Subarus have long been a favorite of the outdoorsy set, and while many will go for an Outback first if they’re looking for off-road performance, the Forester is a great option for those looking to hit the trails on a slightly tighter budget.

If you’re thinking about taking your Forester off-road or you just want to know if that’s even an option, we have all the information you need.

MORE:

How to save on your Subaru insurance costs

Make safe driving pay

Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.

Start earning now

2022 Subaru Forester ground clearance

Forester ground clearance is pretty uniform across all trims, but there is a bit of variance. Let’s look at how that breaks down:

: 8.7 inches

: 8.7 inches

: 8.7 inches

: 9.2 inches

: 8.7 inches

: 8.7 inches

The Forester Wilderness is a new 2022 trim designed for the serious outdoor and off-road adventurer, which is why it offers an extra half-inch of clearance. This may not sound like a big deal, but when it comes to negotiating seriously uneven terrain, getting stuck and getting home can come down to a fraction of an inch.

Subaru Forester ground clearance over the years

Older Subaru Foresters' ground clearances were a bit lower than their newer cousins, especially in the first and second generations. Here’s what you can expect from Foresters throughout the years:

1st generation (1998-2002): 7.5 inches

2nd generation (2003-2008): 7.9-8.1 inches

3rd generation (2009-2013): 8.7-8.9 inches

4th generation (2014-2018): 8.7 inches

Depending on the model year, the exact ground clearance of your Forester can come down to its trim. For example, a 2018 Subaru Forester’s ground clearance is sure to be 8.7 inches since all trims for that generation featured the same clearance. However, a 2012 Forester 2.5XT Touring, has 8.9 inches of ground clearance while a 2012

Forester 2.5X Premium

only has 8.7 inches of clearance.

MORE:

Subaru Forester Sport towing capacity

What is ground clearance—and why does it matter?

It’s easy to get distracted by things like engine size, all-wheel-drive, and tires when you’re thinking about off-roading, but ground clearance is one of the most important considerations. That’s because the ground clearance is the distance you have from the lowest part of your vehicle’s chassis to the ground. All those other considerations won’t matter if you bottom out on uneven terrain because you don’t have enough clearance.

Before you head off-road, experts recommend you’re driving a vehicle that has at least 8.5 inches of ground clearance to keep you from damaging your undercarriage or getting stuck. That means if you’re driving a 3rd-, 4th-, or 5th-generation Subaru Forester, you’re golden! If you have an earlier model, you’d be safer keeping it on the asphalt.

MORE:

A complete guide to Subaru safety ratings

Make safe driving pay

Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.

Start earning now

"I’m earning

awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

Is the Subaru Forester a good off-road vehicle?

Thanks to a minimum of 8.7 inches of ground clearance, a Forester built after 2008 is absolutely a good off-road vehicle!

All models of Forester perform surprisingly well off-road thanks to their better-than-average ground clearance and standard AWD. However, the new Wilderness edition adds an extra dose of off-road oomph with a suspension lift, 17-inch wheels, and chunky all-terrain tires. Plus, Subaru includes a full-sized spare for the Wilderness to keep you going even if you get a flat.

If you’re really serious about your off-road experience, you can further enhance your Wilderness with X-MODE®. This system both decreases wheel spin on slippery surfaces and incorporates Hill Descent Control for extra stability on steep grades. This option is only available on the Wilderness, Limited, and Touring editions.

MORE:

Car loan for Subaru 2022

Guard against accidents with the best Forester insurance

Before you head off-road in your Subaru Forester, make sure you’ve got it covered with reliable

car insurance

. No matter what conditions you drive in,

Jerry can

find you the best coverage at the best price.

Just download the free app, answer a few quick questions, and let Jerry go to work comparing your current coverage with quotes from over 50 of the nation’s top insurance providers. Within 2 minutes, you’ll be presented with options customized just for you with average savings of over $800 a year! Just make your selection and Jerry will help you set up your new policy—and even help cancel your old one!

Jerry’s service doesn’t stop there. Every time your policy comes up for renewal, Jerry will re-shop your coverage to make sure you’ve always got the best rates. It’s this level of service that makes Jerry one of the top-rated car insurance apps in the nation!

“After signing up with
Jerry
, I went from $199/month to $97/month for my car insurance. My 2019 Subaru Forester now has full coverage for a great price!” —Rhonda H.

RECOMMENDED

Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry

This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍

Gabriella R.

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry