The Subaru Forester is one of the few all-rounded small SUVs that shines both on and off the roads. This two-row SUV from Subaru has stood the test of legacy and packs impressive off-roading capabilities for the humble machine that it is.
For 2023, there aren't any changes for this capable SUV, and the Forester continues to be a well-balanced pick among the vibrant bunch that includes the likes of Mazda CX-50, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Volkswagen Tiguan.
All six trim levels have been carried over unchanged for 2023, including the various optional packages that come with them. Performance is mature and sensible, but the flat-four engine has enough grunt to put a smile when taken off roads.
The 2023 Forester continues to be a driver's car, and the dynamics are lively. If you are someone looking for trills and more off-roading, then the Forester Wilderness is the best way to go, otherwise, there are five other trim levels. Either way, the 2023 Forester continues to be an affordable option in the small SUV space, despite it getting a minor price bump.
The Subaru Forester is devoid of any notable upgrades for 2023 as it was given an intense makeover last year. But it gets a minor price bump.
2023 Subaru Forester: Trims And Bumped-Up Pricing
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The 2023 Forester continues to be offered in six trim levels - Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. The Wilderness trim is the latest addition that got onto this list with the major set of updates that Subaru gave the Forester in 2022.
The base 2023 Forester trim starts with an MSRP of $26,395 and goes all the way up to $36,495 for the top-spec Touring trim. The prices have gone up by $1,200 across the line-up as compared to the 2022 Forester. The various optional package pricing is unchanged for 2023 and continues to provide additional value to all trims, except Touring.
2023 Forester Packs A Tried-And-Tested Flat-Four Engine
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Subaru happens to be the only automaker that packs a flat-four in bread-and-butter offerings. The 2023 Forester continues to be powered by a well-versed 2.5-Liter flat-four engine that churns out 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels as standard via a CVT gearbox.
The Forester continues to be a capable hauler that can tow up to 1,500 pounds. It goes up to 3,000 pounds for the Wilderness trim. This engine is not the most spirited, but the Forester has enough low-end grunt to put a smile on your face.
2023 Subaru Forester Is Highly Capable Off The Roads
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A unique aspect of the 2023 Forester is an SUV but has a much more dynamic and plated character on the tarmac. On loose soil, this Subie shows its true colors and is a highly capable machine. The raised ride height, rugged plastic cladding all around the lower half, and the peppy engine come together to make for a thrilling off-the-road experience.
Many of the optional packages on offer with the 2023 Forester are intended to make the off-roading life easier. For $625, the Forester can be equipped with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels and a ladder-type roof rail. The rail system can carry a dynamic load of 176 pounds and a static load of 700 pounds.
But Forester's true off-roading colors shine forth with the cool Wilderness trim. It gets extensive chassis and suspension upgrades that jack the ride up by 9.2 inches (0.5 inches higher than all other Forester trims). It also comes wrapped with Yokohama GEOLANDER all-terrain tires for superior traction levels on loose soil.
2023 Forester: MPG Figures And Driving Range
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The 2023 Subaru Forester continues to be a very efficient all-rounder. As there are no tweaks on the powertrain front, the MPG figures are unchanged from last year. With the AWD layout and an athletic engine, the 2023 Forester does a combined 29 MPG (26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway).
The added ground clearance and heightened capabilities do rob the Forester Wilderness of its fuel figures. It returns a combined 26 MPG (25 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway). The 2023 Forester can do as much as 481 miles on a full tank of gas.
2023 Subaru Forester Interior Is Rugged And Tech-Laden
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The Subaru Forester continues to flaunt a very clever interior that looks the rugged part and also packs the latest technology features out there. The cabin layout doesn't bluff and has a straightforward design. Ease of usability and practicality are the key aspects that set Forester's interior apart from its peers.
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The materials used in the cabin are on the rugged side, but still, flaunts a certain degree of plushness. The level of flexibility on offer in the 2023 Forester is laudable, and it comes with flat-folding second-row seats. This helps the 2023 Forester's cargo space to range from 28.9 cu-ft up to 74.2 cu-ft.
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All 2023 Foresters come with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment unit. An 8.0-inch unit is optional on the Sport trim and standard on the top two trims. In both cases, features are plentiful and come with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is a slew of optional features across the 2023 line-up that includes more USB ports at the rear and in-built navigation.
2023 Forester Comes With Clever Safety Features
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The Forester was lauded for packing a commendable safety suite with the EyeSifght Driver Assist Technology. The 2023 model continues to pack the impressive safety feature list. All new Forester models come with standard seven airbags, which also include a driver's knee airbag. The EyeSight Driver Assist Technology includes features like Automatic Emergency Steering, Blind-Spot Detection with lane keep Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Adaptive cruise control is also standard here.
Source: Subaru