2024 Subaru Forester review: 2.5i-S | Why this ageing Toyota RAV4 rival is still a great family car

The 2024 Subaru Forester mid-size SUV is a popular choice among family car buyers and for good reason: it ticks a lot of boxes. The current generation might be nearing the end of its lifecycle, but it still presents itself as a viable alternative to the all-conquering Toyota RAV4.

What makes the Forester so good? Well, for one, it's got the value equation sorted in a time when households are feeling economic pressures. But it also offers owners genuine practicality from the first row all the way through to the boot.

That said, as CarsGuide Contributing Journalist Emily Agar finds out in this expert review of the Forester's petrol-powered 2.5i-S variant, its naturally aspirated engine leaves a lot to be desired by recent standards. But after a week spent with her family of three, it has more than a few other redeeming qualities.

#Subaru #Forester #Review

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Timecodes:

00:00 Intro

00:29 Pricing and features

01:06 Design

01:44 Practicality

04:21 Under the bonnet

04:46 Driving 1

05:26 Efficiency

06:00 Driving 2

06:23 Safety

06:58 Ownership

07:26 Verdict

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CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive

[DeadofWinter]

If you are considering the RAV4..I highly, highly recommend giving the Forester a look. The Forester has a much softer ride, higher quality interior materials, more comfortable seats and WAY more interior space than the 2023-2024 RAV4. The RAV4 felt so cramped and the engine sounded really cheap.

[migueldiazguzman]

This is not for everybody, but as my daily drive I can tell the Forester is super comfy, rides well and the boxer engines makes it very stable. if you want something modern or sportier the Forester is not for you but if you want something comfortable, safe and reliable is a good option.

[samartz]

Been in a few subarus lately and surprised how good that 2.5 engine is

[Andy-sjdv]

@ 1.07 you say it's the 2023 model but clicked on this because it said, ' 2024 Subaru Forester Review.'

[Jeradactile]

The newer Foresters kill me. I hope they do a HUGE redesign in ‘25

[maxd]

Bought one in feb exactly like this and we are loving it so far. Only complaint is the overtaking power but it’s not that bad

[ujosh]

car in the video is a 2023. she even says it at 1:06 and it matches the Subaru website currently august 31 2023. Then the article goes on to say the 24 Forester is rumored to be as late as February 2024. I hope this was just a mistake and not another cheap click bait attempt. CarsGuide you are suspect.

[zaamuro]

Availability with stock and good value proposition means its still popular in the market.

[Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

WHEN is the Forester going to get the body it deserves instead of looking like a 1960's Vauxhall station wagon.

[indetailcarcaresolutions]

Such a Forester much bigger than the competition quoted. At 4384mm the Subarus Cross Trek is closer competition to the SKODA Karoq. At 4640mm it’s less than 60mm shorter than the Kodiaq. Try getting the cross shopped correct. I have recently driven all those mentioned and while customer service is not a strong point from any parent company, its so important to try different dealers in the same network. Personally, I’d avoid the CVT (as mentioned here) and probably head for an optioned base model Karoq.

[scoot]

The 2024 trims come with a full spare tire? I know the wilderness trim for 2023 got the full size spare. The other trims got a regular spare.

[LightSideOfBS]

What a gorgeous presenter 😍 super cute and built like a dream! 🔥😍🔥😍

[surplusdoctor]

We purchased the 2024 Forester and this car gets no where near the 26/33 MPG. If anybody knows of any class action litigation about this, we would like to join.

[TimMurdoch-tt]

This is titled 2024 model but it’s actually 2023

[NOYFB]

I hope Subaru has fixed the woeful bluetooth system where your apple watch bluetooth interferes and needs to be disabled before you can play music from your iphone. This is a long standing problem which they seemingly don’t give a sh!+ about.

[Doc]

We can’t get a full size spare tire in the USA unless it’s the Wilderness trim.
So this tells me that Subaru is SCREWING the USA 😅

[tonycoz]

Has much going for it but showing its's age against the competition. Looking forward to the new model in 2025. Let's hope they get a decent Hybrid with the new model as the current one is a joke compared to the RAV4.

[davidscott]

Ageing rival? Subaru build the Rav anyway 😂😂

[Nae]

Why does anyone under 40 say 'rewd' instead of ROAD?