Reviews about the 2021 Subaru Forester are generally positive. And if you’re a Subie fan, you already know why. The Forester is easily the most versatile choice in the compact SUV class, and it gives you a lot for the money. We understand if you’d want to stick with the base model, but going up to the Premium trim is a practical and luxurious choice. 

What interior features are standard on the 2021 Subaru Forester? 

Consumer Reports currently ranks the 2021 Forester as king of its class. The hype for the latest edition of this Subie is understandable, especially when considering its interior features. 

The Forester’s long list of user-friendly gadgets is one advantage over rivals, including Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. Plus, the Forester offers more passenger and cargo space than most.

The Forester’s standard driver assistance technology contributes to its excellent safety ratings. All models come with Subaru’s EyeSight package. This suite of advanced safety features includes forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. 

Additionally, the Forester comes with a generous amount of infotainment features. A 6.5-inch touchscreen display is standard, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Forest’s infotainment is intuitive, and it’s easy to pair your phone. 

Why the Premium trim stands out as the best version to get 

The base Forester is well-equipped and starts at $24,795. But if you want a few more frills, the next-level Premium trim is a worthy choice. The Forester Premium begins at $27,495. 

Premium models get a few exterior upgrades, including 17-inch alloy wheels, body-color folding side mirrors, raised roof rails, and a roof spoiler. This trim also adds fog lights and a windshield wiper de-icer. Naturally, there’s also a noticeable difference between the base Forester’s interior and the Premium version. 

The Forester Premium comes with black cloth upholstery and some leather trimmings, replacing the standard gray-colored interior. Premium models also get power-adjustable and heated front seats, a panoramic power moonroof, a larger stereo, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability.

Forester Premium models get more performance features too

All Forester models come with a 182-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a continuously variable automatic (CVT). The Forester can get up to 29 mpg overall, which is impressive for the class. Furthermore, the Forester has a standard all-wheel-drive system and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. These attributes contribute to the Forester’s adventure-readiness.

The Premium will give you a few more features designed to optimize your driving experience. Unlike the base model, Premium trims and up come with X-Mode and hill descent control. Subaru’s X-Mode works to increase the AWD system’s engagement and minimize wheelspin.

The X-Mode system makes it easier to navigate through snow and mud. It also uses the hill descent control function to maintain vehicle stability. Overall, it’s worth upgrading to get X-Mode if you plan on doing more off-road excursions.