Subaru Forester 2012–2015 car dimensions: 4595 mm long, 1795 mm wide and 1735 mm high. Braked towing is 1,800 kg.
The Active grade has single-zone automatic climate control, a multifunction steering wheel, heated front seats, Bluetooth hands-free and a basic CD audio system with USB. Cruise control and a reversing camera appear on higher grades like Exclusive. No factory touchscreen is standard. navigation with a 7-inch touchscreen is optional on upper trims. Advanced aids such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning or lane keep are not listed for this grade.
Boot space measures 505 litres with seats up and expands to 1564 litres with the 60/40 rear seats folded. The load floor is practical for everyday use with a wide opening.
Braked towing capacity is 1800 kg on the manual Active and 2000 kg on the Lineartronic version, with 750 kg unbraked. Payload is 463 kg. Automatic self-levelling rear suspension is fitted on Active, which helps keep the car level when loaded or towing.
The cabin feels spacious with increased shoulder and elbow room plus good forward visibility from the forward-set A-pillars. Heated front seats and automatic climate control come standard. Rear seats recline and fold 60/40 for flexibility. Higher grades add dual-zone climate, power-adjustable seats and a panoramic glass sunroof.
Combined fuel use 6.9 l/100 km on 2.0X manual
5-star Euro NCAP rating
Seven airbags standard including driver knee and full curtains
VDC stability control and hill-start assist standard
Service every 12 months or 12 000 miles
5-year warranty to 160 000 km
The 2.0-litre boxer petrol returns a combined 6.9 l/100 km with the six-speed manual and 6.5 l/100 km with Lineartronic. CO2 sits at 160 g/km for the manual Active.
Service intervals are set at 12 months or 12 000 miles. A five-year warranty covers the car to 160 000 km together with roadside assistance.
Safety is strong: the generation earned a full five-star Euro NCAP score. Standard kit includes seven airbags, VDC with trailer stability, ABS/EBD, ISOFIX and a ring-shaped reinforcement frame.
Symmetrical all-wheel drive is standard on every Active. Keep up with the schedule and the boxer engine plus AWD remain straightforward to live with over high mileages.
Length 4595 mm, Width 1795 mm, Height 1735 mm, Wheelbase 2640 mm (Forester 2012–2015)
Sources: manufacturer data, Subaru Deutschland, Forester Preise, Technische Daten, Ausstattung, März 2013, 1557 L with the panoramic roof), 225/60R17 on 2.0X Active, ventilated front discs and rear discs, rear self-levelling, Satin White is the no-cost paint.