We have a twist when it comes to the wildly popular Subaru Forester. It has been receiving tons of praise as one of the best SUVs you can buy, but it’s not perfect. See where some critics feel like the 2023 Subaru Forester could be improved. 

What are the potential 2023 Subaru Forester problems? 

According to Consumer Reports, the 2023 Subaru Forester could use a better engine. The 2023 Forester has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, which is fine on paper. 

However, it provides a lackluster performance. It has a sluggish acceleration that isn’t exhilarating. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 9.3 seconds, which is classified as slow for the class. 

When properly equipped, the Forester can tow up to 1,500 lbs, but the Wilderness trim increases this figure to 3,000 lbs. It lags behind rivals such as the 2023 Toyota RAV4 that can tow up to 3,500 lbs. 

The second issue involves how loud the engine is. It’s referred to as not exactly pleasant as it enters the cabin. Plus, a little wind and road noise enter the cabin at highway speeds, which can be distracting. 

But on a positive note, the 2023 Forester has the best-in-class fuel economy. The Subaru Forester gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and up to 33 mpg on the highway. 

Is the 2023 Forester worth buying? 

Yes, the 2023 Subaru Forester is worth buying despite being a little underpowered and loud. It provides a relaxing and comfortable experience on the road with a smooth ride and confident brakes. 

The suspension easily dampens and smooths out rough sections of the pavement. It has responsive handling and feels well-planted around curves. It can change speed and direction with speed and confidence. 

Plus, the Subaru Forester is comfortable. The front seats are large, well-padded, and supportive. There’s plenty of passenger space in the backseat, too, and the interior is fairly quiet. Also, the dual-zone climate control is effective and fast. 

You can access up to 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and up to 74.2 cubic feet overall. Installing rear-facing child seats could be a tight squeeze, though. 

Does the 2023 Forester have enough value? 

Yes, the 2023 Subaru Forester has plenty of value and starts at $26,295. Each model has standard all-wheel drive and 8.7 inches of ground clearance for above-average capabilities for off-roading. 

The base model comes with 17-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, a 6.5-inch infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and automatic climate control. 

You can opt for the 8-inch screen, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power liftgate, a premium audio system, and enhanced off-roading modes with higher trim levels. 

Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, lane departure warning, and forward collision mitigation. 

The Subaru Forester may have a lackluster engine that is a little loud, but that’s fine. It’s a comfortable, capable, and value-packed option with a great fuel economy.