2020 Subaru Forester Gains Safety Tech, Convenience Features

Just a year after the launch of its fifth generation, the Subaru Forester is making a few changes to its lineup for 2020. It will arrive in Canadian dealerships next month with a price increase of $500 to $900.

The biggest news is that the EyeSight advanced safety system is now standard equipment on all trim levels, even the base one. It includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management as well as lane departure and sway warning with lane keep assist.

Inevitably, the 2020 Forester will retain its “Top Safety Pick+” award from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

What’s more, in order to make sure nothing—and no one—is left behind, the new rear seat reminder provides audible and visual reminders to check the rear seat area before leaving the vehicle. We’re starting to see this technology in a growing number of models across the industry and it’s a good thing.

Photo: Subaru

The Forester Convenience, which is the second most affordable model in the lineup, also gets Reverse Automatic Braking, proximity key with push-button start and Subaru Starlink Connected Services with a free three-year trial subscription.

Customers utilizing these services will be able to receive automatic emergency assistance in the event of a collision, remotely access vehicle features, schedule service appointments with dealers and receive point of interest navigation information, among much more.

As for the Touring variant, it adds Subaru Rear/Side Vehicle Detection, reclining rear seats, rear console vents and rear seat USB ports.

The Forester is still powered by a 2.5-litre flat-four engine with direct injection producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, exclusively via Subaru’s Lineartronic continuously variable transmission and symmetrical full-time all-wheel drive system.

Below are pricing details for the 2020 Subaru Forester:

  • Forester 2.5i – $28,695
  • Forester Convenience – $32,295
  • Forester Touring – $33,895
  • Forester Sport – $35,495
  • Forester Limited – $38,195
  • Forester Premier – $39,995
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