If you’ve driven through Colorado, Vermont, or Alberta, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Wait… are Foresters the official state car here?” Spoiler: yes. Every other driveway has one, and if it doesn’t, there’s probably an Outback sitting there instead.
But how did this boxy little SUV go from quirky import to snow-state overlord? Let’s dig in.
🌲 The Origin Story: 1997
The Forester launched in Japan in 1997 (North America in ‘98), marketed as the “SUV for people who hate SUVs.” Subaru basically said:
- What if we made an SUV that didn’t drive like a boat?
- What if AWD was standard, not a $3,000 add-on?
- What if it was tall enough for skis, but short enough for city parking?
- And thus, the Forester was born — part car, part SUV, and 100% practical.
❄️ Why It Took Over the Snow States
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Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Standard
While other brands made AWD optional, Subaru said “nah, everyone gets it.” That made it the perfect weapon against snow, slush, and unplowed backroads. -
Car DNA, SUV Utility
It’s secretly built on the Impreza platform. Translation: drives like a car, handles like a champ, but still swallows skis, dogs, and a week’s worth of groceries. -
Winter Reliability
In a Vermont winter, “FWD with snow tires” is fine. But “Subaru AWD with snow tires” is god-mode. -
Cultural Fit
Outdoorsy? Check. Crunchy granola vibes? Check. Practical and not too flashy? Double check. Subaru basically built a car that matches Patagonia jackets.
📈 The Sales Boom
Numbers don’t lie:
- 1998 (first U.S. year): Just under 57,000 sold.
- 2013: Over 123,000 units — Forester finally hits mainstream.
- 2019: Record year, 180,179 sold in the U.S. alone.
- 2024: Back to 175,521, making it Subaru’s #1 best-seller in America.
Forester isn’t just popular — it’s the backbone of Subaru’s North American sales.
😂 Quirky Ads & Subaru Energy
- Subaru literally made ads of dogs driving Foresters. And people said, “Yeah, that checks out.”
- The tagline “Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.” wasn’t just corny marketing. It was Subaru winking at the fact that owners don’t just buy Foresters, they bond with them.
- Fun fact: Forester owners are some of the most loyal in the industry. Buy one, and odds are you’ll replace it… with another one.
🐕 Real Owners, Real Stories
- Ask a Forester owner if their dog likes the car, and they’ll pull out a photo album.
- In Colorado, you’ll see Foresters lined up at trailheads like it’s a dealership lot.
- In Vermont, locals joke: “If you don’t drive a Forester, you must be a tourist.”
- In Alberta? Every ski chalet parking lot is basically a Forester meet-up.
🏆 The Legacy
The Subaru Forester didn’t just sell cars. It changed Subaru’s image in North America. From “quirky little wagons” to “rugged snow-state warriors,” Subaru became the brand for people who actually use their cars.
Today, the Forester is more than just an SUV. It’s a lifestyle symbol — part mountain goat, part golden retriever taxi, part REI membership badge.