[2] Built in the style of a station wagon, the Forester featured a taller stance, higher H-point seating, and a standard all-wheel drive drivetrain.

Because of the Forester's low center of gravity, it meets the United States federal safety standards for passenger vehicles and does not require a "risk of rollover" warning label on the driver's visor.

[5] When accelerating or driving uphill, the vehicle's weight shifts rearward, reducing front-wheel traction, causing the transmission to automatically send torque to the rear wheels to compensate.

Forester L came with a high level of standard equipment, including ABS, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, digital temperature gauge, multi-reflector halogen headlights, fog lights, roof rack, rear window defogger, trailer harness connector, reclining front bucket seats with adjustable lumbar support, tilt steering, tinted glass, AM/FM/cassette stereo with its antenna laminated in the left-rear quarter window.

New equipment for 2001 included Titanium pearl paint for the bumpers and cladding; six-disc in-dash CD sound system; leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, and handbrake handle; variable intermittent wipers with de-icers and driver's side fin; and the five-spoke alloy wheels.

Some models were equipped with the $1,000 optional premium package on the Forester S, including monotone paint (Sedona Red Pearl), power moonroof, front side-impact airbags, and gold accent wheels.

Other options were the $800 automatic transmission, $39 chrome tailpipe cover, and $183 auto-dimming rear-view mirror with compass, bringing the sticker price to $25,412 including $495 delivery (U.S. dollars quoted).

The two-litre petrol boxer-four engined version is reported to do 24 miles per imperial gallon (12 L/100 km; 20 mpg‑US) of fuel in town.

For the 2006 model year, Subaru gave the SG Forester a facelift, using redesigned headlights, tail lights, bonnet, grille, front bumper, and side moldings.

[14] For the U.S. market, the car was offered with either the 2.5 SOHC naturally aspirated engine, or the 2.5 DOHC turbocharged version added in 2004.

Sales of the Chevrolet Forester ended in 2007 since General Motors no longer holds an ownership stake in Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries.

A much stronger six-speed manual gearbox, from the WRX STI, a larger intercooler, and a low-back-pressure exhaust system were also added.

The Forester was available in Europe from 2008 with either the 2.0-liter EJ20 (150 hp; 110 kW) 196 Nm gasoline engine with Active Valve Control System (AVCS) matched to either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox, or an all-new diesel-powered horizontally opposed Subaru EE boxer engine, and six-speed manual gearbox.

The EE20 diesel engine in the Euro 4 guise was plagued by crankshaft failure caused by cracks forming when operated in cold climate.

Some of the standard equipment found on the 2.5X included Subaru's VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control), 16 inch steel wheels, and an auxiliary audio jack for MP3 players.

The 2.5 XT Limited added leather upholstery with heated front seats, in-dash navigation, a rear spoiler, and automatic climate control.

The Forester XTI concept vehicle used the 2.5-liter inter-cooled turbo engine from the Subaru WRX STI, six-speed manual transmission, 18 × 8-inch S204 forged alloy wheels with Yokohama Advan Neova 255/40R18 performance tires, adjustable coil-over suspension, Brembo brakes with four-piston front calipers, 2-piston rear calipers, SuperSport ABS and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), leather and Alcantara sport seats, a special instrument cluster, front dash, and center console and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

[32][33] In 2010 (U.S. model year 2011), the Subaru Forester received a minor facelift featuring a new grille insert and several small changes in various trim levels.

The 2.5X Touring trim added HID lighting, a rearview camera, dual-zone climate control, and silver roof rails.

[34] Subaru also quietly switched to the all-new 2.5L DOHC FB25 third-generation boxer engine in naturally aspirated Forester models.

The small overlap test, introduced in 2012 by the IIHS, simulates a frontal collision on 25 percent of the driver's side front corner.

Changes include new LED projector headlights with C-shaped positioning lights, new taillights, a redesigned grille and a reprofiled front bumper.

It also feature greater front cross member rigidity and optimization of the rear trailing link bushings which result in better steering response and straight-line stability.

Rear legroom has grown by 1.4 to 39.4 in (35 to 1,000 mm), while head, hip and shoulder room have also increased, improving the overall cabin space.

Like the first-generation XV Crosstrek Hybrid, the Forester e-Boxer adds a single electric motor rated at 12.3 kW (16 hp; 17 PS) maximum output.

[64] The Forester Sport is identified by its black grille as well as grey-painted fog lamps covers, side mirrors and rocker panels.

The Sport also is equipped with a set of dark 18-inch wheels, while the rear fascia adds additional trim around the tailgate window.

Additional wheel-slip is allowed to occur, which provides an advantage in harsh driving conditions.Subaru released a special model known as the Forester STI Sport in July 2023 for the Chinese market.

The Forester is still based on the Subaru Global Platform with 10% greater rigidity, exterior has design elements borrowed from other Subaru vehicles, the interior features a portrait 11.6" touchscreen standard on all trims except for the base model and a higher-mounted dashboard for increased space, and the 2.5-liter FB25 was carried over from the previous generation.

[72][73] The Forester was released in North America in the second quarter of 2024, in Base, Premium (only for U.S), Sport, Limited and Touring (Premier in Canada) trim levels.