In crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Forester earned the top score, Good, in front and side impacts. The SUV was awarded an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation. Because it was redesigned this year, reliability scores for the Forester are unavailable. The previous-generation Forester got top marks in this area: Consumer Reports awarded it good or excellent reliability ratings for six years running. While history among brands and models is often informative, cautious buyers will wait for results. Every car is different.

Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, with side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags for both rows. The curtain airbags have tip sensors to deploy during a rollover. Active head restraints, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, traction control and an electronic stability system are also standard. All five seats have adequately high head restraints. Parents with young children should check out the child-seat provisions in the photos above.