Name: Subaru Forester (2019 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Subaru Forester
Rating: 62

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 January 2024, it holds an Expert Rating of C with a score of 62%, which puts it firmly in the lower middle of the mid-size SUV section in our Expert Rating Index.

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.

More Subaru ratings, reviews, news and features

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: 6 / 10
“The Subaru Forester is a hard-wearing, over-engineered SUV, but average fuel economy and sluggish performance count against it.”
Author: Paul Adam, Alastair Cooks
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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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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 January 2024, 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 January 2024, 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.