2017 Subaru Forester

The five-seater best-selling compact SUV, 2017 Subaru Forester is available in over six trim levels, namely 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Touring, 2.0XT Premium, and 2.0XT Touring, with prices starting from an MSRP of $22,595 for the base 2.5i, whereas the top-of-the-line 2.0XT Touring goes for about $34,295. While the base trims are offered with a standard 2.0L flat-4 engine, the top-most trims are offered with a rather more potent 2.5L turbocharged unit. Moreover, all models share a CVT as standard, whereas the top trim also gets the option of a 6-speed manual transmission.

We Recommend

The 2017 Subaru Forester is keen on raising the stakes up, with this trim lineup. The best value for money trim according to us would have to be the 2.5i Touring trim, which is priced at an MSRP of $31,295, as it gets all of the bells and whistles, one would require from an offering of this stature and more. Moreover, it definitely hits the sweet spot with the new 18-inch alloy wheel pattern.

The 2017 Subaru Forester offers enjoyable on-road dynamics, decent off-road capability, and, if you choose the turbocharged XT model, spirited performance - Car Connection

2017 Subaru Forester Engine and Transmission

Running point on the performance front of the 2017 Subaru Forester is a familiar 2.5L naturally aspirated falt-4 engine, that is able to push out a respectable 170 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. This is standard for the lower trims of the Forester, but coming to the 2.0XT Premium and 2.0XT Touring trims, Subaru also offers a 2.0L turbocharged unit, able to put out 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Further transmission duties are taken care of by a 6-speed manual unit in the lower trims, while the higher trims are stuck with a loathsome CVT. It also comes with Subaru's famed all-wheel-drive, which is meant to take on anything and everything that is thrown at it. The 6-speed manual would be our obvious choice, if not for it being standard just in the lower trims, although the CVT is no good either, as it fails to drone out the noise from down under.

Subaru's famed Boxer engine allows for enough grunt while jaunting through city streets and open-tarmac freeways. Moreover, in terms of off-road ability, there are none of the competitors that can even come close to what the Forester can offer. By far, the cheapest offering in this segment, its horsepower figures are also the least in this segment. Nevertheless, the acceleration figures are decent, despite the case.

2017 Subaru Forester Acceleration

The 2017 Subaru Forester is able to sprint from 0-60 MPH in just about 8.5 seconds, all the while crossing the quarter-mile mark in just about 17.3 seconds. This turns out to be one of the fastest times put up in the segment, despite it having the least power figures of all. Nevertheless, it was more than adequate to wade through traffic, and pull on overtaking maneuvers out on the freeway.

There is a Sport mode to, that sharpens the throttle response, at the higher end, which also is a huge boon. The rivals too put on some decent times, although, Mazda's CX-5 fairly disappoints us the most, as even with the segment best figures, it turns out to be the slowest crossover of the lot, courtesy of its heft

2017 Subaru Forester Ride and Handling

The 2017 Subaru Forester offers a note-worthy ride and handling dynamics, despite it not being powered by the best-in-class powertrain figures. The Subaru Forester does have the backing of its potent all-wheel-drive system, which renders it good even for taking on the unbeaten path. With it being 40% more rigid than the previous iterations, with the help of Subaru's new Global Platform, body rolls through corners are much more succumbed. The new heated steering wheel is supremely responsive, while the shorter dimensions also make it a breeze taking the Forester through jammed city streets.

2017 Subaru Forester Braking

The 2017 Subaru Forester with 11.8-inch front rotor discs and 11.3-inch rear rotor discs is able to come to a complete dead stop from 60 MPH in just 129 ft. This turns out to be one of the least impressive figures in the segment, despite it housing one of the biggest braking in the segment. The brakes are adequately responsive and do inspire confidence to the fullest.

For the year 2017, the Forester also has a brake-based torque-vectoring system, which is a huge help too. Honda CR-V takes the cake in this matter, with the least distance taken to come to a complete stop, despite it having the smallest brakes in the segment.

The 2017 Subaru Forester is able to deliver 26 MPG in the city and 32 miles to the gallon out on the highway, with the loathsome CVT in place, combined with the 2.5L flat-4 engine. This places it right at the top of the leaderboard in terms of fuel efficiency. Coming over to the 6-speed manual transmission in question, that when coupled to the flat-4 engine is able to deliver 22 MPG in the city and 29 miles to the gallon out on the highway.

The fuel economy figures are backed by a segment-best 15.9-gallon fuel tank, which allows the Forester to stretch out to 509 miles on the go. Apart from the flat-four engine, the 2017 Subaru Forester when powered by the turbocharged 2.0L engine in the top-end trims, is able to deliver 23 MPG and 27 MPG in the city and highway respectively. Plus the addition of the automatic stop/start system also aids in conserving fuel.

The interior environment may not be luxurious, but the 2017 Subaru Forester's cabin offers excellent space for both passengers and cargo - CarConnection

Practical at best, the 2017 Subaru Forester's cabin space is far from being modern or premium in any sense. The Forester puts the boxy silhouette to good use, by providing adequate space inside the cabin for 5 average-sized adults. Moreover with an elevated seating position, and good quality leather seats being made standard from the lower trim itself, the 2017 Subaru Forester is adequately comfortable for long rides, or even day-to-day city commutes.

Plus standard across the trims is also the 2-position memory seats, whereas the top trim can opt for the 6-way power-adjustable and memory function. The interior space is moreover crafted with bland plastic materials, which although might not seem good to the eye, will definitely last for ages to come. Further interior additions include the Forester Touring trim gets heated steering wheel, and 18-inch new pattern alloys too.

Some of the Interior Features on offer are-

• 60/40-split folding rear seatback
• Rear privacy glass
• Panoramic sunroof
• Manual Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
• Heated steering wheel
• Remote Keyless Entry w/Integrated Key Transmitter
• HVAC -inc: Underseat Ducts
• Cargo Area Concealed Storage
• Rear Center Armrest

2017 Subaru Forester Infotainment System

Subaru offers a myriad of creature comforts including on the tech front, all for that starting consumer-friendly price tag. Hooking you up to the entertainment world is a decent Star Link 6.5-inch infotainment screen, with built-in navigation as standard on the lower trims, whereas the Touring and Premium trims get a much bigger 8-inch one. Essentially easy to use, with the adequate amount of buttons, the infotainment system still misses out on Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The UI menu certainty seems outdated, as this is where Subaru might put in work for next year's iteration.

Some of the infotainment features on offer are-

• 8-inch touchscreen with in-built navigation
• Two USB ports, Bluetooth
• HD Radio
• Wi-Fi hot spot
• A nine-speaker Harman Kardon sound system

2017 Subaru Forester Cargo Capacity

The 2017 Subaru Forester has a decent 31.5 cu. ft of cargo space behind its rear seats. This is one such practical SUV that is used by the ones who are frequent weekend go-getters, and for that very cause, the Forester is able to slot in plenty of suitcases behind. Forester boxy design layout also allows for maximum storage capacity behind the seats.

Although, once you fold down the rear seats in a 60/40 manner, the 2017 Forester can store a maximum of 76.1 cu. ft of cargo capacity. Add to that, the automated liftgate function, and cargo-carrying has never been easier. Subaru is also lenient with its approach, in providing a maximum of interior storage spaces too.

The Subaru Forester's design is clean and straightforward, though perhaps a bit generic, even with some 2017 updates - CarConnection

Bland in its stature, the 2017 Subaru Forester still follows the same age-old design layout, and to be brutally honest, it majorly lags behind the other rivals in this respect. Focused on being as practical as one could get, its boxy structure does allow adequate space in the rear. Having said that, the 2017 Forester gets a new hexagonal grille in the front, with a much more athletic front fascia.

The 2017 Forester also gets new headlights with a black inner bezel, and moreover, character lines flowing straight through the sides back to the new rear LED headlights. Apart from the standard exterior features in the base model, the top-most Premium and Touring trims also get a rear spoiler, and new 18-inch alloy wheel patterns.

Coming to the competition at hand, the Mazda CX-5 has the longest wheelbase of the bunch, and hence the biggest cabin space of all. Plus, the 8.7-inch ground clearance also allows the 2017 Forester to be a soft-roader.

Some of the Exterior Features offered are-

• Wheels: 18" x 7.0J Black Finish Aluminum Alloys
• Body-Colored Front Bumper and Rear Bumper
• Black Side Windows Trim and Black Front Windshield Trim
• Variable Intermittent Wipers
• Galvanized Steel/Aluminum Panels
• Lip Spoiler
• Grille w/Chrome Bar
• Liftgate Rear Cargo Access

The 2017 Subaru Forester will continue to deliver impressive safety features, that too at an affordable consumer-friendly price tag. With an increased attention to safety, the Forester gets the Subaru Eyesight driver assistance technology standard from the base trim onwards. It also gets a 5-star rating in almost all stages of the NHTSA crash tests. Moreover, IIHS also honors it with the "Top Safety Pick+" rating in the crash tests conducted.

Some of the safety features on offer are-

• Electronic Stability Control
• Auto-Leveling Headlights
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Blind spot detection
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Reverse automatic braking

2017 Subaru Forester vs 2017 Mazda CX -5

The Mazda CX-5 offers a better exterior design layout and even more, plush interiors than the 2017 Forester, although for a higher price tag. It further offers a better ride and handling dynamics, courtesy of the precise steering wheel and competent suspension setup.

Subaru Forester, on the other hand, is more of a soft-roader, and it feels more poised and capable while being taken through the unbeaten path. Nevertheless, safety-wise, it definitely is the 2017 Forester that wins it big. Both of these have their pros and cons, although if it were up to us, we'd prefer the Mazda CX-5.

2017 Subaru Forester vs 2017 Honda CR-V

Perhaps the most competent rival of the Subaru Forester in this segment, the Honda CR-V has been the ultimate go-to SUV in the compact crossover segment, courtesy of its premium yet practical interior setup, best-in-class fuel efficiency, and inspiring driving dynamics.

On the other hand, the 2017 Subaru Forester comes at a more affordable price than the Honda, now with a better feature list compared to the previous iterations. But the consumer-friendly price-tag has had an adverse effect too, in terms of the powertrain front, wherein the CR-V's base engine is much more powerful than that of the Forester.

A decent offering in the compact SUV segment, the 2017 Subaru Forester definitely holds up its own when going up against the likes of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, following the multitude of changes that it has been put through. Although having said that, the base powertrain might not be up to the mark, and closely following it is also the age-old exterior silhouette. Nevertheless, there might be a slim chance of this year's iteration being given undivided attention when compared to the previous MYs, following the value for money factor it symbolizes.