2024 Subaru Forester
As more drivers search for a reliable compact SUV, the 2024 Forester remains a best-seller in large part because of Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive and the EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assist technologies. Since production of this model started in 1997, it has continued to grow in popularity, thanks to its affordable pricing and just the right amounts of comfort and technology. And those who want even more ruggedness can choose the Wilderness trim, which provides double the maximum towing capacity, a bit of extra ground clearance, and an 800-pound static rooftop capacity – meaning it’s all set if you want to pitch a tent up there for camping.
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Trims and Powertrains
Subaru designed the 2024 Forester with six trims: Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. Their 2.5-liter four-cylinder motor produces 182 horsepower and pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drivetrain. The Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring get upgraded CVTs with manual mode and paddle shifters, with seven speeds for the Sport and eight – including an extra-low gradient control mode – for the Wilderness). The maximum towing capacity of the Wilderness is 3,000 pounds, while the rest of the lineup can tow up to 1,500 pounds.
Most 2024 Forester trims carry an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway; the Wilderness is rated at 25 city/28 highway due to its higher overall weight from its additional standard equipment. The Base features a maximum cargo capacity of 74.2 cubic feet behind the front row, while the other trims allow up to 69.1 cu. ft. As mentioned, the Wilderness can accommodate up to 800 lb. on its roof, making it the best choice if you plan to use a rooftop tent.
Standard Features
The Forester Base has cloth upholstery, automatic climate control, a 4.2-inch color instrument cluster, auto-on/off headlights, driver’s auto-up/down power window, a tilt/telescoping 3-spoke steering wheel, four bottle holders, a USB port, a 60/40-split folding rear seatback, and 17-inch steel wheels. At the time of ordering, buyers may upgrade to 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a silver finish.
The Premium receives heated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable front driver’s seat with lumbar support, a 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat, reclining rear seatbacks, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless access with push-button start, front passenger auto-up/down power window, two USB ports, a fold-down rear armrest with dual cup holders, raised roof rails, a panoramic power moonroof, a roof spoiler, LED fog lights, and 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (black with machined finish). In addition to the upgraded transmission mentioned above, the Sport trim gets an enhanced AWD system plus LED fog lights, a leather-wrapped shifter handle, sport cloth upholstery with orange stitching, a 6.3-inch color multifunction display, two rear USB charge ports, underguards, body-color folding side mirrors with integrated turn-signal indicators, a single stainless-steel exhaust outlet, a cargo-area tray for smaller items, and 18-inch black-finished aluminum-alloy wheels.
The Wilderness is designed to be more rugged with StarTex water-repellent upholstery, all-terrain tires (plus a full-sized spare), fender flares, an engine-protecting skid plate, enhanced underguards, upgraded roof rails, LED fog lights, higher ground clearance (9.2 inches vs. the other trims’ 8.7 in.), and additional rooftop weight capacity; extra door cladding is an option. It also gets dual-zone automatic climate control, added safety technology (detailed below), aluminum-alloy pedals, and 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with black finish. There’s also a Wilderness theme on the inside, with unique instrumentation and other accents. The Limited leans toward comfort and convenience with leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power rear gate with automatic close, raised roof rails, and 18-inch black/machine-finished aluminum-alloy wheels. A heated steering wheel is available.
The Touring adds gesture-activated climate controls plus a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory, an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, satin chrome side mirrors with integrated turn-signal indicators, LED fog lights, LED lighting for the cargo area, and 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (dark gray with machined finish).
Advanced Driver Aids
All Forester trims have the EyeSight driver assist technology suite, which includes a pre-collision braking system, pre-collision throttle management, lane departure and sway warning, lane centering, and advanced adaptive cruise control. They also have high-beam assist, a rear-vision camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Starting with the Sport trim, the Forester also has blind spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert. The Wilderness has a 180-degree front-view monitor and reverse automatic braking; the Touring also gets reverse automatic braking but adds the DriverFocus distraction mitigation system as well.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 2024 Forester’s default STARLINK infotainment system has a 6.5-inch touchscreen that’s used to manage Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a sound system (four speakers on the Base and six on the rest), and Bluetooth. A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and six-speaker sound system are added at the Premium level. The Premium and Sport also have HD Radio, while the Wilderness, Limited, and Touring upgrade to the 8.0-inch touchscreen (available for the Sport). A GPS navigation system, hands-free text messaging, and a 9-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system come with the Touring; this deluxe version is optional for the Wilderness and Limited.
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