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Identifying the First-Gen Ford MustangThe 2023 Forester Gets the Job Done
Visibility, driver assists, and cargo space! Take a closer look at each of the 2023 Subaru Forester trims and all the features that come with them.
2023 Subaru Forrester – subaru.com | Shop 2023 Subaru Forester on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2023 Subaru Forester?
Not a whole heck of a lot. That’s the answer to that question. After the 2021 Forester, Subaru gave the 2022 model a midcycle refresh, updating some exterior styling and adding the Wilderness trim to the group. As a result of that, there aren’t any big changes on the 2023 Forester. Subaru offers a wider forward-looking camera angle and makes the larger touchscreen standard on a couple of additional trims, but those are really the only changes in this year’s model. As you’ll see below, even without changes, there are good reasons the Forester is a popular choice with consumers.
The Breakdown
Very good ride quality
Respectable fuel economy
Good interior space
Standard AWD
Composed ride and handling
Great ground clearance
Ample room for cargo
Just one engine option
Lackluster acceleration and engine power
A low tow rating
No 360-degree view camera
No big updates from the 2022 model
2023 Subaru Specs
- 182 horsepower from base engine
- 176 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 26.9 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 6.5-inch touchscreen or available 8-inch touchscreen
- X-Star overall front NHTSA rating
- 3 years or 36,000 miles powertrain warranty
2023 Subaru Forester Powertrain
It doesn’t matter which of the six 2023 Forester trims you choose, you’ll be getting the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine underneath. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), the Forester puts out 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. That wouldn’t so bad if the combination of the four-cylinder and CVT didn’t sometimes take a while getting up to speed in high-traffic situations. It takes 9.3 seconds for the Forester to get from 0 to 60 miles per hour. Towing is another weaker point. Most 2023 Subaru Foresters aren’t going to perform in a big way. They can handle 1,500 lbs., though the Wilderness trim doubles that amount, maxing out at 3,000 lbs.
On the positive side of things, when it comes to handling, the Forester does just fine. Braking? Not a problem. Steering? The Forester doesn’t give much to complain about there either. It’s not a sporty vehicle, but it’s stable, giving the driver a sense of confidence on various terrains. The Wilderness, with higher ground clearance, all-terrain tires, an upgraded suspension, and a transmission oil cooler, is even more adaptable on rougher terrains than some of the other 2023 Forester trims. In fact, as we pointed out in our list of the Best Compact SUVs, the Wilderness trim leads the segment with 9.2 inches of ground clearance! Of course, the 2023 Forester has all-wheel drive. We’d be disappointed if it didn’t. After all, standard AWD is one of those Subie things.
2023 Subaru Forester Fuel Economy & MPG
Almost every 2023 Subaru Forester gets 33 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway and 26 mpg in the city. While the Wilderness does have enhanced aspects that make it ideal for off-roading, it doesn’t fare as well as its brethren on fuel efficiency. Those off-roading gear ratios and tires drop the Wilderness to 28 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city. The 2023 Forester has a capacity of 16.6 gallons and takes unleaded, 87-octane gasoline.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The 2023 Subaru Forester may lack a little power and sometimes fuel efficiency, but it doesn’t leave anything to be desired when it comes to space. It doesn’t quite match the Honda CR-V, but it still has a cargo volume that equals 26.9 cu-ft in most trims (even higher in the Base trim). When the rear seats are folded in a 60/40 split, that space expands to 69.1 cu-ft of space. Plus, the cargo area isn’t hampered by intrusive wheel wells. It’s got a high roof, too, making it easier to fit things in the back of this SUV than a lot of others.
Once you toss the bags and gear in the back, you’ll have a largely comfortable trip. The Forester has nice seats and a good suspension that work well together to hide most bumps and potholes on the road. Body roll is minimal on curves or turns. There’s a variety of seat options, all based on the trim level. Cloth upholstery, synthetic leather, or genuine leather are all used in different 2023 Foresters. In some cases, seats are heated and power adjustable.
Even with five passengers in the cabin, there is a good amount of headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in this compact SUV. Most trims have 40.2 inches of headroom in front and 37.6 inches of headroom in the rear. All trims have legroom measures 43.3 inches up front and 39.4 inches in the back. Passengers up front get a respectable 58.1 inches of shoulder room while 57.2 inches are reserved for rear-seat passengers. There’s a lot of comfort to be had in the 2023 Subaru Forrester.
Entertainment & Technology
The 2023 Subaru Forester has the same features as the 2022 model, which means it has a 6.5-inch touchscreen (it’s increased to eight inches in some trims), standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, an optional heated steering wheel in one instance, and several USB charging ports. Automatic climate control is standard in half of the lineup while dual-zone automatic climate control is found on the top three trims.
Audio is played on a four, six, or nine-speaker audio system. 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability, with a monthly AT&T data plan, is standard on almost every trim. Bluetooth, HD radio, and satellite radio are some of the other features that Subaru has placed in the 2023 Forester.
Safety Features
The Subaru Forester Base trim is packaged with the Subaru EyeSight safety suite. That comes with features like lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, and forward automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control is also standard. Fog lights or LED fog lights are standard on most trims, too.
Cameras are implemented around the 2023 Subaru Forrester for safety purposes. A 180-degree front-view monitor is only available on the Wilderness trim, but a rear-view camera is standard across the 2023 Forester lineup. Auto-dimming exterior mirrors, a driver monitoring system that monitors driver fatigue, and evasive steering assistance are all features that are added as you get further towards the top of the 2023 Subaru Forester trims.
2023 Subaru Forester Trims & Pricing
Our New Car Incentives article, which always highlights the auto industry’s best leasing and financing deals, currently lists the 2023 Subaru Forester as one of the models people can lease for a few hundred dollars a month. However, if you’re looking to buy a new 2023 Forester, the starting manufacturer suggested retail price is just over $25,000.
Base – $26,495
The Base 2023 Subaru Forester trim has the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, satellite radio, four-speaker stereo system, automatic climate control, and 6.5-inch center screen I mentioned earlier. It also has 17-inch steel wheels. Adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane keeping assistance, and lane departure warning are all standard at this level, too.
The cabin has cloth upholstery, doesn’t have push-button start or keyless access, and only has driver’s power windows (the other windows are manual). One thing the base trim also has going for it, though, is cargo space. There’s actually more space at this level, with 28.9 cu-ft, than there is at all other trims. They only have 26.9 cu-ft of space.
Premium – $29,695
Raised roof rails, fog lights, and tinted rear windows are all added at this level. Drivers can enjoy a power-adjustable driver’s seat while passengers get more audio with a six-speaker stereo system. A panoramic moon roof is standard on all trims starting with the Premium. Those 17-inch steel wheels from the Base trim? They become alloy wheels on the Premium trim. Meanwhile, the All-Weather package adds heated front seats, a heated (and leather-wrapped) steering wheel, and a windshield wiper deicer to the 2023 Subaru Forester Premium. Subaru also gives drivers the option to optimize output with different driving modes.
Sport – $31,265
Moving up to the 2023 Subaru Forester Sport means the addition of LED fog lights, blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert, evasive steering assistance, and an interior that consists of black and orange coloring. We can’t forget about the wheels, either. They’re 18 inches and painted black in this version of the Forester.
Wilderness – $34,320
The Wilderness goes back down to 17-inch wheels, but it’s equipped with all-terrain tires and a full-size spare tire. It gains half an inch of ground clearance, comes with a front skid plate, and can handle a 3,000 lb towing capacity. It also upgrades the interior with an eight-inch touchscreen display and water-repellent upholstery. To expand cargo space, one-touch folding rear seatbacks are very useful. The Wilderness does dip a little bit on fuel efficiency, getting 28 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city while all other trims get 33 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in city driving.
Limited – $33,375
Although it’s priced lower than the Wilderness, the Limited is technically ranked higher than the Wilderness because of dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, and a power liftgate.
Touring – $36,795
At the top of the 2023 Subaru Forester ladder is the Touring. An integrated navigation system is standard and so is a nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. A driver drowsiness monitoring system is included, too. The 2023 Forester Touring doesn’t just add niceties, it also adds comforts. The passenger seat is power-adjustable here, the driver’s seat has a 10-way adjustable support system, and the rear outboard seats are heated.
Warranties
Subaru offers quite a few warranties for the 2023 Subaru Forester. First, there’s a New Car Limited Warranty that lasts three years or 36,000 miles. Next, a Powertrain Limited Warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles. There are two other warranties, though: a Wear Item Limited Warranty lasting three years or 36,000 miles and a Rust Perforation Limited Warranty for five years with unlimited mileage.
What we think
2023 Subaru Forrester – media.subaru.com | Shop 2023 Subaru Forester on Carsforsale.com
For what it lacks (not having a 360-degree camera and not having very powerful acceleration), the Forester does make up for it with great visibility, a generous amount of cargo room, and a comfortable, cushioned ride. It’s why the Forester earned spots on our Best Used SUVs Under $10,000 and Top 10 Compact Crossovers Under $20,000 lists.
If you plan to take the Forester on some adventures, then the Wilderness is an easy choice. Not only can it handle gravel roads, mud, and a variety of uneven pavement, but it’s got a larger touchscreen display and more towing capacity. If you’re using the Forester primarily for city driving, there’s no reason you couldn’t save a few thousand and opt for the 2023 Subaru Forester Premium or Sport trims. I’d go for the sport since I like the blind-spot monitoring and 18-inch wheels.
Want to know how the Subaru Forester compares to other SUVs? Well, we put previous Forester models against the competition in our Budget Buy $12,000: Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester and Budget Buy Under $15,000: RAV4 vs Forester features. If you want to know even more about the evolution of this compact crossover, be sure to click on Subaru Forester Generations: Through the Years. It takes you from the first-generation 1998 Forester all the way to the current fifth generation.
