The automatic transmissions used on AWD-equipped vehicles will normally send 60% of the engine's torque to the front wheels and 40% to the rear wheels, using a computer-controlled, continuously variable, multi-plate transfer clutch. Size- and price-wise, it fits between the shared Impreza platform and the larger Legacy. Because of the Forester's low center of gravity, it meets the United States federal safety standards for passenger vehicles and does not require a 'risk of rollover' warning label on the driver's visor. The Forester appeared after the introduction of the Nissan Rasheen in Japan with a similar appearance, and the Forester's Japanese competitors include the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi RVR, and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. However, the Outback Sport remained in production for the U.S. In its domestic market the Forester replaced the Subaru Impreza Gravel Express, known in the US as the Subaru Outback Sport. It used the Impreza platform but with the larger 2.5-liter DOHC EJ25D four-cylinder boxer engine from the Subaru Outback, making 123 kW (165 hp 167 PS) at 5,600 rpm and 220 N⋅m (162 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,000 rpm. Subaru advertising employed the slogan 'SUV tough, Car Easy'. It was built in the style of a car, but had a taller stance, higher h-point seating, and an all-wheel drive drivetrain.

The Forester was one of the first emerging crossover SUVs. The Forester was introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show in November 1995 as the Streega concept, and available for sale in February 1997 in Japan, and to the US market in 1997 for MY1998.

Jbl bluetooth driver for windows 7