We spent a week evaluating a 2024 Subaru Forester with three drivers (5'2", 5'9", 6'4") to gauge real-world seating comfort, visibility, pedal reach, steering adjustment, and blind spots in city traffic, highways, and tight garages.
Our test car was a 2024 Subaru Forester (Touring), powered by a 2.5-liter flat-four (182 hp, CVT) with standard Symmetrical AWD and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Key ergonomics hardware includes a 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar, tilt/telescoping steering column, large side mirrors, and a panoramic roof. We logged 600 miles over mixed routes, including night drives and multi-hour stints. We brought a measuring tape and checked seat travel and steering reach while keeping to safe, repeatable reference points (heel on floor, shoulders to seatback, hands at 9-and-3).
All drivers wore typical footwear and winter jackets for a worst-case bulk scenario. Seating: The power seat offers generous fore-aft travel; our measurements showed roughly a handspan more rail travel than a CR-V and similar to a RAV4. The 5'2" driver could raise the seat enough to see the hood edges while maintaining knees slightly bent and full brake travel without lifting the hip. The 6'4" driver fit with the seat fully lowered and slid back, with adequate headroom even with the pano roof; thigh support was acceptable, though the cushion could be longer for very long femurs.
Lumbar support is moderate and adjustable but only two-way; the 5'9" driver preferred one click below maximum to avoid hotspotting. Steering and pedals: Telescoping range is ample; our tape showed roughly two fists of fore-aft movement and a broad tilt arc. The 5'2" driver achieved a proper arms-bent posture (wrists touching the top rim without shoulder lift) while maintaining heel-on-floor modulation between accelerator and brake. The 6'4" driver could pull the wheel toward his torso to clear knees under the rim, and there’s enough tilt to keep gauges visible.
Pedal spacing is conservative, with a natural ankle pivot and progressive brake feel; no inadvertent two-pedaling noted in winter boots. Visibility and blind spots: The Forester’s tall glasshouse and relatively thin A-pillars deliver class-leading sightlines. The 5'2" driver reported minimal over-the-shoulder masking; the quarter windows help when merging. The 6'4" driver’s view of the top traffic lights was not impeded, even with the mirror housing and pillar base.
Large mirrors, effective blind-spot monitoring, and a crisp backup camera with dynamic guidelines make parking easy; turning the rear headrests flat improves the lower rear window view. Headlights provide a clean cutoff and wide spread, aiding night confidence. Verdict: The Forester accommodates a wide height range without kludgy compromises. Shorter drivers get the elevation and reach they need; taller drivers have headroom and knee clearance, though they may want more thigh support on long trips.
The controls are intuitive, pedal feel is friendly, and outward visibility is a standout. If you’re over 6'3", test with and without the panoramic roof for headroom margin; otherwise, this is one of the segment’s most forgiving cockpits.
