While it may be traditional for a new driver to start in an old hand-me-down beater, there are a lot of reasons to spring for a new car if you are able. New cars are more reliable, have better performance, more features, and they are an investment that will last you for a long time. More desirable, too—your friends aren't likely to be particularly impressed by your new car from the nineties, but something shiny and new won't fail to impress. Some of the most desirable cars today are SUVs, and it's not hard to see why.
Even if you don't intend to ever go offroad, you get all the practicality of a minivan or station wagon in something that is much cooler than a minivan or a station wagon. And if you do intend to go offroad, you won't have many problems doing so. Of course, big seven seater SUVs are more than a bit intimidating for someone who is new to driving. Luckily, there is a whole range of small SUVs out there, for those who want the practicality without the enormity.
One of the best options out there for a new driver looking for a small SUV? The Subaru Forester. Introduced in 1997 for model year 1998, the Subaru Forester was one of the first crossover SUVs—an SUV built on a car platform rather than a truck platform. Currently in its fifth generation, the Forester is one of Subaru's best selling cars, and it's hard not to see why.
For new drivers looking for a small SUV, the Subaru Forester is just the ticket.
The Safety And Economics Of Forester
Subaru has a long and well-earned reputation for safety, and the Forester is no exception. Subaru's Eyesight Driver Assist Technology is a standard feature. This monitors traffic, optimizes your cruise control, and monitors the driver's performance, warning them when they are losing focus. According to Subaru, it has been has been found to reduce rear-end crashes with injuries by up to 85%. Higher trim levels have Subaru's DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System in addition to that, which acts as a sort of electronic co-pilot that keeps you from straying out of lanes.
In addition, the Forester has a five-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and excellent ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. And while SUVs have a reputation of being top heavy, the Forester's center of gravity is low enough that it meets the margin to avoid a "risk of rollover" sticker on the sun visor. Overall, the Subaru Forester is one of the safest small SUVs out there. So if a new driver's lack of experience gets them into an accident, chances are they'll have no issues living to learn from it.
When it comes to economics, first off, with a starting MSRP of $25,195, the 2022 Forester is quite affordable by the standards of SUVs. And while SUVs are not generally known for their fuel economy, the Forester actually gets quite good gas mileage for its size. With up to 33 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in the city as well as a 16.6 gallon fuel tank, long distance trips aren't going to break the bank.
The Forester has a reliable reputation as well, so all in all it isn't a particularly expensive vehicle to run. For new driers, who aren't likely to be swimming in money and don't want the headache of a difficult to maintain vehicle, that's all great news.
The Interior Of The Best Small SUV For New Drivers
The Forester's interior is simple, no nonsense, but excellently designed and equipped. Driver visibility is great. The seating for five is quite comfortable, and even the lankiest of adults should have no trouble fitting in the back bench.
Cargo space is great too, especially with the rear seat folded down. And the gadgets are as great as you'd expect in 2022, with an infotainment display controlled by touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features, as are two USB ports in the front, with an additional two in the back as an optional extra. All in all, the Subaru Forester is a very comfortable, practical, vehicle.
Performance Of The Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester comes with a 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine producing 182-hp. For a transmission, the Forester has Subaru's continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). All wheel drive comes as standard. This all gives the Forester a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs and a 0-60 time of 8.3 seconds.
Not the most mind boggling set of figures you've ever seen, but ask yourself: do you really need any more in a small SUV? Does a new driver? Not really, no. The ride is smooth, steering is sharp, and brakes are excellent. Rather than feeling ungainly or sluggish, the Forester is nimble, responsive, and easy to control.