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Subaru Forester (4th Gen)

14-18 · Subaru Forester

82out of 100

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.

Score breakdown

80/ 100Reliability×2.575/ 100True Annual Cost×2.095/ 100Safety×2.565/ 100Practicality×2.0100/ 100Repairability×1.0

Our take

What it really is

Subaru's updated Forester with the FB25 engine (same as the 5th gen Outback), no head gasket issue. EyeSight available from 2014. CVT standard, no more manual option. Larger interior, more cargo space. RepairPal improves to 4.0/5 with the FB25.

Why it's on this list

The first Forester you can buy without the head gasket asterisk. EyeSight, standard ESC, good safety, and practical AWD at $14k–$20k. The benchmark compact AWD SUV for snow-country buyers.

The honest trade-offs

Timing belt still on FB25 (60k interval). Oil consumption on some FB25 units. CVT only, manual transmission gone after 2013. RepairPal $652/yr is above Toyota/Honda equivalents.

What to buy and what to avoid

16-18 2.5i Limited or Touring with EyeSight. Timing belt verification. Check for oil consumption above 80k miles. EyeSight is the feature that makes 2016+ especially recommended.

Annual cost of ownership

Fuel (12k mi)
$1,430 (USD)[5]
Maintenance
$652 (USD)[1]
Tires (prorated)
$187 (USD)
Insurance (25yr male)
$1,880 (USD)[8]
Insurance (40yr female)
$1,440 (USD)[8]
Total (25yr male)
$2,969 (USD)
Total (40yr female)
$2,529 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined
28[5]
MPG city / hwy
26 / 32[5]
Engine
2.5L flat-4 (FB25)
Horsepower
170 hp
Torque
174 lb-ft
Seats
5
Cargo max
74.7 cu ft
Stock tires
225/55R17
Body
SUV
Rear seats
60/40 split

Safety

NHTSA overall
5/5 ★[2]
Rollover risk
16%[2]
IIHS rating
Good[4]
ESC standard
Yes

Rust vulnerability

Overall severity
Minimal
Frame rust risk
Low

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost
$652 (USD)[1]
Industry avg annual cost
$652 (USD)[1]
RepairPal rating
4/5[1]
Unscheduled visits/yr
0.3[1]
Severe issue probability
11%[1]
250k-mile survival
50%[7]

Repairability

Headlight type
Halogen
DIY replacement cost
$22 (USD)
At major retailer
Yes
Headlight benchmark
10/10

References

Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.

  1. [1]dataset
    RepairPal

    Annual repair cost, visit frequency, and severe issue probability. Used in the reliability formula.

  2. [2]government
    NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

    Federal crash test star ratings and rollover percentages. Used in the safety formula.

  3. [3]government
    NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins

    Manufacturer-issued service bulletins flagging known defects. Used in the PPI checklist generator.

  4. [4]dataset
    IIHS Safety Ratings

    Insurance Institute crash test ratings (small overlap, side, headlight quality). Used in the safety formula and the repairability headlight benchmark.

  5. [5]government
    EPA Fuel Economy Guide

    Official combined/city/highway MPG figures. Used in the true annual cost formula.

  6. [6]forum thread
    CarComplaints

    Owner-reported defect patterns by mileage and year. Used in the known-issues list and PPI checklist.

  7. [7]dataset
    iSeeCars Long-Term Reliability

    Probability of reaching 250,000 miles by make and model. Used in the reliability formula.

  8. [8]publication
    Bankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates

    Full-coverage insurance estimates by driver profile (25M, 40F). Used in the true annual cost formula.

Before you buy

Looking to buy a Subaru Forester?

Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.

Get the checklist

Modernize this car

CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.

View options

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