Ask any Subaru car dealer which Forester sells the quickest, and you’re likely to get the same quick two-word reply: Premium trim. The reason: As you’re nearing the top of the lineup, those features that used to seem like luxuries now seem like necessities: A huge touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, a panoramic moonroof, heated seats, and dual-zone climate, all without having to drop thousands of dollars more for leather seats, car detailing, and off-road equipment you’ll never need. All these reasons also make this the trim that will likely return the highest trade-in value, because used-car customers will be looking for the Premium features.
Beneath it, the Base saves $2,750 but gets an 11.6-inch touchscreen vs. 7.0s, plus doesn’t get wireless charging, a moonroof, heated seats, and a power driver’s seat. If you’re OK with those trade-offs, the Base is a wise purchase – but the overwhelming majority of buyers get at least one of those features within a month. Above the Premium, the Limited costs $3,000 more and includes leather, a standard power liftgate, standard blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, and a handful of exterior tweaks. The Wilderness is at heart a serious SUV, swapping the Lifted Suspension, All-Terrain tires, and 3,500-pound towing capacity out for actual off-road chops. For most folks who get a day off from the daily grind to commute, carpool, and make the occasional jaunt down an interstate, the Premium will cover what they need, and the optional Package 15 – for another $290, including blind-spot detection and hands-free liftgate – adds what most want without hitting Limited prices.
Because the Premium is our most popular Forester, our inventory rotates quickly-the particular color and options package you’re after might be gone before you get here! At Ewing Subaru of Plano, we typically have a large stock of Forester Premiums on the lot, and if we don’t have it currently, we can find it or order it for you!
We will appraise your trade with live market pricing, pre-approve you for financing before you arrive, and install factory options (like crossbars, all-weather mats, a trailer hitch) before you take delivery of your vehicle. Our objective is straightforward: you get the trim you want, when you want it, without any hassles or surprises. Search through our current inventory online, or call Ewing Subaru of Plano today to order yours.
Is there wireless apple carplay/android auto and wireless charging in the Forester Premium?
Yes – both trim levels include plenty of standard tech features. The Premium features the 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that connects your phone once you get in; you don’t have to plug it in. The upgraded Plus trim version includes a wireless charging pad in the center console, and both USB-A and USB-C ports for front and rear passengers so everyone has access to power if they want. Both trims include a four-month trial of SiriusXM 360L and HD Radio. Navigation and the Harman Kardon audio system are the only tech upgrades found on higher trims and are not essential for all drivers.
Is the panoramic moonroof standard on the Premium, and does it reduce headroom?
Panoramic Power Moonroof – Standard on the Premium, it’s one of the most significant features that set the Premium apart from the Base. It’s a good thing we don’t give your wife driving rights! It’ll clean the windshield and give your rear seat passengers something to stare at back there when they’re bored. The moonroof takes an inch or so of headroom off of the front and back seats, so if you’re over 6’3″ and have friends over that height, check one out at Ewing Subaru of Plano before you buy!
Will blind-spot monitoring and a power liftgate come on the Premium, or will I have to pay extra?
One of three EyeSight driver-assist features (blind-spot detection/lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, power rear liftgate) is included in a pack – not part of the base truck. But the full-blown system (adaptive cruise, pre-collision braking, and lane-centering) is included in all trims. If blind-spot detection and a power lift-gate are a priority, there are two options: add the package to the Premium, or move to the Limited to get both standard. Your sales team can offer you pricing on both options to help you decide.
The Premium has cloth seats … is that a negative in Texas hot weather versus leather?
Not necessarily – although plenty of Texas drivers really love the cloth upholstery in the Premium. Leather and vinyl seats just absorb and hold the heat all summer long, even with AC running, and can fade, scuff, and crack after a few years of sun exposure. Cloth breathes better, feels cooler to the touch, and is much cheaper to clean and repair if you do happen to spill coffee in a frenzy! The Premium’s heated front seats provide all the heat you’ll need on an occasional chilly morning, and if you do prefer the luxurious feel of leather, the Limited is the only one that has it – but that leather is susceptible to sun damage and tearing, and harder to keep clean.
How does it hold up against mid-grade competitors such as the RAV4 XLE and the CR-V EX?
The Toyota RAV4 XLE has a bit more grunt and cargo space, and the Honda CR-V EX rides more comfortably and has roomier back seats. Both require you to pay extra for AWD on all but one bottom-tier trim, while the Forester Premium comes standard with Symmetrical AWD. It also has a bigger moonroof and wireless Car Play/Android Auto, compared to optional with the Honda and Toyota, along with better views out the window and a higher safety score. If you’re after all-wheel drive, safety tech, and a comprehensive feature suite, the Forester Premium is the way to go.
