Forester
The boxy, boring, brilliantly practical Subaru that quietly outsells everything else in the lineup.
The Forester is what happens when an engineering team optimizes for visibility, ground clearance, and dog-cargo volume instead of style points. It rides on the Subaru Global Platform, runs the FB25 boxer (or the FA24 turbo, RIP 2018), and offers some of the best outward sightlines of any modern crossover. This hub is the canonical year-by-year, generation-by-generation buyer's guide — including the head-gasket years you should avoid and the CVT generations you can actually trust.
Who This Car Is For
Snowbelt commuters, dog owners, dirt-road dwellers, anyone who values a tall greenhouse and a flat cargo floor over a sloping coupe-SUV roofline.
Overview & Driving Impressions
Launched in 1997 as Subaru's answer to the RAV4, the Forester has gone through five generations (SF, SG, SH, SJ, SK) and is now in its sixth (SL, 2025+). Early SF/SG cars were essentially lifted Imprezas with EJ25 head-gasket headaches. The 2014–2018 SJ generation introduced the much-loved 2.0XT turbo (FA20DIT, 250 hp) — quietly the most fun crossover Subaru has ever sold, and now a used-market darling. The current SK (2019–2024) dropped the turbo entirely, going all-in on the naturally-aspirated FB25 + Lineartronic CVT for a calmer, more efficient daily. NHTSA shows the Forester carrying 8+ active recall campaigns, mostly EyeSight reprograms and the cross-model CVT chain inspection.
Quick Stats
| Trim | Trans. | Key Hardware | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forester (Base) — MY24 | CVT | 182 hp FB25, EyeSight, 8.7" clearance | $28,395 |
| Forester Premium — MY24 | CVT | Panoramic moonroof, power liftgate, 17" alloys | $31,495 |
| Forester Sport — MY24 | CVT | Bronze-finish 18s, dual-function X-MODE, paddle shifters | $32,995 |
| Forester Limited — MY24 | CVT | Leather, Harman Kardon, heated rear seats | $34,995 |
| Forester Touring — MY24 | CVT | Nappa leather, ventilated seats, DriverFocus | $37,895 |
| Forester Wilderness — MY24 | CVT | 9.2" clearance, Yokohama Geolandar A/Ts, full skids | $36,495 |
Historical pricing — 2024 model year, SK-generation Forester. Subaru revises MSRPs each model year and the sixth-generation SL began arriving with its own pricing; check subaru.com or a dealer for the current window sticker. Powertrain note: every SK Forester ships the 182 hp FB25 — Subaru did not bring the FA24 turbo to this generation.
The 2014–2018 Forester 2.0XT (FA20DIT, 250 hp, CVT-only) is the unofficial 'sleeper STI' of the lineup. Used values fluctuate — check current sold listings (Cars & Bids, Bring a Trailer, dealer inventory) rather than assuming a fixed price band.
Pick Your Trim in 90 Seconds
The Snowbelt Commuter
Premium or Limited- ▸Standard symmetrical AWD plus 8.7" clearance handles unplowed driveways without drama
- ▸Heated everything (seats, steering wheel, mirrors) on Premium and up
- ▸EyeSight pre-collision braking is genuinely effective in low-traction conditions
The Outdoor Family
Wilderness- ▸9.2" clearance, full skid plates, and standard Yokohama Geolandar A/T tires from the factory
- ▸3,000 lb tow rating (vs. 1,500 lb on standard Forester) — enough for a small camper
- ▸Roof rails rated for 800 lb static / 220 lb dynamic — RTT-ready out of the box
The Used-Market Hunter
2014–2018 2.0XT (Premium / Touring)- ▸FA20DIT 2.0L turbo making 250 hp / 258 lb-ft — fastest Forester ever sold in the US
- ▸CVT is the TR690 high-torque unit shared with the Outback 3.6R — it has held up well
- ▸Watch for tuned/modified examples (DIT engines don't tolerate amateur tuning)
Quick Links
Cross-Shopping?
Here's how the Forester stacks up.
vs Toyota RAV4
RAV4 wins on resale and hybrid availability. Forester wins on visibility, ground clearance, and standard AWD that actually works in deep snow.
vs Honda CR-V
CR-V has a nicer interior and a quieter ride. Forester has a much taller greenhouse, better off-pavement geometry, and a more usable cargo floor.
vs Mazda CX-5
CX-5 is the better drive and has a far nicer interior. Forester is more practical, has more clearance, and offers a real off-road trim (Wilderness).
vs Subaru Outback
Outback has more cargo length and a turbo option (XT). Forester is shorter, taller, easier to park, and ~$2k cheaper trim-for-trim.