The 2023 Subaru Forester Touring stands as a testament to Subaru's commitment to safety, reliability, and versatility. As the top-tier trim in the Forester lineup, the Touring model offers a blend of upscale features, advanced technology, and the renowned Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, making it an ideal choice for families, adventurers, and anyone seeking a comfortable and capable compact SUV. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the key aspects of the 2023 Forester Touring, exploring its design, performance, interior, technology, safety features, and overall value proposition. We'll examine what sets it apart from other trims and competitors, providing you with the insights needed to make an informed decision about whether the Forester Touring is the right vehicle for your needs. From its rugged exterior styling to its luxurious interior appointments, the 2023 Forester Touring aims to deliver a premium driving experience without compromising on Subaru's core values. We will also consider real-world driving impressions and expert opinions to provide a balanced perspective on this popular SUV. Whether you're navigating city streets or exploring off-the-beaten-path trails, the Forester Touring is designed to handle a variety of conditions with confidence and ease. So, let's dive in and discover what makes the 2023 Subaru Forester Touring a standout in the competitive compact SUV market.
Exterior Design and Styling
The 2023 Subaru Forester Touring makes a striking first impression with its rugged yet refined exterior design. The Touring trim elevates the Forester's aesthetic with several exclusive features, including distinctive chrome accents on the grille, side mirrors, and rear gate. These subtle yet sophisticated touches add a touch of elegance to the Forester's already capable stance. The LED Steering Responsive Headlights not only provide excellent visibility but also enhance the vehicle's overall appearance, especially at night. These headlights automatically adjust their beam direction in response to steering inputs, improving visibility around curves and corners. The standard 18-inch alloy wheels with a dark gray finish further contribute to the Touring's premium look, providing a sporty and stylish contrast to the body color. The Forester's signature boxy silhouette remains, maximizing interior space and cargo capacity. This design element not only contributes to the vehicle's practicality but also gives it a distinctive and recognizable appearance on the road. The panoramic sunroof, a standard feature on the Touring trim, floods the cabin with natural light, creating an open and airy feel for both front and rear passengers. The power rear gate with automatic close and height memory adds convenience, especially when loading and unloading cargo. This feature allows you to easily open and close the rear gate with the touch of a button, and the height memory function lets you customize the opening height to prevent damage in garages or other low-clearance areas. Overall, the exterior design of the 2023 Subaru Forester Touring strikes a balance between ruggedness and refinement, making it a visually appealing and practical choice for a wide range of drivers. The attention to detail in the Touring trim's exterior enhancements sets it apart from lower trims and contributes to its premium feel. The combination of functional features and stylish accents ensures that the Forester Touring looks good while also being ready for any adventure.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Stepping inside the 2023 Subaru Forester Touring, you're greeted by a cabin that prioritizes comfort, convenience, and technology. The Touring trim boasts luxurious leather-trimmed upholstery that adds a touch of sophistication to the seats and door panels. The driver and front passenger seats are power-adjustable, with the driver's seat featuring 10-way adjustability, including power lumbar support, ensuring optimal comfort for long drives. Heated front and rear seats are standard, providing warmth and comfort during colder months. The heated steering wheel is another welcome feature, making chilly morning commutes more pleasant. The Forester Touring's interior is designed with practicality in mind, offering ample passenger and cargo space. Rear passengers enjoy generous legroom and headroom, making it a comfortable vehicle for families or groups. The rear seats also recline, allowing passengers to customize their seating position for added comfort. The cargo area is spacious and versatile, with a wide opening and a low load floor for easy loading and unloading. The 60/40-split folding rear seats allow you to expand the cargo area to accommodate larger items. In terms of technology, the 2023 Forester Touring is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. This allows seamless integration of your smartphone, giving you access to your favorite apps, navigation, and music. The built-in navigation system provides turn-by-turn directions, even in areas with poor cell service. A premium Harman Kardon sound system with nine speakers is standard on the Touring trim, delivering rich and immersive audio quality. The system is designed to provide a concert-like experience, enhancing your enjoyment of music and podcasts. The DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System is a unique feature that uses facial recognition technology to monitor the driver's attention level. If the system detects that the driver is drowsy or distracted, it provides an audible and visual alert to help prevent accidents. This innovative technology adds an extra layer of safety and helps to keep you and your passengers safe on the road. Overall, the interior of the 2023 Subaru Forester Touring is a comfortable and technologically advanced space that enhances the driving experience. The combination of premium materials, convenient features, and advanced technology makes it a standout in its class.
Performance and Handling
The 2023 Subaru Forester Touring delivers a balanced and confident driving experience, thanks to its capable powertrain and renowned Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. Under the hood, the Forester Touring is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. While this engine may not be the most powerful in its class, it provides adequate acceleration and smooth power delivery for everyday driving. The engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that helps to maximize fuel efficiency. The CVT provides seamless gear changes and contributes to the Forester's smooth and comfortable ride. One of the Forester's key strengths is its Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which is standard on all trims, including the Touring. This system provides excellent traction and stability in a variety of road conditions, making the Forester a capable performer in snow, rain, and off-road situations. The symmetrical design of the system ensures that power is distributed evenly to all four wheels, providing optimal grip and control. The Forester Touring also features X-MODE, a driver-selectable system that optimizes the vehicle's performance for challenging terrain. X-MODE includes settings for snow, dirt, and mud, allowing you to customize the system to suit the conditions. The system adjusts the engine output, transmission, and braking system to maximize traction and control. The Forester's suspension is tuned for comfort and stability, providing a smooth and composed ride on both city streets and highways. The vehicle's handling is responsive and predictable, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The Forester's high ground clearance of 8.7 inches is another asset, allowing it to tackle rough roads and off-road trails with ease. This ground clearance is higher than many of its competitors, making the Forester a capable choice for adventurous drivers. In terms of fuel economy, the 2023 Subaru Forester Touring achieves an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, which is competitive for its class. This fuel efficiency makes the Forester a practical choice for daily commuting and long road trips. Overall, the 2023 Subaru Forester Touring offers a balanced combination of performance, handling, and fuel efficiency. Its capable powertrain, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, and X-MODE make it a versatile choice for a wide range of driving conditions.
Safety Features and Driver Assistance
Safety is a top priority for Subaru, and the 2023 Subaru Forester Touring is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. The Forester has consistently earned top safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), reflecting its commitment to occupant protection. Standard on the Forester Touring is Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, a suite of advanced safety features that includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control helps to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead, automatically adjusting the Forester's speed to match the flow of traffic. Automatic emergency braking can detect potential collisions and apply the brakes to help prevent or mitigate an accident. Lane departure warning alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane, while lane keeping assist can gently steer the vehicle back into its lane. Blind-spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert are also standard on the Touring trim. These features help to monitor the vehicle's surroundings and alert the driver to potential hazards. Blind-spot detection warns the driver if there is a vehicle in their blind spot, while lane change assist helps to prevent collisions when changing lanes. Rear cross-traffic alert warns the driver of approaching vehicles when backing out of a parking space or driveway. The DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System, as mentioned earlier, uses facial recognition technology to monitor the driver's attention level and provide alerts if drowsiness or distraction is detected. This innovative system adds an extra layer of safety and helps to prevent accidents caused by driver fatigue or inattention. Reverse automatic braking is another valuable safety feature that can automatically apply the brakes to avoid a collision when backing up. This system uses sensors to detect obstacles behind the vehicle and can help to prevent parking lot accidents. In addition to these advanced safety features, the Forester Touring also includes standard safety equipment such as anti-lock brakes, stability control, traction control, and a comprehensive airbag system. The combination of these features makes the 2023 Subaru Forester Touring one of the safest vehicles in its class. Subaru's commitment to safety is evident in the Forester's design and engineering, providing drivers and passengers with peace of mind on the road.
Overall Value and Conclusion
The 2023 Subaru Forester Touring presents a compelling value proposition in the competitive compact SUV market. It combines Subaru's renowned reliability, safety, and capability with a host of upscale features and technologies. The Touring trim, as the top-of-the-line model, offers a luxurious and comfortable driving experience without sacrificing the Forester's practical nature. One of the key strengths of the Forester Touring is its standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which provides excellent traction and stability in a variety of weather conditions. This feature is particularly appealing to drivers who live in areas with snow or other inclement weather. The Forester's spacious interior and versatile cargo area make it a practical choice for families and individuals who need to transport passengers and gear. The comfortable seats, ample legroom, and reclining rear seats ensure a pleasant experience for all occupants. The 60/40-split folding rear seats allow you to easily expand the cargo area to accommodate larger items. The Forester Touring's advanced safety features and driver-assistance technologies provide peace of mind on the road. The EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, Blind-Spot Detection, and DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System are just a few examples of the safety features that make the Forester a standout in its class. The Forester's reputation for reliability and durability is another factor that contributes to its overall value. Subaru vehicles are known for their longevity and low maintenance costs, making the Forester a smart long-term investment. The 2023 Subaru Forester Touring offers a well-rounded package that includes a comfortable interior, advanced technology, capable performance, and a strong focus on safety. While it may not be the most powerful or sporty SUV in its class, it excels in providing a practical, reliable, and safe driving experience. Compared to its competitors, the Forester Touring offers a competitive price point for the features and capabilities it provides. It represents a strong value for those who prioritize safety, reliability, and all-weather capability. In conclusion, the 2023 Subaru Forester Touring is an excellent choice for drivers seeking a versatile and well-equipped compact SUV. Its combination of comfort, technology, safety, and capability makes it a standout in its class and a vehicle that is sure to impress.
