Some consumers prefer to own and buy based on brand loyalty. Others look for vehicles that best fit their lifestyle preferences, including fuel efficiency and seating capacity. For those most concerned about safety, one brand that often comes to mind is Subaru.

If safety is a top priority for you, and you want a compact SUV, the Forester is definitely worth a look. Today, we thought we’d spec out what we know about just how safe the Subaru Forester really is.

A brand built on safety first designs

The 2020 Subaru Forester is the fifth-generation and brings all the best features for safety and function. Whether it’s the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the roomy interior, or the host of standard equipment, it’s the ideal crossover/SUV for anyone not interested in driving a status symbol.

While other automakers carve out a brand personality for luxury first or performance first, Subaru is all about safety and security first. Forester is the family-friendly, capable version of the brand’s character.

Subaru Forester’s standard safety equipment

While other models have you guessing trim packages to add safety features, Forester brings all the best safety equipment as a standard. You’ll enjoy peace of mind with a family of airbags, including front, side, rear, and head protection for drivers and passengers. You’ll have ABS brakes, brake assist, and four-wheel disc brakes for stopping confidence. Electronic stability control, traction control, and auto-adjusting headlights come standard.

Driver assistance features that make sense

While standard safety equipment is designed to protect you during an accident, the driver assistance features are intended to help you avoid fender benders in the first place. Regardless of the trim level you choose for your Subaru Forester, you’ll have the stereotactic camera system known as EyeSight as a handy feature.

EyeSight comes with a suite of driver assistance features that make sense behind the wheel, including stop-and-go adaptive cruise control. You’ll have lane-centering assistance as well as forward collision warning systems. It’s as if you have a second and third pair of eyes on the road with you.

Combat distracted driving

Distracted driving is a real concern in today’s driving environment. Subaru takes prevention seriously and has a robust set of hands-free options for infotainment and connectivity. Center stack displays come in two sizes, depending on your trim level, 6.5-inch or 8.5-inch.

There is a second multi-info display within the instrument panel so that drivers can be visually informed. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity platforms come standard, too. This makes making and receiving calls effortless as well as texting.

What the experts say about the Subaru Forester

Ultimately, equipment and options are great. But, what you may really want to know is how well the Subaru Forester handles in crashes. The two opinions that matter most for crash tests are the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.

The 2019 model earned a Top Safety Pick award and continues to earn high marks for 2020. With five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA for side, front, and rear impacts, you can rest assured knowing your Forester will protect its occupants. The IIHS scorecard is a roster of ‘Good’ and ‘Superior’ grades throughout similar testing. Subaru Forester is every bit as safe as the brand portrays it to be.

Safety should be affordable

Subaru not only designs its vehicles with a safety-first approach, but it also makes safety affordable. You can buy the compact SUV, Forester, for a starting MSRP of $24,495. While you can select some of the higher-level trim options for creature comforts, your Forester’s entry-level model brings all the safety you need, without having to pick and choose features to pay for additionally.

There are other brands and models in this SUV segment that you may want to consider as well. But, if safety is your dealbreaker and top priority, the Subaru Forester is the way to go. Badges don’t offer much in the way of protection during an accident anyway.