The Subaru Forester has been blazing a path across the compact crossover SUV market for more than two decades. It is a uniquely styled SUV that is fun to drive, while also offering reliable and safe performance. The Forester has something to offer everyone, from weekend adventurers to young professionals to heads of families. 

Last year, the Subaru Forester had a total refresh, getting some design updates and some feature upgrades. Therefore, the 2023 model wasn't due for any major changes. However, as with any new model, the 2023 Forester has received a few updates to make the offering fresh and exciting. Here's a look at everything the 2023 Subaru Forester has to offer: 

Exterior Styling

The 2023 Subaru Forester has the distinctive styling for which Subaru is known. From bumper to bumper, the Forester has all the markings of the Subaru, blending fashion-forward style with a rugged spirit. 

The front end features Subaru's unique modified hexagonal grille with a honeycomb grid. The Subaru logo floats in the middle, and headlights pull from the sides. The LED headlights stop at the sides, but a smaller signal light rests on the top, pulling around to the sides. A smaller light curves down toward the front, almost like a squinting eyebrow. 

Throughout the body, you'll find black body cladding that shows off the Forester's practical side. The black panels help to protect the body in rugged conditions while also providing some handsome detailing to enhance the style. The base model rides on 17-inch steel wheels. 

The 2023 Forester comes in a range of beautiful exterior colors, including: 

  • Autumn Green Metallic
  • Crimson Red Pearl
  • Cascade Green Silica
  • Crystal Black Silica
  • Brilliant Bronze Metallic
  • Sapphire Blue Pearl
  • Horizon Blue Pearl
  • Geyser Blue
  • Crystal White Pearl
  • Ice Silver Metallic
  • Magnetite Gray Metallic

Some colors are unique to trim levels or editions, and you can create different combinations with interior colors. 

Interior Styling

The 2023 Subaru Forester has an exciting and upscale interior that is more sophisticated than the exterior styling might suggest. The seats are ergonomically designed, and they offer a comfortable ride for five passengers. Top stitching and other details create an interesting look. 

The dash makes the front seat look like a cockpit, with plenty of controls and display panels and a design that all points to the center. A large, infotainment display screen sits high and wide, for easy access while driving. A smaller display sits on top of that, and vertical climate vents flank the sides. Small details give the Forester a bit of a sporty look on the inside, like the different colored accents on the wheel and shifting knob and the racer-like driver pedals. 

In addition to offering plenty of room for passengers to sit comfortably, the Forester also offers plenty of cargo space. It has a cargo volume of 27 cubic square feet, which edges out its competitors. There are also numerous compartments for storage throughout the interior, helping you take advantage of all the space. 

Power and Performance

All trim levels of the 2023 Subaru Forester come with the same engine: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that puts out 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. It is a Boxer engine, for which Subaru is known. The Boxer engine has a horizontal configuration, with the cylinders located on either side of the central crankshaft. The configuration gives the vehicle a lower center of gravity and results in smoother acceleration with less vibration. 

The engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission that offers smooth gear shifting and easy handling. The CVT also simulates gear shifting like a traditional automatic transmission, which helps to prevent some of the droning during hard acceleration. 

All-wheel drive is also standard on the 2023 Forester. That gives drivers a little extra power when they want to explore off the beaten path, such as on weekend camping trips. A multi-link suspension system provides better cushioning along those bumpy trails. The Forester also has 8.7 inches of ground clearance to protect against all those bumps in the road, and it has an X-Mode driving mode to give greater control with all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive also gives drivers more control during inclement weather and helps them to get out of tight spots, such as on muddy paths or in snowy patches. 

The 2023 Forester gets an estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. 

Comfort and Convenience Features

The base model 2023 Subaru Forester comes with a lot of comfort and convenience features that enhance the driving experience. As you move up the trim levels, even more features become available. Buyers also have a few options for add-on packages. 

The base model Forester comes with an infotainment system that is displayed on a 6.5-inch screen and includes a four-speaker stereo system, HD and satellite radio, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth streaming, and two USB ports for streaming and charging devices. 

Other comfort and convenience features that come standard with the 2023 Forester include keyless entry, automatic climate control, an analog gauge cluster, and power windows and locks. There is also a slate of advanced safety features that come standard on the Forester, which are outlined below. 

Overall, the base model Forester will offer plenty to keep you happy while you're driving, whether you're on the way to work or on a longer road trip, but additional features are available for those who want them. You'll just need to look at an options package or upgrade the trim level. 

Safety Features

The 2023 Subaru Forester comes standard with Subaru's suite of EyeSight technology, which includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assistance, and adaptive cruise control with lane centering. Other standard safety features on the Forester include a rearview camera, lane departure warning, adaptive headlights with automatic high beams, and a rear seat alert to remind you to check for children or pets. 

A number of additional safety features are also available on higher trim levels, helping you to get more eyes on the road and more help to prevent a collision. 

The 2023 Forester has also been built with safety in mind. The SUV was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a maximum overall score of five stars. 

On crash tests by the NHTSA, the 2023 Forester scored five stars on front driver side, front passenger side, side crash testing for the front and rear seat, and side crash testing for the driver and rear passenger. It scored four stars on rollover crash testing. 

Trim Levels

The 2023 Subaru Forester comes in six trim levels, including the base level. The wide range of trim levels helps buyers get the features they want and at a budget they can afford. With each trim level, more features are added to enhance the driving experience. 

One step up from the base trim level, the Premium trim adds alloy wheels (replacing the steel), fog lights, and raised roof rails on the exterior. The trim level also gains a panoramic sunroof and tinted rear windows.

Inside, the Premium trim offers a power-adjustable driver's seat, additional drive models, push button start, a six-speaker audio system, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a windshield wiper de-icer. 

The next trim level is the Sport. It adds 18-inch black-painted wheels, LED fog lights, and black and orange accents for the exterior and interior. It also offers a number of safety upgrades, including blind spot warning with rear cross traffic alert and evasive steering assistance.

Next is the Wilderness, which is a new trim level designed for outdoor fun. The Wilderness features exclusive 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, a full-size spare tire, higher ground clearance, a front skid plate, an anti-glare matte black hood decal, and additional towing capacity. Inside, the infotainment system is upgraded with an 8-inch touchscreen display, and the seating surfaces are water-resistant.

For a more luxurious turn, the Limited trim level offers leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a power liftgate. It also has larger, 18-inch wheels. 

The top trim level, the Touring, offers the best of all the Forester's features It also adds more points of adjustment for the driver's seat, a power-adjustable passenger's seat, and heated rear outboard seats. The infotainment system is upgraded with a nine-spear Harman Kardon premium audio system and an integrated navigation system. There is also a driver monitoring system that issues an alert if you become fatigued.

Shop Granite Subaru for the 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2023 Subaru Forester has a lot to offer, and Granite Subaru is proud to sell it. Visit us today to take a test drive of the all-new Forester and to learn more about what it has to offer. Our associates will help you explore trim levels and options packages to find the perfect configuration for your needs. Visit us today and drive home with your new favorite SUV!

2023 Subaru Forester