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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2012 Subaru Forester

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Overview

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2012 Subaru Forester Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.2

Smaller crossovers have replaced gas-guzzling SUVs for thousands of drivers concerned with volatile fuel prices or just eager to reduce their carbon footprint without giving up SUV versatility. Among the most praiseworthy of these is the 2012 Subaru Forester, an agile vehicle that's surprisingly well-mannered on the road, and with off-road capability you wouldn't dare try in a Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue or Toyota RAV4. Based on Subaru's signature 4-cylinder boxer engine and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD), the Forester's low-profile drivetrain results in a lower center of gravity, promising more stable handling despite its commanding seating height and generous interior volume. Factor in Subaru's excellent reputation for reliability and longevity, along with impressive fuel economy, and the Forester grows even more appealing.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you like equal parts sport and utility in your SUV, the Forester is maneuverable in the city, yet roomy and capable enough for weekend excursions off the beaten path. You'll also like its low starting price, standard AWD, respectable towing ability, top-rated safety and reliability, and turbo option.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you want six cylinders, seven seats or rear-seat entertainment, the Forester is not for you. And although a 5-speed manual transmission is standard on the base and 2.5X Premium models, a SportShift automatic with just four speeds is the only transmission choice on the upper-trim levels or any of the turbocharged models.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.2
Driving Dynamics

7.0
Comfort & Convenience

6.8
Design: Interior & Exterior

6.0
Value

6.6
Safety

8.0

How It Ranks

#15

out of 17

MPG

#9

out of 17

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

8.1 out of 10

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consumer ratings

2012 Subaru Forester Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2012

The Forester's wide range of trim levels includes two turbo models. All include a new height-adjustable front passenger seat for 2012. A new option on the higher trims is a touch-screen navigation system that's bundled with a USB, iPod and Bluetooth features, satellite radio and traffic, and a text-message feature.

Driving the Forester

2012 Subaru Forester Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions Off-roading in the Subaru Forester showcased the vehicle's firmer suspension, direct steering and notable ground clearance, all of which came into play when traversing rocks and ditches. Also helpful was...

the Forester's standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, capable of transferring up to 100 percent of the engine's power to the wheels with the best traction. Back on pavement, we liked the added get-up-and-go of the turbocharged models (who wouldn't?), but those with a more practical and budget-minded outlook will be just as happy dashing around town with the naturally aspirated engine. Getting in and out of both rows of seats was a breeze thanks to wide-opening doors, and we found the all-around views from the driver's seat to be excellent; a boon when changing lanes, reversing, and exploring dirt roads.

Favorite Features

Rear Visibility
Being able to see what's behind a vehicle when backing up, changing lanes, or even venturing off-road can make a big difference in imparting driving confidence. The Forester's large rear window allows the driver to see an object only 39 inches tall within 39 inches of the vehicle.

Panoramic Moonroof
Although not as large as others we've seen, this oversized glass roof provides pleasant light to both the front and rear passengers, bringing a bit of the outdoors inside.

2012 Subaru Forester Details

2012 Subaru Forester Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

The 2012 Subaru Forester's colorful gauges are set into a sweeping dashboard with a logical layout. A multifunction display with fuel-economy and outside-temperature readouts is standard, as is a versatile center console with numerous cubbies and two 12-volt sockets. The roomy front seats adjust at least six ways, and materials feel reasonably rich. Rear legroom is plentiful, and the 60/40-split seat folds easily and even reclines in all but the base 2.5X. The wide liftgate opens to 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, plus such niceties as hooks for grocery bags and other items, tie-downs in the floor, and storage well underneath it.

Exterior

While earlier Foresters looked like tall Subaru wagons, the third and latest generation is a svelte take on the SUV. An upswept beltline, prominent wheel arches and nearly nine inches of ground clearance lend it a clean yet businesslike profile. Up front, a large grille and wraparound "hawkeye" headlights add a hint of sporty aggression, especially in combination with the functional hood scoop on the turbo models. Sporty alloy wheels (optional on the base 2.5X, standard in a 17-inch size on all the higher trims) and a tasteful measure of chrome accents add just enough finesse to its clean, functional design.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The base Forester 2.5X comes with a 5-speed manual transmission, AWD, Hill Start Assist, air conditioning, keyless entry, 16-inch steel wheels, front side-impact and front/rear side-curtain airbags, Vehicle Dynamics Control, driver-seat lumbar adjuster and auto-off headlights. The Premium (in 2.5X or turbo 2.5XT form) adds a panoramic moonroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, 10-way power driver seat, and Bluetooth for audio and phone. The turbo also adds foglights, a rear spoiler and heated front seats. The 2.5X Limited adds leather, automatic transmission, climate control, heated mirrors and 6-speaker audio. The top 2.5X and 2.5XT Touring models include electroluminescent gauges, dual-zone climate control, 7-speaker audio, rearview camera and xenon headlights.

Optional Equipment

Among the Forester's most attractive options is a new touch-screen navigation system with premium audio and iTunes song tagging on Limited and Touring models, or a removable TomTom navigation system for the 2.5X Premium. An All-Weather package for the 2.5X Premium adds heated front seats, heated side mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer. (It's standard on the higher models, though oddly not available on the 2.5XT Premium.) Other than satellite radio (choice of XM or Sirius), most other options are bundled into the various trim levels. The 4-speed automatic transmission is optional on the 2.5X and 2.5X Premium, and standard elsewhere.

Under the Hood

Powering all 2012 Forester 2.5X trims is a recently revised 170-horsepower 4-cylinder boxer engine (a "flat" engine in which the pistons lie horizontally, one advantage of which is a lower center of gravity). The new-for-2011 engine features a longer stroke and chain-driven dual overhead cams replacing the old engine's belt-driven single cam. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on 2.5X base and Premium trims, with a 4-speed automatic transmission optional (and standard on all higher trim levels). Forester 2.5XT models enjoy a 224-horsepower turbocharged boxer-4 (not sharing the updates to the 2.5X engine). Although the base engine is practical around town, those seeking more power without suffering typical SUV fuel-economy penalties will appreciate the turbo, as long as they don't mind paying for premium gasoline.

2.5-liter boxer-4
170 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
174 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA Estimated City/Highway Mileage: 21/27

2.5-liter turbocharged boxer-4
224 horsepower@ 5,200 rpm
226 lb-ft of torque @ 2,800 rpm
EPA Estimated City/Highway Mileage: 19/24

Pricing Notes

A base 2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X with manual transmission starts around $21,000, while the 2.5X Limited with navigation bumps the price to about $29,000. The turbocharged 2.5XT Premium brings the price closer to $28,000, with no options offered. The top-dog 2.5XT Touring with navigation edges closer to $32,000. At Forester's base price, its closest competitor is the Nissan Rogue, but the base Rogue does not include AWD. The Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Santa Fe all start around $23,000, also without AWD. However, as inexpensive as the Forester seems at first, options quickly escalate the price and it ends up on the higher end of its segment. To compare the actual transaction prices for the Forester, be sure to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price. For resale value, the Forester is expected to maintain value better than the Rogue and Santa Fe but below the industry stalwarts from Honda and Toyota.

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2012 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.1

Out of 10

Based on 180 Ratings for the 2009 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

8.5/10

Quality

8.2/10
Reliability

8.9/10

Performance

8.3/10
Comfort

8.2/10

Styling

8.3/10

I like it but it's not the best car in the snow!

By Matt (NY) on Monday, April 22, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 15,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 4/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Powerful, fuel efficient and fun to drive"

Cons: "Disappointing in the snow"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"The forester is great to drive and has plenty of power. In fact I have gotten myself in trouble on more than one occasion. And while the power is more than I expected from a four-banger the gas mileage never drops below 24 mpg. The car has excellent ground clearance for off road use and deep snow. My only complaint is the ability in the snow. Maybe it's the Bridgestone Dueller H/T. Maybe the car is too light. In comparison with subarus I've owned in the past this one slides around a bit much. Whatever the reason or reasons, the 2012 Subaru Forester is a disappointment in the slippery conditions of western NY."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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I love it!

By Cowgirl (GA) on Thursday, April 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,800

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Great driving"

Cons: "Much improved design from the first model"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 5

"I love this car. I feel safe, the ride is really comfortable. I like the carbon footprint and everything Subaru stands for in it's manufacturing practices. I love the ease in which it handles. My sister is buying her 2nd...the first one is being handed down to her son. It's 15 years old."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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A GREAT Car

By CleElum (WA) on Tuesday, April 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 35,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Everything--especially handling in bad weather."

Cons: "Need keyless start."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Our second Forester. Live in snow country--it just keeps going--and no chains for us when chains are required on the Pass for non-AWD/4WD. It's comfortable, a pleasure to drive. We leave the back seats down unless we have passengers so there's room for all the extra stuff we keep in the car and the dogs. We average about 23-24 mpg in winter and 26-27 in summer and a year's average of 25 mpg with mostly highway driving but lots of hills that suck up the gas. Our next car will be a Forester."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Great vehicle, interior mediocre

By Marcy (FL) on Saturday, March 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 7,800

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 5/10

Pros: "Decent MPGs, AWD/fun to drive, great visibility"

Cons: "Uncomfy seats"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I drove a jacked up 2006 6.0 F250 until a couple of months ago. I traded it for a used 2011 2.5X with less than 5,000 miles on it. Going from a diesel truck to a gas crossover has been nice in many ways, including the fuel mileage and decrease in fuel bill by about $350 a month. I get about 24 in the city, and get 27+ on the highway, and about $50 for a fill up (much improved from my $105 fill up in the truck.) The engine does make an interesting noise when turning over after it has been sitting for a few days, shifting isn't always incredibly smooth when I'm really pushing it on tight turns (from 1st to 2nd gear I'd imagine). The awd is great! Makes it fun to drive and comforting in bad weather. My biggest complaint is the interior. The seats aren't that comfortable by any means with zero lumbar support. It's also weird that the passenger's seat rides so low and has no real adjustment mechanism either. Audio system could use an upgrade. That's about it. These things, while we expect to get exactly what we want (unless we can afford to order custom) is unrealistic. Lumbar support can be purchased for the vehicles aftermarket, as can an audio system upgrade. If you really want to throw the money into it after market, I'm sure someone has come up with a solution for the passenger's seat to become adjustable. The parts of the vehicle that matter, which are engine, safety, fuel efficiency (if driven with mpg's in mind), and handling are all there in a big way. Everything else is colored bubbles, either you have the money for the top model with all the nice features, or you have to upgrade them later. Take your pick, but I love this vehicle for its bare bones and despite what it is lacking."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Good value - uncertain quality and reliability

By Chevalier (WA) on Friday, February 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,000

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "AWD, great value"

Cons: "Intermittent starting problem that won't go away"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"New 2013 Premium 5MT with Plus package. Terrific value for the money: AWD, heated seats, mirrors and windshield, large panoramic roof, height adjustable drive and passenger seats. Weird problem with starting sometimes; having to crank the engine at least 3 times to start, each time about 3-5 seconds of cranking. Dealer installed shim kit for camshaft sensor; starting problem occurs less frequently after the dealer repair but still happens occasionally. Rattles in the dashboard and A-pillar almost from day one. Stereo is weak even with the upgraded 6 speakers. Otherwise, overall a good car with great value."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Not a well built vehicle overall

By red (AR) on Wednesday, February 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 90,000

10 2.0

overall rating 2 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 2/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10

Pros: "Great on the snow"

Cons: "not comfortable or quiet"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"My Forester is a Great Car if you want something that starts most of the time and rides like a log wagon. The carpet is rotting out, it is very noisy, rough on the interstate but great on snow and ice."

2 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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