If you're currently shopping for a crossover, the cargo space of Subaru Forester is probably one of the main reasons this vehicle is even on your shortlist. Let's be honest, people don't usually buy a Forester because they want a sleek, aggressive sports car that turns heads at every stoplight. They buy it because they have stuff—dogs, camping gear, IKEA flat-packs, or maybe just a chaotic amount of groceries—and they need a reliable place to put all of it.
I've spent a lot of time poking around various SUVs, and there's something unique about how Subaru handles its interior room. It isn't just about the raw numbers you see on a spec sheet, though those are important. It's about the shape of that space. You can have all the cubic footage in the world, but if the car's roofline slopes down like a coupe, half that space is basically useless for anything taller than a pizza box.
The Numbers and the Reality
When you look at the technical specs, the cargo space of Subaru Forester usually clocks in around 28.9 to 31.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up. If you flip those seats down, you're looking at somewhere between 69.1 and 74.2 cubic feet.
Now, you might notice that range is a bit wide. Why the discrepancy? It usually comes down to the sunroof. If you go for a higher trim level with that massive panoramic moonroof, it actually eats into your vertical cargo room a little bit. If you're a "maximum space" purist, the base model actually gives you the most literal room because the ceiling is just a tiny bit higher.
But even with the sunroof, the Forester is a beast compared to a lot of its rivals. It's remarkably boxy. While the Toyota RAV4 or the Mazda CX-5 have these stylish, sloping rear windows, the Forester looks like a literal box on wheels. That might not win any beauty contests, but it means you can stack boxes all the way to the D-pillar without hitting the glass.
That Wide-Open Tailgate
One thing people often forget to check when they're at a dealership is the width of the actual opening. I've seen cars with huge interior volume but a narrow "mouth." It's like trying to feed a steak to a person with a straw; the capacity is there, but you can't get the goods inside.
The cargo space of Subaru Forester is accessible through one of the widest rear gates in the class. It's almost squared off. This is a lifesaver if you're trying to slide in a double stroller, a mountain bike, or one of those oversized dog crates. You don't have to do that awkward "pivot and tilt" maneuver nearly as much as you do with other compact SUVs.
Also, Subaru lowered the liftover height. If you've ever tried to hoist a 50-pound bag of dog food or a heavy cooler into a high-riding truck, you know your lower back eventually starts a protest. The Forester's floor sits at a very human-friendly height. You just slide things in rather than lifting them up and over a massive bumper lip.
Life With the Seats Down
When you drop the rear seats—which, by the way, you can do with some handy little levers in the trunk area on most trims—the floor is almost flat. It's not a perfect 180-degree level surface, but it's close enough that you can throw a sleeping pad back there if you're into car camping.
I've talked to plenty of owners who use the cargo space of Subaru Forester as a mobile basecamp. Because the roof is so high, you can actually sit up inside the back without hitting your head, which is a rare feat in this segment. If you're caught in a rainstorm while hiking, being able to retreat into the back of your car and actually move around is a huge win.
The Little Details Matter
It's not just about the big square footage; it's about how Subaru expects you to use it. You'll find sturdy grocery bag hooks that actually keep your eggs from rolling under the front seat during a sharp turn. There are also tie-down points. If you're hauling something heavy or awkward, being able to strap it down so it doesn't become a projectile is pretty important.
Then there's the underfloor storage. If you lift up the carpeted floor in the back, there's a dedicated spot for the removable cargo cover. This is a stroke of genius. In most cars, when you need to use the full height of the trunk, you end up throwing the cargo cover bar on the floor behind the front seats where it gets stepped on and scratched. In the Forester, it has its own little "garage" right above the spare tire.
Speaking of the floor, if you're someone who actually goes outside, do yourself a favor and get the all-weather cargo tray. It's a heavy-duty rubber mat that covers the floor and even the backs of the rear seats. It turns the cargo space of Subaru Forester into something you can just hose out after a muddy weekend.
What About the Competition?
If we're being fair, the Honda CR-V technically has a slightly larger cargo area by the numbers. It's deep and wide. But again, the Forester wins on the "verticality" and the ease of access. The CR-V feels more like a cavernous car trunk, while the Forester feels more like a miniature van.
The RAV4 is another big competitor, and while its cargo area is great, the wheel wells protrude a bit more into the space, making the floor shape a little less "perfect square." When you're trying to pack every last square inch for a cross-country move, those little cutouts and protrusions start to matter.
The Roof Is Your Second Trunk
We can't really talk about the cargo space of Subaru Forester without mentioning the roof rails. Almost every Forester comes with them. If you somehow manage to fill up the inside—which, honestly, takes some effort—the car is designed to carry a lot of weight on top.
The Wilderness trim, in particular, has beefed-up roof rails that can handle a static load (meaning when the car is parked) of up to 800 pounds. That's specifically designed for people who want to put a rooftop tent up there. Even on the standard trims, throwing a Thule box or a kayak rack on top is incredibly easy because the roofline is flat and long.
Is There Any Downside?
If I had to nitpick, I'd say that the Forester's focus on utility means it's not the quietest ride. Because the cargo area is so open and boxy, it can act a bit like an echo chamber for road noise coming from the rear tires. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's the price you pay for not having a bunch of heavy, sound-dampening insulation taking up your precious space.
Also, if you're looking for hidden "cubby" holes, the Forester is a bit sparse. It prioritizes one big, usable volume over a dozen tiny pockets. For most people, that's exactly what they want, but if you like to hide small items all over your car, you might find the layout a bit too straightforward.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the cargo space of Subaru Forester is about as honest as a car gets. It doesn't try to hide behind fancy curves or weird angles. It's a big, square room on wheels that's ready for whatever you throw at it. Whether you're hauling a load of mulch from the hardware store or taking the dogs to the trailhead, it just works. It's one of those rare vehicles where the utility actually lives up to the marketing photos. You don't need to be a Tetris grandmaster to fit your life into the back of this thing, and that's probably the best compliment I can give it.