2021 Subaru Forester Review: Subaru's Goldilocks | CarGurus

The 2021 Subaru Forester might be the ideal car for many shoppers.

With standard all-wheel drive, a perfectly sized footprint, and enough tech and convenience features to keep most folks happy, the 2021 Forester looks pretty good on paper. Although he agrees it could use a more powerful engine (and a place to store an iPhone), Matt Smith sees the value in this car during his latest Test Drive Review video.

Presenter: Matt Smith
Cinematography: Elliot Haney
Written review: Stephen Edelstein
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0:00 Introducing the 2021 Forester
1:14 The Forester or...
1:50 Exterior Overview
2:53 Inside the Forester
3:43 Rear Seat & Cargo Space
4:31 Tech and Infotainment
5:43 Driving Impressions
8:19 Safety Tech and EyeSight
9:40 A Second Opinion
11:07 Final Thoughts

[debbieomalley]

I bought a 2021 Forester Touring as an upgrade from my 2014 Forester Touring. My insurance cost was cut in half because of all of the safety features on this car. Amazing. I am loyal to Subaru.

[TruthHasSpoken]

Care less about how fast the Forrester is. Love its utility and its unmatched visibility. Too many vehicles on the road where visibility is a secondary consideration.

[Mi.MiEspacio.]

I bought my 2021 Forester Sport; and I am happy with All the features my car has! No complaints whatsoever.

[lperry]

This video is what helped me make the final decision to buy a 2021 Forester after selling my 2009 Outback. I have no regrets. Thank you!

[st]

Sometimes it’s so reassuring to know what car reviewers actually drive in real life …. Great choice 👍🏻…. The cross shopping of Subarus was spot on 😁

[tombower]

I traded in my 2014 Impreza, for my 2021 Forester. My 4th Subaru in the last 25 years. I think I'm hooked. I would say your review is spot on. My likes and dislikes are very much inline. 2021 was rough on my Forester. A month after I brought it home one windy afternoon, and my neighbors patio umbrella caught a gust and did a number on the drivers side. 2 months later I found a chip in the windshield. To top off the year, I hit a 250# buck in December. This should be included in a review somewhere. I hit that deer while excellerating through 50 mph. Granted I got lucky and caught him just right. I didn't even feel it. He came at me from an angle that only for a fleating second let me catch his antler out of the corner of my eye. It sounded like a branch from a tree hit the hood. Outside of the body damage, it was still, running and driving just fine. My wife was riding shotgun and with her better view told me "you hit a deer". Had we been in the Impreza, that deer would have joined us in the front seat. I just got it back, thank goodness, I really didn't care for the rental I was driving during the repairs.

[jenoakborn]

I bought my 2021 Forester Sport w/ upgraded package (bigger touchscreen and a few other goodies) 3 months ago as an upgrade from my 2012 Hyundai Accent. So for all the folks saying, "it's not real powerful"... I'm kinda like "right... from my POV, this is like a freaking great leap forward"... and I loved my little Accent. Maxine (my Accent) was my reliable little friend for 10 years, but I have a new dream car in Agnetha (my Forester)... yes, she is named for one of the singers in ABBA.

[mikefalb]

After 2 Honda CRV's (which I liked very much), I switched to the 2021 Forester. Definitely great visibility and safety features, but the maneuverability and the improved gas mileage are very good. The cargo area in back is well designed, and after about 8200, miles, I enjoy driving this vehicle every day.

[MikeSF]

The Forester is such an underrated car.. No one knows how capable they are until they try one. I miss my SF5.

[david.]

I bought a 2021 Forester, the main reason was safety of me and my family. It has fantastic viability and I love the eye sight adaptive cruise control. It has leather trim, heated seats front and back with USB C chargers. I love the voice control of phone, messaging, sat nav, heating controls (temp & fan speed). It's not fast but fast enough, I love the mild hybrid system, it's quite eerie when gliding around a car park in total silence. It's comfortable and great for stress free on a long journey.
Things I hate: no room for my phone & no charging pad; poor fuel economy, no front parking sensors, radar or camera; these are the things I would like to see on my next Subaru.

[michelemohr]

Count me in!. I had a used Legacy. The AWD changed my mind about safe driving anywhere looking for a Forester for 2022.

[detroitj]

Hello
I just got rid of my 2013 Outback because of a blown head gasket and turned turned around and brought a 2022 Subaru Forrester Limited I love it it’s great lots of leg and head room good gas mileage. I have the new dark green color I paid sticker price but I did get a $750 rebate coupon from Subaru of North America. My daughter just brought a RAV 4
I really didn’t realize how big the Forrester was until I parked it next to my daughter‘s RAV4 very similar in size but the Forester was better equipped

[Amonsta]

This was one of the best vehicle reviews I’ve watched on YouTube. Very detailed and not a pain to watch. Thank you!

[AB-jktw]

Another 20+ horsepower and torque would make this significantly better to drive and reduce the current noisy, rough and underpowered engine.

[pinaybarrett]

the fact u bought one for urself
made me feel peaceful with my choice, just ordered my subaru FORESTER 2022 model.

the visibility, safefy features & BIG SUN/MOON ROOF made me chose it! it's so under rated 🎯

[sjs]

I bought a 2021 Forester Touring. I was torn between an Outback and a Forester and chose the Forester because I found it was a little more fun to drive.

[JamesBuschell]

I have a 2019 Outback Premium, I regret not going for the Forester since I'm missing push button start and rear vents! I think you guys made a good choice.

[vstan]

Just got a rental Forester and I absolutely love it. My Audi Q5 lease it’s almost done and I will definitely get the forester in the wilderness trim, and it’s super affordable. Thanks for the review guys🥂

[AJC]

I have a 2015 Honda civic and am looking into getting a Subaru Forester now! This video sold me, not to mention, I test drove one and it was fantastic! Also I am now a Phish Fan. Never heard of em before this vid!

[FlowJunkie]

Just purchased my new 2022 Forester Premium on Sept. 1st, my 2nd Subaru (owned a 1984 Subaru standard Hatchback). I'm all about utility and functionality, like many of us in here, and I really don't care that it lacks some of the bling and high tech gadgets that its competitors sport. And, yes, I noticed that my auto insurance rate for my new Forester was surprisingly low, compared to my previous car (Toyota Camry LE) -- a very nice surprise indeed. Honestly, if I outlive my Forester, my next car will be another Subaru.