Subaru Forester fourth generation

Photo: OSX / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

The Subaru Forester fourth generation (2014–2018): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 34 versions in the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Canada.

Model codes: SJ

Dimensions, weights and capacity

Specification	Europe	North America	Wikipedia
Dimensions
Length	4,600–4,610 mm RDW	4,600 mm TC	4,595 mm
Width	1,800 mm RDW	1,800 mm TC	1,796 mm
Height	1,740 mm RDW	1,740 mm TC	1,732 mm
Wheelbase	2,640 mm RDW	2,640 mm TC	2,640 mm
Front track	1,545 mm ASTRA	1,550 mm TC	–
Rear track	1,550–1,555 mm ASTRA	1,550 mm TC	–
Weights and towing
Kerb weight	1,477–1,582 kg RDW	1,498–1,668 kg TC	1,495–1,686 kg
Mass in running order	1,577–1,682 kg RDW	–	–
Gross vehicle weight	2,015–2,110 kg RDW	–	–
Towing, braked trailer	2,000 kg RDW	–	–
Towing, unbraked trailer	750 kg RDW	–	–
Seats and space
Seats	5 RDW	–	–
Doors	4 RDW	–	–
Luggage space (EPA)	–	963 L EPA	–
Passenger space (EPA)	–	3,058 L EPA	–
Performance
Top speed	192–221 km/h RDW	–	193 km/h
Torque	198–350 Nm ASTRA	–	–

Tyre sizes (most common first): 225/60R17, 215/65R16

NHTSA overall safety rating (US): 2014–2018: ★★★★★

Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), Transport Canada vehicle specifications, Wikipedia (en, de), ASTRA type approvals (Switzerland), US EPA fuel economy data, Traficom type approvals (Finland), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reliability and owner reports

UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age

Age at test	Pass rate	UK average	Tests
4–5 years	93.0% (92.0–93.9)	91.0%	2,632
6–8 years	85.5% (84.7–86.2)	86.4%	9,399
9–12 years	78.8% (77.4–80.2)	77.9%	3,205

What the MOT finds

Area	This model	UK average, same ages
Suspension	24.5%	14.4%
Tyres	21.1%	28.1%
Brakes	18.8%	21.4%
Lights and electrics	5.8%	9.6%
Visibility (glass, mirrors, wipers)	5.7%	6.9%
Noise, emissions and leaks	1.9%	4.0%

First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)

Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)

2,518 complaints for model years 2014–2018. 207 crashes · 15 fires · 116 injuries

Airbags 541
Electrical system 378
Engine 339
Visibility and wipers 282
Transmission and drivetrain 247
Speed control 205

Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints

All 34 versions of the Subaru Forester fourth generation

Show all 34 versions

European Union 13 versions

New cars registered in the EU (plus Norway and Iceland), from the European Environment Agency. Figures on the NEDC procedure until 2020 and on WLTP from 2021; versions are grouped by engine and power, with their number of registrations.

Years and version	Engine	Power	Fuel	CO₂	EU registrations
2014–2018	2.0 L	110 kW (150 PS)	Petrol	151–157 g/km	47,245
2014–2018	2.0 L	108 kW (147 PS)	Diesel	155–156 g/km	44,532
2014–2018	2.0 L	177 kW (241 PS)	Petrol	196–197 g/km	13,146
2014–2018	2.0 L	110 kW (150 PS)	LPG	150–156 g/km	922
2018	2.0 L	92 kW (125 PS)	Petrol	212 g/km	14
2017	2.0 L	266 kW (362 PS)	Diesel	197 g/km	866
2017	2.0 L	165 kW (224 PS)	Petrol	155 g/km	568
2017	2.0 L	162 kW (220 PS)	Diesel	157 g/km	62
2016	2.0 L	110 kW (150 PS)	Diesel	150 g/km	60
2014–2016	2.0 L	177 kW (241 PS)	Diesel	181–197 g/km	42
2014	2.0 L	110 kW (150 PS)	Diesel	166 g/km	16
2014	–	–	Petrol	162 g/km	14
2014	2.0 L	108 kW (147 PS)	Petrol	177 g/km	10

United Kingdom 7 versions

New cars on sale in the UK, from the Vehicle Certification Agency. NEDC figures until 2018 and WLTP figures after; years are the editions a version appeared in.

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2015–20182.0i XE · 2.0i XE Premium	2.0 L	Petrol	6-speed manual	6.9 L/100 km NEDC	160 g/km
2015–20182.0i XE Premium · 2.0i XE Lineartronic · 2.0i XE Premium Lineartronic	2.0 L	Petrol	Continuously variable (CVT)	6.5 L/100 km NEDC	150 g/km
2015–20182.0i XT Turbo · 2.0i XT Lineartronic	2.0 L	Petrol	Continuously variable (CVT)	8.5 L/100 km NEDC	197 g/km
2015–20182.0D X · 2.0D XC · 2.0D XC Premium	2.0 L	Diesel	6-speed manual	5.7 L/100 km NEDC	148 g/km
2015–20182.0D X Lineartronic · 2.0D XC Lineartronic · 2.0D XC Premium Lineartronic	2.0 L	Diesel	Continuously variable (CVT)	6.1 L/100 km NEDC	158 g/km
20152.0D X	2.0 L	Diesel	6-speed manual	5.7 L/100 km NEDC	150 g/km
20152.0D XC	2.0 L	Diesel	6-speed manual	5.9 L/100 km NEDC	156 g/km

France 8 versions

New cars on sale in France, from ADEME Car Labelling. NEDC figures until 2015, WLTP figures in the current catalogue.

Years and version	Engine	Power	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2014–2015FORESTER 2.0D Sport / Sport Pack	–	108 kW (147 PS)	Diesel	6-speed manual	5.9 L/100 km NEDC	156 g/km
2015FORESTER 2.0D	–	108 kW (147 PS)	Diesel	6-speed manual	5.7 L/100 km NEDC	148 g/km
2014–2015FORESTER 2.0D Premium Pack	–	108 kW (147 PS)	Diesel	6-speed manual	5.7–5.9 L/100 km NEDC	148–156 g/km
2015FORESTER 2.0D CVT Premium/Lux.	–	108 kW (147 PS)	Diesel	Continuously variable (CVT)	6.1 L/100 km NEDC	158 g/km
2015FORESTER 2.0D CVT Exclusive	–	108 kW (147 PS)	Diesel	Continuously variable (CVT)	6.3 L/100 km NEDC	163 g/km
2014–2015FORESTER 2.0i Premium	–	110 kW (150 PS)	Petrol	6-speed manual	6.9 L/100 km NEDC	160 g/km
2014–2015FORESTER 2.0i CVT Premium	–	110 kW (150 PS)	Petrol	Continuously variable (CVT)	6.5 L/100 km NEDC	150 g/km
2014–2015FORESTER 2.0 XT Turbo CVT	–	177 kW (241 PS)	Petrol	Continuously variable (CVT)	8.5 L/100 km NEDC	197 g/km

United States 3 versions

Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Drive	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2014–2018SIDI	2.0 L	Petrol	Continuously variable (CVT)	All-wheel drive	25 MPG (9.4 L/100 km) EPA	223 g/km
2014–2018	2.5 L	Petrol	6-speed manual	All-wheel drive	24–25 MPG (9.4–9.8 L/100 km) EPA	226–229 g/km
2014–2018	2.5 L	Petrol	Continuously variable (CVT)	All-wheel drive	27–28 MPG (8.4–8.7 L/100 km) EPA	196–206 g/km

Canada 3 versions

Model years sold in Canada, from Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings (5-cycle test).

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2014–2018Sport utility vehicle: Small	2.0 L	Petrol	Continuously variable (CVT)	9.4–9.5 L/100 km 5-cycle	216–223 g/km
2014–2018Sport utility vehicle: Small	2.5 L	Petrol	Continuously variable (CVT)	8.4–8.7 L/100 km 5-cycle	196–204 g/km
2014–2018Sport utility vehicle: Small	2.5 L	Petrol	6-speed manual	9.6–9.7 L/100 km 5-cycle	221–228 g/km

Similar models from other brands

Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.