I LOVE the 2015 Subaru Forester. Actually, starting with the 2014, but I think they made some engine modifications that make the 2015 much better (better mpg and longer between oil changes). We had one years ago (1999) that we kept for 165,000 miles before it felt too small for our growing family of 4. We sized up to an Xterra, and drove that for 310,000 miles.
Last year it was time to move on. So I was looking at the new Forester's again... the kids both sat in the back (son was 16 at the time) and they LOVED it and said it had even more room than the Xterra did. Lots of storage space in the cargo area, too. Almost (but not quite) the same as the Xterra had.
AWD, of course.
Well, the one I wanted (with all the upgrades I wanted on it) cost around $30,000 and we just weren't ready to spend that much. So we started looking at used. Couldn't find one that wasn't the older models that were much smaller in the 2nd row seating with poorer mpgs, but they had a used Outback on the lot. It just happened to have every single upgrade I wanted to add to a Forester model to make it how I wanted it, but being used it was $10,000 less than the new Forester. Granted... used, and not the newest year model. But it only had a little over 60,000 miles on it.
We love it. The kids have tons of room in the back and it's great for trips. We ride in comfort in the front, too.
Honestly, I would look at the Forester, if you want a small SUV. It does sit up a little higher (vision wise for the driver) than the Outbacks do. And they are SO maneuverable you won't believe it if you've never driven one. The mpg they get now run like 26/34 or something along those lines. I know my Outback is rated around 19/26 or something, but I average 27.9 mpg every fill up.
Just double check the oil change recommendations for the year model you are looking at. For some weird reason the 2013 and 2014 models (across the models-Forester, Outback, Legacy) all have much shorter oil change interval recommendations. My Outback recommendation is 7,000 miles in "normal" driving conditions... some of those 2013 and 2014 models it is like 2,500 or 2,750 or something.
Happy shopping!
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The handsfree (steering wheel controls) is nice. I have it on my 2011 Outback. It really depends on what "package" you buy. I probably wouldn't ever buy another vehicle without it. My vehicle does not have the navigation, but (like Elena B) I have it on my phone. And when I Bluetooth my phone to the car media, I can answer calls from the steering wheel AND listen to turn by turn navigation through the stereo speakers as well. The stereo plays (satellite, radio, CD, Aux) put pauses when the navigation speaks, or the phone is in use thru the bluetooth. Easy peasy. If I plug my iphone in to charge while I drive, I can just ask Siri to make calls or text or whatever. She can read me my texts through the stereo speakers. ;)