5 Reasons I Love My Subaru Forester

View from our Cabin in Maine with the Forester where it belongs!

There is no replacing plane travel, right? The 2021 Subaru Forester proves that maybe there is.

When COVID reared its ugly head in March 2020 I assumed it would be short-lived. I fully anticipated we’d be back to exploring the world again by plane within weeks. Clearly, I was way off base! So, what does a frequent traveler do when the world shuts down? In my case, my husband and I escaped the only way we could, by venturing outside of the city by car on the weekend to tackle hiking trails around the state.

Already Subaru fans with a 2017 Subaru Outback in our possession, we began driving upstate to discover trails that would lead us into nature—far away from those never-ending sirens of the city. Within months we started thinking about trading in the Outback we loved for the Subaru Forester. When you’re spending all your free time in a forest, why not have a car with the same name? The Forester just seemed to complement our lifestyle. In November 2020, our new 2021 Subaru Forester Touring arrived, and we started giving her a workout. Here are five reasons why I love my 2021 Subaru Forester.

Related: 50 Minute Test Drive: 2019 Subaru Forester

On the road in the Subaru Forester

1. The Subaru Forester is Tough and Pretty

Glowing with her horizon blue pearl paint job, the 2021 Subaru Forester is a beauty. Her black leather interior complements the exterior and brings together one of my favorite color combinations—blue and black. Take a look in my closet and you’ll see I favor both colors—a lot!

Of course, we all want pretty things, but as an avid hiker, I know first-hand that being tough matters just as much as looking good. The Subaru Forester has just enough toughness to handle a bit of off-roading as necessary when we’re in search of a remote trailhead. She also handles the streets of New York City like a boss, and that’s no easy task.

Related: Subaru owners are crazy loyal! What’s this love affair about? 

At home in the Forest with our Forester

2. She Lets the Sun Shine In

Slowly coming to the realization that we would be road-tripping versus flying for the foreseeable future, the Forester’s larger windows and panoramic sunroof caught my attention. While on the road I want to see everything I possibly can. I love it when the sunshine fills the car by day. And often, I catch a glimpse of the moon and stars at night.  Also, I take a ridiculous amount of photos so the Forester’s larger windows provide an ideal match for me. All those photo ops along the road have lead to upwards of 30,000 photos on my iPhone!

Related: 2021 Subaru Crosstrek: From Sporty to Refined, This AWD SUV is the Ideal Playmate

3. Reasonable Gas Mileage Makes Road Trips a Budget-Friendly Travel Option

I’m happy to pay whatever is required to conquer an epic road trip, but if I can find an attractive vehicle that also includes reasonable gas mileage, I’m smitten. Such is the Subaru Forester. Averaging 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway without sacrificing power keeps the cost of road trips under control. When road trips initially became our focus, gas prices weren’t so bad. Today, however, they’re nuts and that makes us even happier to have a fuel-efficient Subaru Forester to take on the road.

Related: Need a bigger Subaru? Check out the Subaru Ascent!

4.  She Keeps Us Safe

Maybe it’s just a New York City thing, but it seems like the pandemic has turned some drivers into maniacs. Clearly brain fog has taken over. These days playing both offense and defense while driving is necessary given the current state of affairs. For these and many more reasons, the safety features of our Subaru Forester (and all Subarus) are part of the reason we love this car. If someone slams on the brakes in front of you, she’ll stop you faster than you can switch your foot from the gas to the brake utilizing the EyeSight Driver-Assist System.

Related: Go Wild With the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness

5. Plenty of Cargo Space Means Room for Bikes, Rollerblades, Hiking Gear & a Nap

In the 15 months since we picked up our 2021 Subaru Forester, we’ve covered 19,500 miles. We’ve visited 15 states, three national parks, and innumerable state parks and trailheads. We’ve loaded the cargo space with suitcases, backpacks, hiking sticks, rollerblades, and even my bike. When restaurant access was restricted, we packed food, opened up the rear gate, and had a Forester picnic. My husband’s even been known to take a short nap while hanging out taking in the scenery. The space and flexibility for hauling our favorite outdoor gear is just one more reason why I love our Subaru Forester!

Napping in the Subaru Forester

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Terri Marshall grew up road-tripping around the country. Her love for the open road remains strong today. A travel ... More about Terri Marshall
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