Verdict
B
Mid SUV · Japan · 1997-Present
Subaru Forester
Subaru Forester — spec data and generation history.
Years
1997-Present
Generations
5
Segment
Mid SUV
Subaru's enduring all-wheel-drive boxer-engine SUV - six generations on UK sale. SF (1997-2002) the original was an Impreza-based mini-SUV with optional turbo. SG (2002-2007) carried the formula. SH (2008-2012) grew. SJ (2013-2018) added the diesel option. SK (2018-2023) introduced e-Boxer mild-hybrid. Latest gen UK is e-Boxer hybrid only - 2.0 boxer with electric assist, 150 bhp, AWD as standard. UK lineup is hybrid-only since 2020. The proper farmers' / vets' / outdoorsy buyer's choice - permanent symmetrical AWD with X-Mode for soft-roading, flat-four boxer warble, raised ride height. Now competing in a world of plug-in mid-SUVs and looking quietly old-school - which is exactly the appeal.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
SH 2008-2012 → SJ 2013-2018
MPG +8 mpg
Cabin tech Step-change
SJ 2013-2018 → SK 2018-Present
Drivetrain e-Boxer hybrid
MPG +5 mpg
No diesel Removed
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1997-2002
SF
→
2.0 turbo - 167 bhp, 0-62 in 8.4s.
Verdict
C
BHP
167
0–60
8.4 s
Top
124 mph
MPG
20 mpg
Used
$1,000-$4,400
- + Impreza-based - flat-four AWD honesty
- + Turbo variant a sleeper
- − Rust kills them
- − EJ20 head gaskets
2002-2007
SG
→
2.5 turbo XT - 207 bhp, 0-62 in 6.5s.
Verdict
B
BHP
207
0–60
6.5 s
Top
137 mph
MPG
20 mpg
Used
$1,900-$6,400
- + XT 2.5 turbo Forester is the sleeper
- + Permanent symmetrical AWD
- − EJ25 head gasket failures
- − Turbo XT thirsty
2008-2012
SH
→
2.5 XT turbo - 226 bhp, 0-62 in 6.6s.
Verdict
B
BHP
226
0–60
6.6 s
Top
137 mph
MPG
22 mpg
Used
$3,200-$10,000
- + Bigger and more grown-up than SG
- + Diesel boxer added (UK 2008+)
- − EJ25 head gaskets persistent
- − Boxer diesel quirky
2013-2018
SJ
→
2.0 XT turbo - 237 bhp, 0-62 in 7.5s.
Verdict
B
BHP
237
0–60
7.5 s
Top
137 mph
MPG
27 mpg
Used
$7,600-$18,000
- + Bigger cabin than SH
- + Lineartronic CVT smooth
- − EE20 timing chain catastrophic on diesels
- − CVT shudder under load
2018-Present
SK
→
2.0 e-Boxer - 150 bhp, 0-62 in 11.8s.
Verdict
B
BHP
150
0–60
11.8 s
Top
117 mph
MPG
28 mpg
Used
$23,000-$44,000
- + Symmetrical AWD with X-Mode
- + Eyesight ADAS standard
- − e-Boxer hybrid is mild only - no big EV range
- − CVT drone under load
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1997-2002 - SF
- EJ20 head gasket failures
- Rust on rear arches
- Turbo coking on 2.0T
2002-2007 - SG
- EJ25 head gaskets
- Turbo failures on STI variant
- Rear suspension bushes
2008-2012 - SH
- EJ25 head gaskets persisting
- Boxer diesel oil consumption
- Turbo failure on XT
2013-2018 - SJ
- Boxer Diesel timing chain failure (2.0D)
- CVT shudder on petrol
- Front diff seal leaks
2018-Present - SK
- e-Boxer 12V auxiliary battery weak
- CVT shudder cold start
- Eyesight calibration after windscreen replacement
Rivals
Toyota RAV4 · Honda CR-V · Mazda CX-5 · Mitsubishi Outlander