The crossover is powered by two engine options, the 2.5i which is a 2.5L flat-4 boxer, and the 2.0XT which has a 2.0L flat-4 turbocharged engine. The Subaru goes up against offerings in the small crossover segment like the Nissan Rogue and the Volkswagen Tiguan.

The Subaru Forester offers great fuel economy, a spacious cabin, and turbocharged power to make it one of the best picks in the compact SUV segment. The car had a major overhauled back in 2014, which made it roomier and with better interiors. The car is one of the best choices as a family vehicle considering its space and fuel economy offerings.

The CVT gearbox in particular is well designed to maximize efficiency. The manual transmission on offer is also quite capable and includes 6-speeds for smooth cruising. The crossover is powered by two engine options, the 2.5i which is a 2.5L flat-4 boxer, and the 2.0XT which has a 2.0L flat-4 turbocharged engine. The Subaru goes up against offerings in the small crossover segment like the Nissan Rogue and the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Some drivers will prefer the manual transmission, in which case the Subaru Forester Premium is the better choice. Considering the CVT gearboxes, the 2.0L flat-4 turbocharged engines are a great improvement and a must-go for option. The Limited trim for the 2.5i and the Premium for the 2.0XT seem to be the best options.

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

Pristine Auto Group, LLC

2015 Subaru Forester User Reviews

Overall Rating: 3.5 (1 Reviews)

CMJ

Ceferino Medina Jr

2015 Subaru Forester

••3.5

Posted On: April 11, 2024

2015 Subaru Forester

Pros
Economical, Lots of foot room

Cons
Light fabric, Lighting inside needs to be brighter

This vehicle was one of the many vehicles that I had looked up on reviews and testing. This car is economical 24 - 32 miles per gallon. Has a 4- 5 safety rate. Has room for a six foot two inch person that ride with me on occation sitting in the rear seat. Can open the full moon roof both for air curculation or viewing the day/night sky. Would get another one. I have over 104,000 miles. Thank you ... Read more

2015 Subaru Forester Review

Pros

Spacious interior
Great fuel economy
Powerful turbocharged engine
Standard all-wheel-drive
Great safety scores
Advanced safety features

Cons

Sluggish touchscreen interface
The basic engine gets noisy at high RPMs

Overview

Pricing and Features
6.0/10

The new Subaru Forester comes standard with an AWD. The 2.5i Touring, 2.5i Limited, and the 2.0XT models have driver-selectable modes that optimize various functions to improve traction. Overall the Forester has something for everyone with a wide range of trims. There are two engine options, the 2.5L inline-4 and the 2.0L flat-4 turbocharged. The 2.5i base and the 2.5i Premium trims come standard with a manual transmission. The rest of the lineup has a CVT as standard.

Trims	2.5i	2.5i Premium	2.5i Limited	2.5i Touring	2.0XT Premium	2.0XT Touring
MSRP (Manual)	$23,195	$24,595	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MSRP (AWD)	$22,195	$25,095	$28,095	$30,095	$28,495	$33,095
Features	Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.	Includes 2.5i key features and adds:	Includes 2.5i Premium key features and adds Leather-trimmed upholstery.	Includes 2.5i Limited key features and adds:	Includes 2.5i Premium key features and adds:	Includes 2.0XT Premium key features and adds :
	Cruise control	17-inch alloy wheels	All-Weather Package w/ heated front seats.	18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.	Turbocharged 250-hp SUBARU BOXER engine.	Leather-trimmed upholstery
	Height adjustable driver seat	Roof rails	Leather-trimmed upholstery.	Dual-zone automatic climate control.	18-inch alloy wheels.	Dual-zone automatic climate control.
	Bluetooth connectivity	Rear privacy glass	Automatic headlights	Xenon headlamps	Sport design front fascia. All-Weather Package w/ heated front seats. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle	Heated steering wheel. Power driver's seat w/ memory. One-touch folding rear seatback
	Color multifunction display	Panoramic sunroof	Power liftgate	Harman Kardon sound system	Steering Responsive Headlights.
	4-speaker sound system	10-way power driver’s seat	Automatic climate control

We Recommend

Engine and Performance
7.7/10

The 2015 Subaru Forester offers a 2.5L inline-4 engine making 170 horsepower and 174 foot-pounds of torque. A 6-speed manual is standard for the 2.5i, with an optional SVT gearbox which becomes standard in higher trims.

All Subaru Foresters are all-wheel-drive. A more powered up engine is available in the 2.0XT which is a 2.0L flat-4 turbocharged engine that makes 250 horsepower and 258 foot-pounds of torque.

Models	Subaru Forester 2.5i	Nissan Rogue S	Volkswagen Tiguan S
MSRP	$23,195	$22,790	$26,255
Engine	2.5L Flat-4 Boxer	2.5L inline-4	2.0L turbocharged inline-4
Drivetrain	AWD	FWD	FWD
Transmission	Continuously variable automatic	Continuously variable automatic	6-speed Automatic
Horsepower	170 hp@ 5800 rpm	170 hp@ 6000rpm	200 hp@ 5100rpm
Torque	174 ft-lbs@ 4100rpm	175 ft-lbs@ 4400rpm	207 ft-lbs@ 1700 rpm
0-60 mph (seconds)	9.0	9.5	7.8
Quarter-mile (mph)	N/A	17.3	N/A
Top Speed (mph)	126	121	134

Comparing the acceleration of the competitors, the Subaru is much quicker than the Nissan Rogue. The Volkswagen Tiguan, even though front-wheel-drive is the fastest to get up to speed. Considering the top speed as well, the Tiguan leads the pack.

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

The new generation of flat-4 boxer engines is thoroughly refined and brilliant at saving fuel. The Lineartronic CVT replaced the former 4-speed automatics making the efficiency skyrocket. The 2.5i with the CVT has an efficiency of 24 mpg in cities, 32 on highways, and 27 mpg combined. The 2.0XT with the CVT gives 23 mpg in cities, 28 mpg on highways, and 25 mpg combined.

Models	Subaru Forester 2.5i	Nissan Rogue S	Volkswagen Tiguan S
MPG (city)	24	26	21
MPG (highway)	32	33	26
MPG (combined)	27	28	23
Range (city/highway (miles)	382/509	377/479	353/437
Tank Capacity (gal)	15.9	14.5	16.8

The car has a large 15.9-gallon fuel tank which gives it a range of 450 miles on a full tank. The Volkswagen Tiguan has the largest fuel tank amongst the competitors, though its efficiency figures suffer and it offers the least range.

Interior
7.7/10

The interiors are covered in a variety of textures and materials. The interiors are made with a focus on utility and space. Usnells you add the optional navigation system, other than the climate control dials and the multimedia controls, there's not much going on in the cabin.

The driver’s seats are now much higher. The interior space has been reengineered to make it more useful. The dashboard is now closer to the front seats. The front seats offer meager bolstering and are almost flat-cushioned. The rear seats offer a tad bit more legroom now, though they are similarly meagrely bolstered.

Models	Subaru Forester 2.5i	Nissan Rogue S	Volkswagen Tiguan S
Passenger capacity	5	5	7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	41.4/57.0/43.0	41.6/56.6/43.0	39.1/56.2/40.1
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.8/56.5/38.0	38.5/55.9/37.9	39.1/55.0/35.8
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	34.4	32.0	23.8

The Forester offers the best space in the competition, followed by the Nissan Rogue and the Tiguan coming in last. The car has the decent material quality and overall feels cozy. Though the seats could have done with a bit more grip. Some standout interior features in the 2015 Subaru Forester are:

60-40 Folding Bench Front Facing Manual Reclining Fold Forward Seatback Rear Seat
Power Rear Windows and Fixed 3rd Row Windows
Illuminated Entry, Illuminated Ignition Switch, and Panic Button
HVAC -inc: Underseat Ducts
Automatic Air Conditioning
Day-Night Rearview Mirror
Rear Center Armrest

How intuitive is the 2018 Audi A7 Premium Plus’s infotainment unit?

All 2015 Subaru Foresters come with a 4.3-inch color display that serves as the rear-view camera. There are even temperature and trip computer functionalities in the display. There is an AM/FM Radio, with steering wheel-mounted controls and Bluetooth connectivity offered.

On the Premium and the Limited trims, there is better six-speaker audio with HD radio offered. With the optional navigation system, you get a 6.1-inch touchscreen and satellite radio with real-time traffic. On Touring models a 440-watt Harman Kardon audio system is standard. Some standout infotainment features are:

6-speaker audio
4.3-inch color display
6.1-inch touchscreen (optional)
Navigation
Satellite radio
440-watt Harman Kardon Audio (optional)
Bluetooth
Smartphone connection

Exterior
7.5/10

The Subaru Forester now looks much more modern and current. The look is now more appealing and the visibility from the interior has also been heightened. The lower front end in particular stays too high and looks out of place on the SUV.

The turbo models get better-looking air dampers. The car now adopts styling from the Impreza and totally forgoes any of its older and simplistic characters.

Models	Subaru Forester 2.5i	Nissan Rogue S	Volkswagen Tiguan S
Curb Weight (lbs)	3366	3393	3404
Length (in.)	180.9	182.3	174.5
Width (in.)	70.7	72.4	71.2
Height (in.)	66.4	66.3	65.6
Ground Clearance (in.)	8.7	7.4	7.9
Wheelbase (in.)	103.9	106.5	102.5

Comparing the dimensions the Nissan Rogue is the longest vehicle in the competition. Though the Subaru Forester is close behind it. The width of the Forester on the other hand is the lowest in the competition. The car is considerably light considering that it has AWD as standard, which is frankly quite commendable. Some standout exterior features are:

Wheels: 18" Aluminum Alloy
Express Open/Close Sliding Glass 1st And 2nd Row Sunroof w/Sunshade
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

Safety
9.3/10

The new Subaru Forester has one of the best ratings in terms of Safety. The NHTSA has given the car a 5-star rating in almost every category save for the front impact protection which is a 4-star.

The IIHS has named the Forester as the “Top Safety Pick+” for 2015 thanks to its good scores in almost every category. Subaru now offers a variety of equipment across its range. The car now offers adaptive cruise control. It also has an Eyesight system that has some measure of preparedness from road hazards. Some standout safety features offered in the car are:

Electronic Stability Control
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
EyeSight System
Traction Control
Auto-Leveling Headlights
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Keeping Assist

Final Verdict

The Subaru Forester is a commendable, well-made update to a classic crossover. The Forester is now much more efficient, responsive, and thoroughly modernized. Particularly of note is the 2.0L flat-4 turbocharged engine which bumps up the performance brilliantly. Overall the simple interiors and the modern touches to the exterior along with the hefty price saving, make it a perfect car for families. The Subaru Forester is a must buy car in the crossover segment.

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2015 Subaru Forester User Reviews

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

About 2015 Subaru Forester

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2016 Subaru Forester XT Touring

2015 Subaru Forester User Reviews

2015 Subaru Forester

ProsEconomical, Lots of foot room

Cons Light fabric, Lighting inside needs to be brighter

2015 Subaru Forester Review

Pros

Cons

Overview

Pricing and Features6.0/10

Engine and Performance7.7/10

Fuel Economy7.0/10

Interior7.7/10

How intuitive is the 2018 Audi A7 Premium Plus’s infotainment unit?

Exterior7.5/10

Safety9.3/10

Final Verdict

Pros
Economical, Lots of foot room

Cons
Light fabric, Lighting inside needs to be brighter

Pricing and Features
6.0/10

Engine and Performance
7.7/10

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

Interior
7.7/10

Exterior
7.5/10

Safety
9.3/10