Top Safety Pick +

2020 Subaru Forester

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system	Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system	Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use	+

Other available safety features

Optional blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Optional rear automatic braking

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Forester was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN1813
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Footrest (cm)	6
Left toepan (cm)	3
Brake pedal (cm)	3
Parking brake (cm)	0
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	3
Upper dash (cm)	3
Lower instrument panel (cm)	2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN1813
Head
HIC-15	316
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	13
Maximum Nij	0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm)	27
Femur (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.78
Right	0.46
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	3.9
Right	2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	64
Right	71

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Forester was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1829
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	1
Footrest (cm)	4
Right toepan (cm)	2
Center toepan (cm)	2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	2
Right lower dash (cm)	2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1829
Head
HIC-15	105
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	12
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	19
Femur (kN)
Left	1.2
Right	0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.40
Right	0.45
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.8
Right	1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	41
Right	38

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1829
Head
HIC-15	69
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	15
Maximum Nij	0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm)	33
Femur (kN)
Left	0.7
Right	0.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.37
Right	0.53
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	33
Right	50

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Forester was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1825
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	4
Left (cm)	5
Center (cm)	7
Right (cm)	4
Brake pedal (cm)	1
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	0
Rearward (cm)	0
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1825
Head
HIC-15	270
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.5
Extension bending moment (Nm)	15
Maximum Nij	0.28
Chest maximum compression (mm)	29
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.8
Femur force - right (kN)	0.8
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.33
Maximum tibia index - right	0.40
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	1.8
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	100
Right	42

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Forester was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS1823
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-17.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1823
Head HIC-15	65
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	32
Lateral force (kN)	1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	34
Average deflection (mm)	27
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.18
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.66
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.6
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.7
Combined force (kN)	2.3
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.7
L-M moment (Nm)	86
A-P moment (Nm)	48

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1823
Head HIC-15	96
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	39
Lateral force (kN)	1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	23
Average deflection (mm)	17
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.06
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.16
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.9
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.7
Combined force (kN)	2.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.7
L-M moment (Nm)	89
A-P moment (Nm)	56

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Subaru Forester 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Forester was redesigned for the 2019 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection The dummy's head contacted the C-pillar hard, through the side curtain airbag. The head protection is inadequate.

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

The dummy's head contacted the C-pillar through the side curtain airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2102
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-14.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2102
Head
HIC-15	107
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Compression (kN)	0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	23
Lateral force (kN)	0.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	38
Average deflection (mm)	34
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.44
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.64
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	4.8

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2102
Head
HIC-15	544
Peak gs at hard contact	81
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.2
Compression (kN)	1.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	56
Lateral force (kN)	2.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	32
Average deflection (mm)	26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.79
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.41
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	2.8

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2019-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Subaru Forester 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,416 lbs
Peak force	17,392 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	5.09

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Manual cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	12
Distance below top of head (mm)	-12
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	9.1
Head contact time (ms)	55
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	242

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

Limited trim
Touring trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Limited trim Touring trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2019-21 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	128.2 m	None
Straightaway left edge	56.7 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	81.8 m	13.2%
250m radius left curve, left edge	55.8 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	67.8 m	None
150m radius left curve, right edge	55.3 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	151.8 m
Straightaway left edge	151.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	86.7 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	77.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	70.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	61.6 m

Trim level(s)

Sport trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp left and both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual left curve and inadequate on the sharp left and both right curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on the gradual right curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Sport trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2019-20 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	117.1 m	None
Straightaway left edge	48.7 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	63.3 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	49.1 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	49.6 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	48.6 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	152.9 m
Straightaway left edge	147.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	63.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	65.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	49.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	49.7 m

Trim level(s)

Base trim
Premium trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual left curve and inadequate on the sharp left and both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Base trim Premium trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2019-20 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	117.1 m	None
Straightaway left edge	48.7 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	63.3 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	49.1 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	49.6 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	48.6 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	152.9 m
Straightaway left edge	147.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	63.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	65.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	49.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	49.7 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Standard EyeSight Driver-Assist System

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019-21 models

Superior

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

standard EyeSight Driver-Assist System

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2019-21 models

Superior

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 6 mph. A warning was issued 3.3 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim	base
Seat type	cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor, a single lower anchor and the ability to borrow the second anchor from another position.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim	base
Seat type	cloth

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	1 dedicated anchor and 1 that can be borrowed from seat 1
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	11
Clearance angle (degrees)	83
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	12
Clearance angle (degrees)	84
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	12
Clearance angle (degrees)	65
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	15
Clearance angle (degrees)	79
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	8
Clearance angle (degrees)	79
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation