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Best Subaru Forester Model Years (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateBest Subaru Forester Model Years (Ranked)
The Subaru Forester has spent more than a quarter-century as the default crossover for people who actually use all-wheel drive. From the boxy first-generation wagon to the current fifth-generation Global Platform car, the Forester pairs standard symmetrical AWD with high ground clearance, huge glass, and Subaru's flat-four boxer engine.
It is the rare vehicle that snow-belt commuters, weekend hikers, dog owners, and budget-minded families all gravitate toward for the same reasons: visibility, traction, and a practical box of a body that swallows gear. But not every model year is equal. Head-gasket failures on the older EJ25 engines, CVT growing pains on early fourth-generation cars, and oil-consumption complaints separate the keepers from the years you should walk past.
This ranking sorts the best Subaru Forester model years by real reliability data, drivetrain choice, safety equipment, and resale value so you can buy with confidence rather than guesswork.
Direct Answer
The best overall Subaru Forester is the 2019 model year — the first year of the fifth-generation (SK) Global Platform car, with the proven FB25 2.5-liter direct-injection boxer four (182 hp), standard EyeSight driver assistance, and a stiffer, quieter chassis. The best value Subaru Forester is the 2014–2015 fourth-generation (SJ), which delivers modern space and a reliable FB-series engine for used-car money well under $15,000.
Avoid the 2014 CVT software teething issues by confirming the updated calibration, and steer clear of the head-gasket-prone 2003–2008 EJ25 turbo and naturally aspirated cars unless the gaskets are documented. The whole Forester range rewards buyers who insist on service records and a pre-purchase inspection.
1. 2019 Forester (SK, 5th Gen) 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The 2019 launched the Subaru Global Platform, a 70-percent-stiffer chassis shared with the Crosstrek and Impreza that sharpened handling and slashed cabin noise. Power comes from the FB25 2.5-liter naturally aspirated boxer four making 182 hp and 176 lb-ft, paired to a revised Lineartronic CVT with a manual-mode paddle option.
Standard EyeSight adds adaptive cruise, pre-collision braking, lane keeping, and lane-departure warning across the entire lineup, and standard symmetrical all-wheel drive plus 8.7 inches of ground clearance keep the off-pavement credibility intact. The cabin grew noticeably, rear-seat room is class-competitive, and the available X-Mode dual-function off-road control handles snow and dirt.
This is the best blend of safety tech, reliability, and cabin space in the Forester's history.
2. 2014 Forester (SJ, 4th Gen)
The 2014 brought the fourth-generation redesign with a roomier cabin, taller roofline, and the new FB25 engine replacing the old, head-gasket-prone EJ25. The naturally aspirated 2.5 made 170 hp and 174 lb-ft, and a hot 2.0XT turbo option delivered 250 hp with the FA20 engine and a sport-tuned CVT.
Early SJ cars needed a CVT control-software update that Subaru issued under a technical service bulletin, so verify it was applied before purchase. The fourth-gen also debuted the first EyeSight system on Forester, a meaningful safety jump. With the CVT calibration addressed, the SJ is one of the most spacious and dependable used Foresters you can buy.
3. 2016 Forester (SJ refresh)
The 2016 mid-cycle refresh firmed up the suspension, improved sound insulation, and updated EyeSight to a wider-angle color camera system with better detection. The FB25 carried over at 170 hp, and the turbo 2.0XT stayed at 250 hp for buyers who wanted real punch. By 2016 Subaru had fully sorted the early CVT calibration complaints, and interior materials improved.
This makes the 2016 the most refined fourth-generation year and a strong value if you want the SJ shape and space with fewer first-year quirks and a more polished driving experience.
4. 2014–2015 Forester (SJ, used-value pick) 💎 BEST VALUE
For the lowest cost of entry into a modern Forester, the early SJ cars are tough to beat. They share the FB25 boxer four (170 hp), standard symmetrical AWD, 8.7 inches of clearance, and the same generous greenhouse and visibility as later cars, yet trade for thousands less on the used market.
Maintenance is straightforward, parts are cheap and plentiful, and independent Subaru specialists know these cars inside out. Buy a 2014–2015 with the CVT update documented and a service-confirmed clean history, change the CVT fluid on schedule, and you get roughly 90 percent of the current car's practicality at a fraction of the price — the clearest value play in the entire range.
5. 2022 Forester (SK refresh)
The 2022 facelift standardized EyeSight on automatic transmissions, added a wider grille and revised bumpers, and refined the suspension tuning for a more settled ride. The FB25 stayed at 182 hp, now with mild updates for smoother throttle response and improved fuel economy near 29 mpg combined.
Standard SI-Drive, X-Mode dual-function off-road control on Sport and Wilderness-style trims, and improved infotainment round out a strong package. This is a near-new pick with the bugs of the early SK already addressed, ideal for a buyer who wants the latest car without paying for the newest model year.
6. 2020 Forester (SK)
The 2020 carried the strong fifth-generation formula forward with minor trim shuffling, standard EyeSight, and standard automatic emergency braking. The FB25 182-hp boxer and Lineartronic CVT remained, and Subaru's DriverFocus distraction-mitigation camera was available on the Touring trim to monitor driver attention.
Build quality and refinement matched the praised 2019, and the cabin's huge glass area keeps outward visibility among the best in the class. It is a slightly cheaper alternative to a near-new SK while keeping all the platform's structural rigidity and safety gains.
7. 2010 Forester (SH, 3rd Gen)
The third-generation SH grew into a true small SUV with more rear-seat room, a higher seating position, and a proper SUV silhouette that broadened the Forester's appeal. The 2010 used the EJ253 2.5-liter (170 hp) or the punchy EJ255 turbo 2.5XT (224 hp). These EJ engines can show head-gasket weeping and oil-consumption issues, so a documented gasket job, fresh timing belt, and compression check are essential before buying.
Priced right with full records, the SH is a roomy, affordable old-school Forester that still delivers genuine all-weather capability for the money.
8. 2012 Forester (SH late)
Late third-gen 2012 cars benefited from accumulated running changes and the last availability of the conventional 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual before the CVT era began. The EJ253 (170 hp) is simple to service and well understood by every independent shop. For buyers who prefer a traditional torque-converter automatic or a manual over a CVT, the 2012 is the last easy place to find one in a Forester.
With a documented head-gasket and timing-belt history, it is a dependable, low-tech all-wheel-drive workhorse.
9. 2009 Forester XT (SH turbo)
The 2009 2.5XT turbo is the enthusiast pick, with the EJ255 turbocharged boxer producing 224 hp and 226 lb-ft. Paired with a 4-speed automatic and full-time symmetrical AWD, it is genuinely quick for a tall, practical wagon and a favorite of the Subaru tuning community.
The trade-off is the turbo EJ's appetite for strict maintenance and its head-gasket history, so buy only a well-documented, regularly serviced car with quality oil-change records. As a budget performance crossover that can carry a family and a dog, it has real charm few rivals match.
10. 1998–2002 Forester (SF, 1st Gen)
The original SF Forester is the boxy, lightweight wagon that started the formula: 2.5-liter EJ25 (165 hp), standard AWD, low curb weight, and excellent all-around visibility. These cars are now cheap modern classics beloved by overlanders and budget adventurers for their simplicity, light weight, and deep aftermarket lift and recovery support.
The EJ25 head-gasket caveat applies strongly here, and rust can be an issue on northern cars, but a sorted SF is a characterful, capable starter Subaru that proves how durable the basic concept always was.
How to Choose
Start with the drivetrain era, because it determines your risk profile more than anything else. Anything 2014 and newer uses the dependable FB-series boxer that avoids the chronic head-gasket failures of the older EJ25, which is the single biggest reason later cars rank higher here.
If you want maximum safety tech and structural rigidity, buy a fifth-generation SK (2019 and up) with standard EyeSight and the stiffer Global Platform. If you want the lowest price for a genuinely modern car, the fourth-generation SJ (2014–2016) is the sweet spot — just confirm the CVT software update on early examples and verify CVT fluid service.
Enthusiasts and traditionalists can chase turbo XT models or the last manual and torque-converter automatic third-gen cars, but only with full service records, since the older EJ engines demand documented head-gasket and timing-belt history. Always run a pre-purchase inspection focused on gaskets, CVT behavior under load, oil-consumption logs, and northern rust, and you will land a Forester that does exactly what Subaru built it to do for years.
FAQ
What is the most reliable Subaru Forester model year? The 2019 fifth-generation (SK) is the standout for reliability, combining the proven FB25 boxer, standard EyeSight, and the stiffer Global Platform chassis. Among used bargains, the 2016 SJ is the most refined fourth-generation year after the early CVT calibration was fully sorted.
Which Forester years should I avoid? Be cautious with 2003–2008 EJ25 cars (turbo and naturally aspirated) due to head-gasket and oil-consumption issues, and with 2014 SJ models lacking the CVT software update. None are automatic dealbreakers with documented repairs, but they carry the most risk and demand the closest inspection.
Do Subaru Foresters have CVT problems? Early 2014 SJ cars had CVT control-software complaints that Subaru addressed with an update. From 2016 onward the CVT calibration was reliable, and properly maintained Lineartronic units have proven durable over high mileage. Confirm the software update and fluid service history before buying.
Is the Forester turbo XT worth buying used? The 2.0XT (250 hp, FA20) and older 2.5XT (224 hp, EJ255) are fun and quick, but the turbo boxer needs strict, documented maintenance. Buy one only with full records and clean oil history; otherwise the naturally aspirated FB25 is the smarter, lower-stress long-term choice.
Bottom Line
The 2019 Subaru Forester is the best overall pick, offering the strongest mix of safety tech, refinement, and the dependable FB25 boxer on the Global Platform. For buyers watching the budget, the 2014–2015 fourth-generation SJ is the best value, delivering modern Forester space and standard AWD for used-car money — just confirm the CVT update.
Across the range, favor FB-engine cars from 2014 on, demand service records on older EJ models, run a thorough inspection, and you will land a Forester that keeps going for years.
Sources
- Subaru Forester — Wikipedia
- Subaru Forester reliability — Consumer Reports
- Subaru Forester ratings and recalls — NHTSA
- Subaru Forester reviews — Edmunds
- Subaru Forester used pricing — Kelley Blue Book
- Subaru Forester specs — Car and Driver
- Official Subaru Forester — Subaru of America
*Subaru Forester model year review — best Subaru Forester years, Forester reliability ratings, Forester review 2027, and a review of the most dependable used Subaru Forester picks.*