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Subaru Forester

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Expert Rating

Subaru Forester

(2019 – present)

    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


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    The Car Expert

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    Auto Express

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    Auto Trader

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    Autocar

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    Carbuyer

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    Carwow

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    Company Car Today

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    Honest John

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    Parkers

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    The Sun

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    Top Gear

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    What Car?

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    Which?

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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

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    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

    Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

    Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

    Fuel consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
    Hybrid models35 mpgD35 – 35 mpgD – D
    CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
    Hybrid models185 g/kmC185 – 185 g/kmC – C
    Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
    All models23B20 – 23A – B
    Service and maintenanceCostScore
    Year 1£239B
    Year 2£580B
    Year 3£994B
    Year 4£1,176B
    Year 5£1,625B
    Overall£4,614B

    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

    Thatcham Research 600x300

    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


    If you’re looking at the Subaru Forester, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Citroën C5 Aircross | Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia SorentoLand Rover Discovery Sport | Mitsubishi Shogun Sport | Nissan X-Trail | Peugeot 5008 | SEAT Tarraco | Skoda Kodiaq | SsangYong Rexton | Suzuki Across | Toyota RAV4 | Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace

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    The Subaru Forester has received mixed UK reviews, with mostly poor to average scores that rank it in the bottom half of its class.Subaru Forester