8 Subaru generations rated.
14-18
The FB25 engine finally ended Subaru's head gasket saga, the 4th gen Forester is the first generation you can buy without requiring head gasket documentation as a prerequisite.
09-13
The 3rd gen Forester finally got standard ESC and 5-star NHTSA, still the EJ253 and its head gasket tendencies, but the safety package is now complete.
03-08
The 2nd gen Forester added IIHS Good and a proper interior, same EJ253 head gasket watchout applies, but it's a better car overall than the 1st gen.
98-02
The 1st gen Forester is a cult-classic compact AWD wagon, simple, capable, and brutally honest about what Subaru's flat-4 required in its era: timing belt and head gasket service.
15-19
The FB25 finally replaced the head-gasket-prone EJ253, and the 5th gen adds EyeSight driver assistance, making it the first Outback that's easy to recommend without significant caveats.
10-14
The 4th gen added standard ESC and Subaru improved (but did not fix) the head gasket design, the EJ253 is still a watch-item, but later build dates are more forgiving.
05-09
The 3rd gen Outback is the EJ253 generation, head gasket failure is the elephant in the room, and it's real. Know whether it was done before committing.
20-24
The only car on this list with 518 miles of range, standard AWD, and the best visibility of any midsize SUV.