The most underrated Subaru SUV on sale today

The Subaru Forester is an interesting SUV these days. He’s been around since 1997, kicking trails and snowy trails. It’s not flashy, it’s not loud, and it certainly isn’t trying to be the life of the party. But the thing is, the Forester is actually the super-capable, versatile crossover that everyone else wants to be, but still doesn’t get its features.

In a world obsessed with touchscreen formats and ‘coupe-like rooflines’, the Forester does something that is increasingly rare in the SUV market: just get everything right. It’s practical without being boring, capable without being clumsy, and affordable without cutting corners. Yet it still lives in the long shadow of the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and now a tidal wave of hybridized wannabes all vying for suburban dominance. Maybe that’s just how Subaru likes it. Or maybe we’ll all sleep on one of the best all-rounders you can buy today.

The forgotten member of the Subaru family

Subaru has had a quiet period lately. The Outback continues to age like a fine whiskey barrel: robust, reliable and somehow cooler with each generation. The Crosstrek, meanwhile, is the darling of every young adventurer who’s ever said, “I could live in my car for a summer.” Even the Ascent, Subaru’s answer to the three-row family wagon, has carved out a respectable niche in the crowded midsize SUV market. And then there’s the Forester, sitting politely in the middle, waiting for someone to notice.

Despite being one of Subaru’s best-selling models worldwide, the Forester doesn’t get the attention its competitors do. The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 dominate the conversation, buoyed by huge marketing budgets, flashy hybrid variants and the sheer inertia of brand awareness. The CR-V is the ‘sensible choice’, the RAV4 the ‘safe choice’. But if you look closely, the Forester might be the smartest choice.

Subaru’s secret sauce

Let’s start with the basics. Every Forester comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive – not an optional extra, not something you can work on for a few thousand euros more, but have it built in. That alone sets it apart from most rivals, which still sell front-wheel-drive crossovers to people who live in snowy climates. The Forester doesn’t care if it’s raining, snowing or halfway down a gravel path: it’s ready to go.

That AWD system is paired with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the same as an Outback and more than most crossovers in its class. Add Subaru’s But here’s the twist: the Forester doesn’t have to scream “outside” to prove it. It doesn’t pretend to be a Jeep. It doesn’t have fake skid plates or oversized decals that say “Adventure Edition.” It just quietly gets the job done, as Subarus have always done.

A cabin built for real life

When you step into a Forester, you immediately notice a difference in priorities. While other automakers chase bigger screens and complicated menus, Subaru focuses on the things that matter every day. The visibility is phenomenal thanks to the high windows and the upright seating position. The controls are physical, intuitive and exactly where you expect them. It’s the anti-trend SUV, and all the better for it.

The cab is also huge for the size of the truck. The Forester’s boxy design pays off here, with a generous rear seat and a huge cargo area – 76.1 cubic feet of space with the seats folded, to be precise. That’s more than the CR-V and almost identical to the RAV4, but somehow the Forester still manages to be easier to park and more maneuverable around town.

And because it’s a Subaru, you get the brand’s famously high safety ratings as part of the package. Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance system, with adaptive cruise control, lane centering and pre-collision braking, comes standard on every trim. The Forester routinely earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ honors, and when driving in the real world, it simply feels unflappable. You won’t find neon mood lighting or “zero gravity massaging chairs” here. What you will find is a car that meets the basic principles: comfort, clarity and confidence.

Reliability without drama

One of the most impressive things about Subaru as a brand is its consistency. The Forester doesn’t make headlines for recalls, transmission failures or electrical gremlins. Its naturally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer-four may not sound exciting on paper – 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque – but it’s smooth, proven and built to last.

Mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), it delivers solid efficiency for an AWD crossover, with a combined average of around 29 mpg. And while some drivers complain about CVTs in general, Subaru’s version is among the best, tuned to feel more natural with simulated shift steps and responsive throttle mapping.

Is it fast? Not special. But that’s not the point. The Forester isn’t trying to be a hot rod, it’s trying to be a companion. The kind of vehicle that starts every morning, gets you where you need to go and never gives you a reason to curse at the dashboard.

The price advantage that no one talks about

Let’s talk about money. Pricing starts around $29,995 for the Ranger from 2026and even a well-equipped Limited trim can cost just under $40,000. Compare that to the CR-V or RAV4, where higher trims can easily exceed $40,000 before you’ve even added AWD or a moonroof.

Subaru’s pricing structure makes sense: each step up the trim ladder adds meaningful upgrades without feeling exploitative. You can choose how rugged, tech-heavy or how soft you want your Forester to be, without having to pay for unnecessary fluff.

Why the Forrester is still underrated

So why, if all that plays a role, isn’t the Forester at the top of the sales charts? Part of it is perception. Subaru doesn’t shout as loudly as Toyota or Honda. The marketing focuses more on lifestyle – dogs, national parks and community – than on horsepower or towing numbers. For some shoppers, that makes the Forester less exciting on paper.

Then there is the design. Subaru’s aesthetic is… let’s call it “practical minimalism.” While the RAV4 gets aggressive angles and the CR-V leans toward modern refinement, the Forester’s styling is quietly conservative. Some might call it lame; others would say timeless.

And finally there is the hybrid question. Both the CR-V and RAV4 now come with hybrid and plug-in options, giving them an edge among environmentally conscious buyers. Subaru offers hybrid technology in the Crosstrek, but the Forester hasn’t made that leap – at least not yet. But for drivers who value reliability, traction and real-world usability over key specs, the Forester is cheaper, safer and just as reliable, not to mention you can actually take it on an adventure.

The reliable soul of Subaru

There’s something refreshingly honest about the Forester. It doesn’t follow trends or rely on gimmicks. It doesn’t ask for validation through comparison testing or online hype. It’s a car built by people who know what’s important on a wet morning commute, a dirt road or a family outing.

The newest Forester Wilderness is not radically different. That’s not necessary. It builds on an already exceptional compact off-road SUV with proven all-wheel drive, a bulletproof 2.5-litre engine and all the cool extras families expect from a rugged adventure machine… that far surpasses the competition.

In an age when so many vehicles are designed to make you feel like you’re driving a smartphone, the Forester still feels like you’re driving a car. You sit high, see everything around you and feel a mechanical confidence born from decades of Subaru’s all-weather engineering DNA. If the RAV4 is the class president and the CR-V is the teacher’s pet, the Forester is the reliable friend that always shows up when the going gets tough – and never makes a fuss about it.

TopSpeed’s opinion: an SUV you can trust

The Subaru Forester may not dominate the sales charts or headlines, but it dominates where it counts: safety, comfort, confidence and value. It’s the SUV for people who measure quality by miles, not by marketing.

Sure, it won’t turn heads in the Whole Foods parking lot or break drag strip records, but neither will other crossovers, but it will get you home in a snowstorm, up a mountain trail, or across the country without a single complaint. And maybe that’s the point. Because when the Instagram-ready crossovers are chasing the next big thing, the Forester does what it always does best: being the SUV you can rely on, no matter what.

Sources: The EPA, NHTSA, JD power