Does the Subaru Forester have good resale value?
Yes, the Subaru Forester is known for having excellent resale value. According to industry data, the Forester consistently ranks among the top compact SUVs for retaining its value over time.
Subaru Forester's Resale Value Reputation
The Subaru Forester has long been praised for its strong resale value, which is a key consideration for many car buyers. Kelley Blue Book, a leading automotive research and valuation company, has repeatedly named the Forester one of the vehicles with the best resale value in its class. This means that the Forester tends to hold its value well over time, making it a smart long-term investment for owners.
Several factors contribute to the Forester's impressive resale value. Subaru's reputation for reliability and durability, the Forester's practical and versatile design, and the brand's loyal customer base all play a role. Additionally, the Forester's standard all-wheel-drive system and off-road capabilities make it a desirable choice for many buyers, further supporting its resale value.
Comparing the Forester's Resale Value
When compared to other compact SUVs, the Subaru Forester stands out for its exceptional resale value. According to industry data, the Forester typically retains around 60-65% of its original value after 5 years of ownership. This is significantly higher than the average for its class, which is often in the 40-50% range.
The Forester's resale value also compares favorably to other Subaru models, such as the Outback and Ascent. This consistency across Subaru's SUV lineup is a testament to the brand's reputation for quality and reliability.
Factors Affecting Resale Value
- Reliability and Durability: Subaru's reputation for building long-lasting, well-engineered vehicles contributes to the Forester's strong resale value.
- Practical Design: The Forester's versatile, spacious, and functional design appeals to a wide range of buyers, helping to maintain its value over time.
- All-Wheel Drive: The Forester's standard all-wheel-drive system is a highly desirable feature for many buyers, especially in regions with harsh weather conditions.
- Brand Loyalty: Subaru has a loyal customer base that values the brand's unique blend of capability, safety, and reliability, which supports the Forester's resale value.
In conclusion, the Subaru Forester is widely recognized for its excellent resale value, consistently ranking among the top compact SUVs in this regard. Its combination of reliability, practicality, and off-road capabilities make it a smart long-term investment for many car buyers.
Is a Subaru Forester a good investment?
The 2022 Forester even earned Kelley Blue Book's Best Resale Value Award for its class for the third year in a row, as well as the 5-Year Cost to Own Award from Kelley Blue Book for having the lowest projected cost to own in its class over a five year period.
Which is more reliable, the Toyota RAV4 or the Subaru Forester?
The Toyota RAV4 generally has a reputation for higher long-term reliability than the Subaru Forester, with lower average annual repair costs and less frequent, severe repairs. However, the Subaru Forester has a strong reputation and a higher rating from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, particularly with the newer models. Both are considered good choices, and recent model years of the Forester have been redesigned to be more reliable.
You can watch this video to learn about the reliability of RAV4 and Forester: 1mAutomotive Anonymous YouTube · Dec 14, 2024
Toyota RAV4
- Higher reliability rating: Often ranks higher in reliability surveys and has lower average annual repair costs.
- Longer-term ownership: Has a strong reputation for minimizing long-term issues and frequent maintenance, partly due to its engine technology and hybrid options.
- Lower repair costs: Has an average annual repair cost of $429, which is significantly lower than the Forester's $632.
Subaru Forester
- Strong safety and ratings: Earned a higher overall rating from Consumer Reports and a highest-tier safety rating from the IIHS.
- Improving reliability: Recent redesigns have made reliability improvements, such as reintroducing mechanical thermostats and eliminating less reliable systems.
- Average repair costs: Has an average annual repair cost of $632 and average frequency and severity of repairs compared to other vehicles.
Which one is right for you?
- Choose the RAV4 if: Your priority is maximum long-term reliability and the lowest ownership costs, especially over many years of ownership.
- Choose the Forester if: You want a vehicle with a strong safety record, good visibility, and a capable all-wheel-drive system. You should consider the model year, as reliability has been improving with recent redesigns.
This video compares the performance and features of RAV4 and Forester: 52sAutoMobiYouTube · Oct 30, 2025
Which Subaru model has the best resale value?
The Subaru models with the highest resale value and value retention are the WRX, Forester, Crosstek, Impreza, and BRZ, each staying close to 60%.
Does Subaru Foresters hold their value?
A 2022 Subaru Forester has depreciated $8,067 or 30% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $18,130 and trade-in value of $16,486. The 2022 Subaru Forester is in the top 10-25% for depreciation among all 2022 SUVs.
