Before You Buy

Subaru Forester: Buy Score, Reliability & Ownership Costs

Compact Crossover · SUV

MSRP Range$29,995–$36,000
A silver 2026 Subaru Forester parked at a ski resort lot with snow on the ground, shot candidly in bright winter daylight.
Engine2.5L flat-4 (Boxer), 180 hp
DrivetrainSymmetrical AWD, standard
Fuel Economy29 mpg combined
SafetyStandard EyeSight Driver Assist

Our Verdict

Based on Subaru's brand-level reliability data, ownership costs, and longevity signals.

Consider
72/100

Buy Score™

Pros

  • Standard Symmetrical AWD and EyeSight Driver Assist
  • Class-leading outward visibility
  • Roomy, boxy cabin for its footprint

Cons

  • Fuel economy (29 mpg combined) trails hybrid rivals
  • Brand-level repair cost data runs higher than Toyota/Honda competitors
  • No model-specific reliability data available yet in our research — we'll update this page as more data becomes available

Can this car reach 300,000 miles?

Likely

We don't have a model-specific longevity figure for the Forester in our source research — this rating is based on Subaru's overall brand reputation, not Forester-specific data.

First-Time Buyer Friendly

76/100

Approachable overall, though a first-time buyer should budget a little extra for insurance or upkeep.

Reliability Timeline

What tends to need attention, and when — based on Subaru brand-level reliability data.

RoutineModerateMajor

30,000 miles

Oil changes, tire rotations

60,000 miles

Brake pads
CVT fluid service

100,000 miles

Spark plugs
Head gasket inspection (a known watch-item on older Subaru boxer engines, less common on newer ones)

150,000 miles

Suspension and steering components

200,000+ miles

Achievable, but budget for a higher repair reserve than a comparable Toyota/Honda model

What It Actually Costs to Own

Brand-level repair cost data ($617/yr) is higher than most of our 'Buy' picks — a real factor in why this lands in 'Consider' rather than 'Buy' despite its excellent AWD and visibility.

Estimated Annual Fuel Cost$1,350
Estimated Annual Insurance$1,420
Estimated Annual Maintenance$500
Estimated Annual Repairs$617
Estimated Annual Registration$210
5-Year Depreciation~43% of purchase price

Full Specifications

Engine2.5L flat-4 (Boxer), 180 hp
DrivetrainSymmetrical AWD, standard
Fuel Economy29 mpg combined
SafetyStandard EyeSight Driver Assist

Check for open recalls before you buy

We don't yet have a live recall feed wired up for the Subaru Forester, so we won't guess at a number here. Before you buy any specific Forester, run its VIN throughNHTSA's free recall lookup tool— it takes about 30 seconds and confirms whether that exact vehicle has any open, unrepaired safety recalls.

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Sources: 2026 pricing ($29,995), 2.5L 180hp engine, standard AWD + EyeSight: Comprehensive Car Buying Guide.md, Compact Crossovers section. Subaru brand-level RepairPal score (3.5) and annual cost ($617): deep-research-report-car-buying-guide.md — NOTE: this is brand-level, not Forester-specific; no model-level Forester data exists in our current source research.