One of the great automotive success stories of the last 20 years has been the Subaru Forester. What started as a hatchback wagon built on the Impreza sedan platform has become Subaru’s best-selling model in the competitive compact SUV market. The modern Forester enjoys some of the highest customer loyalty of any brand. Once someone buys a Subaru Forester, they tend to stick with Forester models after that.
The appeal of the model is easy to grasp. The Forester is big enough to haul a lot of camping gear or just the results of an enormous shopping trip. Yet the Forester is also small enough to be a convenient car for urban and suburban dwellers. Singles, couples, and small families find the Forester versatile and functional. According to Kelley Blue Book, the Subaru Forester has the lowest 5-year cost of ownership in its class and the best resale value in its class.
Subaru’s signature feature is symmetrical all-wheel drive. Every Forester example comes with this full-time AWD system. The full-time nature of the system means that it’s always working to give the Forester traction in any condition. All Forester trim levels come with a 2.5-liter engine rated at 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Subaru enhances its AWD capabilities with X-Mode, which improves low-speed traction control to allow the Forester to drive over various low-traction surfaces, including deep snow and mud. X-Mode also gives the Forester effective hill descent control.
Another thing to know about the Subaru Forester is this model has earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) each year since 2007. The 2020 and 2021 Forester models earned Top Safety Pick+, the highest available rating. The 2020 and 2021 Forester also earned a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The 2021 Subaru Forester comes in five trim levels, ranging from the base Forester to the luxurious Forester Touring. You can read about each trim level in detail below.
Subaru delivers every 2021 Forester with advanced safety and driver assistance technology such as the EyeSight driver assistance system. EyeSight provides adaptive cruise control that automatically follows the prevailing speed of traffic, automatic pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The EyeSight system is standard equipment on all 2021 Forester trims.
If you buy a certified pre-owned (CPO) Forester from an authorized Subaru dealer, you can expect it to receive Subaru’s 152-point inspection. Subaru CPO vehicles come with a $0-deductible 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty (whichever comes first, from original in-service date), including Roadside Assistance. CPO buyers will receive a $500 owner loyalty coupon, CARFAX vehicle history report, and a complimentary 3-month Sirius/XM subscription, plus a one-year trial subscription to Starlink Safety Plus with Automatic Collision Notification.
2021 Subaru Forester (Original starting price when new: $24,795)
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The 2021 Subaru Forester starts at $24,795.
The base Forester is a well-equipped crossover SUV. All the basics are there, including the symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, but not the enhanced X-Mode. There is no front-wheel-drive base model in the Forester line, which gives this model an advantage over competing brands, making you buy a higher trim level to get the traction you need. The base Forester also includes the EyeSight advanced driver assistance and safety system.
All Forester trims feature the same engine and driveline combination. Subaru has developed its 2.5-liter engine for more than 20 years, and it is both efficient and provides good power appropriate to the vehicle. The driveline comes with Subaru Intelligent Drive modes, which offers an economy or sport driving experience. Automatic start/stop helps the Forester achieve its fuel economy ratings of 26 MPG in city driving and up to 33 MPG on the highway. Additionally, every Forester will tow up to 1,500 pounds.
The basic dashboard technology package in the Forester includes a 6.5-inch touchscreen display and four-speaker audio system. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported, providing access to GPS navigation through your smartphone. Subaru’s StarLink is also included, giving access to various convenience apps. The standard Forester tech package consists of a Sirius/XM satellite radio receiver, CD player, HD radio, and USB and 3.5mm auxiliary inputs. Bluetooth phone integration is supported, with access to hands-free calling and audio streaming from your phone.
As a family car, the Forester places a premium on safety. In addition to EyeSight, all Forester trims include automatic high beam assistance, LED headlights and daytime running lights, a rear-vision camera system, and the usual array of automatic traction, stability, and braking controls. Additionally, every Forester comes with keyless entry, an anti-theft security system, and an engine immobilizer in the event of theft.
The base Forester includes cool cloth upholstery and a 60/40 split rear seat. A multifunction driver information display delivers a trip computer and other information. Automatic headlights, automatic climate control, and an automatic up/down driver’s side window are also standard.
There are very few options available in the base trim, but one to consider is the alloy wheel package at $600. The base trim features 27-inch steel wheels.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Subaru Forester is for buyers looking for a reliable and safe all-wheel-drive crossover at the lowest possible price.
2021 Subaru Forester includes:
Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive — Every Forester includes Subaru’s signature AWD system. No upgrades are necessary to find this feature.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — Integrates the most common smartphone models into the car’s infotainment system, enabling hands-free calling, GPS navigation, text message support, and music streaming.
EyeSight driver assistance system — Provides adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, following distance warning, and lane-keeping assistance.
2021 Subaru Forester Premium (Original starting price when new: $27,795)
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The 2021 Subaru Forester Premium starts at $27,795.
In addition to the features included in the base Forester trim, the Forester Premium adds X-Mode and hill descent control, which is handy if your usage takes you into terrain rougher than groomed gravel roads. Premium trim also adds 17-inch alloy wheels.
On the outside, the Forester Premium receives fog lights and a roof-mounted rear spoiler, as well as a panoramic power moonroof, windshield wiper de-icer, and heated body-colored side mirrors. Inside, the driver’s seat gets power adjustment, while the passenger side window gets the automatic up/down function. The front seats are both heated, and the rear seats can recline. The steering wheel and shift knob are leather-wrapped. Forester uses a convenient push-button start system.
Tech features in Premium trim include a six-speaker audio system and 4G/LTE WiFi hotspot capability. The StarLink system gains more capability, including automatic collision notification, SOS emergency and roadside assistance, and various monitors and notifications for maintenance and diagnostics. You can even use it to remotely unlock the Forester if you get locked out.
Available options at the Premium trim level include blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, a power liftgate, and a color multifunction driver information display. There’s also a long catalog of accessories available through the Subaru dealer network.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Subaru Forester Premium is for buyers interested in more off-road adventures and more physical comforts.
2021 Subaru Forester Premium includes:
X-Mode All-Wheel-Drive — This feature gives the Forester Premium more capability for off-road driving that is more intensive than a gravel road. Includes hill descent control for safely descending steep and slippery inclines and enhanced traction control for climbing hills.
Interior comfort — Heated front seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat, reclining rear seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and leather-wrapped shift knob.
Enhanced StarLink System — Enables 4G/LTE WiFi hotspot capability. StarLink enables automatic collision notification, SOS emergency and roadside assistance, and various maintenance and diagnostic functions.
2021 Subaru Forester Sport (Original starting price when new: $29,395)
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The 2021 Subaru Forester Sport starts at $29,395.
The Forester Sport trim level is oriented towards those who plan to camp, hit the trail, and take advantage of the Forester’s off-road capability. Building on the Premium trim, the Sport trim adds a revised continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters and the ability to simulate a seven-speed automatic. The Forester Sport will hold a gear ratio for you as you climb a hill, for example.
The Forester Sport features 18-inch gloss black-finish alloy wheels and ventilated rear disc brakes for additional braking capacity. Finally, the fog lights are upgraded to LED bulbs. Inside, the cloth upholstery gets a sporty upgrade, and the color multifunction display becomes standard. For camping use, the cargo area of the Forester Sport gets a light for working after dark. On the safety side, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on Sport trim.
Options to the Forester Sport include reverse automatic braking, which notes obstacles and automatically stops the car before you back into anything. This package also includes an upgrade to the infotainment system. The StarLink screen grows to eight inches and adds a Harman Kardon audio system and a power rear liftgate.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Subaru Forester Sport is for the serious outdoors enthusiast who wants the off-road capability but not all the luxury features.
2021 Subaru Forester Sport includes:
Unique 18-inch wheels — Forester Sport offers high-gloss black 18-inch alloy wheels.
Paddle-shifted transmission — Sport trim adds the ability for the CVT to simulate a 7-speed automatic transmission and hold a gear ratio.
Blind Spot Monitor — Automatic blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert is standard on Forester Sport.
2021 Subaru Forester Limited (Original starting price when new: $31,395)
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The 2021 Subaru Forester Limited starts at $31,395.
Limited trim is where Subaru brings luxury features to the Forester line. Building on all the features of the Sport trim, the Forester Limited includes its own 18-inch alloy wheels. However, the fog lights on the Limited use incandescent bulbs, not LEDs, and there is no cargo light. The Limited exchanges the cloth seats for full leather upholstery with heated front seats. The power rear liftgate becomes standard at this trim level. Dual-zone climate control is also standard, and a heated steering wheel is optional.
Other options available with the Limited trim include the Harman Kardon or Rockford Fosgate audio systems, reverse automatic braking, and an upgraded version of the eight-inch infotainment system with onboard GPS navigation.
Who is this trim level for? Forester Limited is for the buyer who wants the most popular luxury and performance features while controlling costs.
2021 Subaru Forester Limited includes:
Leather interior — Forester Limited introduces a full leather interior with heated front seats.
Power liftgate — Raise and lower the liftgate at the push of a button.
Dual-zone automatic climate control — Allows driver and passenger to select their own comfortable temperature.
2021 Subaru Forester Touring (Original starting price when new: $34,895)
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The 2021 Subaru Forester Touring starts at $34,895.
The top of the Forester line for 2021 is the Forester Touring trim. At this level, almost all of the options are included as standard. On top of the stack of features added at each lower trim level, the Forester Touring includes the LED fog lights, satin chrome side mirrors with integrated turn signals, heated steering wheel, twin power-adjustable front seats, and you get a two-position memory system for the driver’s seat and power mirrors. In the back, you get heated rear seats with a one-touch folding function.
The eight-inch infotainment system with GPS navigation and the Harman Kardon audio system is standard with Touring. Reverse automatic braking is also included.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Subaru Forester Touring is for buyers who want every possible luxury and performance feature and are less price-sensitive.
2021 Subaru Forester Touring includes:
Heated steering wheel — Keeps the driver’s hands warm even on the coldest days.
Heated front and rear seats — Comfortable heated seats for four passengers.
Harman Kardon audio — Enhanced audio system by Harman Kardon gives excellent listening, and the infotainment system includes GPS navigation.
