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Subaru was one of the few entry-level companies whose vehicles I had yet to take a seat in, let alone drive, so the prospect of spending a week with a brand new 2015 Subaru Forester naturally got me pumped.
While I liked the understated exterior design, spacious interior, and comfortable driving position, I discovered a few foibles along the way -- some of them minor; others just a bit more, well, irritating.
What is the Subaru Forester?
Originally launched in the late 1990s, the Subaru Forester is currently in its fourth generation. It's a very practical and family-friendly crossover with plenty of selection. Whatever your needs and financial limitations are there's a Forester for you.
2015 Subaru Forester Price and Specs
You'll need all 10 fingers to count the number of trim levels in the 2015 Subaru Forester lineup. The base 2.5i model starts at $25,995, while the top-of-the-line 2.0XT Limited with Technology Option retails from $37,895. My tester, a 2.5i Touring model with Technology Option, stood right in the middle at $32,495.
Subaru offers a pair of horizontally opposed, 4-cylinder BOXER engines: a 2.5L naturally aspirated unit producing 170 horsepower, and a 2.0L turbocharged variant rated at 250 horsepower. Depending on the trim level, you can get a 6-speed manual transmission or a Lineartronic CVT. The latter comes with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel and a manual mode for a more engaging driving experience.
I also got the opportunity to test Subaru's EyeSight advanced driving assist system. While it's reassuring to know that the vehicle can detect the slightest obstacle, no matter where it comes from, I ultimately found the whole thing fairly annoying. And when the system started to warn me about an imminent front collision (don't worry, the Forester is fine!), the auditory alert scared the bejesus out of me.
Driving the 2015 Subaru Forester
The first word that came to my mind when I sat behind the wheel of the Forester was “rustic,” which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Actually, it reminded me of my 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan: plain, but functional (my tester was not equipped with a navigation system like other high-end models). I love technology as much as the next gal, but I also liked having a clean dashboard that didn't give me the impression of flying a plane with a dizzying array of controls and monitors.
The 2015 Subaru Forester drives smoothly thanks to a fully independent suspension that almost completely eliminates road imperfections. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support is ideal to find a proper driving position, regardless of your body size. Meanwhile, the front passenger gets a 4-way manually adjustable seat, which is nice.
What about fuel consumption? Subaru announces ratings of 9.6L/100km in the city and 7.5L/100km on the highway for 2.5i models. On my watch, which included mostly urban commutes, the Forester averaged 9.1L/100km -- a decent figure considering its size and AWD capability.
Both the Forester's windshield and panoramic sunroof are huge: The former contributes to exceptional visibility, while the latter positively turns the cabin into a giant fishbowl (minus the fish, of course!) when you open the manual sunshade. Unfortunately, I injured my shoulder trying to slide that sunshade all the way back. The glass panel itself is electronically operated, so what's up with that, Subaru?
As for my minor complaints, there's the slow-acting power tailgate (a bit frustrating when you're carrying heavy grocery bags) and the fact that the doors don't lock automatically when the vehicle gets underway.
Comparing the 2015 Subaru Forester
All in all, the Subaru Forester remains a solid pick if you're after a reliable CUV that puts function over form. It will happily take your kids to school or soccer practice on weekdays, and then bring the entire family on a weekend camping trip deep into the woods.
Alternatives to consider include the Jeep Cherokee, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Mazda CX-5.
While I liked the understated exterior design, spacious interior, and comfortable driving position, I discovered a few foibles along the way -- some of them minor; others just a bit more, well, irritating.
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What is the Subaru Forester?
Originally launched in the late 1990s, the Subaru Forester is currently in its fourth generation. It's a very practical and family-friendly crossover with plenty of selection. Whatever your needs and financial limitations are there's a Forester for you.
2015 Subaru Forester Price and Specs
You'll need all 10 fingers to count the number of trim levels in the 2015 Subaru Forester lineup. The base 2.5i model starts at $25,995, while the top-of-the-line 2.0XT Limited with Technology Option retails from $37,895. My tester, a 2.5i Touring model with Technology Option, stood right in the middle at $32,495.
Subaru offers a pair of horizontally opposed, 4-cylinder BOXER engines: a 2.5L naturally aspirated unit producing 170 horsepower, and a 2.0L turbocharged variant rated at 250 horsepower. Depending on the trim level, you can get a 6-speed manual transmission or a Lineartronic CVT. The latter comes with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel and a manual mode for a more engaging driving experience.
I also got the opportunity to test Subaru's EyeSight advanced driving assist system. While it's reassuring to know that the vehicle can detect the slightest obstacle, no matter where it comes from, I ultimately found the whole thing fairly annoying. And when the system started to warn me about an imminent front collision (don't worry, the Forester is fine!), the auditory alert scared the bejesus out of me.
Driving the 2015 Subaru Forester
The first word that came to my mind when I sat behind the wheel of the Forester was “rustic,” which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Actually, it reminded me of my 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan: plain, but functional (my tester was not equipped with a navigation system like other high-end models). I love technology as much as the next gal, but I also liked having a clean dashboard that didn't give me the impression of flying a plane with a dizzying array of controls and monitors.
The 2015 Subaru Forester drives smoothly thanks to a fully independent suspension that almost completely eliminates road imperfections. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support is ideal to find a proper driving position, regardless of your body size. Meanwhile, the front passenger gets a 4-way manually adjustable seat, which is nice.
What about fuel consumption? Subaru announces ratings of 9.6L/100km in the city and 7.5L/100km on the highway for 2.5i models. On my watch, which included mostly urban commutes, the Forester averaged 9.1L/100km -- a decent figure considering its size and AWD capability.
Both the Forester's windshield and panoramic sunroof are huge: The former contributes to exceptional visibility, while the latter positively turns the cabin into a giant fishbowl (minus the fish, of course!) when you open the manual sunshade. Unfortunately, I injured my shoulder trying to slide that sunshade all the way back. The glass panel itself is electronically operated, so what's up with that, Subaru?
As for my minor complaints, there's the slow-acting power tailgate (a bit frustrating when you're carrying heavy grocery bags) and the fact that the doors don't lock automatically when the vehicle gets underway.
Comparing the 2015 Subaru Forester
All in all, the Subaru Forester remains a solid pick if you're after a reliable CUV that puts function over form. It will happily take your kids to school or soccer practice on weekdays, and then bring the entire family on a weekend camping trip deep into the woods.
Alternatives to consider include the Jeep Cherokee, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Mazda CX-5.