Subaru Forester Dimensions: Everything You Need To Know
Photo by Aaron Doucett on Unsplash
Subaru fans love the Forester, and the Forester has remained one of the more popular SUV options on the market. But that’s not just because of what’s under the hood of the vehicle, or even its interior comforts.
Like all vehicles, Subaru Forester dimensions have a huge impact on the performance and popularity of this SUV. The size, shape, and design of the Subaru Forester’s exterior and interior can tell you a lot about who this vehicle was designed for, how well it will work in different conditions, and even how comfortable it is.
Here’s what you need to know about Subaru Forester dimensions, including why it matters and what kind of consumer will benefit most from Forester’s design.
Why Subaru Forester Dimensions Matter
The first and most obvious reason that Subaru Forester dimensions matter is because it tells you a lot about what the vehicle can hold and haul, as well as how many passengers you can comfortably fit in the vehicle.
But there’s more to it than that.
Subaru Forester Dimensions also affect the maneuverability and overall performance of the vehicle almost as much as details like the transmission, engine, and suspension. The dimensions of the vehicle impact how well the other components work, and how the vehicle feels for drivers and passengers alike.
How well the internal dimensions of the vehicle are designed also has a huge impact on the comfort of your Subaru Forester. The wrong interior dimensions and a vehicle can get uncomfortable, no matter what size it is, but the right dimensions can make a vehicle feel larger and more comfortable than it is.
So, now that we know why Subaru Forester dimensions matter, let’s see how well Subaru did with the latest model and how the Forester performs.
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External Subaru Forester Dimensions
The basic external dimensions of the Subaru Forester are: 183″ L x 72″ W x 68-69″ H. That’s a little more than 15 ft long, 6 feet wide, and almost 6 ft tall. Closer to 5.75 ft tall.
Overall, that’s a little wider than your average SUV, but not as long or as tall as other SUVs.
Subaru has a bit of a reputation for non-standard dimensions when it comes to their SUVs, so it’s no surprise that the Forester is mostly a standard size with non-standard dimensions.
Technically considered a compact SUV, this vehicle packs a lot of space into a relatively small profile, at least for an SUV.
The wheelbase on the Forester, or the distance between the center of the front wheels and the center of the rear wheels, is about 108 inches. That’s almost the same as the Forester’s cousin, the Outback, and a bit longer than most SUVs.
That means that the wheels are further apart, which can have a big impact on the maneuverability and turn radius, but it also means that there’s likely more interior space than similar-sized SUVs.
Now, it’s also important to note that the shorter length, combined with the wider distance between wheels, means that this SUV feels a good bit different than other vehicles in the driver’s seat, and has the potential to be more comfortable than similar compact SUVs.
The Forester also has one of the highest minimum clearance requirements of compact SUVs, with a clearance of 9.3 inches. That’s important because it means that this vehicle can handle rough roads, dirt roads, curbs, and a lot of other bumps without any problems. It also helps to protect the vehicle from road gravel and other small debris that can damage the undercarriage of your vehicle.
But let’s take a closer look at the interior dimensions as well.
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Interior Subaru Forester Dimensions
The Subaru Forester, like most compact SUVs, is designed for up to 5 passengers. It’s more comfortable with 4 passengers than 5, like most vehicles with a standard seating arrangement. The front row has two bucket seats, while the back bench seat can fit up to 3 passengers.
The Forester has 107 cubic feet of passenger space, which is roughly standard for a compact SUV, but on the larger side of normal. That’s important because it means that you have more room to be comfortable, especially on longer road trips.
However, we need to look at a few more details to make sure that space is used well and is actually comfortable.
The front row has about 40 inches of headroom, which means it’s comfortable even for taller drivers and passengers. That space gives you room between the top of your head and the top of the vehicle, as well as more space to help avoid hitting the ceiling over bumps.
The back row has 37 inches of headroom. That’s a little less than the front row but still relatively generous. It might not be as comfortable as the front seat, but it’s still plenty of room for most people.
Both rows of seating have more than 50 inches of hip space. That’s a lot of room on the seats, though the bucket seats in front limit your space more than just the width of the interior. That’s important to note because your hip room also allows space for purses, snacks, drinks, and other things that can make your trip more comfortable.
The last dimension we really want to look at on the interior is the cargo room. The Forester isn’t as well known for cargo space as other vehicles, like the Outback, which makes sense because its 69 cubic feet behind the front row is a bit smaller than other SUVs.
Its dedicated cargo space is 29.6 cubic feet. That’s a lot more than most sedans, and even some other SUVs, but not as much as some of the Forester’s immediate competitors.
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Final Thoughts: Who Is The Subaru Forester Designed For?
The Subaru Forester is one of the better generalist vehicles on the market right now. It’s reasonably comfortable, reasonably efficient, and has a reasonable amount of space for passengers and cargo, but doesn’t really stand out in any one area.
That’s actually a good thing because it means that the Subaru Forester is a good option for most consumers, even if it isn’t a great option for any one set of needs, at least in terms of the dimensions.
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