How many cylinders does my Subaru Forester have?
A concise answer: Subaru Foresters use four cylinders in their engines. The current standard is a four-cylinder boxer engine (a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated unit), with a four-cylinder turbo option offered in some older XT trims in certain years and markets.
Over the Forester’s multi-generational history, the engine count has remained four, even as displacement and turbocharging have varied. If you want to be certain about your specific vehicle, you can verify the exact engine configuration using your VIN, the window sticker, or the owner’s manual.
Engine configurations in the Forester
All Forester engines are four-cylinder, though the displacement and performance characteristics differ by model year and trim. The two main configurations you’ll encounter are the 2.5-liter flat-4 and, in some older XT trims, a 2.0-liter turbo flat-4.
- 2.5-liter flat-4 (four cylinders) — the standard and most common engine in recent Forester models, offering a balance of performance and efficiency.
- 2.0-liter turbo flat-4 (four cylinders) — used in higher-performance XT trims in select years and markets; provides more power while still being a four-cylinder layout.
Note: Turbo versions appeared in certain years and markets; in many current U.S. models, the 2.5L engine is the primary offering. Always verify the exact engine configuration for your vehicle if you need precise specifications.
How to verify the cylinder count on your specific Forester
To confirm the exact cylinder count and engine type for your car, use these sources:
- VIN and window sticker: The engine type and displacement are listed on the vehicle’s documentation or can be decoded from the VIN.
- Owner’s manual: The manual specifies the engine type and displacement for your model year.
- Under-hood labeling: A badge on the engine or nearby labeling often indicates the engine size and type.
- Dealer or Subaru service history: A dealer can identify the exact engine configuration by VIN.
For most modern Foresters, you’re looking at a four-cylinder engine, with the 2.5-liter option being the standard in current markets. Verification via official documentation ensures you have the precise configuration for your car.
Additional context by generation
Here’s a high-level snapshot of typical four-cylinder configurations by generation:
- First through third generations (roughly 1998–2010s): predominantly four-cylinder engines, with a 2.5-liter NA variant common and occasional 2.0-liter turbo options in certain trims.
- Fourth generation (2019–present): primarily a 2.5-liter four-cylinder; turbo options have been limited or are not offered in the mainstream U.S. market.
Across its history, the Forester has consistently used a four-cylinder layout, following Subaru’s engineering approach for this model line.
Summary
Bottom line: your Subaru Forester has four cylinders. The current standard engine is a 2.5-liter flat-4, with a historical 2.0-liter turbo four appearing in some older XT trims. To be certain about your specific vehicle’s engine, check the VIN, window sticker, or owner’s manual for the exact configuration.
