Subaru Forester Ownership Cost Calculator 2026
Pre-filled with real Subaru Forester specs. Estimate your Subaru Forester 5-year cost of ownership — depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, loan, and residual value — then compare against same-class rivals side by side.
Year-by-Year Cost Breakdown — Subaru Forester
| Year | Start Value | Depreciation | Fuel | Insurance | Maint. | Reg | Loan Pmt | Yr Out-of-Pkt | Cumulative | End Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $32,000 | −$4,480 | $1,680 | $1,900 | $950 | $150 | $6,519 | $11,199 | $17,599 | $27,520 |
| 2 | $27,520 | −$3,520 | $1,680 | $1,900 | $950 | $150 | $6,519 | $11,199 | $28,799 | $24,000 |
| 3 | $24,000 | −$3,200 | $1,680 | $1,900 | $950 | $150 | $6,519 | $11,199 | $39,998 | $20,800 |
| 4 | $20,800 | −$2,560 | $1,680 | $1,900 | $950 | $150 | $6,519 | $11,199 | $51,198 | $18,240 |
| 5 | $18,240 | −$2,240 | $1,680 | $1,900 | $950 | $150 | $6,519 | $11,199 | $62,397 | $16,000 |
| 5-yr total | — | −$16,000 | $8,400 | $9,500 | $4,750 | $750 | $32,597 | $62,397 | — | $16,000 |
Combined 29 MPG (EPA). Depreciation uses a midsize-suv segment-average retention curve (editable). Figures are estimates for planning, not a quote.
Subaru Forester — Base Parameters
Powertrain
- Engine2.5L H4 (FB25D)
- DrivetrainAWD
- Fuelgas
- Market years2019-2024
EPA Efficiency
- City26 MPG
- Highway33 MPG
- Combined29 MPG
- Source year2021
Trims & MSRP
- Base (entry trim)$26,000
- Popular (mid trim)$32,000
- Top (fully loaded)$38,000
Same-Segment Cost Comparison
Every model below is modeled with identical assumptions (Popular trim, 20% down, 5-year loan at the national average new-car APR, 12,000 miles/year, national average tax & insurance). This apples-to-apples view is exclusive to VehCalc — manufacturer sites and KBB do not show it side by side.
| Model | Popular MSRP | 5-Yr Cost to Own | Avg / Year | Residual (5 yr) | Cost / Mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester (this car) | $32,000 | $46,397 | $9,279 | $16,000 | $0.77 |
| Honda CR-V | $32,000 | $46,697 | $9,339 | $16,000 | $0.78 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | $32,000 | $46,697 | $9,339 | $16,000 | $0.78 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | $32,500 | $47,379 | $9,476 | $16,250 | $0.79 |
| Hyundai Tucson | $32,500 | $48,101 | $9,620 | $16,250 | $0.80 |
Subaru Forester Reliability, Fault Codes & Maintenance Specs
Model-specific diagnostic data for the Subaru Forester (2019-2024 (6th Gen SK), 2019-2024): known OBD-II trouble codes, symptom-to-fix mapping, model-year issues, and the factory maintenance specification sheet. Print it and hand it to your technician.
OBD-II fault codes
4 codes logged for this platform, with the cause most often seen on the 2.5L H4 (FB25D).
| Code | Description | Common cause here | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0420 | Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold | Catalytic converter aging or oil contamination | Medium |
| P0300 | Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire | Ignition coil or carbon buildup | High |
| P0171 | System Too Lean (Bank 1) | Dirty MAF or PCV valve | Medium |
| P0026 | Intake Valve Control Solenoid (Bank 1) | AVCS oil control solenoid | Medium |
Symptoms, causes & fixes
What owners actually report, what it turns out to be, and what the repair involves.
| Symptom | Root cause | Fix | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVT delayed engagement and shudder | Lineartronic CVT chain wear and valve body | CVT fluid at 30k; TCM update; valve body if persistent | 2019-2022 |
| Oil consumption on 2.5L | Piston ring and valve stem seal wear | Oil consumption test; ring replacement | 2019-2021 |
| Windshield cracking — acoustic glass | Thin acoustic windshield | Replace with OEM glass; apply PPF | 2019-2024 |
| Rear suspension clunk on uneven roads | Rear shock absorber mount bushing wear | Replace rear shock mounts | 2020-2022 |
Model-year issues
Problems tied to a specific production window rather than the whole generation.
| Years | Issue | Fix | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2022 | CVT delayed engagement and shudder Reference: TSB 16-122-20R | Fluid exchange + TCM update | Resolved in later build |
| 2019-2021 | 2.5L oil consumption Reference: TSB 02-186-20R | Oil consumption test; ring replacement | Resolved in later build |
Common problems owners report
Recurring complaints for this model, summarized from owner-reported fault patterns.
- CVT fluid degradation — 30k changes essential
- 2.5L oil consumption
- Windshield cracking
- Rear shock mount bushing wear
Factory maintenance specification sheet
Spec-grade values for the Subaru Forester. Verify against your owner's manual before service.
| Engine oil grade | 0W-20 |
| Oil capacity (with filter) | 5.1 qt |
| Oil change interval | 6,000 mi |
| Spark plug interval | 60,000 mi |
| Tire size | 225/60R17 |
| Tire pressure (cold) | 33 psi |
| Tire rotation interval | 5,000 mi |
| Air filter interval | 30,000 mi |
| Coolant service interval | 60,000 mi |
| Brake fluid interval | 30,000 mi |
| 12V battery group | Group H6 |
| Battery cold-cranking amps | 600 CCA |
Powertrain & drivetrain identity
Confirm your exact configuration before ordering parts or booking service.
| Engine / motor | 2.5L H4 (FB25D) |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Body style | SUV |
| Generation | 2019-2024 (6th Gen SK) |
| Market years | 2019-2024 |
| Original MSRP range | $26,000-$38,000 |
| Market | US/CA |
Data sources & methodology
- OBD-II code definitionsSAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standardized powertrain diagnostic trouble codes, with platform-specific causes matched against the model in this dataset. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Fuel economy & MPGeU.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy data (fueleconomy.gov), model-year matched where available. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Maintenance specificationsFactory scheduled-maintenance intervals, fluid grades, tire sizes, and battery group sizes compiled per model. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Defects, recalls & technical service bulletinsNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defect and recall records. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
Methodology and citations are maintained by the VehCalc editorial team. Where an official schedule is not yet loaded, results are shown as model estimates and the source is stated as a reference.
Subaru Forester — Common Ownership Questions
What is the Subaru Forester 5-year cost of ownership in 2026?
Based on a Popular-trim purchase at $32,000 with a 20% down payment, a 5-year loan at the national average new-car APR, 12,000 miles per year, and national average tax and insurance, the estimated 5-year cost of ownership is $46,397 — about $9,279 per year — with an estimated $16,000 residual value after 5 years. Use the calculator above to tailor it to your state, down payment, and mileage.
How much does a Subaru Forester depreciate each year?
The Forester sits in the midsize-suv segment. Applying a segment-average retention curve, it is estimated to keep roughly 86% of its value after the first year and 50% after five years. Depreciation is typically the single largest ownership cost, which is why our calculator shows it year by year alongside every other expense.
What is the Subaru Forester MSRP and which trims are available?
The Forester ranges from $26,000 (Base (entry trim)) to $38,000 (Top (fully loaded)). Trims shown: Base (entry trim) ($26,000); Popular (mid trim) ($32,000); Top (fully loaded) ($38,000). Select a trim in the calculator to recompute costs instantly.
What are the Subaru Forester real-world fuel costs?
EPA combined rating is 29 MPG (city 26 / highway 33). At the 2026 national average of $4.06/gal and 12,000 miles per year, fuel runs about $1,680 per year, or $8,400 over 5 years.
Does the Subaru Forester qualify for any tax credits?
The Forester is a gas vehicle, so federal EV credits do not apply. State-level incentives, if any, are listed on each state's page — select your state in the calculator to see local tax and fee impact.
How do Subaru Forester ownership costs compare with rivals?
See the side-by-side comparison table on this page. We model the Forester against Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Tucson using identical assumptions — same annual miles, down payment, and loan terms — so the difference is truly apples-to-apples. That is data the manufacturer's site and KBB do not show side by side.
What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?
Owners of the Subaru Forester (2019-2024) most often report: CVT fluid degradation — 30k changes essential; 2.5L oil consumption; Windshield cracking; Rear shock mount bushing wear. Each is broken down with its root cause and the repair path in the reliability section above.
Which OBD-II codes does the Subaru Forester throw most often?
The codes logged most frequently for this platform are P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold), P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire), P0171 (System Too Lean (Bank 1)). The full list with the cause usually found on the 2.5L H4 (FB25D) and a low/medium/high severity rating is in the fault-code table above.
Why does my Subaru Forester cVT delayed engagement and shudder?
On this model the usual cause is lineartronic CVT chain wear and valve body. The typical repair is cVT fluid at 30k; TCM update; valve body if persistent (reported on 2019-2022 cars). The symptoms table above lists every reported fault for this platform.
Are there model-year-specific Subaru Forester issues I should check before buying used?
Yes — 2019-2022 cars are associated with cVT delayed engagement and shudder (reference TSB 16-122-20R). Recommended action: fluid exchange + TCM update Later builds were corrected. The model-year table above lists all known production-window issues.
What are the Subaru Forester service intervals and fluid specs?
Factory spec is 0W-20 oil (5.1 qt) changed every 6,000 miles, 225/60R17 tires at 33 psi cold rotated every 5,000 miles, air filter every 30,000 miles, coolant every 60,000 miles, spark plugs every 60,000 miles, and a group H6 battery at 600 CCA. The full spec sheet is above and printable.