Top 5 Best Subaru Forester Year Models to Buy 2025

We already know that Subaru Forester has a great reputation in both international and domestic markets. But from its first generation in 1997 to the sixth generation in 2025, which model is the most reliable, or should we say most suitable for your needs? 

That’s where this guide comes in. Our team has done all the research and digging to bring you the absolute best Subaru Forester year models to buy (plus those to avoid)!

Top 5 Best Years for Subaru Forester

The best and safest vehicles include the 2019, 2016, 2008, 2003, and 2002 models. They are standout choices for their excellent fuel economy, strong standard safety features, roomy cargo space, and all-weather capability across generations.

2019 Subaru Forester

Among all Forester generations, the 2019 model stands out as a major turning point. It finally brought together everything drivers loved about the Forester and made those features standard, smarter, and more refined than ever.

For starters, Subaru decided to include EyeSight Driver Assist Technology across every trim. Hence, there’s no need to pay extra or move up to a premium model; you get adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist, no matter which version you choose. These systems actively protect you on the road and even offer real-time responses to help keep the vehicle stable in unexpected situations. 

Its smooth, extremely reliable performance is also exactly what most drivers need. The 5-liter 4-cylinder engine model delivers 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, which offers more than enough strength for daily driving, weekend trips, and light towing. 

Paired with Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive (also standard on every model), it handles confidently in rain, snow, and rough terrain without much issue. During most of our testing, we drove it through wet back roads and loose gravel trails, and the traction remained consistently solid with no hesitation or slip.

Inside, we are impressed that these fifth-generation Foresters can seat five for a comfortable ride and offer up to 76.1 cubic feet of cargo space in the base mode. Better yet, as you move up the trims, the added comforts make an increasingly noticeable difference. For instance, both the Limited and Touring bring in leather-trimmed seats, a power liftgate, and dual-zone, automatic climate control that truly improves the overall driving experience without compromising on practicality.

2016 Subaru Forester

For this fourth-generation Forester, you get two engine options: a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 170 horsepower or a turbocharged 2.0-liter with 250 horsepower. 

From our experience, the latter offered significantly quicker acceleration, even more so as we drove on highway merges or steep climbs. The difference in throttle response and mid-range power was immediately noticeable here.

Like the 2019 version, all trims come with Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive, which keeps the vehicle stable in snow, rain, gravel, or loose dirt without needing upgrades.

Furthermore, it’s not exaggerating to say that the cargo space is one of the best highlights. The 2.5i base trim offers up to 74.7 cubic feet when the seats are folded (not quite as roomy as the 2019, of course, but still impressively spacious for its class!), perfect for road trails or large grocery runs. The tall shape and wide rear opening also make it much easier to load bulky items with little to no struggle.

Our team is pleased with the safety tech as well, though you should keep in mind that some of them are optional, depending on the trim. Advanced features like blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning, for example, are available but not standard across the lineup.

2008 Subaru Forester

The 2008 Subaru Forester may be one of the last of its generation, but it went out on a high note.

Under the hood, most trims featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 173 horsepower, strong enough for everyday driving while not being an excessive gas hog. 

Indeed, our acceleration felt smooth and responsive in city traffic, and the engine held steady on highway climbs without needing constant downshifts. It was strong proof that the power was well-matched to the vehicle’s size and weight. 

For those who want more punch, though, there are the turbocharged XT models with 243 horsepower. This option offers a surprisingly quick and responsive drive that makes the compact SUV feel quite sporty without losing grip like other competitors. Fuel economy landed at 22 MPG combined (for the non-turbo models), and even the turbo versions managed 20 MPG. All in all, for us, it was a reasonable tradeoff for the extra power.

Cargo capacity was another high point. With the rear seats down, most trims offer 68.6 cubic feet of space for gear and grocery runs. The LL Bean and XT Limited trims had slightly less (at 64.5 cubic feet) but still offered more room than many rivals in the segment.

This second-generation Forester also has all the essentials covered regarding its commitment to safety. Features included child door locks, child seat anchors, driver and passenger airbags, side airbags, and front head curtain airbags. Obviously, it didn’t offer advanced driver aids like the 201x line, but for its time, it had everything that mattered for basic protection.

2003 Subaru Forester

The 2003 Subaru Forester was a smart upgrade at the time, which explains why it still holds up better than many vehicles from the early 2000s. Marking the start of the second generation, it brought tighter handling and a far stronger design than the first-generation models.

Specifically, the system came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine — made for stable, balanced driving — paired with 165 horsepower for everyday use and weekend drives without feeling underpowered. Furthermore, the car offered space for five and 32 cubic feet of cargo room, which is great for a compact SUV and easy to pack with gear. You can also easily tow up to 2400 lbs (light trailers, small boats, or bikes); there’s no need for a bigger vehicle.

Regarding safety, the 2003 setup is mostly similar to its 2008 sibling, including driver and passenger airbags, child door locks, and seat anchors. 

It matched the offerings of most compact SUVs throughout the rest of that decade, and we were pleased to find that it held up well in crash tests. The structural integrity wasn’t always obvious until we pushed this second-generation Forester to its limits; in most stimulated impact scenarios, the cabin stayed impressively intact.

2002 Subaru Forester

Finally, we had the 2002 Subaru Forester, which marked the final year of the first generation. 

Its Power came from a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and produced 165 horsepower at 5600 RPM. The boxer design lowered the center of gravity, which improved stability control and reduced body roll. As a result, we found the power delivery to be smooth and consistent in both city and highway driving. 

The interior offered 32 cubic feet of cargo space (without needing to fold anything down), and we appreciated that the boxy shape made it easy to load with gear, groceries, or travel bags. The cabin was simple yet efficient: everything was easy to reach, plus there was excellent visibility from basically every angle. 

Last but not least, its towing capacity landed at 2,000 lbs, which gave the car more flexibility than many compact crossovers. It could handle small trailers, equipment hauls, or bikes without issue, so we highly recommend it for weekend trips or light work duties.

What to Consider When Choosing Subaru Forester Models

• Year of Manufacture and Generation: Newer models (2019 and up) often include modern driver-assist features and better fuel efficiency, while older models (2002–2008) tend to be more affordable and mechanically simpler, ideal for budget-conscious buyers or DIY maintenance.
• Engine Type and Performance Needs: Foresters typically offer two engine options: a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder for everyday driving and a turbocharged engine (in XT trims) for those wanting more power. If you mostly commute or run errands, the base engine is sufficient. But if you plan on highway merging, mountain drives, or light towing, we highly recommend turbocharged models for noticeably stronger acceleration and throttle response.
• Excellent Safety Ratings: Advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and pre-collision braking are available in later models (especially 2016+), though they may only come standard in higher trims. If safety tech is a priority, look for models with Subaru’s EyeSight system. Also, check crash test ratings from IIHS or NHTSA for the specific year you’re considering.
• Interior Space and Cargo Capacity: One of the Forester’s biggest advantages is its roomy interior. Models from 2009 onward offer up to 74–76 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats down—great for road trips, pets, or bulky gear. Older models (like 2002–2003) are still practical but slightly more compact. If you plan to carry passengers often, we suggest testing the rear seat comfort and legroom as well.
• Reliability and Maintenance History: Subaru Foresters are reliable, but the quality of any used model also depends heavily on how well it was maintained. Ask for service records, check for head gasket issues (especially in older models), and inspect components like the CVT transmission and suspension. After all, a well-kept 10-year-old Forester can outlast a neglected 5-year-old one.

FAQs

Which Subaru Forester years should I avoid? 

The Subaru Forester years to avoid are the 1998–2001, 2010–2011, and 2013–2014 models. These years are often flagged for common issues such as head gasket failure, oil-guzzling engines, engine failure, bad automatic transmissions, etc.

How many miles will a Forester last?

Given consistent care, a Subaru Forester can easily break the 200,000-mile mark, with some even cruising past 250,000 miles! This translates to 13 to 17 years of service.

How much should I pay for a Subaru Forester?

Prices vary by year, mileage, and trim. However, you can expect to pay around $3,000 to $8,000 for older models (2002–2008), $9,000 to $16,000 for mid-range options (2009–2016), and $18,000 to $30,000+ for newer versions.