The driver's seat is comfortable despite being a bit hard, with good lateral support, and offers a myriad of adjustments. Controls are easy to operate, instruments are straightforward and easy to read, and interior trim is relatively soft and warm, though it lacks the design elegance and refinement of the Honda CR-V. Radio controls are on the small side.

There's plenty of headroom front and rear with comfortable seating for four. With the split folding rear seats, the Forester offers 64.6 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly less than both the RAV4 and CR-V. It's easy to load cargo into the back; the rear gate lifts out of the way and a rubber cargo mat protects the interior. Heated front seats, heated outside mirrors and windshield wiper de-icers make the Forester feel at home in the snow and ice.

Leather touches on the Forester S are nice, and the six-disc in-dash CD changer is a great addition. But what matters are the front-seat side-impact airbags (S only), and the improvements in the seatbelts, plus rear seat headrests.