AutoNSider Review | 2019 Subaru Forester Touring

I didn't expect quite so much.

Not that I didn't know that Subaru has been on fire for years now. They're one of the few manufacturers who's sales have been surging for the past couple of decades…for good reason.

It's just that I thought that they'd save their best stuff for their larger Outback…or their new Ascent.

Wrong.

In top Touring trim, I dare you to tell me what the Subaru Forester is missing.

Let's start with the ride. Smooth. I could have mistaken it for Mercedes' air suspension.

And as for performance, this Subie's 2.5 liter, 182 HP four is more than adequate…help[ed along with the best continuously variable automatic that I've experienced. While are some CVTs are rather numb and lifeless, Subaru has engineered real feel into their CVT…especially when "downshifting".

Capability? That's always been one of Subaru's strengths. All-wheel-drive is standard, of course, as is over eight and a half inches of ground clearance.

All this you probably knew. What you might not know is that the '19 Forester has been completely re-engineered.

While cargo space is up only one cubic foot, "useability" is up dramatically. The width of the rear tailgate is up by over five inches. In and out has gotten a lot easier.

Plus, creature comforts abound. For one, the Forester is surprisingly quiet. And good looking in Touring trim. Soft, perforated leather. Luxurious legroom.

And safety? Let's start with a Subaru exclusive. EyeSight Driver Assist…standard on all trim levels. Your Subie can detect when you're about to nod off and both alert you and keep you in your lane.

Burt that's just a start. Even the least expensive Forester can tow 1,500 lbs…with standard trailer stability assist to help keep your load under control.

LED high and low beams are also standard…as are Apple and Android connectivity, Sirius XM, and an updated 2.5 liter 4 with 182 HP and a 26 MPG City / 33 Hwy rating. All that, and a vehicle that's among the highest rated for reliability by Consumer reports…for a mid $20's window sticker.

Bump that up by around 10K and turn your Forester into a "Poor Man's Range Rover" by adding soft, perforated heated leather fronts and heated outboard rears, Blind-Spot and Cross-Traffic alerts, heated leather steering, Distraction Mitigation, 18" alloys, one-touch folding rear seatback, an all-weather package, Wi-Fi hotspot, auto high / low beams, a panoramic moonroof, power tailgate with height memory, voice activated controls, Harman Kardon premium audio…and get this…a single disc in-dash CD. Yes…a CD! Subie hasn't forgotten the baby boomers!

And speaking of the "Boomers", back in their day Volvo was the icon for moderately-priced safety / longevity / and basic luxuries.

But Volvo has gone upscale.

Today it's Subaru who is king of that mountain.