Which is the top of the line Subaru Forester?
The top-of-the-line Subaru Forester in the United States is the Premier trim.
Beyond the U.S., trim naming and availability can vary by market, but most regions offer a flagship Forester with premium interior, technology, and safety features.
Where Premier sits in the US trim ladder
In the U.S., Forester trims typically progress Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Premier. The Premier is the most fully loaded model and often the only trim with certain premium features as standard.
What the Premier includes
Here are features commonly associated with the Premier grade, though exact inclusions can vary by model year and region:
- Leather or leather-like upholstery and upgraded interior finishes
- Power-adjustable driver's seat with memory function
- Heated front seats and sometimes a heated steering wheel
- Enhanced infotainment, frequently with a larger touchscreen and navigation
- EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and other safety systems as standard
- Power liftgate, roof rails, and automatic headlights
These elements collectively create the premium experience associated with the Premier trim. Always verify the exact spec for the year you're considering with a dealer or Subaru's official site.
How Premier compares with other Forester trims
The Premier sits atop the Forester lineup in most model years sold in the U.S., offering more luxury and safety tech than the lower trims. The comparison below highlights general distinctions:
- Base vs Premium: Premium adds more features such as upgraded seating, a better infotainment system, and more driver assists.
- Premium vs Sport: Sport emphasizes styling cues and sport-oriented tweaks; it may have similar tech but with different interior/exterior aesthetics and sometimes different suspension tuning.
- Sport vs Limited: Limited typically adds higher-end interior materials and more convenience features than Sport, but in some years Premier sits above Limited with even more standard gear.
- Limited vs Premier: Premier generally includes the most premium interior, top safety features as standard, and the largest or most advanced infotainment system; some regions list features differently, but Premier is the flagship.
In short, Premier represents the highest level of equipment for Forester buyers in markets where it is offered, with decisions often depending on year and optional packages.
Regional variations and availability
Forester trim naming and feature availability vary by country and year. The United States has a clear Premier top trim, but other regions may label the flagship differently or bundle a slightly different set of options. For international buyers, the best practice is to check the local Subaru brochure or speak with a dealership to confirm which trim is considered top-tier and what standard features it includes.
Summary
The flagship Forester trim in the United States is the Premier, offering the most comprehensive combination of luxury materials, technology, and safety features among Forester variants. While Premier is the standard top trim in the U.S., other markets may use different names for their flagship Forester, so always verify local specifications before buying.
