An In-Depth Look At The Subaru Forester Specs

Catrina C
Feb 8, 2021

Green 2021 Subaru Forester In The Rain

If you’re thinking about getting an SUV that’s perfect for the whole family, you need to know about the 2021 Subaru Forester specs. These are essential pieces of information to know, especially if you want a strong engine or want a particularly quick vehicle.

What Subaru Forester specs should you know about? 

Some notable specs for the 2021 Subaru Forester include: 

  • Engine: 2.5L (152 ci) DOHC engine 
  • Output: 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft. at 4,400 rpm 
  • Performance: 0-60 in just 8.5 seconds for the base model, 16.7-second standing quarter-mile  

Though these performance metrics might sell you already, there is more to this vehicle than the engine alone. This article will give you more information on the vehicle’s fuel economy, stability and traction systems and more, so you can make the right decision when you buy.

Get to Know the Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a common household name, and Subaru itself has received the #1 Brand Loyalty award in the automobile industry for the second year in a row as a result. Looking at data from 2020’s model, the 2020 Subaru Forester was an IIHS Top Safety Pick + and received the five highest possible safety rating. It also had the highest ratings for front crash prevention from the IIHS.

Kelley Blue Book named it the lowest 5-year cost-to-own in its class (midsize SUV) in 2020, and it has also received the “Best Resale Value” award from Kelley Blue Book.

Endless Protection and Power with the Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester has a powerful engine; that is for sure. It has 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft., meaning that it can power through rough terrain while also towing or pulling other items, like trailers or boats, with ease.

Speaking of towing, it has trailer stability assist to keep trailers in line, automatically braking when needed to maintain vehicle control. It can pull up to 1,500 pounds of weight, making it perfect for pulling recreational vehicles, trailers and more.

Even better is the fact that the Forester has received excellent crash test ratings. The NHTSA gave the 2020 Subaru Forester a five-star rating for both frontal and side crashes. It received four stars for rollovers. The same is true for the 2021 model.

Now that you know that you can travel safely, look at the fantastic fuel mileage. Even as a midsize SUV, it gets 33 mph on the highway and an average of 26 mpg in the city. It speeds up from 0 to 60 in just 8.5 seconds, too, which is perfect for highway driving.

As an added benefit, it automatically shuts down and restarts when the vehicle is stopped, so there is less idle time, fewer emissions released and lower fuel consumption overall.

Notable Features of the Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester has some notable features to consider as well. For example, the 2021 model has vehicle dynamic control, which uses electronic stability sensors to monitor your wheel speeds, brake pressure, steering angle and other factors that could impact the path your vehicle is taking.

If the VDC system believes that the vehicle is straying from an appropriate path, it will slow your vehicle down or reduce the torque to make sure you stay moving in the right direction.

Another added benefit to this model is X-Mode, which also has hill descent control, which allows your vehicle to maintain a constant speed when moving downhill. This gives you better vehicle control.

For long trips, you’ll love that the vehicle has a fuel capacity of 16.6 gallons and 4-wheel independent suspension to prevent too many bumps from affecting the ride.

LED steering responsive headlights make sure you can see where you’re going clearly, and you also receive 60/40 split seating in the back, so you can pack more for your travels.

With the addition of EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, you receive pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, sway and lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control that will help you stay centered in your lane.

Pros and Cons of the Subaru Forester

There are a few pros and cons for the Subaru Forester. Pulling from the 2020 model, these are some of the most important.

Pros:

  • A roomy ride for comfort
  • 33 mpg on the highway
  • Many safety features that come standard with the model
  • All-wheel drive

Cons:

  • The only option is a continuously variable transmission
  • Only 1,500 pounds of towing capacity
avatar Catrina C
Catrina C. is a former auto auction block clerk and current freelance automotive industry writer. She enjoys writing, taking long trips in her Ford and providing solid automotive advice.
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