In this video, I’ll go over the basics, what’s new for 2021, pricing, styling, size, pros and cons, reliability and resale value of the 2021 Subaru Forester.
Basics - The Forester is a compact SUV. When you think of compact SUVs, the 2021 Subaru Forester may not be the first one that comes to mind.
It’s in the same segment as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and the Nissan Rogue. This is the most competitive segment in the whole car industry as compact SUVs have replaced the family sedan as the vehicle of choice for many people.
The 2021 Forester brings a couple of changes. The Forester was completely redesigned for the 2019 model year. For 2021, the base and Premium trim now comes with adaptive LED headlights that swivel. All trims for 2021 get the rear seat seat belt reminder. Everything else carries over from 2020.
All Foresters are powered by a 2.5L boxer 4 cylinder producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission that drives all four wheels as all wheel drive is standard.
Forester gets pretty good mileage for a vehicle of its size at 26 city, 33 highway, and 29 mpg combined.
Price & Trim - The Forester starts at $24,795 for the base trim. The base trim is a very good deal as it includes all wheel drive, Eyesight Driver Assistance Technology, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and LED headlights.
The Premium model starts at $27,795. This trim adds panoramic moonroof, X-Mode enhanced traction system, Hill Descent Control, 17” alloy wheels, fog lights, roof spoiler, heated windshield.
Going up to the Sport model costs $29,395 and that adds larger brakes, two way X-Mode, distinctive red exterior styling touches, 18 inch black alloy wheels.
The Forester Limited starts at $31,395 and adds leather seats, power rear liftgate, dual zone climate control, and a larger 8 inch infotainment system.
The top end Touring trim is $34,895 and adds a power passenger seat, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, memory seats and mirrors, built-in navigation.
Styling - Subaru went pretty conservative when they redesigned the Forester for 2019. The front and side profile looks similar to the previous generation.
Interior - This is where Subaru improved quality over the last generation. It’s more modern but still uses many physical controls that are simple to use.
Size - The Forester’s cabin is absolutely huge. It’s got 111.9 cubic feet of passenger volume which is larger than the 98.9 cubic feet in the RAV4 and the 105.9 cubic feet in the CR-V.
To top it off, the cargo area has a large opening and is very square. There’s 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
Pros -
B. The all wheel drive system in the Subaru is one of the more capable ones on the market. It’s always sending some power to the rear unlike most systems out there.
D. Another reason you may want to choose the Forester is the very aggressive pricing of the Forester especially in the lower two trims. For around $25,000, the base model gives you all wheel drive, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights with auto steering, and Eyesight driver assistance.
My favorite trim for the best value is the Premium trim since it’s got many of the features buyers are looking for at under $28,000.
Cons - A. There aren’t many weaknesses for the Forester. It’s a well-rounded vehicle and it’s now the best selling Subaru in 2020, surpassing the Outback. The first con is that there aren’t any other powertrain options other than the standard 2.5L boxer 4 cylinder. It’s a proven engine with good reliability but if you want more power, you’re going to have to check the competition like the RAV4 or the Mazda CX-5.
B. The second con is that some people may be turned off by the CVT. I don’t think most consumers will notice that it’s a CVT since it simulates a stepped automatic transmission but it’s worth mentioning. If you want a conventional automatic transmission, consider the RAV4 with the 8 speed automatic or the Mazda CX-5 with the 6 speed.
Reliability - The Subaru Forester is expected to have average reliability according to Consumer Reports for 2020. I would expect that to improve for 2021 since this would be the third year of production for the current generation Forester.
Depreciation and Resale Value - I bet you didn’t know that Subaru as a brand has the best resale value of any automaker after 3, 5, and 7 years of ownership. That speaks to the quality of its vehicles and the strong demand. After 3 years, the Forester is expected to retain 71.3% of its original price. After 5 year, 52.8% and after 7 years, 39.9%. You can see how they compare to the bestsellers in this segment, the RAV4 and the CR-V. The Forester leads the RAV4 and the CR-V after 3 years but trails both after 5 years and 7 years.
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