Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring, a ride that's been making waves in the compact SUV scene. If you're in the market for a reliable, spacious, and feature-packed vehicle, then stick around. We're going to cover everything you need to know, from its performance and interior to its technology and safety features. Let's get started!

Overview of the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring

The 2021 Subaru Forester Touring is the top-tier trim of the Forester lineup, offering a blend of luxury and practicality. It builds upon the already impressive features of the lower trims with additional amenities and enhanced styling. Think of it as the Forester that's ready for both your daily commute and your weekend adventures. The Touring trim sets itself apart with unique features such as leather upholstery, heated rear seats, and a premium audio system. On the outside, you'll notice distinctive touches like chrome accents and exclusive wheel designs. These upgrades not only enhance the vehicle's aesthetics but also provide a more comfortable and refined driving experience. The Forester has consistently earned high marks for its reliability and safety, making it a popular choice for families and individuals alike. Its standard all-wheel-drive system ensures confident handling in various weather conditions, while its spacious interior and ample cargo space add to its versatility. The Touring trim elevates this package with premium materials and advanced technology, making it a standout option in the competitive compact SUV market. Whether you're looking for a dependable daily driver or a capable adventure vehicle, the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring offers a compelling combination of features and value.

Performance and Handling

Let's talk about how the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring performs on the road. Under the hood, you'll find a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. While it's not the most powerful engine in its class, it provides adequate acceleration for most driving situations. The engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which prioritizes fuel efficiency. This setup delivers smooth and predictable power delivery, making it easy to navigate both city streets and highways. The CVT mimics the behavior of a traditional automatic transmission, providing simulated gear changes that prevent the droning sound often associated with CVTs. One of the Forester's standout features is its standard symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. This system distributes power to all four wheels, providing enhanced traction and stability in various weather conditions. Whether you're driving on snow-covered roads or navigating a muddy trail, the Forester's all-wheel-drive system gives you the confidence to handle challenging conditions. The Touring trim also includes X-Mode, which optimizes the vehicle's systems for even greater traction in extreme situations. This feature enhances the all-wheel-drive system by adjusting the engine output, transmission settings, and stability control to maximize grip on slippery surfaces. In terms of handling, the Forester Touring offers a comfortable and composed ride. The suspension is tuned to absorb bumps and imperfections in the road, providing a smooth and stable driving experience. The steering is light and responsive, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. While it's not a sporty vehicle, the Forester Touring offers a balanced and predictable driving experience that's well-suited for daily commuting and long road trips. The combination of its capable all-wheel-drive system, comfortable ride, and responsive handling make it a standout option in the compact SUV segment.

Interior and Comfort

Step inside the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring, and you'll immediately notice the upscale ambiance. The leather upholstery adds a touch of luxury, making the cabin feel more refined than other trims. The seats are comfortable and supportive, providing ample cushioning for long drives. Both the front and rear seats are heated, ensuring that everyone stays cozy during cold weather. The driver's seat features 10-way power adjustability, including lumbar support, allowing you to find the perfect driving position. The passenger seat also offers power adjustability, enhancing comfort for your co-pilot. The Forester Touring boasts a spacious interior with plenty of headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. Even taller adults will find the rear seats comfortable, making it a great choice for families. The rear seats also recline, allowing passengers to customize their seating position for added comfort. In addition to its comfortable seating, the Forester Touring offers a range of convenience features. The panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with natural light, creating an airy and open feel. Automatic climate control ensures that the temperature remains consistent throughout the cabin, while rear air vents keep back-seat passengers comfortable. The cargo area is also spacious, offering 31.1 cubic feet of storage with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. This is plenty of room for groceries, luggage, or outdoor gear. The power liftgate makes it easy to load and unload cargo, while the cargo area tie-downs help keep your belongings secure. Overall, the interior of the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring is well-designed and thoughtfully equipped, providing a comfortable and convenient experience for both drivers and passengers.

Technology and Features

The 2021 Subaru Forester Touring is packed with technology designed to enhance your driving experience. At the center of the dashboard is an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your smartphone with the vehicle. The touchscreen is responsive and easy to use, with intuitive menus and clear graphics. In addition to smartphone integration, the infotainment system includes features like Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and a built-in navigation system. The navigation system provides accurate directions and real-time traffic updates, helping you avoid delays and reach your destination efficiently. The Touring trim also comes standard with a premium Harman Kardon audio system. This system features nine speakers and a subwoofer, delivering crisp and clear sound throughout the cabin. Whether you're listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks, the Harman Kardon system provides an immersive listening experience. Other notable technology features include a DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. This system uses a camera to monitor the driver's eyes and detect signs of fatigue or distraction. If the system detects that the driver is not paying attention to the road, it will issue a warning to help prevent accidents. The Forester Touring also includes a range of advanced safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. These features use sensors and cameras to monitor the vehicle's surroundings and alert the driver to potential hazards. Overall, the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring offers a comprehensive suite of technology features that enhance convenience, entertainment, and safety.

Safety and Driver-Assistance

When it comes to safety, the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring excels. It comes standard with Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, a suite of advanced safety features designed to help prevent accidents. This system includes adaptive cruise control, which automatically maintains a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead. It also includes lane departure warning, which alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane. Lane keep assist gently steers the vehicle back into its lane if it detects that the driver is unintentionally drifting. In addition to EyeSight, the Forester Touring also includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. This system uses sensors to detect vehicles in your blind spots and alerts you with a warning light in the side mirrors. Rear cross-traffic alert warns you of approaching vehicles when you're backing out of a parking space or driveway. The Forester Touring also comes standard with reverse automatic braking. This system detects objects behind the vehicle and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. Other standard safety features include antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, and a full complement of airbags. The Forester has consistently earned top safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These ratings reflect the vehicle's robust structure and comprehensive suite of safety features. The combination of advanced driver-assistance technologies and passive safety features makes the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring a safe and reliable choice for drivers and passengers.

Fuel Economy and Value

Let's talk about fuel economy and overall value in the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring. The Forester achieves an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. These figures are competitive for a compact SUV with standard all-wheel drive. Real-world fuel economy may vary depending on driving conditions and habits, but overall, the Forester offers respectable fuel efficiency. When it comes to value, the Forester Touring provides a compelling package of features and amenities for its price. It's positioned at the higher end of the Forester lineup, but it includes a range of upgrades that justify the cost. The leather upholstery, heated rear seats, premium audio system, and advanced safety features add to the overall value proposition. The Forester also has a strong reputation for reliability, which can translate to lower long-term ownership costs. Subaru vehicles are known for their durability and longevity, and the Forester is no exception. This means you can expect to get many years of reliable service from your Forester, with fewer unexpected repairs. Additionally, the Forester holds its value well over time, which can be an important consideration if you plan to trade it in or sell it in the future. Compared to other compact SUVs in its class, the Forester Touring offers a competitive combination of features, fuel economy, and reliability. While it may not be the cheapest option on the market, it provides a good value for the money, especially if you prioritize safety, all-wheel drive, and a comfortable interior. Overall, the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring is a smart choice for buyers who are looking for a versatile, reliable, and well-equipped compact SUV.

Pros and Cons

To give you a balanced view, let's break down the pros and cons of the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring:

Pros:

• Standard all-wheel drive: Provides enhanced traction and stability in various weather conditions.
• Spacious interior: Offers ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers.
• Comprehensive safety features: Includes Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and other advanced safety systems.
• Comfortable ride: The suspension is tuned to absorb bumps and imperfections in the road.
• User-friendly technology: The infotainment system is easy to use and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Cons:

• Engine power: The 2.5-liter engine may feel underpowered for some drivers.
• CVT transmission: Some drivers may not like the feel of the continuously variable transmission.
• Exterior styling: The Forester's design is somewhat conservative and may not appeal to everyone.
• Infotainment screen size: While functional, the 8-inch touchscreen is smaller than some competitors.

Final Verdict

So, what's the final word on the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring? Overall, it's a well-rounded and capable compact SUV that offers a lot of value for the money. It excels in safety, comfort, and practicality, making it a great choice for families and individuals alike. While it may not be the most exciting vehicle to drive, it provides a comfortable and confident experience in a variety of conditions. If you're looking for a reliable and versatile SUV that's packed with features, the Forester Touring is definitely worth considering. Its standard all-wheel-drive system, spacious interior, and comprehensive safety features make it a standout option in the competitive compact SUV market. Whether you're commuting to work, running errands, or heading out on a weekend adventure, the 2021 Subaru Forester Touring is ready for anything.