2019 Subaru Forester Interior & Cargo Space Review

A car’s exterior design can pique the interest of a buyer, but its interior will make them want to drive for hours – that’s what I’ve learned in years of reviewing cars. The 2019 Subaru Forester has what it takes to satisfy the latter, and even more to make you want to buy one.

Here’s a closer look at the all-new Forester’s interior amenities and cargo space so you would know the good things in it, and of course, the bad.

What you will like: a roomy 5-seater, high-quality materials used, vehicle controls are easy to understand

Whatever you’re expecting from a car with a price tag of P1,698,000, the Forester 2.0i-L delivers. Three things you’ll find: cushy leather, soft plastics, and piano black plastics. The combination of these materials makes for an upscale interior appeal, and even at the initial sitting, you’ll know that you get the value of the price you paid for.

Aside from that, the Forester also scores high on ergonomics and logical placements of buttons. It won’t take you a day to familiarize yourself with the Forester’s controls, even with the heft of tech features that this crossover comes with. Except maybe for the Subaru EyeSight buttons that are found near the dome light, which brings us to the next gripe below.

What you won’t like: piano black plastics on key touchpoints

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – piano black plastics aren't good news for interior ornaments. Sure, they look nice and greatly help in increasing the plushness of the cabin, but they’re hard to maintain especially if they are found on key touchpoints.

The Forester has a lot of these scratchy, shiny parts, so make sure to be really careful with those in order to keep your Subie fresh as it ages.

Cargo volume with seats up: Not indicated

Cargo volume with second-row backrests folded: Not indicated

Unfortunately, Subaru Philippines didn’t list the exact cargo volume of the 2019 Forester on its website. But, by my usual measurement, a standard-sized twofold child stroller looks small while sitting in the trunk, which can still accommodate a month worth of groceries – and there’s even more space for more. Fold the second-row backrests and you have yourself a cavernous cargo area that could probably fit a washing machine.

Even better, the Forester has a flat lip entry, which can make loading heavy things, like a tasing machine, a lot easy. It also has tie hooks you can use, while the backrests can be folded through buttons you can access while standing on the rear stowage area. And yes, power tailgate with height memory function. Nifty.