Subaru Forester — model-year timeline & key facts
Published · Researched 2026-09-21
Compiled from the Subaru Forester deep-research dossier; researched 2026-09-21. UNVERIFIED flags from the source research are preserved verbatim.
Key facts
| Powertrain | ICE/Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Power | 194 |
| Range | 935 |
| Battery | UNVERIFIED |
| 0–100 km/h | UNVERIFIED |
| Fast charge | N/A |
| New price US | Gas from $29,995; Hybrid ~$34,730-$36,180 (2026) |
| New price EU | UNVERIFIED (e-Boxer sold in EU) |
| New price CN | UNVERIFIED |
| Used price signal | CarGurus avg mid-2026: 2021 $22,500; 2022 $25,200; 2023 $27,700; 2024 $29,600; 2025 $32,000 |
| Value call | Buy a 2024 gas used; hybrid buyers: late-build 2025 or 2026 (Toyota hardware, low first-year risk) |
| Sweet-spot year | 2024 |
| Years to avoid | 2021 (TCV history); early-build 2025 hybrid; 2025 gas at new pricing |
| Reliability flag | low |
| Biggest risk | First-year hybrid integration (Toyota hardware mitigates); 2021 TCV if unverified |
| Community verdict | The honest box; if your winters are real and your ego isn't, the math favors it |
Model-year timeline 2021–2026
| Year | Generation / changes / reliability / used prices |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5th gen (SK) · 2.5L FB25 182 hp, CVT, AWD std · Good; TCV failures reported on 2019–2021 · TCV extended coverage (verify by VIN); windshield cracking complaints · ~$22,500 avg |
| 2022 | 5th gen facelift (Wilderness trim added) · Same · Good; facelift year · Wilderness launch; TCV coverage continues · ~$25,200 avg |
| 2023 | 5th gen · Same · Solid; owners rate 4.6/5 · Minimal · ~$27,700 avg |
| 2024 | 5th gen, FINAL YEAR · Same · Peak 5th-gen; owners rate 5/5 · Minimal · ~$29,600 avg |
| 2025 | 6th gen (SL) LAUNCH + Hybrid debut · Gas: 2.5L 180 hp; Hybrid: 2.5L + Toyota system, 194 hp combined · Gas proven-ish; hybrid = Toyota hardware, first-year integration · Minor 2026-carryover campaigns; watch hybrid TSBs · ~$31,970 avg (gas); hybrid new from ~$36,595 |
| 2026 | 6th gen · Same; hybrid expands · Too early; 12 NHTSA complaints, 3 minor recalls (hatch bracket 25V889000, moonroof glass, label) · None powertrain-related · New: gas from $29,995; hybrid ~$34,730–$36,180 |
Sweet-spot year: 2024
Years to skip: 2021 (TCV history); early-build 2025 hybrid; 2025 gas at new pricing