it makes little tangible difference. Instead, the Forester is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace, where its comfort and refinement shine.

What models and trims are available?

Subaru keeps things simple with three trim levels, all featuring the same powertrain. The entry-level Limited includes 18-inch alloy wheels, heated and electrically adjustable front seats, 360-degree parking cameras, and a wireless phone charger, alongside Subaru’s comprehensive Eyesight safety suite.

Stepping up to the Field trim brings additional luxuries, including a heated steering wheel, powered tailgate, and integrated sat-nav with What3Words (a system for hyper-accurate location tagging) functionality. The range-topping Touring model adds larger 19-inch wheels, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof – a long way from the Forester’s utilitarian roots.

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What else should I know?

Subaru pitches the Forester as an affordable way into proper all-wheel-drive SUV ownership – more budget Land Rover alternative than city-slicking family crossover. Prices start at £38,995 for the base model, with the Field trim costing £40,440 and the Touring topping out at £42,995.

Given its standard symmetrical four-wheel drive system, the Forester is a tempting alternative to front-wheel-drive crossovers. Subaru is targeting family buyers looking at the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson, as well as potential Toyota RAV4 owners who want a hybrid SUV with superior off-road credentials.

So, would be recommend buying one, or should you stick to a more mainstream family SUV? Click through to our verdict to see what we think of the Subaru Forester.