The Subaru Forester is what happens when an automaker decides that a compact SUV should actually be good at things that matter — cargo space, visibility, all-weather capability, and safety — rather than optimizing for style points. It’s been the quiet achiever of the compact SUV segment for over 25 years, and the current generation has finally caught up aesthetically while maintaining all the practical advantages that made it a Long Island family staple. This guide covers every trim from Base to Touring, EyeSight driver assistance, how Symmetrical AWD performs on Nassau County winter roads, the Forester versus its main competitors, and what to look for in a certified pre-owned example.
Bottom Line: The Subaru Forester is the best compact SUV for buyers who prioritize cargo space, visibility, safety technology, and all-weather capability over style or performance.
- Largest cargo area in the compact SUV class: 76.1 cu ft maximum
- EyeSight pre-collision braking standard from the Premium trim up
- Symmetrical AWD standard on every Forester - no trim exceptions
- Engine makes modest power; acceleration is adequate but not spirited
What’s in This Guide
- Forester Overview and Generations
- Trim Levels at a Glance
- Powertrain and AWD System
- Forester Trim Levels: Base to Touring Explained
- Forester vs. Outback: Which Subaru?
- Forester vs. CR-V vs. RAV4
- EyeSight Safety Technology Guide
- Forester in Winter: AWD on Long Island Roads
- Total Cost of Ownership
- Certified Pre-Owned Forester on Long Island
- Why Nassau County Drivers Choose the Forester
- Why Buy at Grand Prix Subaru
- FAQ
Forester Overview and Generations
The current fifth-generation Forester (SK) launched in 2019 and represents the most significant Forester redesign in years. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, it gained improved crash rigidity, lower center of gravity, and standardized Symmetrical AWD across the entire lineup — no exceptions, no optional upgrades. Every Forester sold at Grand Prix Subaru includes AWD as standard equipment, which is not the case for Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, or Ford Escape where AWD is an additional cost.
The fifth-generation also standardized EyeSight across most of the lineup, making Subaru’s pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, and lane departure warning accessible without navigating complex option packages. For Nassau County families who prioritize safety above other features, this standardization matters — the Forester’s Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS reflects real engineering investment rather than marketing positioning.
The Forester’s defining characteristic is its visibility. The upright glasshouse design with slim A-pillars, large windows, and minimal blind spots gives the driver an awareness of surrounding traffic that more stylistically “coupe-like” crossovers sacrifice for aesthetics. In Nassau County’s dense suburban traffic — merging onto the LIE, navigating parking lots at Bethpage or Plainview shopping centers — that visibility is a practical daily advantage.
Trim Levels at a Glance
| Trim | MSRP | Key Additions |
|---|---|---|
| Base | $29,995 | Symmetrical AWD, 8" touchscreen, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay |
| Premium | ✓ $33,395 | EyeSight standard, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring |
| Sport | $35,395 | Sport styling, black exterior trim, sport-tuned suspension |
| Limited | $38,795 | Leather seating, 10-way power driver seat, DriverFocus |
| Touring | $42,295 | Harman Kardon audio, panoramic moonroof, brown leather |
The Premium trim is where most Nassau County buyers should start their evaluation. It’s the first trim with EyeSight pre-collision braking, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines. These safety and convenience features are meaningful enough that the upgrade from Base to Premium is almost always worth the price.
The Sport trim is for buyers who want a more athletic appearance with black exterior trim, a sport-tuned suspension, and a darker interior aesthetic. The tradeoff is a noticeably firmer ride on Nassau County’s road surfaces compared to the Base and Premium — something to evaluate on a test drive before committing.
Powertrain and AWD System
Every Forester uses the same powertrain: a 2.5-liter BOXER naturally aspirated engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a Lineartronic CVT transmission and Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD. The BOXER engine configuration — with cylinders arranged horizontally rather than in a V or inline arrangement — gives the Forester a lower center of gravity than conventionally engineered engines.
The Lineartronic CVT gets a poor reputation from drivers who’ve experienced earlier-generation CVTs from other manufacturers. The Subaru implementation is substantially better — it simulates gear steps in Sport mode and manages the engine’s power delivery smoothly in normal driving. Long Island stop-and-go traffic is where the CVT actually has an advantage over conventional automatics: it holds the engine in an efficient RPM range regardless of vehicle speed.
Forester Trim Levels: Base to Touring Explained
The Base Forester is a credible choice if EyeSight is less important to you. It includes every Forester’s core advantages — Symmetrical AWD, 76.1 cubic feet of cargo space, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and Subaru’s BOXER engine with the CVT — along with an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The missing items are EyeSight, heated seats, and blind-spot monitoring.
The Sport trim’s stiffer suspension is worth testing in person. Nassau County roads include enough surface irregularities — particularly on local streets versus the parkways — that the Sport’s tuning can feel harsh on a daily commute compared to the base and Premium suspensions. The aesthetic differences are real and the Sport’s all-season tires provide good grip, but ride quality is the legitimate concern.
The Limited is the trim where the Forester becomes genuinely luxurious. It adds DriverFocus, Subaru’s distraction and drowsiness monitoring system that uses a camera to detect when the driver’s attention wanders — the first such system to make it to a mainstream-priced compact SUV. Combined with leather seating, a 10-way power driver’s seat with memory settings, and the full EyeSight suite, the Limited is the trim that directly competes with luxury brand compact SUVs at a significant price advantage.
Read our full guide: Subaru Forester Trim Levels Compared: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring
Forester vs. Outback: Which Subaru Should Nassau County Families Buy?
The Forester and Outback are the two most common Subaru comparisons, and the answer depends almost entirely on one question: do you need more passenger space or more cargo space? The Forester’s upright roofline gives it class-leading headroom for rear passengers and the largest cargo area in the compact SUV segment. The Outback is longer overall but has a lower roofline, which slightly reduces rear headroom in exchange for a wagon-style cargo layout that many buyers prefer.
The Outback starts at slightly more money but offers a turbocharged engine option — the 2.4L XT — that produces 260 hp and dramatically changes the vehicle’s character for highway merging and passing. The Forester has no turbo option; its naturally aspirated 182 hp is adequate but won’t impress anyone accustomed to the quicker responses of turbocharged crossovers.
For Nassau County families with children, the Forester wins on ease of loading — its square cargo area and lower load floor make getting strollers, groceries, and sports equipment in and out simpler than the Outback’s wagon-proportioned rear. For buyers who prioritize highway driving, camping trips to upstate New York, or towing a small trailer, the Outback’s longer wheelbase, available trailer hitch, and turbo engine make a compelling counter-argument.
Also see: Subaru Outback Complete Guide - Nassau County
Read our full guide: Subaru Forester vs. Outback: Which Subaru Should Nassau County Families Buy?
Forester vs. Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4
The three most cross-shopped compact SUVs in Nassau County — and for good reason: they’re all excellent, all priced similarly, and all represent serious long-term value. The decision between them comes down to specific priorities.
The CR-V is the most fuel-efficient of the three and offers a turbocharged engine across most of its lineup, delivering quicker responses than the Forester’s naturally aspirated setup. Honda’s interior ergonomics and storage solutions are class-leading. The CR-V’s AWD system is optional (front-wheel drive is standard) and reactive rather than predictive — it sends power to the rear axle after the front wheels begin to slip.
The RAV4 competes strongly on towing capability (up to 3,500 lbs vs. the Forester’s 1,500 lbs), exterior styling, and the TRD Off-Road and Adventure trims for outdoors-oriented buyers. The RAV4 Hybrid is the class benchmark for fuel economy. Toyota’s long-term reliability reputation is excellent, though no better than Subaru’s in third-party studies.
The Forester wins on cargo space (no compact SUV beats 76.1 cu ft at full fold), safety technology standardization (AWD and EyeSight included without option hassle), and visibility. For families who prioritize those attributes and value the Subaru brand’s reputation for all-weather confidence, the Forester is the right answer.
Read our full guide: Forester vs. Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4: The Compact SUV Showdown for Long Island Families
EyeSight Safety Technology on the Forester
EyeSight is Subaru’s stereo-camera-based driver assistance system, and it’s among the most well-validated active safety systems on the market. Unlike radar-based systems that can struggle in poor visibility conditions, EyeSight uses two cameras mounted at the top of the windshield to detect vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists — and it can do so in conditions where radar returns are inconsistent.
The core EyeSight features on the Forester include Pre-Collision Braking (the system applies brakes automatically if a collision is detected), Adaptive Cruise Control (maintains your set speed and distance from the vehicle ahead on the highway), Lane Departure and Lane Sway Warning, and Lane Centering Assist. These systems work together seamlessly and require no driver activation beyond turning on the cruise control.
For Nassau County’s school zones, traffic circles, and suburban intersections, the Pre-Collision Braking system has a measurable real-world safety impact. Subaru’s own data shows a 61% reduction in rear-end crashes for EyeSight-equipped vehicles versus non-equipped models. That’s not a marketing claim — it’s derived from insurance and crash data, and it’s the reason the Forester with EyeSight earns the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation.
Read our full guide: Subaru EyeSight on the Forester: A Complete Safety Technology Guide for New York Drivers
Forester in Winter: AWD on Long Island Roads
Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD is architecturally different from most competitors in a way that matters when Nassau County roads are covered in snow or slush. Most competitor AWD systems are front-wheel-drive platforms with a rear axle added on — the drivetrain is physically asymmetric, with different shaft lengths to the left and right wheels creating torque steer under power. Symmetrical AWD uses identical shaft lengths and geometry on both sides, centered around a longitudinally mounted engine that feeds equal torque to front and rear axles simultaneously.
The practical result: the Forester responds to snow, ice, and wet roads predictably and without drama. It doesn’t require driver intervention or special modes for typical winter conditions. The available X-MODE system — standard on Sport and above — adds additional control for deeper snow, ice on steep grades, and off-pavement conditions by adjusting throttle response, transmission ratio, and brake application per wheel independently.
On the Meadowbrook Parkway and Southern State in a February storm, the Forester’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance means it clears most accumulation that high-centering lower crossovers. Combined with all-season tires (or dedicated winter tires that we can discuss at Grand Prix Subaru), it’s one of the most winter-capable vehicles in its class at any price.
Read our full guide: Subaru Forester in Winter: How Symmetrical AWD Handles Long Island and Hudson Valley Snow
Total Cost of Ownership
The Subaru Forester has one of the lowest five-year ownership costs in the compact SUV segment. Subaru ranks near the top of reliability studies from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power for long-term dependability, and the Forester’s BOXER engine has a proven track record over multiple generations. The CVT transmission, once a concern with early Subaru applications, has been substantially improved and now carries confidence in extended service.
Fuel costs are competitive at 26/33 mpg (Base/Premium) and 23/29 mpg (Sport). Insurance rates for the Forester are among the lowest in the compact SUV class — a function of its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ safety record and the Forester’s generally responsible owner demographic. Oil changes using full synthetic (required for BOXER engines) run slightly higher than conventional oil intervals but at longer intervals.
The Forester’s resale value holds well — typically 50-55% retained after five years, competitive with the RAV4 and CR-V. Given the Forester’s consistent quality and low depreciation, a well-maintained example at year three or four often represents exceptional value compared to purchasing new. The certified pre-owned market at Grand Prix Subaru regularly has low-mileage examples in Premium and Limited trim.
Read our full guide: Total Cost of Owning a Subaru Forester for 5 Years: Insurance, Maintenance, Resale
Buying a Certified Pre-Owned Forester on Long Island
CPO Subaru Foresters at Grand Prix Subaru are among the most reliable used car purchases available. The combination of Subaru’s long-term reliability record and the thorough Subaru Certified Pre-Owned inspection process — 152-point inspection, 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage from original date of sale, and Subaru Added Security roadside assistance — makes a CPO Forester a low-risk buy.
Focus your CPO search on Premium and Limited trims from 2021 onward, which include EyeSight and the full suite of safety technology. The 2022 refresh brought minor improvements to the infotainment system; the 2023 and newer models include updated EyeSight hardware with wider camera coverage. All are strong choices.
What to inspect on a CPO Forester: ask specifically about head gasket service history (an issue on older BOXER engines that has been fully resolved in the current generation but occasionally appears in early 5th-gen examples), verify EyeSight camera calibration has been performed after any windshield work, and check the CVT fluid service history.
Read our full guide: Buying a Certified Pre-Owned Subaru Forester on Long Island: What to Look For
Why Nassau County Drivers Choose the Forester
The Forester’s cargo space is the feature that surprises Nassau County families most. When you fold the rear seats and open that tailgate, 76.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity is substantially more than a Honda CR-V (72.8) or Toyota RAV4 (69.8) — and the load floor is flat and square, not the sloped wagon shape of the Outback. Getting a 50-pound bag of dog food, a week’s worth of Costco groceries, or a full set of hockey gear in and out is noticeably easier.
Commuting from Hicksville, Bethpage, or Syosset to Manhattan or nearby employment centers, the Forester’s EyeSight Adaptive Cruise Control genuinely reduces fatigue on the Meadowbrook or LIE. Set your following distance, maintain your speed, and the system manages the stop-and-go cadence of Long Island traffic automatically — not perfect, but meaningfully less draining than constant manual braking and acceleration.
For Nassau County families with children in car seats, the Forester’s wide door openings and upright seating position make installation and loading easier than in lower-slung crossovers. The LATCH hardware is accessible, the rear seat is genuinely spacious at 39.4 inches of legroom, and rear-seat passengers don’t feel like they’re sitting in a cave.
Why Buy at Grand Prix Subaru
Grand Prix Subaru in Hicksville has served Nassau County Subaru buyers for years with the full lineup across all trims and the inventory depth to find what you want without settling on something close. The team understands Subaru’s technology — EyeSight, X-MODE, the BOXER engine’s maintenance requirements — at a level that comes from working with these vehicles daily.
VIP+ membership at Grand Prix Subaru includes lifetime complimentary oil changes and tire rotations, free loaner vehicles during service, and factory-certified Subaru technicians who service these drivetrains correctly from day one. For a vehicle like the Forester where BOXER engine maintenance — particularly full-synthetic oil at the correct interval — directly affects long-term reliability, having factory-trained service is worth choosing.
Browse new Forester inventory at Grand Prix Subaru or explore certified pre-owned options. Schedule a test drive — bring your family and load the cargo area; that’s the test that closes most Forester decisions.
"Most Forester buyers have been considering it for months before they come in. Once they sit in it, check the cargo area, and go through the EyeSight demo, the decision usually happens fast. It does exactly what it promises."
General Manager, Grand Prix Subaru
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Subaru Forester reliable long-term? Yes. The current fifth-generation Forester uses the same BOXER engine architecture that has proven itself over multiple generations, with the head gasket issue that affected older models fully resolved in current production. Consumer Reports and J.D. Power consistently rank the Forester above average for reliability. The CVT transmission has been substantially improved from earlier Subaru applications.
How does EyeSight work in bad weather? EyeSight uses stereo cameras rather than radar, which has specific advantages and one known limitation. The cameras function well in rain, snow, and fog where radar can also perform. However, the cameras can be obstructed by heavy accumulation on the windshield — Subaru includes a camera heating system on EyeSight-equipped models, and the system alerts you if the cameras lose function. Cleaning the windshield before departure is recommended in heavy snow conditions.
Does the Forester have enough power for highway driving? The 182 hp naturally aspirated engine is adequate for most Long Island highway use — merging on the LIE at 50 mph, cruising at 65 mph on the Southern State, occasional passing. Where it feels less spirited is during extended highway acceleration at speed (70+ mph passing) and on steep grades while loaded. If spirited acceleration matters, test drive the RAV4 or CR-V turbocharged variants for comparison.
What is X-MODE and when would a Nassau County driver use it? X-MODE is Subaru’s terrain management system that adjusts throttle sensitivity, CVT ratio, and brake torque per wheel for low-traction situations. It’s most useful for deep snow, icy grades, loose sand, and muddy surfaces. For Nassau County driving, X-MODE activates most practically during significant snowfall, especially on unplowed local streets. It’s not needed for most everyday AWD situations where the base AWD system handles conditions automatically.
How does the Forester compare to the Outback for long road trips? The Outback is the better road trip companion due to its longer wheelbase (more stable at highway speeds), available turbocharged engine (better for sustained highway passing and steep grades), and optional trailer hitch for camping trailers. The Forester’s advantages — cargo space and visibility — matter less on open highway than in suburban daily use. For buyers who regularly drive to upstate New York, Vermont, or New England, the Outback’s XT engine and tow capability are meaningful.
What’s the towing capacity of the Subaru Forester? The Forester is rated to tow 1,500 lbs with the proper trailer hitch package. This accommodates small utility trailers, personal watercraft on a light trailer, and small boats — but not heavy campers or boats that require more capacity. Buyers who need to tow more than 1,500 lbs should consider the Outback (3,500 lbs with the 2.4L XT) instead.
Is the Forester good for families with young children? Yes — arguably the best choice in the compact SUV segment for car-seat families specifically. The wide rear door opening, flat rear floor, accessible LATCH anchors, and upright seating position make car seat installation and child loading easier than in lower-roofline competitors. The rear legroom of 39.4 inches accommodates a rear-facing seat without completely eliminating front passenger space.
Visit All Three Subaru Locations
- Grand Prix Subaru - Hicksville, NY
- South Shore Subaru - Lindenhurst, NY
- Mid Hudson Subaru - Wappingers Falls, NY
Ready to find your Forester? Browse new inventory or explore certified pre-owned options at Grand Prix Subaru — and ask about VIP+ membership benefits when you visit.