Is the Subaru Forester a smooth ride?

The Forester generally delivers a smooth, comfortable ride with solid highway refinement, though ride feel can vary with wheel size, trim, and road conditions.

Understanding ride smoothness for the Forester means looking at how its suspension, noise levels, and chassis work together on different roads, and how updates across model years and trims influence that experience.

What makes the Forester ride smooth

Several design choices contribute to a comfortable, composed experience once you’re behind the wheel, especially on longer trips or daily commutes.

Suspension and chassis

The Forester uses a suspension setup that's tuned for comfort, prioritizing suppression of small bumps and road imperfections while maintaining stable handling. Its relatively long wheelbase helps minimize pitch on uneven pavement, contributing to a smoother feel at speed.

Cabin quiet and seating

In-cabin noise is well controlled for a compact SUV, with wind and tire noise kept at bay on highways. Supportive seats and a roomy interior help reduce fatigue on extended drives, further enhancing the impression of a smooth ride.

Ride quality across trims and wheels

Ride feel can shift with wheel size, tires, and the particular trim level you choose. Reviewers often note that smaller wheels with higher-profile tires tend to smooth out harsher surfaces, while larger wheels can transmit more impact on poor roads.

Wheel size and tires

Choosing models equipped with standard or smaller wheels and higher-profile tires generally yields a more forgiving ride on rough pavement. Upgrading to 18-inch wheels with low-profile tires can make certain road surfaces feel a bit stiffer and more noticeable.

Engine, transmission, and sound

All Forester models use a continuously variable transmission (CVT) paired with a 2.5-liter flat-four engine in recent years. The power is ample for everyday driving, and the CVT contributes to a quiet, steady acceleration profile at highway speeds, though it can sound a bit buzzy when pushed hard.

Before relying on a single opinion, many buyers compare trims within a generation to see how changes in suspension tuning, insulation, and wheel/tire options affect feel on roads they encounter daily.

Here are the main points reviewers and owners commonly note about ride quality across models:

• Comfortable highway ride with good suspension damping that isolates most bumps.


• Quiet cabin at cruising speeds, with low wind and tire noise for a compact SUV.


• Stable, predictable handling that helps with confidence during lane changes and on varied surfaces.


• Trade-offs when fitted with larger 18-inch wheels or sport-oriented tires, which can reduce smoothness on rough pavement.

In practical terms, the Forester generally delivers a smooth ride for daily commuting and long trips, with minor compromises when the wheel/tire setup is tuned for sportier handling or when roads are badly rutted.

What testers say by model year and configuration

Across recent model years, Subaru has refined insulation, damping, and seat comfort to improve quietness and comfort. While power remains adequate for most driving scenarios, the emphasis remains on smooth, steady progress rather than sporty acceleration.

1. Recent generations (from 2019 onward) emphasize a smoother ride with improved cabin insulation and ride damping compared with earlier versions.


2. Powertrain remains focused on efficiency and smoothness, using a 2.5-liter flat-four engine paired with a CVT for a quiet, steady highway feel.


3. Wheel and tire choices can noticeably alter ride comfort, with larger wheels often reducing plushness on rough pavement.

Overall, most buyers find the Forester to be one of the smoother-riding options in the compact-SUV segment, especially for daily driving and longer trips, with the caveat that sportier wheel/tire setups can soften the ride on rough surfaces.

Bottom line

Verdict: Yes. The Subaru Forester is widely regarded as delivering a smooth, comfortable ride, particularly on highways and well-paved roads, while remaining capable and stable in a variety of conditions. If maximizing ride plushness is a priority, consider a trim with smaller wheels and a comfortable tire choice, and test-drive on the roads you use most.

Summary

The Forester’s ride quality centers on comfort, quietness, and stable handling, with differences largely tied to wheel size, tire choices, and model-year refinements. For most buyers seeking a smooth, dependable daily driver in the compact-SUV class, the Forester remains a strong contender.

Does the Subaru Forester have good suspension?

The Ksport Airtech Basic Subaru Forester Air Suspension System features high quality air bags, proven to handle the stress and abuse of both daily driving and track use.

Which Subaru model has the smoothest ride?

The Subaru with the smoothest ride is generally considered to be the Legacy sedan, followed closely by the Outback and Ascent, which offer smooth rides but with a focus on different driving experiences. The Legacy excels on paved roads due to its longer wheelbase and lower center of gravity, while the Outback and Ascent are smooth over rougher terrain, with the Ascent often cited as the most refined ride of all Subaru models. 
Subaru models ranked by ride smoothness 

• Legacy: This midsize sedan is widely acknowledged for its refined and smooth ride, especially on paved roads. Its longer wheelbase helps it absorb bumps and minimize road noise, making it ideal for highway driving and city cruising. 
• Ascent: Often cited as the quietest and smoothest model available, the Ascent's larger size and longer wheelbase contribute to its comfortable ride. It also handles bumps very well and provides a quiet cabin. 
• Outback: The Outback provides a smooth and comfortable ride, particularly over rough roads or light trails, due to its suspension tuning. It is often compared favorably to the Legacy in terms of comfort, though the Legacy's sedan design may provide a slightly more refined experience on pavement. 
• Forester: The Forester offers a competent and comfortable ride, but its shorter wheelbase can lead to a slightly less smooth experience over bumps compared to the Legacy, Outback, or Ascent. 
• Crosstrek: While it provides good ride quality for its segment, the Crosstrek is generally considered to be less smooth than the other larger models on this list. 
• Impreza and BRZ: These models are not typically prioritized for their smooth ride. The Impreza is a more compact and less refined ride than the Legacy, while the rear-wheel-drive BRZ is a sports car with a firm suspension. 

Ultimately, the best Subaru for you depends on your priorities. If you prioritize on-road refinement and a quiet cabin, the Legacy is the top choice. If you need more ground clearance and versatility for light off-roading, the Outback and Ascent offer very smooth rides. 
For a more detailed comparison of specific models and trims, it's recommended to test drive them to see which one best fits your personal preferences.

What are the negatives of a Subaru Forester?

Common Subaru Forester cons include slow acceleration, a less refined engine, and potential issues with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). Other drawbacks are a bouncy ride over large bumps, lower-than-expected cargo capacity compared to some rivals, and a less innovative infotainment system. Older models also have a history of specific problems like head gasket failure, which buyers should be aware of, notes CoPilot for Car Shopping.
 
Performance and handling

• Lack of power: Acceleration is often described as leisurely due to the engine's modest horsepower and torque output. 
• CVT issues: Some owners report shaking or jerking, particularly when accelerating from a stop, which can be related to the CVT. 
• Ride quality: The ride can be uncomfortable over large bumps, feeling bouncy despite being generally pleasant. 
• Refinement: The engine lacks the refinement of competitors, and the boxy shape contributes to wind noise. 

Design and technology

• Cargo space: The cargo area is significantly smaller than some top competitors in the segment. 
• Infotainment: The infotainment system can have touch sensitivity issues and may be less innovative than some rivals. 
• Driver assist issues: Some owners have reported issues with the alerts from driver assistance features, notes Edmunds. 

Reliability (older models)

• Engine problems: Older generations, particularly from 1998-2002, are known for head gasket failures. Subsequent models (2003, 2006, 2009-2010) have also seen issues with head gaskets and other engine problems.
• Oil consumption: Some model years, particularly between 2011-2013, have been plagued by excessive oil consumption. 

Is a Subaru Forester a smooth ride?

In the Subaru Forester Consumer Reports road test, the Forester showed balanced handling that makes both city and highway driving easy. The ride feels smooth, even over rough pavement.