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Used Car Expert Rating

Subaru Forester (2019 to 2024)

Expert Rating

Used car score:

64
%
C

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

54
%
E

Safety Rating:

80
%
B

Eco Rating:

53
%
C

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

62
%
C

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

Used car score:

64
%
C

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

54
%
E

Safety Rating:

80
%
B

Eco Rating:

53
%
C

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

62
%
C

Summary

The Subaru Forester is a medium-sized SUV/crossover that sits above the smaller XV in the Subaru family. This model is the fifth generation, which went on sale in the UK in 2019 before being replaced by a new generation Forester in 2025. It was only available with a 2.0-litre petrol engine that also incorporates a small hybrid system.

The Forester received mixed reviews from the UK motoring media, with mostly poor to average scores. No longer on sale, it holds a Used Car Expert Rating of C with a score of 64%, which puts it firmly in the lower middle of the mid-size SUV section in our Expert Rating Index.

The Subaru Forester was 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 were criticised as being off the pace of other SUV rivals, while several sources pointed out that its hybrid system does not deliver competitive real-world fuel economy.

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price when new: From £36,335 on-road

Launched: Summer 2019
Last updated: Winter 2019/20
Replaced: Winter 2024/25

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Company Car Today

+

Honest John

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

Top Gear

+

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

The Subaru Forester was not assessed by Green NCAP during its production life.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of March 2025, 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 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£245B
Year 2£593B
Year 3£1,017B
Year 4£1,201B
Year 5£1,659B
Overall£4,715B

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

  • 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 (2019 to 2024)