The driver's seat is simple to adjust, but it can be tailored for a wide variety of tastes and sizes, and it has good bolstering. The adjustable steering wheel has good range.
Rear-seat riders get good leg and head room, even with the optional moonroof. The rear seats were improved for 2006 with more thigh support. A fold-down armrest provides access to storage in the seatback.
New for 2007: Interior trim has been revised with new bottle holders added to the front doors. And the ashtray has been banished, replaced by storage bin on base models and an auxiliary audio input jack on all others.
Materials inside the Forester have been steadily upgraded over the years, to the point where all are decent quality. The instrument panel and controls are efficiently designed. Three big HVAC knobs make it easy to adjust temperature and airflow.
The upgrade stereo in our 2.5 XT Limited produced good quality sound. The gauge cluster is highly legible. We like the fluorescent-look backlighting on the turbo models best.
The optional leather interior looks and feels stylish. The L.L. Bean model features a Momo wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel and matching shifter handle. The water-resistant surface on its cargo floor and rear seatback extends up the cargo area sidewalls.
The Forester has great cargo capacity for its size. Lowering the 60/40 split rear seat increases that capacity from 31 cubic feet to 69 cubic feet. That's comparable to some compact SUVs (Ford Escape, for example, with 29 and 66 cubic feet, respectively, with and without the back seat in place); less than others (like the Honda CRV, with 36 and 73 cubic feet). Those who put a premium on cargo space should note that the lower headliner on Foresters equipped with the moonroof robs 2 to 4 cubic feet of cargo volume.
The standard retractable cargo cover sits high enough to accommodate taller objects, like a big cooler. Plenty of hooks and tie-downs add versatility. A side storage pocket contains a 12-volt power outlet, and there's another 12-volt outlet in the front center console.
Despite its compact dimensions, Forester accommodates the needs and physique of a wide range of people. It also protects them well in an accident. Passive safety features are among the best in small SUVs, and Forester has earned the highest possible ratings for crashworthiness in frontal-offset and side impact crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
