2020 Subaru Forester review
Subaru Forester highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Lots of interior room
- Great off-road capability
- All-wheel drive is standard
Cons
- Engine can be noisy at higher speeds
- Modest interior look and feel
- Slow acceleration
Mileage (EPA estimate)
26 city, 33 highway, 29 combined
Pricing for current inventory
From $25,998*
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A fun AWD crossover with tons of space.
The Subaru Forester is a great AWD midsize crossover with a variety of standard and optional features. So, if you need an excellent crossover with standard AWD and lots of cargo space, look no further. Whether you're navigating the urban commute or exploring the road less traveled, the Forester should definitely be on your shopping list. While we currently do not have many 2020 Subaru Foresters on our lots, we look forward to selling more in the future.
All Subaru Forester years
Not sure what year to select? Learn about each Subaru Forester generation from 2012 to 2026
What is new for the 2020 Subaru Forester?
- The Forester is available in a variety of new trims, including the Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, and Touring.
- The 2.5I, 2.5I Limited, 2.5I Premium, 2.5I Sport, and 2.5I Touring trims have been discontinued for 2020.
2020 Subaru Forester trims
Curious how Subaru Forester trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similaritiesBase:
The base Forester includes features like LED headlights, EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, automatic climate control, a 6.5-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six-way manually adjustable driver seat, four-way manually adjustable front-passenger seat, rearview camera, satellite radio, and more.
Premium:
The Forester Premium adds a rear spoiler, panoramic moonroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power adjustable driver seat, reclining rear seats, X-MODE off-road system with hill descent control, heated front seats, 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, a windshield de-icing system, and heated mirrors.
Sport:
The cool Sport adds additional features like SI-DRIVE with Sport Sharp mode, unique exterior and interior accents, LED fog lights, sport gauges with color LCD display, an additional 6.3-inch LCD display on top of the dash, rear USB ports, and keyless entry and ignition.
Limited:
Adds leather-trimmed upholstery and chrome exterior trim plus a power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, adaptive LED headlights, an eight-inch infotainment system, and dual rear USB ports.
Touring:
Adds heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, power adjustable front passenger seat, navigation system, a high-end Harman Kardon audio system, driver aids like DriverFocus™ Distraction Mitigation System, and reverse automatic braking.
Subaru Forester photos
5 reasons to buy the 2020 Subaru Forester
1. Standard AWD
Like most cars and crossovers across the Subaru lineup, the 2020 Subaru Forester comes with standard AWD on all trim levels. That means more peace of mind in all weather conditions. It also means you can go farther off the beaten path. So your next road trip might be a bit more interesting—and include fewer paved roads—thanks to the Subaru Forester.
2. Passenger volume
The 2020 Subaru Forester has a maximum passenger volume of 111.9 cubic feet. That means you can bring more family and friends to enjoy the fun. With space for five people, you're all set for a road trip, a weekend city adventure, or the carpool lane.
3. Driver assistance
All 2020 Forester models come with standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. You can also opt for Subaru's available DriverFocus™ Distraction Mitigation System, which is standard on the Forester Touring. That translates to more confidence even beyond the standard traction of AWD to help you conquer rough conditions.
4. Cargo volume
With total cargo space of 76.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat, your Forester can max out the trip to the home improvement store. Even when carrying a full load of passengers, you'll still have a very usable 33.0 cubic feet. it's not just people that the Forester can haul, it's also plenty of cargo.
5. Off-road prowess
The Forester isn't just a great family hauler. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, you can overcome quite a few obstacles as well. Add the available X-MODE® off-road system (standard on all trim levels but the base Forester) and the Forester will tackle bad weather and off-road trails to take you away from the hustle and bustle for a nice long weekend.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2020 Subaru Forester, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
The go-anywhere attitude of the 2017-2020 Subaru Crosstrek starts with standard symmetrical all-wheel drive. The Subaru AWD system uses advanced torque vectoring to get power to the wheels with the most grip, helping you get places you didn't think were accessible. A 152-hp four-cylinder engine powers all three trims. There's 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space at the rear, and the 2017-2020 Subaru Crosstrek AWD with the 2.0L engine can tow an estimated 1,500 lbs., when properly equipped.
Standard features on the 2017-2019 Subaru Crosstrek include:
6.5-inch touchscreen with smartphone app integration
Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® connectivity
Symmetrical AWD with multiple surface modes
Subaru Outback
Powered by either a 175-hp, 2.5L four-cylinder engine or a 3.6L, flat-six engine delivering 256 hp, the 2017–2019 Subaru Outback is an AWD wagon with seating for five. It's great for road trips thanks to the spacious cabin, as well as for off-road driving which is made easy thanks to the high ground clearance and AWD, among other reasons. It's equipped with lots of driver-assist and entertainment tech features, such as:
Infotainment system with a 6.2-inch touchscreen
Bluetooth connectivity
Remote keyless entry
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Toyota C-HR
When it comes to style, the 2019 Toyota C-HR offers edges and color schemes sure to please the young and young at heart. Classified as a hatchback, the C-HR has 19 cubic feet of cargo space with seats up. Standard technology includes an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen along with Entune™ 3.0 and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Power-wise, there's a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that makes 144 hp and 139 lb.-ft. of torque. That power is routed to the front wheels via a CVT. The EPA rates the 2019 Toyota C-HR at 29 mpg combined city and highway driving with its 2.0L engine.
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Subaru Forester an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Subaru Forester 22nd out of 29 among Compact SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Subaru ForesterSubaru Forester features and specs
Curious how Subaru Forester trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities
Premium 4WD/AWD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- 4WD/AWD
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Cloth Seats
- Front Seat Heaters
- Heated Mirrors
- Lane Departure Warning
- Overhead Airbags
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Full Roof Rack
- Leatherette & Cloth
- Parking Sensors
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Remote Start
- Rockford Fosgate Sound
- Smart Key
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
All Wheel Drive (4WD/AWD)
Engine size
2.5L
Horsepower
182
Torque (ft-lbs)
176
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
16.6
Wheelbase
105.1"
Overall length
182.1"
Width
71.5"
Height
68.1"
Leg room
F 43.3"/R 39.4"
Head room
F 40.2"/R 37.7"
Front tires
P225/60HR17
Rear tires
P225/60HR17
Seating capacity
5
Max towing capacity
150/1500 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2020 Subaru Forester FAQ
The 2020 Subaru Forester is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- Premium: 26 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
- Base: 26 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
- Touring: 26 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
- Limited: 26 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
- Sport: 26 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
The Subaru Forester received a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the Subaru Forester as 21 out of 29 among Compact SUV
The 2020 Subaru Forester has received an average 4.8 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2020 Subaru Forester, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2020 Subaru Forester Reviews.
The 2020 Subaru Forester has a maximum towing capacity of 1500 pounds, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Here is what's new for the 2020 Subaru Forester:
- Base
- Limited
- Premium
- Sport
- Touring
More about the 2020 Subaru Forester
Color options
Exterior colors
Crimson Red Pearl
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Dark Blue Pearl
Horizon Blue Pearl
Ice Silver Metallic
Jasper Green Metallic
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Sepia Bronze Metallic
Interior details
The 2020 Subaru Forester is available with lots of great interior features:
76.1 cubic feet of total cargo space with the rear seat folded flat, and 33.0 cubic feet when carrying a full load of passengers.
Seating capacity up to five adults, with standard cloth and available leather seating surfaces.
Standard 6.5-inch Subaru STARLINK touchscreen infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability with available eight-inch infotainment screen.
Standard six-way manually adjustable driver seat and four-way manually adjustable front-passenger seat, with available 10-way power driver seat and eight-way power front-passenger seat.
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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