“What SUV should I buy?” It’s a question consumers ask themselves every day, but what would online editor Kelly Pleskot drive? Keep reading for the answer and see other editors’ choices here.
The Subaru Forester has long been one of the most competent players in its segment, nabbing our SUV of the Year award in its previous two generations. And now that the compact crossover has been fully redesigned, the Forester is an even stronger entry—perhaps the strongest, in my opinion. Still, its niche status relegates it to the middle of the sales charts. Many people think you don’t need a Forester unless you live in a place with harsh weather or have two kids and just as many dogs. But as a dogless, kidless California girl, the 2019 Subaru Forester is the SUV I would pick if I were in the market. Why? Because it makes life easier, even for us sun-indulgent SoCal folk.
About Kelly: I’m an online editor at MotorTrend and enjoy hiking, rock climbing, traveling, and reading classic literature.
Is it the quickest small crossover? No. Many MotorTrend editors complain it’s underpowered. The 2019 Forester runs from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, behind the Honda CR-V’s 7.6 seconds. But I’m not buying an SUV for its 0–60 performance; its smooth powertrain carries more value. You’ll have no trouble merging with traffic or passing other vehicles on the highway.
The Forester is practical and well-designed. Its upright greenhouse makes for the best visibility I’ve experienced in any mainstream compact crossover. The boxy styling contributes to generous amounts of headroom, too. Overall, the Forester boasts excellent interior space, with plenty of room for three adults to sprawl out in the rear seats. A cavernous cargo area—up to 76.1 cubic feet with the seats folded—makes it a great car for camping or road tripping, and the trunk opens wide so it’s easy to load. Folding down that second row is easy, as the seats are light and maneuverable.
But how does it drive? The Forester’s suspension mitigates the effect of bumps in the road, and its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and all-wheel drive make me feel confident when I venture off the beaten path with my fiancé and friends to go rock climbing. The smaller Crosstrek is also capable and is one of the few subcompact crossovers I would consider. But I prefer the freedom to bring as much gear as I’d like when traveling.
Along with excellent cargo space and superior off-road ability, the Forester might have the best infotainment system of its direct competitors. I like the responsive and easy-to-use touchscreen with simple menus and large icons. Technology is important, but so is safety. Fortunately, the Forester was named a 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ because of its good crash ratings and strong safety tech.
How I would configure my 2019 Subaru Forester
You really can’t go wrong with any 2019 Forester, considering that EyeSight is always standard. This feature bundles together various safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure and sway warning, and lane keep assist. All-wheel drive is also standard on the base model, which costs $25,270, as are handy grocery bag and tie-down hooks in the cargo area. (Check out the Subaru Forester configurator here.) Personally, I’m tempted by the $31,770 Forester Limited, which gets a power liftgate and an 8.0-inch screen instead of a 6.5-inch screen. I’ll take mine in Jasper Green Metallic, please.
Two other SUVs I would consider: Honda CR-V and Subaru Crosstrek
The post 2019 Subaru Forester: Why I’d Buy It – Kelly Pleskot appeared first on Motortrend.
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