Hey guys! Let's dive into the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium, a compact SUV that's been making waves in the automotive world. This article will be your go-to guide, covering everything from its features and performance to why it's a solid choice for your next vehicle. We'll explore what makes the Forester Premium stand out, what you can expect in terms of driving experience, and how it stacks up against the competition. So, buckle up – we're about to take a deep dive!

Unpacking the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium: What's the Buzz?

So, what's all the hype about? The 2021 Subaru Forester Premium is a fantastic choice for those seeking a blend of practicality, safety, and a touch of adventure. It's a compact SUV that's perfectly suited for city commutes, weekend getaways, and everything in between. The Forester Premium is known for its standard all-wheel drive, which gives it a significant advantage in various weather conditions, including snow and rain. This feature alone makes it a popular option in regions with unpredictable climates. Beyond its capability, the Forester Premium offers a spacious interior, making it comfortable for both passengers and cargo. Subaru has always put a strong emphasis on safety, and the 2021 model is no exception. It comes packed with advanced safety features, which we'll discuss in detail later. And hey, it's not just about practicality – the Forester Premium has a stylish design that’s sure to turn heads. It’s got a rugged yet refined look that appeals to a wide range of drivers. This SUV strikes a great balance, offering an enjoyable driving experience without sacrificing the features that matter most to you. From the engine to the safety features, the Forester Premium has everything to make it a must-have.

But wait, there's more! The 2021 model year introduced some exciting updates and improvements over previous versions. Subaru focused on refining the already successful formula, enhancing features, and making the Forester Premium even more appealing to a broader audience. One notable upgrade is the inclusion of advanced driver-assistance systems. These technologies, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, significantly enhance safety and driver convenience. The interior also got a refresh, with improved materials and a more user-friendly infotainment system. Subaru listened to customer feedback and made sure to address any shortcomings. Another key selling point is the Forester Premium's excellent fuel efficiency. Thanks to its efficient engine and lightweight design, it offers impressive miles per gallon, saving you money at the pump. This is a big deal, especially with rising fuel costs. In a nutshell, the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium is a well-rounded SUV that offers a compelling package for anyone looking for a reliable, safe, and versatile vehicle. It's a great choice for families, individuals, and anyone who enjoys an active lifestyle.

Performance and Handling: How Does it Drive?

Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks: how does the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium perform on the road? The Forester Premium is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a respectable 182 horsepower. While it's not a powerhouse, this engine provides adequate power for daily driving and highway cruising. The engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which contributes to its fuel efficiency. This type of transmission is designed to optimize engine performance and fuel economy. The CVT in the Forester Premium offers smooth and seamless gear changes, enhancing the overall driving experience. One of the Forester Premium's standout features is its standard all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. This is a huge advantage, especially in challenging weather conditions. The AWD system constantly monitors road conditions and distributes power to the wheels with the most grip. This provides enhanced traction and stability, making it safer to drive in rain, snow, or on uneven surfaces. This system is a key reason why the Forester is so well-regarded by drivers in areas with harsh winters. The Forester Premium offers a comfortable and composed ride, thanks to its well-tuned suspension. It effectively absorbs bumps and imperfections in the road, providing a smooth experience for both the driver and passengers. The steering is light and responsive, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The Forester Premium's handling is predictable and user-friendly, making it a great choice for both experienced and novice drivers.

In terms of acceleration, the Forester Premium is not the fastest SUV in its class. However, its acceleration is sufficient for everyday driving. It can merge onto highways with confidence and handle passing maneuvers without any issues. The engine's responsiveness is good, and it provides enough power for most driving situations. The Forester Premium also boasts a good ground clearance, which allows it to handle light off-road adventures with ease. You can confidently navigate gravel roads, trails, and other unpaved surfaces. The SUV's AWD system provides additional grip and stability in these conditions. Fuel economy is another area where the Forester Premium shines. It delivers impressive gas mileage for its class, which helps to save money over the long haul. The EPA estimates that the Forester Premium achieves around 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. This is a significant advantage compared to some of its competitors. Overall, the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium offers a balanced performance profile. It provides a comfortable ride, responsive handling, and excellent fuel efficiency. Its standard AWD system enhances its capability in various conditions, making it a versatile and practical SUV.

Interior and Features: What's Inside?

Let's step inside the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium and check out its interior and features. The Forester Premium offers a spacious and comfortable cabin, designed to accommodate both passengers and cargo with ease. The interior design is functional and practical, with an emphasis on user-friendliness. The materials used throughout the cabin are of good quality, providing a premium feel. The seats are supportive and comfortable, even on long drives. The Forester Premium offers ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. This makes it a comfortable choice for families and those who frequently transport passengers. The rear seats are particularly generous, providing plenty of space for adults. The cargo area is also surprisingly spacious. With the rear seats up, you have plenty of room for groceries, luggage, or other everyday items. When you need to transport larger items, the rear seats can be easily folded down, expanding the cargo capacity significantly. This versatility makes the Forester Premium a practical choice for a wide range of needs. The 2021 Subaru Forester Premium is equipped with a range of standard features. These include a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a rearview camera. The infotainment system is easy to use and provides access to a variety of entertainment and connectivity options. The inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allows you to seamlessly integrate your smartphone with the car's system. This allows you to access your favorite apps, make calls, and listen to music. The rearview camera enhances safety and makes parking and maneuvering in tight spaces easier. Other notable features include automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. Automatic climate control ensures that the cabin temperature is always comfortable. The power-adjustable driver's seat allows you to easily find your ideal driving position. The heated front seats provide extra comfort during cold weather.

The Forester Premium also comes with a suite of advanced safety features. These include Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which includes features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking. Adaptive cruise control automatically adjusts the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Lane-keeping assist helps to keep the vehicle within its lane. Pre-collision braking can automatically apply the brakes to prevent or mitigate a collision. These safety features provide an extra layer of protection, making the Forester Premium a safe and reliable vehicle. The Forester Premium also offers a number of optional features. These include a larger 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a premium audio system, and a power liftgate. The larger touchscreen provides a more immersive user experience. The premium audio system delivers high-quality sound. The power liftgate makes it easier to load and unload cargo. Overall, the interior of the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium is a major selling point. It offers a spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped cabin. The combination of practicality, comfort, and advanced features makes it a great choice for a wide range of drivers.

Safety Features: Keeping You Safe on the Road

Safety is a top priority for Subaru, and the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium is packed with advanced safety features designed to protect you and your passengers. The centerpiece of Subaru's safety suite is the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. This system uses two cameras to monitor the road ahead and provide a range of safety features. Key features of EyeSight include adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe distance from the car in front. This is a huge convenience on the highway and helps to reduce driver fatigue. Lane-keeping assist helps to keep the vehicle within its lane, providing a gentle steering input if the vehicle starts to drift. This feature is particularly helpful on long drives. Pre-collision braking can automatically apply the brakes if it detects a potential collision, helping to prevent or mitigate an accident. This system can detect pedestrians and cyclists, as well as other vehicles. Another important safety feature is the pre-collision throttle management. This feature reduces engine power if a potential collision is detected, helping to minimize the impact of a collision. The Forester Premium also includes blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. Blind-spot detection alerts you to the presence of vehicles in your blind spots, making it safer to change lanes. Rear cross-traffic alert warns you of approaching vehicles when you're backing out of a parking space or driveway. These features are particularly useful in crowded parking lots. Standard safety features also include anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and a full suite of airbags. ABS prevents the wheels from locking up during hard braking, allowing you to maintain steering control. ESC helps to prevent the vehicle from skidding, especially in slippery conditions. The airbag system includes front airbags, side-impact airbags, and side-curtain airbags, providing comprehensive protection in the event of a collision. The Forester Premium has received excellent safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These high ratings demonstrate the Forester Premium's commitment to safety and its ability to protect occupants in the event of a crash. The Forester Premium's combination of advanced safety features, robust construction, and excellent crash test performance makes it a safe and reliable vehicle. Subaru's dedication to safety is one of the key reasons why the Forester is so popular with families and individuals who prioritize safety.

Trim Levels and Pricing: What's the Deal?

Alright, let’s talk about the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium's trim levels and pricing. The 2021 Subaru Forester is available in several trim levels. It typically starts with the base model, followed by the Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring trims. Each trim level offers a different set of features and options. The Premium trim sits in the middle of the lineup and offers a great balance of features and value. It's a popular choice for many buyers. The base model provides a solid foundation with essential features, but the Premium adds a significant number of upgrades, including the larger touchscreen, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. The Sport trim offers a sportier appearance and some unique features, such as orange exterior accents and a more aggressive suspension tuning. The Limited trim adds even more luxury features, such as leather upholstery and upgraded safety features. The Touring trim is the top-of-the-line model and offers the most premium features, including a premium sound system, a panoramic sunroof, and more advanced driver-assistance systems. The pricing for the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium typically starts in a competitive range within the compact SUV market. The base price can vary depending on the location and any optional packages selected. However, the Premium trim offers a great value proposition, as it includes a wide range of features without significantly increasing the price. It's worth noting that the price of a vehicle can vary depending on factors such as options, destination charges, and any dealer markups. It's always a good idea to check with your local Subaru dealer for the most up-to-date pricing and availability. When comparing the Forester Premium to its competitors, you'll find that it offers a competitive price point. The Forester Premium provides a strong combination of features, performance, and safety for the price, making it a popular choice. The resale value of the Subaru Forester is generally very good, which is another factor to consider when evaluating its overall value. Subaru vehicles are known for their reliability and long-term durability. This can help to protect your investment and reduce the total cost of ownership over time.

Pros and Cons: Weighing Your Options

Before you make a decision, let's break down the pros and cons of the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium. First off, the pros. The Forester Premium boasts standard all-wheel drive, which is a huge advantage, especially in areas with challenging weather conditions. It provides enhanced traction and stability, making it safer to drive in rain, snow, or on uneven surfaces. Next up, we have a spacious and comfortable interior. The Forester Premium offers plenty of room for both passengers and cargo, making it a practical choice for families and those who frequently transport passengers. Another pro is the impressive safety features. Subaru is known for its commitment to safety, and the Forester Premium comes packed with advanced safety features, including EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. The excellent fuel efficiency is also a plus. The Forester Premium offers impressive miles per gallon for its class, which helps to save money at the pump. And lastly, good resale value is another thing to consider. Subaru vehicles are known for their reliability and long-term durability, which helps to protect your investment. Now, let’s look at the cons. Some people might say the engine performance isn't the most exciting. While the engine provides adequate power for everyday driving, it might not be as quick as some of its competitors. The infotainment system could be better. Although it is easy to use, the graphics could be a bit more modern compared to other vehicles in its class. In the same way, while the exterior design is stylish, it might not appeal to everyone. Some people might find the design a bit bland compared to some of the more eye-catching SUVs on the market. Also, some people find it a little noisy on the highway. There can be some wind and road noise at higher speeds. Consider these points when making your decision.

Final Verdict: Is the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium Right for You?

So, after everything we've covered, is the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium the right SUV for you? If you’re looking for a compact SUV that offers a great blend of practicality, safety, and all-weather capability, then the answer is likely yes. The Forester Premium's standard all-wheel drive, spacious interior, and advanced safety features make it a compelling choice for a wide range of drivers. Its fuel efficiency and good resale value are also significant advantages. However, it's important to consider your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize performance or a more luxurious interior, you might want to consider other options. But, if you value reliability, safety, and versatility, the 2021 Subaru Forester Premium is definitely worth a look. Ultimately, the best way to determine if the Forester Premium is the right vehicle for you is to take it for a test drive. This will allow you to experience its driving dynamics, interior comfort, and features firsthand. It will also give you the opportunity to see if it meets your specific needs. Research and compare the Forester Premium with other SUVs in its class to make an informed decision. Consider factors such as price, features, performance, and reliability. Read reviews from other owners and experts to gain a better understanding of the vehicle's pros and cons. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek advice from others to help you in the right direction. The 2021 Subaru Forester Premium is a versatile, safe, and reliable SUV that's well-suited for a variety of drivers. With its impressive features, capable performance, and excellent value, it's a strong contender in the compact SUV segment. Good luck with your purchase! Hope this guide helped you!