DecodedCars2023 Subaru Forester
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2023 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- 2.5i / Convenience / Touring 4dr SUV, Sport / Limited / Premier 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 182 hp
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 29 combined · 26 city / 33 hwy
- Length
- 182.3 in
- Curb weight
- 3,459–3,549 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 29 MPG combined — 16% better than the average 2023 small SUV (25 MPG).
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 38 similar 2023 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2023 Subaru Forester is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 182 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,459 lb (2.5i / Convenience / Touring 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (26 city / 33 highway), 16% better than the 2023 small SUV average of 25 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2023
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2022 Forester — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2022; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2022 Forester →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Yajima Plant, Japan
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2023 Forester configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5i / Convenience / Touring 4dr SUV | 182.3 in | 71.7 in | 68.1 in | 105.1 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,459 lb | 58/42 |
| Sport / Limited / Premier 4dr SUV | 182.3 in | 71.7 in | 68.1 in | 105.1 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,549 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 / 33 / 29 | +16% | $2,300 | 310 |
| Forester Wilderness AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 28 / 26 | +4% | $2,600 | 338 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2023 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.9% |
Similar 2023 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Subaru Forester (this car) | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2023 Toyota RAV4 | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime | 38 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2023 Honda CR-V | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
| 2023 Toyota 4Runner | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2023 Hyundai Tucson | 38 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2023 Mazda CX-5 | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Nov 9, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V754000 · 4,701 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
- Risk
- A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.
Not every 2023 Subaru Forester is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2023 Subaru Forester buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Visibility/Wiper — 11 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 8 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Electrical System — 7 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 9,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2023 Subaru Forester. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Forester years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Forester | 35 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 32 |
| 2025 Forester | 35 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 99 |
| 2024 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 31 |
| 2022 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 100 |
| 2021 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 212 |
| 2020 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 603 |
| 2019 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 834 |
| 2018 Forester | 28 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 498 |
| 2017 Forester | 28 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 592 |
| 2016 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 416 |
| 2015 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 608 |
| 2014 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 364 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →