If you're looking for the best small SUV under $30,000 that money can buy this year, recent tests and surveys by Consumer Reports (subscription required) indicate that the 2023 Subaru Forester is still number one in its class. CR says that Forester excels in road-test performance, owner satisfaction, reliability, and safety scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Plus, Forester costs less than the average new car today.
Out of twenty models, the Forester tops the list as the best compact SUV with a 87 out of 100. This score beats competitors from Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Nissan. CR's most recent tests and owner surveys bases these scores.
What does CR say?
The well-known website Consumer Reports has praised this small SUV for its many features, including a spacious interior, great visibility, fantastic fuel economy, easy-to-use controls, comfortable ride, and responsive handling. Apparently, the2.5-liter four=cylinder engine combined with the continuously variable automatic transmission is what helped it achieve best-in=class fuel economy!
Forester still has two flaws, according to CR
The Forester comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that gets you 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission option is a CVT automatic, but Consumer Reports does point out one potential downside - "acceleration isn't exhilarating, and the engine's noise isn't the most pleasant."
What is the price of the 2023 Subaru Forester?
The 2023 Forester comes in six trim levels; The Base Forester starts at $27,620, Premium ($30,620), Sport ($32,190), Limited ($34,300), Wilderness ($35.245), and Touring $(37720). All trims have increased by $550 from the previous year.
What is the Forester fuel mileage?
The 2023 Subaru Forester is a compact SUV that comes standard with all-wheel drive. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine and gets an EPA combined estimate of 29 mpg as well as 26/33 city/highway mpg.