2018 Subaru Forester

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

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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2014-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Forester was redesigned for the 2014 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

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

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1303
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	9
Footrest (cm)	10
Left toepan (cm)	6
Brake pedal (cm)	6
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Upper dash (cm)	4
Lower instrument panel (cm)	2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1303
Head
HIC-15	127
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	no data
Extension bending moment (Nm)	no data
Maximum Nij	0.00
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26
Femur (kN)
Left	1.7
Right	1.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	4
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.35
Right	0.41
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.3
Right	2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	50
Right	47

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2014-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Forester was redesigned for the 2014 model year.

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

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger's survival space was not maintained well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

Despite extensive intrusion of the door hinge pillar and dashboard, risk of injury was moderate and limited to the right lower leg.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CN15006
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	29
Footrest (cm)	24
Right toepan (cm)	17
Center toepan (cm)	11
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	4
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	15
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	26
Upper dash (cm)	23
Right lower dash (cm)	21

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CN15006
Head
HIC-15	77
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	17
Maximum Nij	0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Femur (kN)
Left	1.7
Right	3.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	10
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	1
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.56
Right	0.86
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.0
Right	1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	129
Right	73

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CN15006
Head
HIC-15	44
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	14
Maximum Nij	0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28
Femur (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	3
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.34
Right	0.24
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	1.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	55
Right	35

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2014-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Forester was redesigned for the 2014 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	VTF1301
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	1
Left (cm)	2
Center (cm)	3
Right (cm)	4
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	-2
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-3
Rearward (cm)	-5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1301
Head
HIC-15	223
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	30
Maximum Nij	0.37
Chest maximum compression (mm)	31
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.5
Femur force - right (kN)	1.3
Knee displacement - left (mm)	3
Knee displacement - right (mm)	2
Maximum tibia index - left	0.48
Maximum tibia index - right	0.49
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.4
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	63
Right	50

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2014-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags

The Subaru Forester was redesigned for the 2014 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	VTS1224
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-14.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1224
Head HIC-15	186
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.2
Compression (kN)	0.7
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	39
Lateral force (kN)	1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	37
Average deflection (mm)	30
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.97
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.67
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.8
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.1
Combined force (kN)	2.9
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.4
L-M moment (Nm)	85
A-P moment (Nm)	-31

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1224
Head HIC-15	75
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.2
Compression (kN)	0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	42
Lateral force (kN)	2.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	31
Average deflection (mm)	22
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.28
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.48
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.4
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.6
Combined force (kN)	1.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.6
L-M moment (Nm)	20
A-P moment (Nm)	75

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2014-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,352 lbs
Peak force	16,585 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	4.95

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power cloth seats

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Power cloth seats
Geometry
Backset (mm)	23
Distance below top of head (mm)	-2
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	14.5
Head contact time (ms)	58
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	347

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

Headlights

Ratings are given for 6 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

2.5i Limited trim equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package; built after June 2017
2.5i Touring trim; built after June 2017
2.0XT Touring trim; built after June 2017

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

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair in all 4 tests.

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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	2.5i Limited trim equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package 2.5i Touring trim 2.0XT 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 2018 models built after June 2017

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	110.0 m	None
Straightaway left edge	52.2 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	69.1 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	52.4 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	59.9 m	None
150m radius left curve, right edge	54.4 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	119.8 m
Straightaway left edge	118.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	68.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	74.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	61.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	61.1 m

Trim level(s)

2.5i Premium trim equipped with Black Edition package; built after June 2017

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	No
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 good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	2.5i Premium trim equipped with Black Edition package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2018 models built after June 2017

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	110.0 m	None
Straightaway left edge	52.2 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	69.1 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	52.4 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	59.9 m	None
150m radius left curve, right edge	54.4 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	119.8 m
Straightaway left edge	118.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	68.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	74.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	61.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	61.1 m

Trim level(s)

2.5i Premium trim equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package
2.5i Black Edition trim

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

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

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)	2.5i Premium trim equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package 2.5i Black Edition trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2017-18 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	86.0 m	None
Straightaway left edge	49.6 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	43.7 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	42.2 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	41.8 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	40.5 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	170.3 m
Straightaway left edge	157.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	64.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	65.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	49.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	50.5 m

Trim level(s)

2.5i trim
2.5i Premium trim
2.5i Limited trim
2.0XT Premium trim

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

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

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)	2.5i trim 2.5i Premium trim 2.5i Limited trim 2.0XT Premium trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2017-18 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	86.0 m	None
Straightaway left edge	49.6 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	43.8 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	42.6 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	37.7 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	36.7 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	170.3 m
Straightaway left edge	157.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	64.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	65.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	49.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	50.5 m

Trim level(s)

2.5i Limited trim equipped with Eyesight package; built before July 2017
2.5i Touring trim equipped with Eyesight package; built before July 2017
2.0XT Touring trim equipped with Eyesight package; built before July 2017

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

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	2.5i Limited trim equipped with Eyesight package 2.5i Touring trim equipped with Eyesight package 2.0XT Touring trim equipped with Eyesight package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2017-18 models built before July 2017

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	81.9 m	None
Straightaway left edge	46.6 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	63.4 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	45.9 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	56.9 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	46.5 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	142.3 m
Straightaway left edge	136.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	70.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	73.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	58.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	60.7 m

Trim level(s)

2.5i Premium trim equipped with Black Edition package; built before July 2017

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

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

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	2.5i Premium trim equipped with Black Edition package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2018 models built before July 2017

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	81.9 m	None
Straightaway left edge	46.6 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	63.4 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	45.9 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	56.9 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	46.5 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	142.3 m
Straightaway left edge	136.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	70.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	73.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	58.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	60.7 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Optional EyeSight

Package name

Optional EyeSight

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2017-18 models

Superior

with optional equipment

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

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2017-18 models built after January 2017

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	2.5i
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 and the ability to borrow lower anchors from the other seating positions.

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

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	2.5i
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
	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
	Can be borrowed from 1 and 3
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	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)	2-4
Force (lbs)	2
Clearance angle (degrees)	66
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Not visible
Force (lbs)	1
Clearance angle (degrees)	69
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
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	No
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

2018 Subaru Forester

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Seat belts & child restraints

Other available safety features

Small overlap front: driver-side

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Moderate overlap front: original test

Side: original test

Roof strength

Head restraints & seats

Headlights

Trim level(s)

Trim level(s)

Trim level(s)

Trim level(s)

Trim level(s)

Trim level(s)

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Package name

Overall evaluation

Child seat anchors