2020 Subaru Forester

Single-powertrain lineup: naturally aspirated 2.5L flat-four, unchanged from the 2019 redesign for the 2020 model year (carry-over, no mechanical changes).

Same 2.5L engine across the trim range; torque figure unchanged from the 2019 introduction of this generation.

No manufacturer-quoted 0-60 figure; instrumented tests cluster in the high-8s to low-9s, consistent with the CVT/NA-four combination being the segment's slower performer.

The 2.5L engine is smooth at part-throttle but reviewers consistently describe it as "gutless"/lackluster under acceleration, with coarse, strained notes when the CVT holds high RPM for passing power.

Subaru's Lineartronic CVT is regarded as one of the better units in its class — quiet and responsive to throttle input in normal driving — but still produces the characteristic drone and holds simulated high gear under hard acceleration.

Towing capacity is a known weak point for the Forester versus rivals like the RAV4 (1,750 lb) or CR-V (1,500 lb tie); rating is uniform across trims for 2020.

Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on every 2020 Forester trim (no FWD option), and Premium trim and above add X-Mode with dual-function hill descent control.

8.7 in of ground clearance (class-competitive, better than most crossover rivals) plus X-Mode with hill descent on upper trims gives light-duty off-road capability, but there's no low-range gearing, locker, or dedicated off-road trim in 2020 (Wilderness trim arrived for 2022).

Single powertrain for the US 2020 model year: the 2.5L NA four paired only with a CVT. The turbocharged 2.0L XT variant was discontinued after 2018, and the Forester e-Boxer hybrid was Japan/Europe-only, not offered in the US until the later e-Boxer's 2025 launch.

EPA rating for the volume (CVT/AWD) configuration; Sport trim's larger wheels drop this to 28 combined, all other trims rate 29.

EPA city rating for the standard 2.5L/CVT/AWD powertrain.

EPA highway rating for the standard 2.5L/CVT/AWD powertrain.

EPA-derived range from the 16.6-gallon fuel tank and 29 MPG combined rating.

EPA estimate at standard 15,000 mi/yr, 45% highway/55% city assumptions and regular-gasoline pricing.

Runs on regular unleaded across every trim; no premium recommendation or special fueling requirement.

NHTSA gave the 2020 Forester a 5-star overall rating, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side, and 4 stars rollover.

The 2020 Forester earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the institute's highest award, requiring Good ratings across all six crashworthiness tests plus Good/Acceptable headlights and Advanced/Superior front crash prevention.

EyeSight (forward AEB, adaptive cruise, lane departure warning, lane-centering steering) is standard on every 2020 Forester trim including base, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are optional on base/Premium and only standard from Limited up.

IIHS rated EyeSight-equipped Foresters Superior in front crash prevention for both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian testing, a requirement for the TSP+ award the 2020 model earned.

Blind-spot detection with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert is unavailable on base, optional on Premium/Sport, and standard only on Limited and Touring; coverage is alert-only (vibration/visual warning) rather than active steering or braking intervention.

EyeSight's lane-centering steering, new as standard equipment for 2020, functions on the highway and keeps the car tracking, but owner and press feedback describes occasional over-correction and sensitivity rather than best-in-class smoothness.

EyeSight's adaptive cruise control covers full speed range down to a stop and resumes automatically, working with lane-centering as a highway assist package, but reviewers and owners note occasional slow reactions and over-sensitivity to adjacent traffic.

The 2020 Forester has no hands-free highway driving system; EyeSight requires hands on the wheel at all times, and DriverFocus is a driver-attention monitor, not a hands-free-capable feature.

IIHS rated the 2020 Forester's LED headlights Good only on Limited and Touring; base, Premium and Sport — the higher-volume trims — rated Acceptable.

The Forester is consistently praised by reviewers for a low beltline, thin pillars and large glass area giving excellent all-around sightlines, a signature strength versus other compact SUVs.

Wide rear door openings and accessible lower LATCH anchors make installing child seats straightforward, and the Forester's boxy rear seat area comfortably fits multiple car seats.

Forester is a strict two-row compact SUV across all five trims for 2020; no seven-seat configuration is offered.

Tall, boxy fifth-generation greenhouse gives generous front headroom even with the moonroof fitted.

Front legroom is comfortably above the compact-SUV midpoint.

One of the tallest rear cabins in the compact-SUV class, a Forester signature.

Rear legroom is well above class-average for the compact-SUV segment.

No third row is offered at any trim in any 2020 Forester configuration; buyers needing seven seats must look to the Ascent.

Behind-the-seat cargo volume is class-competitive for a compact SUV but sits toward the low end of CarScore's SUV normalization band, which spans up to full-size three-row SUVs.

Folding the standard 60/40 split rear seat roughly doubles cargo room, a competitive figure for the class.

A deep center console bin, decent door pockets and a low, flat load floor cover the basics, but there's no standout storage innovation versus rivals.

Front seats are consistently praised for supportive, well-padded cushioning and good lumbar support on long drives; rear cushions run slightly firmer and lack seatback adjustment.

Widely cited as among the smoothest-riding vehicles in the compact-SUV class, absorbing broken pavement well with composed body control.

Quiet around town, but owners and reviewers consistently note wind buffeting from the front windows and rising road noise at highway speed and on rough pavement.

Heated front seats are available from Premium upward (not standard on Base) and a heated steering wheel arrives on Sport and above; there is no rear-seat climate control or heated rear seats at any trim.

Entry Base trim MSRP is at the low end of the compact-SUV band, undercutting most AWD-standard rivals.

Premium is the best-selling 2020 Forester trim, adding roof rails, heated seats, and (with CVT) EyeSight driver assist as standard, still well under the segment's typical volume-trim price.

Mid-pack for the compact-SUV class; owners also report above-average incidence of windshield cracking and Starlink infotainment glitches that push routine-plus-unscheduled costs slightly higher than segment leaders.

The Forester depreciates well below the compact-SUV segment average (segment loses ~39.9% over 5 years vs. Forester's ~32.5-35%), and KBB places it in the top 10% for depreciation among 2020 SUVs.

Industry-standard 3/36 basic coverage, at the floor of the compact-SUV band and short of value-brand rivals offering longer bumper-to-bumper terms.

Standard 5/60 powertrain term, at the floor of the compact-SUV band and well short of Hyundai/Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile coverage.

All 2020 Foresters include 24/7 roadside assistance for the warranty period and a Starlink connected-services trial, but the complimentary 2-year/24,000-mile maintenance plan (4 services, Genuine Subaru oil/parts) was regional (sunbelt states only), not standard nationwide — better than bare-bones roadside-only coverage but short of a universal multi-year maintenance plan.

$28,405 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (65% retained, or about $18,463) leaves about $9,942 in depreciation. Add the projected $5,900 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $15,842 in total.

CR's predicted reliability for the 2020 Forester was average (3/5), not top-tier, though CR still ranked it high overall among compact SUVs on road-test and owner-satisfaction scores; JD Power's contemporaneous vehicle dependability signal for the model was similarly mid-pack rather than standout.

Subaru's standing was genuinely split across the two major dependability studies in this era: JD Power's Initial Quality Study had Subaru near the bottom of the industry, while Consumer Reports' owner-survey-based brand reliability was closer to mid-pack-to-good — a mixed signal rather than a consistent top-tier or bottom-tier brand.

The 2020 model year has an unusually clean recall record for this generation: it was excluded from the major 2021 low-pressure fuel pump recall (WRG-21) that hit 2018 Forester and various other Subaru/Toyota 86 models, and third-party recall trackers show zero-to-minimal recall entries specifically for MY2020. Some CVT- and dash-rattle-related complaints surface in owner forums but read as scattered TSB-level issues, not systemic recalls.

The 2020 Forester carries the direct-injection FB25 2.5L flat-4 introduced with the 2019 fifth-generation redesign, paired with Subaru's Lineartronic CVT — both proven Subaru architectures but the DI engine specifically is still a relatively new variant without a long high-mileage track record. Owner forums report scattered CVT slippage/shift-delay complaints and some oil-consumption concerns, but nothing at the scale of the earlier-generation FB25's documented issues, and no signs of the head-gasket problems that dogged much older Subaru flat-4s.

Reviewers described the redesigned cabin as a step up from the prior generation with acceptable-quality materials and competitive fit for the class, while also noting fairly basic furnishings and a noisier-than-ideal cabin — solidly in the expected-hard-plastics-in-low-touch-zones band for a mainstream compact SUV rather than class-leading.

General consensus is solid, consistent assembly for the class, with a scattered but recurring owner complaint about a dashboard/A-pillar rattle on some 2020 units — enough to keep it out of the top tier but not a widespread initial-quality failure.

Subaru runs a dense, well-regarded nationwide dealer network and posted strong customer-service satisfaction results around this period, including top rankings in J.D. Power's Customer Service Index for owners of 2020-2022 model-year vehicles and #1 finishes in ACSI dependability/service categories.

As a high-volume mainstream nameplate, parts are widely available through Subaru's large dealer network and a healthy aftermarket, though the boxer-engine/AWD driveline layout carries somewhat higher labor and parts costs than a typical transverse inline-4 compact SUV, keeping it around the segment norm rather than class-leading on cost.

The volume Premium trim carries the standard 6.5-inch STARLINK touchscreen; only the range-topping Touring steps up to the 8.0-inch unit.

The 6.5-inch STARLINK Multimedia system was widely criticized during this generation for laggy touch response and a dated menu layout, partly offset by real physical volume/tune knobs.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the 2020 lineup, but only via a wired USB connection — wireless projection was not offered on any Forester trim this model year.

Voice command is basic and often bypassed in favor of Siri/Google Assistant via phone projection; built-in navigation is an extra-cost option rather than standard on the volume trim, and most owners rely on CarPlay/Android Auto maps instead.

Base/Premium trims get an unremarkable 6-speaker system; the well-regarded 9-speaker 576-watt Harman Kardon upgrade is exclusive to the top Touring trim, out of reach for the volume buyer.

The gauge cluster is analog speedometer/tachometer with a small multi-info color LCD trip computer between them — not a configurable full-digital cluster on any trim.

The 2020 Forester's STARLINK system has no meaningful over-the-air update capability for infotainment software or vehicle systems; updates of this era were dealer-applied.

The MySubaru app provides remote start, lock/unlock and vehicle locate, but only once the paid STARLINK Safety & Security Plus subscription is active — core functions are subscription-gated rather than free.

Forester provides 2.1A USB charging ports, but they are legacy USB-A only, and a Qi wireless charging pad is not standard on the volume Premium trim (available mainly as a dealer accessory or on higher trims).

Premium trim and above get proximity keyless entry with push-button start (Base retains a traditional key); subscription-based remote start via the MySubaru app is available but not free. No phone-as-key.

A rearview camera is standard fleet-wide and front/rear parking sonar is available on upper trims, but no 360-degree surround camera or automated parking is offered on any 2020 Forester.

No head-up display is offered on any 2020 Forester trim.

Tall, wide-opening rear doors, a high roofline and generous rear headroom/legroom make loading kids and car seats easy; LATCH anchors are standard and accessible.

EyeSight driver-assist (adaptive cruise, pre-collision braking, lane keep) is standard on every trim including Base, and the 2020 Forester earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+, an unusually strong safety proposition at entry-level pricing.

Rear-seat space and ride comfort suit multi-hour family trips well, but there's no rear climate control/vents or rear entertainment, and behind-seat cargo (35.4 cu ft) is only mid-pack once a stroller and gear bags are loaded.

Excellent outward visibility (a longstanding Forester strength), a smooth CVT, standard AWD and a comfortable ride make it low-stress in daily traffic despite modest power.

EPA-rated around 26/33/29 mpg city/highway/combined for the 2.5L AWD CVT is average for the compact-SUV class — not a standout on fuel cost versus PHEV/hybrid rivals, though regular fuel and Subaru's typically modest maintenance costs help.

A tight 35.4 ft turning circle, compact footprint and unusually good sightlines make the Forester easy to place and park in the city, aided by a standard rearview camera.

Towing tops out at just 1,500 lbs and there's no bed or dedicated work configuration — the Forester is not meaningfully work-capable beyond light hauling in the cargo area.

Subaru's boxer engine/AWD combination has a reputation for going the distance in daily use, but the Forester isn't fleet-proven for hard work duty the way a body-on-frame truck or van is, and CVT longevity under heavy load was an open question at this vintage.

Standard roof rails allow light racks/carriers, but there's no onboard power outlet, no factory tie-down/upfit ecosystem, and cloth/carpeted cargo surfaces aren't jobsite-friendly.

A comfortable, well-damped ride, standard adaptive cruise via EyeSight and a roughly 480-mile highway range (16.6-gal tank at ~29 mpg combined) support long tours, offset somewhat by highway wind/road noise on extended stints.

Standard AWD, 8.7 in of ground clearance, standard roof rails and (on most trims) X-Mode with hill-descent control give the Forester genuine light-off-pavement and camping-trip credibility — a core part of the nameplate's identity.

60/40 split-folding rear seats give a flat load floor and 76.1 cu ft of max cargo space, plus standard roof rails for bikes/boxes — competitive gear-hauling flexibility for the class, though roof/tow capacity for toys (1,500 lb) is limited.

Reviewers consistently describe secure, nimble handling with less body roll and quicker steering than the prior generation, though it's composed rather than genuinely sporty.

Steering is accurately weighted and responsive for a compact SUV, but reviewers note it delivers little in the way of genuine road feedback.

No red-flag braking complaints surfaced and pedal feel is generally described as adequate, but no instrumented stopping-distance data specific to the 2020 model was found to support a higher score.

The naturally aspirated 2.5L/CVT pairing is smooth at light throttle but exhibits the classic CVT 'rubber-band' drone and flares in RPM under harder acceleration, with a leisurely 0-60 in the 8.3-9.2 second range.

The boxer four is audible and drones under load as the CVT holds higher RPM during acceleration; it's inoffensive at cruise but noticeable when pressed.

A tight turning circle for the class aids low-speed maneuvering and parking.

Upright seating, a commanding view out and thin pillars give the Forester some of the best outward visibility in the class, paired with logically laid-out controls and easy ingress/egress from its tall doors.

Competent and reassuring rather than engaging — modest power, CVT drone and a comfort-first tune mean the Forester reads as an appliance, not a car enthusiasts seek out.

Standard AWD across every trim (a segment differentiator versus FWD-base rivals that upcharge for AWD), plus standard EyeSight driver-assist on CVT models from Premium up, though the Base trim's 6.5-inch touchscreen and cloth-only interior feel modest.

Strong practicality-per-dollar case (best-in-class visibility, generous cargo/headroom, standard AWD, class-leading safety scores) offsets a CVT and 182-hp NA four that trail some rivals' punchier turbo options; broadly regarded as a fair-to-good value pick rather than an outright bargain.

Five well-spaced trims (Base to Touring, ~$25.5k-$35.6k) cover budget to loaded buyers, but there is only one engine/CVT combination for 2020 — no turbo, hybrid, or manual option to widen the lineup further.

One of Subaru's top-selling nameplates through 2020, down just 1.8% year-over-year despite the pandemic-disrupted market that dragged overall Subaru sales down 12.6%, and posting a record September for the model.

Subaru carries a loyal, outdoor/family-lifestyle brand image with strong owner loyalty and safety reputation, though it lacks the aspirational halo of premium marques.

Subaru is historically a low-incentive brand with thin dealer margins and little haggling room; 2020 Forester demand stayed strong through the pandemic market, limiting discounting to modest demographic rebates (military, college grad, loyalty) of roughly $500-$3,000 rather than broad price cuts.

2020 is the second model year of the fifth-generation Forester (all-new for MY2019 on the Subaru Global Platform), so the design, safety tech and platform are current with no imminent redesign.

Earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2020 (with qualifying headlights) as part of Subaru tying for the most IIHS awards of any brand that year, and reviewed well overall (Edmunds 7.8/10), but reliability was only middling (Consumer Reports 3/5) and it's rarely the outright winner of head-to-head comparison tests against the CR-V/RAV4.