2024 Subaru Forester

2024 Subaru Forester Highlights

The 2024 Subaru Forester marks the final year of the fifth-generation model, with Subaru of America set to debut an all-new sixth generation for the 2025 model year. The Forester continues to offer a compelling package of safety, versatility, and value, with standard all-wheel drive, a spacious and well-equipped interior, and advanced driver assistance features. The rugged Forester Wilderness trim caters to adventure-seekers with its enhanced off-road capabilities and unique styling elements.

Key Details

• Compact crossover SUV body style
• Two-row, five-passenger seating
• 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine making 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque
• Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
• Standard all-wheel drive
• 8.7 inches of ground clearance (9.2 inches for Wilderness)

Benefits

• Standard advanced safety technology (EyeSight Driver Assist)
• Spacious and versatile interior with up to 74.2 cubic feet of cargo space
• The Subaru Forester Wilderness offers enhanced off-road capability and rugged styling
• Comfortable and composed ride with car-like handling

Learn More: 2024 Subaru Forester Release Date: Everything You Need To Know

2024 Subaru Forester Overview

Performance

The 2024 Subaru Forester is powered by a 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. This horizontally opposed engine is known for its low center of gravity, contributing to the Forester's stable handling and composed ride. The engine is paired with the company’s Lineartronic CVT, which provides efficient power delivery.

Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is standard on all Forester models, providing excellent traction and stability in various weather and road conditions. The system is complemented by active torque vectoring, which helps to improve handling and reduce understeer in corners.

The Forester offers 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which is more than many competitors in the compact SUV segment. Thanks to a revised suspension setup and all-terrain tires, the Wilderness trim increases ground clearance to 9.2 inches.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2024 Forester a top five-star overall safety rating. In addition, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2024 Subaru Forester as a Top Safety Pick, the organization’s second-highest award.

The Forester comes standard with Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which includes advanced adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, lane departure and sway warning, and lead vehicle start alert. Higher trims offer additional features such as blind-spot detection with lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a DriverFocus distraction mitigation system.

Driving

The 2024 Subaru Forester offers a composed driving experience that balances SUV capability with a car-like ride and handling. Thanks to a refined chassis and crisp steering, it feels very stable behind the wheel.

However, the Forester’s most significant shortcoming is its mediocre acceleration. An engine that makes 182 horsepower is lacking when most competitors are in the 200-horsepower range. This is amplified by a CVT transmission biased toward fuel economy over performance. That’s not to say the Forester isn’t enjoyable to drive; it is. However, some drivers will find this Subaru lacking when quickness counts.

Interior

The 2024 Subaru Forester's interior is spacious, well-designed, and functional. The cabin offers ample head and legroom in both rows, accommodating passengers of various sizes. The rear seats feature a 60/40 split-folding design, allowing for flexible cargo configurations. With the rear seats folded, the Forester provides up to 74.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

2024 Subaru Forester interior features include:

• Cloth upholstery (Base, Premium, Sport)
• StarTex water-resistant upholstery (Wilderness)
• Leather-trimmed upholstery (Limited, Touring)
• Heated front seats (Premium and above)
• Ten-way power-adjustable driver's seat (Premium and above)
• Dual-zone automatic climate control (Limited, Touring)
• Panoramic power moonroof (Premium and above)

Technology

The 2024 Subaru Forester offers a range of advanced technology features to keep occupants connected, informed, and entertained. The standard Subaru Starlink multimedia system includes:

• 6.5-inch touchscreen display (Base, Premium)
• 8.0-inch touchscreen display (Sport, Wilderness, Limited, Touring)
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming
• SiriusXM satellite radio (Premium and above)
• HD Radio (Premium and above)

Higher trims offer additional features such as:

• Subaru Starlink Connected Services (Premium and above)
• Wi-Fi hotspot capability (Premium and above)
• Navigation system (optional on Wilderness, Limited, and Touring)
• Harman Kardon premium audio system with nine speakers (optional on Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring)
• Reverse Automatic Braking (optional on Limited, standard on Touring)

Fuel Economy

The 2024 Forester offers competitive fuel economy within the compact SUV segment, especially considering its standard all-wheel-drive system. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2024 Subaru Forester achieves the following fuel economy ratings:

2.5-liter four-cylinder

• AWD (mpg): 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined

2024 Subaru Forester Reviews

2024 Subaru Forester reviews on Kelley Blue Book are overwhelmingly positive, as ratings average 4.4 out of 5. Owners praise the Forester’s reliability, quality, value, and comfort.

Reasons to Buy It

• Standard all-wheel drive
• Standard advanced driver assistance technologies
• Excellent safety scores
• Available Forester Wilderness trim for enhanced off-road capability
• Ample cabin and cargo space

Problems

• Engine power may be adequate but not thrilling for some drivers
• Higher trims can be pricey compared to some competitors
• Some technologies are limited to higher trims

Explore: Here Are The Subaru Forester Years To Avoid

CoPilot's Take

The 2024 Subaru Forester has a lot going for it, including versatility, safety, comfort, and value. Not every buyer will want standard all-wheel drive, but those that do will appreciate its value when driving on slippery roads.

Like many automakers, Subaru is ruggedizing its crossovers to appeal to shoppers looking for vehicles with modestly better off-road capabilities. Such is the case with the Forester Wilderness, which looks the part and offers high ground clearance and improved off-pavement prowess. The Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road is the closest competitor to the Subaru Forester Wilderness.

However, consumers looking for a compact crossover with engaging driving characteristics will want to move on to a Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, or Honda CR-V. The Forester is engineered for a more stable, planted experience that some would describe as pokey. Nonetheless, this trait doesn’t turn off the thousands of buyers who purchase a Forester every year.

2024 Subaru Forester FAQs

What colors does the 2024 Subaru Forester come in?

The 2024 Subaru Forester is available in a range of exterior colors, including:

• Crystal White Pearl
• Ice Silver Metallic
• Magnetite Gray Metallic
• Crystal Black Silica
• Horizon Blue Pearl
• Crimson Red Pearl
• Geyser Blue
• Autumn Green Metallic (Wilderness only)

Some colors may be limited to specific trims.

What is the gas mileage for a 2024 Subaru Forester?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2024 Subaru Forester achieves an estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined.

Is the 2024 Subaru Forester Sport fast?

The 2024 Subaru Forester Sport is powered by the same 2.5-liter engine as the other Forester trims, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. While this power output is adequate for most driving situations, the Forester Sport is not considered a high-performance vehicle. Edmunds reports that a Forester Sport needs 9.3 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill; that’s one to two seconds slower than many competitors.

What does the 2024 Subaru Forester Sport mode do?

The 2024 Subaru Forester Sport features a unique Subaru SI-Drive system with Intelligent and Sport Sharp modes. When Sport Sharp mode is selected, the throttle response is sharpened, and the CVT simulates a more aggressive shift pattern with a higher overall shift point. This mode enhances the driving experience by providing a more engaging and responsive feel, but it doesn’t increase the engine's power output.

What trims are available for the 2024 Subaru Forester?

Subaru sells six versions of the Forester:

• 2024 Subaru Forester Base
• 2024 Subaru Forester Premium
• 2024 Subaru Forester Sport
• 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness
• 2024 Subaru Forester Limited
• 2024 Subaru Forester Touring

Check Out: Subaru Forester Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision