Summary
The Subaru Forester is a medium-sized SUV/crossover that sits above the smaller XV in the Subaru family. The current model is the fifth generation, which was unveiled in 2018 before going on sale in the UK 2019. It is currently only available with a 2.0-litre petrol engine that also incorporates a small hybrid system.
The Forester has received mixed reviews from the UK motoring media, with mostly poor to average scores. As of October 2023, it holds an Expert Rating of 49% based on 15 UK reviews, which puts it right down near the bottom of the mid-size SUV market.
The Subaru Forester is highly regarded for its safety features and its off-road ability, both of which are considered as good as – if not better than – anything else in its class. However, its on-road comfort and performance are criticised as being off the pace of other SUV rivals, while several sources pointed out that is hybrid system does not deliver competitive real-world fuel economy.
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price: From £36,335 on-road
Launched: Summer 2019
Last updated: Winter 2019/20
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic e-Boxer
“The Subaru Forester e-Boxer is a likeable and comfortable SUV, but it’s let down by a pointless attempt at hybridisation.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Subaru Forester is a hard-wearing, over-engineered SUV, but high price limits its appeal”
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Model reviewed: 2.0i e-Boxer
Score: 6 / 10
“The Subaru Forester isn’t built for buyers looking for a sleek and stylish SUV. Instead, it trades on its ability to traverse mountains, and it’s built to last long after its rivals have been scrapped.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Subaru Forester is an impressively capable and practical SUV, and it’s nicer inside than Subarus of the past, too. The performance isn’t as impressive as in some hybrid rivals, but the ride and handling are good, and it’s got a tonne of clever safety kit.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: eBoxer Premium
Score: 6 / 10
“If that sounds like a car you have a use for, you should consider the Forester.”
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Model reviewed: e-Boxer
“Subaru’s first European hybrid makes for not earth-shattering, but worthwhile, progress for the firm on the road, but also genuine 4×4 capability off it.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed:
Score: 7.2 / 10
“Thanks to its boxy looks, the Subaru Forester is tough, practical and reliable, but now gets a much improved interior.” (Andy Goodwin, Alastair Crooks)
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.2 / 10
“Despite its boxy looks, the Subaru Forester is good-to-drive, practical and now mixes sturdiness with an improved interior.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The rather utilitarian Subaru Forester is one of the last remaining rugged SUVs. It’s great off-road and had a sturdy interior, but most family SUV buyers will prefer the more luxurious interiors and more comfortable drive of its myriad alternatives.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol (mild hybrid) automatic E-Boxer XE Premium
“E-Boxer powertrain is behind the times in terms of hybrid capabilities, and doesn’t offer enough efficiency to bring the Forester into sensible consideration. Which is a shame for an otherwise competent and decent car.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“With its high ground clearance and soft suspension, the Subaru Forester does tackle bumpy or broken roads very well. A trade-off of this is that it’s not as sharp to drive as rivals, with quite a lot of body lean in corners. There’s loads of grip, though, and it’s also very capable off-road.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s a shame about those bland looks and that drab interior because, underneath, the Subaru Forester is a capable car that’s likely to build upon the previous model’s strong reliability record.”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic mild hybrid e-Boxer
“Subaru Forester e-Boxer hybrid is tough, fun and extraordinary value for £36k”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: e-Boxer
Score: 6 / 10
“A capable companion, but let down by its pointless hybrid range.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“The Subaru Forester is a capable off-roader but most SUV rivals are bigger, cheaper and more fuel efficient.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Subaru Forester has a certain utilitarian charm, and its standard four-wheel-drive is a boon in poor weather or if you need to tow anything. However, it looks and feels dated, it doesn’t drive terribly well and the cabin lacks class for a car in this price bracket.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: January 2020
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 97%
Child protection: 91%
Vulnerable road users: 80%
Safety assist: 78%
Note on safety
The Subaru Forester is very highly regarded for the level of safety it provides, both in terms of active safety (helping you avoid an accident) and passive safety (protecting you in the event of an accident). In addition to a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, the safety organisation also rated the Forester as Best in Class for 2019 in the Small Off-Road/MPV category. Its four safety scores were all outstanding, and in particular the Child Occupant score is the highest-ever result in its class.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of October 2023, the Subaru Forester has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of October 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Subaru Forester to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as we have sufficient data on the Forester, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Hybrid models | 35 mpg | D | 35 – 35 mpg | D – D |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Hybrid models | 185 g/km | C | 185 – 185 g/km | C – C |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 23 | B | 20 – 23 | A – B |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £239 | B |
| Year 2 | £580 | B |
| Year 3 | £994 | B |
| Year 4 | £1,176 | B |
| Year 5 | £1,625 | B |
| Overall | £4,614 | B |
The Subaru Forester is a relatively affordable car to maintain, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
The hybrid’s fuel consumption is below average though, particularly when compared to other partially-electrified options of this size. That said, its insurance bracket is on the cheaper side, and its service and maintenance costs over five years of ownership are good.
Security rating
Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research
Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Pass
Model tested: e-Boxer XE Premium
Date: March 2020
The Subaru Forester automatically received a Poor rating from Thatcham because it failed a relay attack test, which measures the security of a car’s keyless entry and/or keyless start system. The Forester is susceptible to thieves intercepting the car’s keyless signal and using it to steal the car.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Subaru Forester has received
2020
- What Car? Awards – Technology Award
- 4×4 Magazine Award – Best Small SUV
Similar cars
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Citroën C5 Aircross | Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia Sorento | Land Rover Discovery Sport | Mitsubishi Shogun Sport | Nissan X-Trail | Peugeot 5008 | SEAT Tarraco | Skoda Kodiaq | SsangYong Rexton | Suzuki Across | Toyota RAV4 | Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
