Subaru Forester Generation 5 (2019–2025)

Subaru Forester Generation 5 (2019–2025) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Subaru Forester — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 2 2004–2010 —
Generation 3 2011–2013 —
Generation 4 2014–2018 —
Generation 5 2019–2025 —
Generation 6 2026–present —

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Forester

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Engine Years in this model Also used in VIN builds ⓘ
Subaru 2.5L Boxer (FB25/EJ25) 2011–2026 8 models 226
Subaru 2.0L 4-cylinder 2015–2023 6 models 17

Subaru Forester fuel economy: every year & engine (EPA) →

Used Subaru Forester prices by year → · Jeep Wrangler vs Subaru Forester · Ford Explorer vs Subaru Forester · Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester

About this generation

The fifth-generation Forester was presented on March 28, 2018, at the New York International Auto Show. Like contemporary Subaru models, the fifth-generation model moved the Forester to the Subaru Global Platform. The new platform is said to provide greater handling capability, agility, ride comfort and crash protection. It is also claimed to be inherently resistant to noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The fifth-generation Forester incorporates Subaru's recent design language, marketed as "Dynamic x Solid".

Interior space has been increased with the redesign, by lengthening the wheelbase. Rear legroom has grown, while head, hip and shoulder room have also increased, improving the overall cabin space. Wider rear door openings and a steeper C-pillar allow for easier entry and egress and also makes installing a child seat easier. The reworked front seats are claimed to be more comfortable on long trips. Subaru also included an electric parking brake which frees up center console space.

Cargo space in the trunk is larger with with the 60:40-split rear seats folded – an increase of – and the maximum width of the tailgate opening is wider. Initial trim levels available in the U.S. and Canada are Base, Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring. All Foresters sold in the U.S. come standard with Subaru's Eyesight Driver Assist Technology. Subaru DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System comes standard on the Touring trim in the U.S., which provides an alert when it detects the driver is distracted or is drowsy.

In addition, the DriverFocus system is able to recognize five different drivers and will set seat and mirror positions and climate control settings accordingly. As standard, the Forester comes with the Starlink Multimedia system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. In North America, the model is only available with one engine type: Subaru's new FB25 DI. The engine is a naturally aspirated, direct injection flat (boxer) 4 cylinder producing at 5800 rpm and at 4400 rpm, with the Lineartronic CVT as the sole transmission option.

All fifth-generation Foresters have one of three versions of Subaru's Symmetrical All Wheel Drive system. The trim levels in North America determines which system is installed. The Base trim received a Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) using electronically controlled clutches to control torque split. Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring trims receive the driver-selectable X-Mode system with Hill Descent Control, which optimizes engine, transmission, AWD system and Vehicle Dynamics Control for maximum traction on slippery conditions.

A new dual-mode version with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes is fitted on Sport, Limited and Touring variants. All models provide a nominal torque split biased 60 front to 40 rear. Subaru introduced the e-Boxer hybrid powertrain for the European-market Forester and XV at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019; the e-Boxer integrates an electric motor into the Lineartronic CVT to improve fuel economy and increase power.

The e-Boxer powertrain features a modified FB20 rated at at 5,600–6,000 rpm and of torque at 4,000 rpm. Like the first-generation XV Crosstrek Hybrid, the Forester e-Boxer adds a single electric motor rated at maximum output. The battery for the traction motor is placed above the rear axle, improving the front/rear weight balance. A Forester Sport with a CB18 1.8-liter direct injection turbocharged flat-4 engine was introduced in October 2020 for the Japanese domestic market.

The engine produces at 5,200-5,600 rpm and at 1,600-3,600 rpm. This engine is also present in the JDM Subaru Levorg. With the introduction of the Sport, the FB20D e-BOXER became the standard engine across the rest of the Forester line in Japan. , there are no reports whether other markets will receive the CB18. The Forester Sport is identified by its black grille as well as grey-painted fog lamps covers, side mirrors and rocker panels.

Source: Wikipedia — Subaru Forester — Fifth generation (SK; 2018), CC BY-SA.

Market by model year

Year Units for sale Median price Vs newest Avg mileage
2019 588 $19,479 57% 74,922 mi
2020 836 $21,605 63% 65,646 mi
2021 707 $22,995 67% 59,607 mi
2022 646 $24,995 73% 50,834 mi
2023 1,754 $27,920 81% 33,671 mi
2024 498 $29,503 86% 27,437 mi
2025 1,512 $34,274 100% 8,319 mi

Inventory and price data refreshed daily; last updated .

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2019 3 832 Visibility/Wiper, Unknown Or Other, Electrical System
2020 0 596 Visibility/Wiper, Unknown Or Other, Electrical System
2021 0 207 Visibility/Wiper, Unknown Or Other, Electrical System
2022 1 97 Visibility/Wiper, Unknown Or Other, Forward Collision Avoidance
2023 1 74 Unknown Or Other, Forward Collision Avoidance, Visibility/Wiper
2024 2 58 Unknown Or Other, Air Bags, Visibility/Wiper
2025 3 96 Unknown Or Other, Fuel/Propulsion System, Visibility/Wiper

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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