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Does the 2023 Subaru Forester have the most cargo and luggage room in the compact SUV segment? SUV shoppers needing a vehicle to carry sports equipment, luggage, and cargo have many choices, but which models have the most usable cargo space? Among compact SUVs recommended by Consumer Reports, the Forester now ranks fifth best overall.
According to the latest study from Consumer Reports, some compact SUVs have narrow, short, or oddly shaped rear hatch openings and need more usable space. It's not total cubic feet, but the volume enclosed by the SUV's rear box gives consumers a better idea of the cargo you can fit in the back and still get the hatch door closed.
To make the Consumer Reports list, vehicles must come with active safety technology and get the highest safety scores. The 2023 Forester recently earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Last year, the 2022 Forester ranked third overall in cargo space. In the updated study, the Subaru Forester now has the fifth most functional cargo-carrying ability.
CR says, "The popular Forester delivers a satisfying combination of a roomy interior, excellent visibility, commendable fuel economy, simple controls, a comfortable ride, and responsive handling. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder CVT returns 28 mpg overall in our tests, among the best in class. But acceleration isn't exhilarating, and the engine's noise isn't the most pleasant. The cabin is roomy, with a generous rear seat and easy access. Given its boxy shape, there should be no surprise that the cargo room is impressive: we measured 36.5 cubic feet of space."
The ten best compact SUVs with the most cargo space
CR scored the Hyundai Tucson number one with 38.5 cubic feet of usable cargo space. The Kia Sportage is second with 38 cubic ft. The third best is the Honda CR-V (37 cu ft), Nissan Rogue (36.5), Subaru Forester (36.5), Mazda CX-50 (34), Volkswagen Tiguan (33), Chevrolet Equinox (32), Mitsubishi Outlander (32), and Volkswagen Taos (31.5).
Small SUV shoppers want more cargo space.
A recent study by Kelton revealed that more than three-quarters (76 percent) of drivers had experienced difficulties trying to fit what they wanted to bring into their vehicle.
Many respondents have had issues with cargo space, saying the top items they wish they had enough room for include camping or sporting equipment (63 percent), luggage (46 percent), and even space to take their pets on road trips (29 percent). Ten percent even said they missed a road trip because they needed more space for all their gear.
What is the 2023 Forester price?
The 2023 Forester comes in six trim levels; The Base Forester starts at $27,620, Premium ($30,620), Sport ($32,190), Limited ($34,300), Wilderness ($35,245), and Touring ($37,720). Pricing includes dealer fees ($1,225).
What sets the Forester apart from the competition?
The significant difference between the Forester and the compact SUV competition is that it comes standard with all-wheel-drive and X-Mode, which you won't pay extra for the all-weather, all-terrain features. In addition, Forester has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, gets the highest IIHS safety scores, it's fuel-efficient, and is fun to drive.
A recent award from Kelley Blue Book says Forester is now the lowest-cost-to-own compact SUV. So what does it mean for SUV shoppers?
KBB adds up all costs associated with a vehicle for five years to generate this year's winners. Costs such as fuel, maintenance, repairs, financing, insurance, and one of the most significant factors of all, depreciation, are all factors that affect a vehicle's total ownership costs.
KBB predicted the 2023 Forester to have a 5-year cost-to-own of $37,367 (including the purchase price), which is $3,635 less than the compact SUV segment average.
Subaru touts the Forester for its standard all-wheel-drive, extra ground clearance, and "go-anywhere" capabilities. Consumer Reports says the 2023 Subaru Forester is among the top five compact SUVs for fitting all your gear in the back and offers near the most usable cargo volume. It's also the lowest cost-to-own compact SUV.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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