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CR Says Subaru Forester Is Your Best Fuel-Efficient Small SUV Pick Now

What are the best small fuel-efficient SUVs you can buy this winter? Consumer Reports recommends the 2024 Subaru Forester. Check out the Forester's new report card.
2024 Subaru Forester

I cover the best new models every year, and the newly-updated recommended models this year from Consumer Reports (by subscription) says the 2024 Subaru Forester is your best small SUV pick now. CR says you can save money and gas with the Forester.

CR recommends the Forester because of its fuel efficiency, excellent performance, reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety. They also show what customers paid for the 2024 Forester in the past month, which can be helpful for new compact SUV shoppers. 

2024 Subaru Forester front wheel

Forester is ranked number four best new vehicle relative to Subaru's suggested retail price (included below) using the percentage of savings from the sticker price. 

2024 Subaru Forester

  • Price Range:  $27,095 - $37,395
  • CR MPG:  Overall 28 / City 20 / Hwy 38 mpg
  • #1 of 27 Compact SUVs

2024 Subaru Forester Premium

  • MSRP: $30,295
  • Average spent under MSRP: $243
  • Average transaction price: $30,052

2024 Subaru Forester rounding a corner

What is the 2024 Forester MSRP?

The Forester comes in six trim levels: The Base Forester starts at $28,190, Premium ($31,390), Sport ($32,960), Limited ($35,070), Wilderness ($36,015), and Touring ($38,490). Pricing includes destination and dealer fees ($1,295).

CR says the Forester gets the best fuel economy in the compact SUV class.

What is the 2024 Forester fuel mileage?

The Subaru Forester compact SUV has standard all-wheel drive and gets an EPA-estimated 29 combined mpg and 26/33 city/highway mpg. The Forester comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine.

What does CR say about the 2024 Forester?

CR says, "The Forester is a well-executed, no-nonsense small SUV with a comfortable and supple ride, responsive steering, and well-controlled body lean around corners. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides plenty of power to pass and merge successfully, and fuel economy is impressive at 28 mpg overall. The Forester gets a redesign for the 2025 model year."

My Take

The 2024 Subaru Forester has added features for active customers you won't find on other compact SUVs. All Forester trim levels come with Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive X-Mode for severe winter weather capability and dual-function X-Mode on Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trim levels for all-terrain capability.

The 2024 Forester Wilderness has even more off-road features for those who want to escape civilization and get further off the grid.

The redesigned 2025 Subaru Forester arrives this spring. Stay tuned as I will bring the new pricing when Subaru of America makes the announcement. 

What is the best small, fuel-efficient compact SUV you can buy this winter? Consumer Reports recommends the 2024 Subaru Forester.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed the Subaru Forester story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

For additional articles related to new Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

My Must-Read Top Picks

Watch All-New 2025 Subaru Forester First Look // What do you think of the design?

I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time - It’s called the “Subaru Report.” Check back daily for my expert Subaru analysis!

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photo credit: Subaru USA

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