A Weekend Away in the Forester Hybrid

I needed to get out of town for the weekend—no big plans, just a drive, some fresh air, and a break from the usual. Although I didn’t bother filling up before I left, with over 580 miles of range and up to 35 MPG in the city, I knew the Forester Hybrid would get me there and back without a second thought.

Once I hit the highway, I opened the panoramic moonroof and let in the cool spring air. The dual-zone climate control kept everything comfortable inside, no matter how much the temperature shifted outside. I had music playing through the STARLINK® Multimedia system, and with built-in Wi-Fi, I stayed connected the entire way.

Traffic got a little heavy near a construction zone, but Adaptive Cruise Control handled the flow without needing constant input from me. It’s subtle, but having EyeSight® watching the road and keeping a safe distance in check makes the drive feel like less work. When the road opened up again, I just eased back in.

Eventually I pulled into a trailhead I hadn’t planned to stop at. I grabbed my pack and used the hands-free Power Rear Gate to open the back with my foot—super convenient when both hands are full. I’ve got the height memory set on it too, so I don’t have to worry about it hitting anything above. Tossed my gear in, tied down a few things using the cargo hooks, and hit the trail.

Later, when I came back tired and a little dusty, I appreciated the small things—like the underfloor storage where I stashed my muddy shoes, or how the one-touch windows rolled all the way down with a tap. The sun was starting to set, and the headlights came on automatically. I didn’t have to think about it.

As I backed out of a tight spot, Blind-Spot Detection gave me a heads-up about a car creeping past, and the Rear Cross-Traffic Alert caught someone zipping through the lot. Both did their job without making a big scene—just enough to keep me aware.

By the time I found a place to settle in for the night, I’d driven for hours without really feeling it. I kicked back with the rear USB port charging my phone, the moonroof cracked open, and the Forester locked up and ready to rest. Nothing flashy, just a smooth, quiet, capable kind of day.