It almost looks more like a wagon than an SUV, but the Forester's boxy shape and tall windows make for easy access, lots of room inside and good visibility. It also has outstanding fuel economy and "decent" performance, according to Consumer Reports. Another plus is the Forester's long list of safety features.
One new competitor that might give the Forester a fight for the top spot next year is the all-new Honda CR-V, said Fisher. It arrived in Consumer Reports' test fleet too late to be included in this year's ratings.
