Does the Subaru Forester have comfortable seats?
Yes. Overall, the Subaru Forester offers comfortable seating—especially in the front—with ample legroom and a supportive cushion. Some rear-seat passengers may find the cushions a bit firmer on longer trips, depending on personal preference. This article breaks down why the seats feel comfortable, how trim choices affect seating, and what to expect in the latest models.
Seat comfort fundamentals
The main factors contributing to seating comfort in the Forester include the design of the front seats, available adjustability, and the materials used. Below are the key elements that influence how comfortable the seats feel for most drivers and passengers.
- Front seats are typically well-padded with a supportive backrest, contributing to long- ride comfort.
- The driver’s seat offers a wide range of adjustability to find a good driving position, including height and tilt options in many trims.
- A broad seat cushion with ample thigh support helps reduce fatigue on extended journeys.
- Lumbar support is adjustable on many trims, allowing tailored lower-back comfort for different body types.
- Climate features such as heated front seats (and often a heated steering wheel) improve comfort in cold weather.
- Seat surfaces vary by trim, with cloth upholstery on base trims and leather-appointed seating on higher trims for a more premium feel.
Taken together, these design and equipment choices generally make the Forester a comfortable choice for daily driving and longer trips alike.
Seat comfort across trims and model years
Seat comfort is not identical across every trim or model year. Different trims and refreshes can change materials, adjustability, and warmth features, which affects how the seats feel in practice.
- Base and Premium trims typically use cloth seating with comfortable padding, and driver seats may have manual adjustment in earlier or lower-spec configurations.
- Sport, Limited, and Touring trims usually offer more seat adjustability (often including a power-adjustable driver seat) and leather-appointed seating, with heated front seats becoming standard or widely available across these tiers. Some high-end trims also include a heated steering wheel.
- Across model years, Subaru has refined seat foam and fabrics to improve cushion feel and durability, so newer refreshes may feel slightly plusher or more supportive than older ones.
- Rear-seat comfort remains generous in the Forester, thanks to ample legroom and a relatively spacious cabin, but some passengers may perceive the rear cushions as firmer on longer trips depending on personal preference.
For potential buyers, the best approach is to test-seat the specific trim and model year you’re considering, paying particular attention to lumbar support, cushion firmness, and how quickly the seats heat up or cool down in your climate.
Summary
The Forester generally provides comfortable seating with strong front-seat support, ample interior space, and useful climate features that enhance comfort in different conditions. Trim level and model-year updates influence material quality and adjustability, so higher trims tend to offer more refined seating. Rear-seat comfort is adequate for most passengers, though cushion feel can be a matter of personal preference. A hands-on test drive is the best way to confirm fit for your body and typical travel needs.
