2026 · Compact SUV

Subaru Forester: stopping, space, visibility and safety, measured

The sixth-generation Forester: a boxer four with standard all-wheel drive, 8.7 inches of ground clearance and an optional 194-hp hybrid.

Figures are for the Forester Sport (2 trims in the catalog, listed below). Last checked Oct 24, 2026.

Open the Forester in the 3D lab

Where it stands among compact SUVs

#1 of 17Large suitcases, packed: 6
#5 of 15Braking 70–0 mph, tested: 172 ft
#6 of 17Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction: 357 ft
#8 of 17Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver: 21 ft
#7 of 17Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in: +3.3 in
#4 of 17Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver: +1.4 in
#5 of 10Cabin sound at 70 mph: 68 dBA
#1 of 13Fastest you can stop inside the low beams: 79 mph
#5 of 17Starting price, this trim: $36,245

Ranked against the default trim of every compact SUV in the catalog that has the figure.

At a glance

Starting price, this trim	$36,245PublishedSubaru
Powertrain	2.5 L flat-four (boxer), naturally aspirated · Symmetrical AWD
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	8.3 sTestedCar and Driver
Braking 70–0 mph, tested	172 ft (52.4 m)TestedCar and Driver
EPA combined	28 mpg (8.4 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Cargo behind the second row	27.5 cu ft (779 L)PublishedSubaru
Large suitcases, packed	6Simulated from Subaru
Seats	5PublishedSubaru
Crash ratings	NHTSA 5★ overall · IIHS Top Safety Pick+

Acceleration

Why some cars pin you to the seat and others just hum along.

Power	180 hp (134 kW)PublishedSubaru
Torque	178 lb-ft (241 Nm)PublishedSubaru
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	8.3 sTestedCar and Driver
0–60 mph, our simulation	8.3 sSimulated from Subaru
Passing, 50–70 mph	6.4 sTestedCar and Driver
Quarter mile	16.6 sTestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Shove

Braking and stopping distance

The distance between "I saw it" and "I stopped" decides everything.

Braking 70–0 mph, tested	172 ft (52.4 m)TestedCar and Driver
Braking 60–0 mph, tested	123 ft (37.5 m)TestedMotorTrend
Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	357 ft (108.9 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	275 ft (83.7 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction	166 ft (50.5 m)Simulated from Car and Driver

Watch it in The Stop

Rollover

Where the weight sits decides how easily a car falls over.

NHTSA rollover rating	4★ · 17.4% riskTestedNHTSA
Sideways slide that trips it into a roll	11 mph (18 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs from NHTSA
Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height)	1.21Simulated, estimated inputs from NHTSA

Watch it in The Tipping Point

Efficiency and running costs

At highway speed most of your energy is spent shoving air.

EPA combined	28 mpg (8.4 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year	$2,399/yrDerivedEPA
Steady 75 mph, our simulation	31 mpg (7.6 L/100 km)Simulated from Car and Driver
Drag coefficient	0.35DerivedEPA

Watch it in The Invisible Wall

Grip, snow and maneuvering

Four palm-sized patches of rubber. Every maneuver spends their grip.

Skidpad grip, tested	0.82 gTestedCar and Driver
Cornering grip, our simulation	0.82 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Pulling away on packed snow	0.27 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Turning circle	35.4 ft (10.8 m)PublishedSubaru
Ground clearance	8.7 in (22 cm)PublishedSubaru
Tires	Bridgestone Turanza EL450 235/50R19 99V M+S all-season · 235/50R19TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Grip Budget

Space, luggage and fit

Will your knees, your luggage and your kids actually fit?

Seats	5PublishedSubaru
Large suitcases, packed	6Simulated from Subaru
Carry-ons in the space left	0Simulated from Subaru
Cargo behind the second row	27.5 cu ft (779 L)PublishedSubaru
Cargo, seats folded	69.1 cu ft (1,957 L)PublishedSubaru
Towing	1,500 lb (680 kg)PublishedSubaru
Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver	+1.4 in (4 cm)Simulated from Subaru
Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver	+3.7 in (9 cm)Simulated from Subaru
Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver	+6.5 in (16 cm)Simulated from Subaru
Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger	+2.1 in (5 cm)Simulated from Subaru
Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in	+3.3 in (8 cm)Simulated from Subaru
Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in	−0.5 in head · −1.0 in kneeSimulated from Subaru
Front head room, published	40.0 in (102 cm)PublishedSubaru
Rear head room, published	37.7 in (96 cm)PublishedSubaru
Rear leg room, published	39.4 in (100 cm)PublishedSubaru

Watch it in Live In It

Cabin noise

How loud is it inside at 70 mph, and what exactly are you hearing?

Cabin sound at 70 mph	68 dBATestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Quiet Test

Visibility

Every car hides some of the road. How much, and who could be standing in it?

Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver	21 ft (6.4 m)Simulated
Ground visible within 33 ft ahead	43%Simulated

Watch it in Can You See Me?

Headlights and night stopping

IIHS measured how far these headlights reach. Can you stop inside that light?

IIHS headlight rating	GoodTestedIIHS
Low beams, straight road (right edge)	395 ft (120.3 m)TestedIIHS
Fastest you can stop inside the low beams	79 mph (128 km/h)Simulated from IIHS
High beams, straight road (right edge)	449 ft (136.9 m)TestedIIHS

Watch it in After Dark

Crash safety

Official crash ratings side by side, and the physics of what happens when two cars meet.

NHTSA overall	5★TestedNHTSA
IIHS small overlap front	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS moderate overlap front (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS side (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS award	2026 Top Safety Pick+PublishedIIHS
Curb weight	3,656 lb (1,658 kg)TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Impact

Forester compared

Trims in the catalog

Forester Sport · from $36,245 · figures on this page
Forester Touring Hybrid · from $42,995

Other compact SUVs

Sources

Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.