Subaru Forester Family test drive checklist
Introduction
Use this rating during inspection, negotiation, and purchase. Each item has a checkbox, a 1–5 rating (1 = bad, 5 = super), and a notes area for recording measurements, prices, and results.
Family models covered
- Subaru Forester 2.5i
- Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited
- Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium
- Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring
- Subaru Forester e-Boxer
- Subaru Forester Hybrid
- Subaru Forester Sport
- Subaru Forester Wilderness
Not sure yet? Consider these options
Quick alternatives before you decide
Better overall choice
Ford Expedition Max XLT
Strong alternative in this segment
→
Similar Subaru alternative
Subaru Ascent
Close match from the same brand
→
Best for Road trips
Road trips
Comfort and practicality for longer journeys.
•
Subaru Forester Family test drive checklist
Checklist with sections, items, ratings and notes.1. Car seats & rear seat reality
Evaluate how well the Subaru Forester works for real family seating needs, including child-seat installation, rear passenger comfort, access, and practical everyday usability.
1.1 LATCH / ISOFIX easy to find and reach
Check whether the child-seat anchors in the Subaru Forester are easy to locate and access. They should not require digging between cushions or be blocked by stiff seat covers.
1.2 Rear-facing seat fits without pushing front seat too far forward
Test whether a rear-facing child seat fits comfortably in the Subaru Forester without forcing the front passenger seat into an impractical position. After installation, confirm that an adult can still sit comfortably in front.
1.3 Rear door opening is wide enough for easy loading
Check whether the rear door opening of the Subaru Forester is wide enough to make loading and unloading a child seat easy. If you do not have a seat with you, simulate the motion with a large bag.
1.4 Middle seat usable (if needed)
Assess whether the middle rear seat in the Subaru Forester is genuinely usable. Check floor shape, seat-belt position, headrest placement, and general comfort.
1.5 Kids’ comfort: rear vents / USB / cupholders
Check whether the Subaru Forester offers useful rear-seat comfort features such as air vents, USB ports, and cupholders. These can vary significantly by year and trim, so verify what this specific car includes.
1.6 Rear legroom with installed child seats
After installing a child seat, check how much legroom remains in the rear and front seats. Limited space can significantly affect long-term comfort.
1.7 Rear seat center armrest with cupholders
Evaluate if the Subaru Forester comes with a rear center armrest featuring cupholders. This adds convenience for rear-seat passengers and enhances overall comfort on longer journeys.
2. Stroller & cargo test
Assess whether the cargo area of the Subaru Forester works for real family life. Focus on stroller fit, grocery capacity, tailgate opening, loading height, and practical storage solutions rather than relying only on published cargo-volume figures.
2.1 Stroller fits without weird angles
Check whether your stroller fits easily into the cargo area of the Subaru Forester. Focus on the actual opening height and width, not just the quoted cargo volume.
2.2 Groceries + stroller still fit together
Consider whether the Subaru Forester can hold both a stroller and a realistic family shopping load at the same time, such as groceries, a diaper bag, or sports gear.
2.3 Cargo lip/loading height feels manageable
Check whether the cargo lip and loading height of the Subaru Forester feel practical for daily use. A loading edge that is too high can quickly become annoying with heavy or bulky items.
2.4 Useful storage: hooks, underfloor bin, 60/40 fold
Inspect whether the Subaru Forester offers useful cargo details such as bag hooks, underfloor compartments, and split-folding rear seats. Also check how easily the seats fold and whether they create a flat enough load surface.
2.5 One-handed loading practicality
Assess whether you can load items into the Subaru Forester with one hand, as this is common when handling children. Check tailgate weight and ease of operation.
2.6 Hybrid / e-Boxer battery impact on cargo space
If you are looking at the Forester Hybrid or e-Boxer, check how the electrified system affects cargo space and underfloor storage. Verify that it still meets your family's storage needs.
3. Safety tech & visibility
Check that the safety and visibility features of the Subaru Forester are actually present and working as expected. Review both driver-assistance equipment and real-world visibility from the driver’s seat.
3.1 AEB / forward collision warning
Confirm whether the Subaru Forester includes automatic emergency braking or forward collision warning, and whether the feature was standard or optional for that specific year and trim.
3.2 Lane assist / lane departure warning
Check whether the Subaru Forester includes lane-assistance or lane-departure warning features, and confirm that the system appears to recognize lane markings properly.
3.3 Blind spot monitoring + rear cross-traffic (if equipped)
If fitted, verify that blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert work correctly in the Subaru Forester, including indicator lights and any system settings or toggles.
3.4 Rear view + mirrors feel confidence-inspiring
Assess whether the rear visibility and mirror coverage of the Subaru Forester feel reassuring in daily driving. Check that rear headrests do not block the view excessively and that mirror placement is practical.
3.5 Backup camera is clear (and parking sensors if present)
Check that the backup camera image in the Subaru Forester is clear and free from haze, distortion, or lag. If parking sensors are fitted, confirm that they respond properly.
3.6 Headlights are strong + clean lens
Inspect the headlights of the Subaru Forester for good brightness and clear lenses. This is especially important for winter driving, dark mornings, and school-run use.
3.7 Overall safety confidence feeling
Evaluate whether the Subaru Forester feels safe and reassuring during driving, including visibility, control, and perceived protection.
3.8 Standard safety features specific to Subaru AWD models
Investigate whether the Subaru Forester includes Subaru-specific safety and stability features tied to its AWD setup. Confirm that these features enhance the vehicle's overall safety profile.
4. The drive: comfort, noise, kid vibe
Evaluate whether the Subaru Forester feels genuinely family-friendly on the road. Focus on ride comfort, cabin noise, brake smoothness, steering ease, and rear-seat climate comfort during a realistic daily-use route.
4.1 Ride comfort over bumps is family-friendly
Drive the Subaru Forester over rough pavement and speed bumps at low speed to judge whether the suspension feels comfortable enough for family use.
4.2 Cabin noise at 50–70 mph is acceptable
Check whether wind and tire noise in the Subaru Forester remain at a tolerable level at moderate to higher road speeds. Excessive noise can affect sleeping children and daily comfort.
4.3 Brakes smooth + predictable
Assess whether the brakes of the Subaru Forester feel smooth, easy to modulate, and predictable in family driving. Watch for pulsing, squealing, or grabby behavior.
4.4 Steering feels stable, not tiring
Check whether the steering of the Subaru Forester feels stable, confidence-inspiring, and easy enough for daily family driving. If safe, test it on a roundabout or during a quick lane change.
4.5 AC works strong in the back
Confirm that rear-seat climate comfort in the Subaru Forester is adequate. Check whether airflow reaches the back properly and whether the fan noise remains acceptable.
4.6 Comfort in stop-and-go traffic
Test how the Subaru Forester behaves in slow traffic conditions. Smooth acceleration and braking are especially important for passenger comfort.
4.7 AWD driveline feel in everyday driving
Evaluate how the Subaru Forester's AWD system feels during everyday driving, especially at low speeds, on wet roads, and during parking maneuvers. Smooth, unobtrusive behavior matters for family comfort.
5. Tech & practicality
Review the everyday technology and convenience features of the Subaru Forester to make sure they support family use rather than becoming daily annoyances. Focus on infotainment usability, phone integration, cabin storage, and ease of cleaning.
5.1 Phone connects easily (CarPlay / Android Auto)
Test whether your phone connects quickly and reliably to the Subaru Forester, including maps, music, and calls. Ideally, this should work smoothly within a minute.
5.2 Controls are simple while driving
Check whether important controls in the Subaru Forester, such as volume, defrost, and fan speed, are easy to operate while driving without distraction.
5.3 Enough cupholders + usable door bins
Assess whether the Subaru Forester provides enough practical storage for daily family life, including cupholders, door bins, and places for drinks, snacks, wipes, and small essentials.
5.4 Easy cabin cleaning
Check whether the interior materials and layout of the Subaru Forester make routine cleaning realistic. Pay attention to seat surfaces, floor mats, and hard-to-reach crevices where dirt can collect.
5.5 Charging options for devices
Check whether the Subaru Forester offers sufficient USB ports or charging options for multiple devices used by passengers.
5.6 Infotainment features tailored for families
Assess whether the infotainment system of the Subaru Forester has family-friendly features, such as easy device pairing, clear menus, and useful trip or vehicle information.
6. Daily family usability & routines
Evaluate how well the Subaru Forester fits into your real daily routines such as school runs, shopping trips, parking, and short-distance driving. Small usability factors often have a bigger long-term impact than specifications.
6.1 Easy entry and exit for children
Check how easily children can get in and out of the Subaru Forester. Seat height, door opening angle, and step-in height all influence daily convenience.
6.2 Parking and maneuverability in tight spaces
Test how easy it is to park the Subaru Forester in tight urban spaces, school parking areas, or supermarkets. Evaluate turning radius and visibility.
6.3 Short trip usability (school run scenario)
Simulate a short daily drive and assess how quickly the vehicle becomes comfortable, including seat position, visibility, and ease of operation.
6.4 Storage for daily items
Check if there is enough practical storage for everyday items such as bags, snacks, toys, and personal belongings.
6.5 Fuel efficiency during daily use
Consider the fuel efficiency of the Subaru Forester during typical family driving scenarios. Evaluate how it performs in stop-and-go traffic and on longer trips to understand real-world efficiency.