| Pros | Cons | What's New |
|---|---|---|
Standard AWD system | Underwhelming standard engine | Complete redesign |
Spacious interiors | Exterior styling | Updated features |
Available turbocharged engine | More interior space |
$22,995
price170 hp @ 5800 rpm
horsepower174 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm
torqueContinuously Variable-Speed Automatic
transmission2.5L 4cyl AWD CVT
engine-
basic warrantyThe Subaru Forester is a known name in the crossover SUV segment owing to its rugged build quality and standard AWD configuration. The 2014 Subaru Forester gets a complete design overhaul and looks better than its predecessor. Subaru has tried to improve on size, styling, and overall experience as a whole. It now comes with a smaller turbocharged yet powerful engine as well.
We find the 2.5i Limited trim to be an optimum combination of creature comforts and value. It has almost all the features of the 2.5i Touring trim and costs much less than it. If you are into performance, then you should opt for the 2.0XT Premium trim which comes with a more powerful turbocharged engine and a sport-tuned suspension with 18-inch alloy wheels to support its sporty character.
The 2014 Subaru Forester is available in four main trims, namely the Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring. The Premium and Touring trims are available with an optional turbocharged engine. The price for the base trim starts at $21,995 and goes up to $29,995 for the top-of-the-line Touring trim. It faces competition from the likes of Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4.
The 2014 Subaru Forester is available in four main trims, namely the Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring. The Premium and Touring trims are available with a 2.0-L turbocharged engine and some added features and are named 2.0 XT Premium and 2.0 XT Touring. Overall, the turbocharged engine is a better performer and provides satisfactory efficiency too. The Base and the Premium trims get a manual transmission as standard, while the other trims get CVT as standard.
|
Trims |
2.5i |
2.5i Premium |
2.5i Limited |
2.5i Touring |
2.0XT Premium |
2.0XT Touring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$21,995 |
$23,495 |
$27,995 |
$29,995 |
$27,995 |
$32,995 |
|
Key Features |
2.5-liter 4-cylinder Subaru Boxer engine |
Adds to upgrades to the base 2.5i trim |
Adds to upgrades to the base 2.5i Premium trim |
Adds to upgrades to the base 2.5i Limited trim |
Adds to upgrades to the base 2.5i Premium trim |
Adds to upgrades to the base 2.0XT Premium trim |
|
Standard AWD system |
17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels |
Lineartronic CVT |
Dual-zone automatic climate control system |
2.0-L turbocharged boxer engine |
2.0-L turbocharged boxer engine |
|
|
6-speed manual transmission |
Panoramic moonroof |
Leather-trimmed upholstery |
One-touch folding rear seatbacks |
Sport-tuned suspension |
Fog lights |
|
|
17-inch styled steel wheels |
Raised roof rails: black finish |
Rear spoiler |
Body-color side mirrors with integrated turn signals |
18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels |
Power rear gate with automatic close and height memory |
|
|
Cloth upholstery |
Enhanced color multifunction display |
Auto-on/off headlights |
Analog gauges with LCD display and electroluminescent lighting |
|
|
|
|
Manual air conditioning |
All-Weather Package |
Automatic climate control system |
|
|
|
Which trim should you buy?
We find the 2.5i Limited trim to be an optimum combination of creature comforts and value. It has almost all the features of the 2.5i Touring trim and costs much less than it. If you are into performance, then you should opt for the 2.0XT Premium trim which comes with a more powerful turbocharged engine and a sport-tuned suspension with 18-inch alloy wheels to support its sporty character.
The 2014 Subaru Forester gets two engine options. The standard engine is a 2.5-L flat-four (boxer) engine that produces about 170 HP and 174 lb-ft of torque. The other engine is a 2.0-L turbocharged boxer engine that produces about 250 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque. However, the 2.0-liter engine is available only with the 2.0XT Premium and 2.0XT Touring trims. The base and the Premium trims get 6-speed manual transmission as standard and the remaining trims get a CVT. Like all Subarus, power is delivered to all four wheels.
|
Models(2014) |
Subaru Forester |
Ford Escape |
Honda CR-V |
Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$21,995 |
$23,100 |
$23,120 |
$23,550 |
|
Engine |
2.5-liter flat-4 |
2.5-liter inline 4 |
2.4-liter inline 4 |
2.5-liter Inline 4 |
|
Drivetrain |
AWD |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
|
Transmission |
6-speed manual |
6-speed shiftable automatic |
5-speed Automatic |
6-speed shiftable automatic |
|
Power |
170 hp @ 5800 rpm |
168 hp @ 6000 rpm |
185 hp @ 7000 rpm |
176 hp @ 6000 rpm |
|
Torque |
174 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm |
170 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm |
163 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm |
172 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm |
|
0-60mph (sec) |
9.0 |
9.1 |
8.4 |
8.5 |
|
Quarter-mile (sec) |
16.9 |
16.9 |
16.2 |
16.5 |
|
Top Speed (mph) |
125 |
123 |
124 |
120 |
The performance from the 2.5L base engine is not very enthusiastic, and it does a 0-60 mph sprint in about 9 seconds. The quartile-mile drag is done in about 16.9 seconds. The Honda CR-V comes with a smaller engine and does 0-60 mph sprint in 8.4 seconds. The RAV4 comes very close to CR-V in terms of outright acceleration. The standard AWD configuration in the Forester is a clear advantage over others.
The performance from the base 2.5L engine is underwhelming, but it surely offers a better fuel economy in the segment. The Forester offers 24 mpg in the city, 32 mpg month highway, and about 27 mpg in mixed driving conditions. With a fuel tank capacity of 15.9 gallons, it can travel up to 382 miles, 509 miles, and 429 miles in the city, highway, and mixed driving conditions, respectively. The figures are very good considering the fact that it comes in AWD configuration as standard.
|
Models(2014) |
Subaru Forester |
Ford Escape |
Honda CR-V |
Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (city) |
24 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
32 |
31 |
31 |
31 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
27 |
25 |
26 |
26 |
|
Fuel Capacity (gallons) |
15.9 |
15.1 gal. |
15.3 gal. |
15.9 gal. |
|
Range (city/highway/combined) |
382/509/429 |
332/468/377 |
352/474/397 |
382/493/413 |
The Forester offers better efficiency and comes with a larger fuel tank. As a result, the range offered by it is much better than its rivals. The Escape is the least efficient and has the smallest fuel tank. As a result, its range is lesser than the competition. The CR-V and RAV4 offer the same efficiency, but owing to a larger fuel tank in the RAV4, it offers a better range than the CR-V.
The 2014 Subaru Forester gets well-designed interiors. It can accommodate up to five passengers with ease, and the list of features in the cabin is longer than its predecessor. The seats offer good support and are comfy. They might be cloth-trimmed or leather-trimmed depending on the trim you opt for. The front seats are manually adjustable in the base trim, and as you climb up the trim ladder, you get power assistance with more adjustments.
The rear seat is also roomier, and a larger cargo capacity of 34.4 cu-ft gives you more storage space for all your goods. It also gets a larger full-color 4.3-inch multifunction display, and it delivers access to vehicle info, settings, rear-view camera, and much more. The available large panoramic moonroof gives everyone a wide-open feeling and improves airiness in the cabin.
|
Models(2014) |
Subaru Forester |
Ford Escape |
Honda CR-V |
Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Legroom) |
41.4/57/43 |
39.9/56.0/43.1 |
39.9/58.6/41.3 |
39.8/57.3/42.6 |
|
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Legroom) |
39.8/56.5/41.7 |
39.0/55.3/36.8 |
38.6/56.4/38.3 |
38.9/55.4/37.2 |
|
Cargo Capacity |
34.4 cu-ft |
34.3 cu-ft |
37.3 cu-ft |
38.4 cu-ft |
All the cars can accommodate up to five passengers. The Forester and Escape almost have the same cargo capacity with a difference of just 0.1 cu-ft. The redesigned Forester offers better legroom across both rows than its rivals. The Toyota RAV4 beats the competition with better cargo capacity. The Honda CR-V is second to just the RAV4 in terms of cargo space. Some of the standout interior features of the Forester are:
The 2014 Subaru Forester is equipped with a single CD audio system with 4-speakers and offers Bluetooth connectivity, USB port, and AUX jack as standard in the base trim. The higher trims get a 6-speaker audio system for enhanced output. The 2.5i Touring and the 2.0XT Touring trim get a full-fledged infotainment system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen display with an integrated navigation system, 8-speaker Harman-Kardon music system, SiriusXM, etc. Some of the standout infotainment features of the Forester are:
The aesthetics of the 2014 Forester are reminiscent of the Impreza sedan, and we like it. The minimalist looks coupled with better interior space and good cargo capacity works well for us. It has a higher ground clearance of 8.7-inches and comes with AWD as standard, which is enough to testify its off-road credentials. The side profile is devoid of any visual drama and gives an estate wagon-ish vibe to us. The roof rails add to its sporty appeal. The rear profile is acceptable as well with a roof-mounted spoiler and wrap-around tail lamps. It comes with 17-inch or 18-inch tires depending upon the trim you opt for. The wheel designs are not sporty but blend well with the overall design language.
|
Models(2014) |
Subaru Forester |
Ford Escape |
Honda CR-V |
Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb weight (lbs) |
3366 lbs. |
3598 lbs. |
3305 lbs. |
3435 lbs. |
|
Length (in.) |
181 in. |
178 in. |
178 in. |
180 in. |
|
width (in.) |
71 in. |
72 in. |
72 in. |
73 in. |
|
height (in.) |
66 in. |
66 in. |
65 in. |
65 in. |
|
Ground Clearance (in) |
8.7 |
8 |
6 |
6 |
|
Wheelbase (in.) |
103.9 in. |
105.9 in. |
103.1 in. |
104.7 in. |
The Forester is one of the lighter options in the segment despite being an AWD vehicle. It also comes with a higher ground clearance than its rivals and is more off-road capable. The Ford Escape is on the heavier side of the scale and comes with slightly lesser ground clearance as compared to the Forester. The Honda CR-V is the lightest vehicle, compared to its competition. Some of the standout exterior features of the 2014 Forester are:
The 2014 Subaru Forester is one of the safest cars in its segment. NHTSA has given it an overall 5-star safety rating, and the IIHS has awarded it the “Top Safety Pick +” award for the year 2014. It also comes with many safety features like brake assist, brake override system, optional Eyesight driver assist system, airbags, LATCH system, vehicle dynamics control, etc. Some of the standout safety features of the Forester are:
The 2014 Subaru Forester is a well-balanced package combining many features, good interior space, and value. It also offers a more performance-oriented engine as an option, and the standard AWD configuration is a boon to have. The styling is minimalistic but works well for us, and the high safety ratings just make the whole deal even sweeter. So, if you are looking for a dependable and well-built SUV, the 2014 Forester is the way to go.
Car Name | 0-60 MPH | Quarter Mile | Top Speed | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 Subaru Forester Ranked #4 | 8.6 sec | 16.7 sec | 115 mph | |||
2014 Volkswagen Tiguan Ranked #1 | 7.3 sec | 15.5 sec | - | |||
2014 Nissan Xterra Ranked #1 | 7.3 sec | 15.6 sec | - | |||
2014 Toyota RAV4 Ranked #2 | 8.2 sec | 16.6 sec | 113 mph | |||
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Ranked #2 | 8.2 sec | - | - | |||
2014 Jeep Patriot Ranked #3 | 8.5 sec | - | - | Jeep USA |
Car Name | MPG City | MPG Highway | MPG Combined | Fuel Tank Capacity | Range (C/H) | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 Subaru Forester Ranked #5 | 22 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | 15.9 gal. | 349.8/461.1 mi. | |||
2014 Mazda CX-5 Ranked #1 | 26 mpg | 35 mpg | 29 mpg | 14.8 gal. | 384.8/518 mi. | |||
2014 Nissan Rogue Ranked #2 | 26 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | 14.5 gal. | 377/478.50 mi. | |||
2014 Toyota RAV4 Ranked #3 | 24 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | 15.9 gal. | 381.6/492.9 mi. | |||
2014 Chevrolet Equinox Ranked #3 | 22 mpg | 32 mpg | 26 mpg | 18.8 gal. | 413.6/601.6 mi. | |||
2014 Honda CR-V Ranked #3 | 23 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | 15.3 gal. | 351.9/474.3 mi. |
Car Name | Length | Width | Height | Ground Clearance | Wheelbase | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 Subaru Forester Ranked #6 | 180.9 in. | 70.7 in. | 66.4 in. | 8.7 in. | 103.9 in. | |||
2014 Chevrolet Equinox Ranked #1 | 187.8 in. | 72.5 in. | 66.3 in. | 6.9 in. | 112.5 in. | |||
2014 GMC Terrain Ranked #2 | 185.3 in. | 72.8 in. | 66.3 in. | 6.9 in. | 112.5 in. | |||
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Ranked #3 | 184.6 in. | 74 in. | 66.1 in. | 7.3 in. | 106.3 in. | |||
2014 Nissan Rogue Ranked #4 | 182.3 in. | 72.4 in. | 66.3 in. | 7.4 in. | 106.5 in. | |||
2014 Jeep Cherokee Ranked #5 | 182 in. | 73.2 in. | 65.7 in. | 5.7 in. | 106.3 in. | Jeep USA |
Car Name | Trunk Capacity | Passenger Volume | Max Trunk Volume | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 Subaru Forester Ranked #7 | 34.4 cu.ft. | 108.3 cu.ft. | 74.7 cu.ft. | |||
2014 Nissan Rogue Ranked #1 | 39.3 cu.ft. | 105.8 cu.ft. | 70 cu.ft. | |||
2014 Nissan Xterra Ranked #2 | 36.3 cu.ft. | - | 65.7 cu.ft. | |||
2014 Jeep Patriot Ranked #3 | 29.7 cu.ft. | 104.4 cu.ft. | 63.4 cu.ft. | Jeep USA | ||
2014 Ford Escape Ranked #4 | 34.3 cu.ft. | 98.1 cu.ft. | 68.1 cu.ft. | |||
2014 Mazda CX-5 Ranked #5 | 34.1 cu.ft. | 103.8 cu.ft. | 64.8 cu.ft. |
Car Name | Cargo Volume | Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area | Max Cargo Volume | Bed Length | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 Subaru Forester Ranked #1 | 74.7 cu.ft. | 34.4 cu.ft. | 74.7 cu.ft. | - | |||
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Ranked #2 | 71.5 cu.ft. | 35.4 cu.ft. | 71.5 cu.ft. | - | |||
2014 Toyota RAV4 Ranked #3 | 73.4 cu.ft. | 38.4 cu.ft. | 73.4 cu.ft. | - | |||
2014 Jeep Patriot Ranked #4 | 104.6 cu.ft. | 29.7 cu.ft. | 63.4 cu.ft. | - | Jeep USA | ||
2014 Jeep Compass Ranked #5 | 62.7 cu.ft. | 22.7 cu.ft. | 62.7 cu.ft. | - | Jeep USA | ||
2014 Nissan Xterra Ranked #6 | 146.4 cu.ft. | 36.3 cu.ft. | 65.7 cu.ft. | 72 ft. |
Car Name | Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity | Weight | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 Subaru Forester Ranked #5 | 1500 lbs. | 900 lbs. | 3296 lbs. | |||
2014 Nissan Xterra Ranked #1 | 5000 lbs. | 1058 lbs. | 4148 lbs. | |||
2014 Jeep Cherokee Ranked #2 | 4500 lbs. | 1000 lbs. | 3679 lbs. | Jeep USA | ||
2014 Kia Sportage Ranked #3 | 2000 lbs. | 1311 lbs. | 3280 lbs. | |||
2014 Mazda CX-5 Ranked #3 | 2000 lbs. | 1054 lbs. | 3194 lbs. | |||
2014 Jeep Compass Ranked #3 | 2000 lbs. | 925 lbs. | 3097 lbs. | Jeep USA |
2
Recalls0
Investigations397
Complaints[2 Reviews]
[0.0%] [0 Reviews]
[0.0%] [0 Reviews]
[0.0%] [0 Reviews]
[0.0%] [0 Reviews]
[0.0%] [0 Reviews]
POPULAR TAGS
User Overall Rating
Posted On: August 10, 2024
The 2015 Subaru Forester is a reliable vehicle that requires minimal maintenance making it a great choice for those looking for a hassle-free driving experience. Its sporty design adds a touch of style to its practicality appealing to drivers who want both performance and functionality. The all-wheel drive system provides added traction and stability making it a safe option for driving in various...
User Overall Rating
Posted On: July 30, 2024
For an SUV it gets great gas mileage at 32 highway and 28 city. Since it is a turbo i have no fear of merging into traffic. I bought this new in 2015 and refuse to give it up...it has all safery features and is simply one of the most comfortable rides.
