Subaru Forester
The 2026 Subaru Forester offers excellent safety and standard all-wheel drive, but buyers should confirm all 16 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) have been addressed.
Calculated from 10,000+ NHTSA, EPA & owner-complaint data pointsHow we score
2026 modelSpecifications by model year
Compare the stats that matter
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
Fuel economy
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year.
| Year | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | City L/100 km | Highway L/100 km | Combined L/100 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 24 | 28 | 26 | 9.8 | 8.4 | 9.05 |
| 2025 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 9.41 | 8.4 | 9.05 |
| 2024 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 9.41 | 8.4 | 9.05 |
| 2023 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 9.41 | 8.4 | 9.05 |
| 2022 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 9.41 | 8.4 | 9.05 |
| 2021 | 26 | 33 | 29 | 9.05 | 7.13 | 8.11 |
| 2020 | 26 | 33 | 29 | 9.05 | 7.13 | 8.11 |
| 2019 | 26 | 33 | 29 | 9.05 | 7.13 | 8.11 |
| 2018 | 22 | 28 | 24 | 10.69 | 8.4 | 9.8 |
| 2017 | 22 | 28 | 24 | 10.69 | 8.4 | 9.8 |
| 2016 | 22 | 28 | 25 | 10.69 | 8.4 | 9.41 |
| 2015 | 22 | 28 | 25 | 10.69 | 8.4 | 9.41 |
| 2014 | 22 | 28 | 24 | 10.69 | 8.4 | 9.8 |
| 2013 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 12.38 | 10.23 | 11.2 |
| 2012 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 12.38 | 10.23 | 11.2 |
| 2011 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 12.38 | 10.23 | 11.2 |
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years.
| Year | Body style | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type | Transmission | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Regular | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2025 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Regular | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2024 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Regular | Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2023 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Regular | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2022 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Regular | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2021 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Regular | Automatic (AV-S7) | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2020 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Regular | Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| 2019 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Regular | Automatic (AV-S7) | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2018 | — | 4 | 2.5 | Regular | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2017 | — | 4 | 2.5 | Regular | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2016 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Regular | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2015 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Regular | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2014 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Regular | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2013 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Premium | Automatic (S4) | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2012 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Premium | Automatic (S4) | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2011 | suv | 4 | 2.5 | Premium | Automatic (S4) | All-Wheel Drive |
Pricing & configuration
Original pricing and model configuration where available.
| Year | pricing | Trim | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | Trim: Premium | Premium | — |
| 2024 | Trim: Touring | Touring | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — |
| 2022 | Trim: Touring | Touring | — |
| 2021 | Trim: Sport | Sport | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — |
| 2019 | Base price: $24,295, Trim: Base+ES | Base+ES | $24,295 |
| 2018 | Base price: $22,795, Trim: Premium | Premium | $22,795 |
| 2017 | Base price: $34,295, Trim: Touring + MR + NAVI(H/K) + ES + KA | Touring + MR + NAVI(H/K) + ES + KA | $34,295 |
| 2016 | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — |
Space, dimensions & utility
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year.
| Year | Seats | Doors | bodyAndInterior | mechanical | Keyless ignition | Seat rows | Steering location | Axles | Wheels | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | 5 | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 2 | — | Standard | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | 5 | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 2 | — | Standard | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 5 | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 2 | — | Standard | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 5 | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 108.1, Front wheel: 17, Rear wheel: 17 | Standard | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 108.1 | 17 | 17 |
| 2020 | 5 | — | Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 105.1 | — | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 105.1 | — | — |
| 2019 | 5 | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 105.1, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 105.1 | 18 | 18 |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 103.9, Front wheel: 17, Rear wheel: 17 | Standard | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 103.9 | 17 | 17 |
| 2017 | 5 | 4 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 103.9, Front wheel: 17, Rear wheel: 17 | Standard | 2 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 103.9 | 17 | 17 |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Safety ratings & driver assistance
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability.
| Year | Overall rating | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover | Rated vehicle | abs | esc | tractionControl | adaptiveCruiseControl | autoBrake | forwardCollisionWarning | blindSpotMonitoring | laneDepartureWarning | rearCamera | rearCrossTrafficAlert | rearAeb | adaptiveDrivingBeam | autoReverseSystem | tpms | pedestrianAeb | laneCenteringAssist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2026 SUBARU FORESTER SUV N/A AWD | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2025 SUBARU FORESTER SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2024 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | standard | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2023 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | — | — | standard | standard | standard | — | standard |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2022 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | — | — |
| 2021 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2021 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | — | standard |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2020 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | — | — | standard | standard | standard | — | — |
| 2019 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2019 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | — | — | standard | standard | standard | — | — |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2018 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | optional | optional | standard | — | — | standard | standard | standard | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2017 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | optional | optional | optional | optional | optional | standard | — | — | standard | standard | standard | — | — |
| 2016 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2016 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — |
| 2015 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2015 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2014 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — |
| 2013 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2013 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — |
| 2012 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2012 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — |
| 2011 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2011 Subaru Forester SUV AWD Later Release | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — |
Model year reports
2026
NewestThe 2026 Subaru Forester offers excellent safety and standard all-wheel drive, but buyers should confirm all 16 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) have been addressed.
2025
The 2025 Subaru Forester offers average reliability, but potential buyers must prioritize inspecting its **exterior lighting** and **windshield** due to documented visibility concerns.
2024
The 2024 Subaru Forester offers a capable all-wheel-drive platform with strong safety scores, but its average reliability verdict, primarily due to passenger airbag system concerns, necessitates a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
2023
Approach with caution: unintended acceleration and braking is a well-known chronic problem that makes this a high-risk used purchase.
2022
The 2022 Subaru Forester offers strong safety ratings but is hampered by below-average reliability, primarily due to significant windshield durability and engine concerns.
2021
Approach with caution: early-life windshield failures are a well-known chronic problem that makes this a high-risk used purchase.
2020
Approach with caution: the 2020 Subaru Forester's primary concern is a high volume of early-life windshield failures, which can impact safety systems.
2019
The 2019 Subaru Forester presents a below-average reliability profile, primarily due to widespread windshield cracking issues and significant recalls affecting steering and engine components.
2018
The 2018 Subaru Forester presents a mixed bag for used car buyers, with its standard AWD and practicality offset by significant reliability concerns, most notably spontaneous windshield cracking and airbag system malfunctions.
2017
Approach with caution: the passenger airbag system is a well-known chronic problem that makes this a high-risk used purchase.
2016
Approach the 2016 Subaru Forester with caution; its below-average reliability, particularly concerning unintended acceleration and airbag system failures, makes it a high-risk used purchase.
2015
Approach the 2015 Subaru Forester with caution; its below-average reliability is primarily driven by significant concerns with unintended acceleration and power loss, alongside notable airbag system issues.
2014
The 2014 Subaru Forester is a capable all-wheel-drive vehicle, but its 'Below Average' reliability verdict and significant reported issues, particularly concerning **suspension** and **engine oil consumption**, warrant careful consideration and thorough pre-purchase inspection.
2013
The 2013 Subaru Forester presents a below-average reliability profile, primarily due to significant engine oil consumption issues that can lead to catastrophic failures.
2012
Approach with caution: chronic engine oil consumption leading to seizure is a well-known issue that makes this a high-risk used purchase.
2011
The 2011 Subaru Forester offers standard all-wheel drive and practicality, but its "Below Average" reliability verdict, driven by significant engine oil consumption issues and numerous safety recalls, demands careful inspection.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the best years for the Subaru Forester?
Carfocal currently has 16 published Forester reports, covering 2011 through 2026. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2026 Subaru Forester offers excellent safety and standard all-wheel drive, but buyers should confirm all 16 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) have been addressed.
Published year coverage: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
Is the Subaru Forester reliable?
There is no single reliability answer for every Subaru Forester. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2026 subaru forester offers excellent safety and standard all-wheel drive, but buyers should confirm all 16 technical service bulletins (tsbs) have been addressed. and the 2026 subaru forester is poised to offer strong value on the used market, especially given its excellent safety ratings and lack of major reported issues. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
16 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
What are common problems with the Subaru Forester?
Across Carfocal's published Forester guides, recurring problem areas include Brake Pads and Rotors, Spark Plugs, and Battery. The exact risk depends on the model year, so open the report for the vehicle you are evaluating to see which issues, recalls, and repair concerns apply.
Common problem areas found in published repair predictions: Brake Pads and Rotors, Spark Plugs, and Battery.
Supporting data
- Published guides
- 16
- Years tracked
- 16
- Data sources
- NHTSA, EPA, owner complaints