2021 Subaru Forester

Single powertrain across the entire 2021 Forester lineup: naturally aspirated 2.5L flat-four, no turbo option this generation.

Same 2.5L engine across the range; torque peak is unremarkable for the compact SUV segment.

Instrumented tests from two outlets bracket the same result; the CVT and modest torque make this one of the slower compact SUVs.

Reviewers describe smooth, predictable low-speed delivery and a well-tuned CVT, but acceleration is modest and the engine strains audibly under hard highway passing throttle.

The Lineartronic CVT is repeatedly singled out as one of the better-tuned CVTs in the class — quiet, responsive to throttle, simulated ratio steps under hard acceleration — with no reported hunting.

Uniform 1,500 lb rating across the lineup, at the low end of the compact SUV band — the 2.5L engine and CVT are not tow-rated much beyond a light trailer.

Subaru Symmetrical AWD is standard on every trim (not optional), and Premium trim and above add dual-function X-MODE (Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings) with hill descent control — genuinely sophisticated for a mainstream compact SUV, though the base trim lacks X-MODE.

8.7 in ground clearance is class-competitive and X-MODE/hill descent control add real light-duty capability, but there is no dedicated off-road trim (Wilderness arrives for 2022), no low-range gearing, and no locking differential.

Single powertrain for the entire model year: the 2.5L naturally aspirated boxer paired only with the CVT. No turbo, hybrid, or PHEV variant was offered until later generations (Forester Hybrid arrived for MY2025).

EPA-rated combined figure for the standard AWD 2.5L CVT powertrain, the only configuration offered in MY2021.

EPA city rating for the sole AWD/CVT powertrain.

EPA highway rating for the sole AWD/CVT powertrain.

Computed from the EPA combined MPG and the 16.6-gallon fuel tank; fueleconomy.gov publishes the same figure directly.

EPA's standard 15,000 mi/yr estimate at the time of the rating; regular unleaded keeps running cost mid-pack for the segment.

Runs on regular unleaded across every trim with no premium recommendation — no added running-cost burden.

NHTSA's testing for the 2021 Forester gave the maximum 5-star overall rating, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side, and 4 stars rollover — the rollover sub-score is the only non-perfect figure, typical for a tall crossover.

The 2021 Forester earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with Good ratings on both small-overlap front tests, the original moderate-overlap front, the original side test, roof strength and head restraints; on IIHS's newer, tougher updated tests it came back Marginal on updated moderate-overlap front and Acceptable on updated side, which keeps the score just short of a perfect crashworthiness sweep despite the award.

EyeSight (forward-collision warning, AEB, full-range adaptive cruise with lane centering, lane departure warning) is standard on every 2021 trim including Base — unusual generosity for the segment — but Blind-Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are unavailable on Base at any price and only an optional package on Premium, becoming standard from Sport up. Automatic Emergency Steering did not arrive until MY2022.

IIHS rated the standard EyeSight front crash prevention system Superior for vehicle-to-vehicle and Superior for daytime pedestrian detection — the top tier on both — but as a camera-only system without radar, IIHS's parallel nighttime pedestrian evaluation found performance dropped materially after dark (to roughly Advanced on high beams, Basic on low beams), the general pattern the agency reported for camera-only competitors like the CR-V and XC40.

Blind-spot detection with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert is unavailable on the Base trim and only an optional package on Premium (bundled with a power liftgate, no Automatic Emergency Steering yet in 2021); it's standard, alert-only, from Sport trim up. Coverage is real but gated behind trim/package choice on the two most accessible trims.

Lane-centering steering (part of EyeSight's Adaptive Cruise Control) is standard across every 2021 Forester trim, and reviewers describe the highway tracking as smooth and confident rather than prone to ping-ponging, consistent with the system carried over from the same SK-generation calibration.

EyeSight's Adaptive Cruise Control covers the full speed range including stop-and-go and integrates with lane centering; the CVT pairing makes speed transitions notably seamless, and reviewers rank it among the smoother systems in the mainstream segment for this generation.

Subaru offers no hands-free highway driving system on any 2021 Forester trim; EyeSight requires hands on the wheel at all times, and the 2021 press kit's feature list includes no BlueCruise/Super Cruise/FSD-equivalent.

IIHS rated the steering-responsive LED headlights Good — the top rating — and for 2021 Subaru made them standard equipment across all five trims (Base through Touring), an expansion from 2020 when they were limited to Limited/Touring; this was a key factor in the Forester qualifying for Top Safety Pick+.

The Forester is consistently singled out in the compact SUV class for class-leading outward visibility — a tall, upright greenhouse and thin pillars give an unobstructed view with no camera-compensation needed to offset blind zones, a characteristic unchanged for this generation.

IIHS rated the Forester's LATCH system "Good" with credit for extra usable positions — anchors are easy to locate and reach, and the wide rear door openings make installing multiple car seats straightforward.

Forester is a two-row, five-passenger compact SUV; no third-row option exists on any 2021 trim.

Tall, boxy greenhouse gives the Forester class-leading front headroom for a compact SUV.

Above-average front legroom for the compact SUV class.

Tall roofline and upright seating position give the Forester some of the best rear headroom in the compact SUV segment.

Roomy second row for the vehicle's compact footprint; U.S. News notes a 6-foot passenger sits comfortably behind a 6-foot driver.

No third row is offered on the 2021 Forester in any trim — it is strictly a two-row, five-seat SUV.

Modest against the framework's SUV-wide band, which spans up to full-size SUVs; the standard power moonroof on Premium and above reduces the figure versus the moonroof-delete base trim.

Competitive maximum cargo capacity for the compact SUV class with the second row folded flat.

Reviewers flagged a small front center console bin and an undersized dash cubby; Subaru added a second-row center storage console for 2021 as a minor fix, but overall in-cabin storage remains below-average for the class.

Front and rear seats are consistently praised for long-haul support and cushioning, with a wide adjustment range on the driver's seat.

Comfortable and supple ride with enough body control to avoid excessive lean, though not a class-leading plush ride.

Wind and road noise are well controlled, but the CVT/boxer engine produces a pronounced buzz under acceleration that reviewers consistently note.

Heated front seats and heated mirrors arrive on Premium and up, but heated steering wheel is Touring-standard/Limited-optional only and there is no standard rear-seat climate control — mid-pack for the segment.

Entry Base trim starting price for the 2021 model year, shown for reference only.

Premium is the volume Forester trim, adding a panoramic moonroof, heated front seats and roof rails over Base; price is MSRP plus destination.

Edmunds' True Cost to Own model projects maintenance and repair spend separately over a 5-year/15,000-mi-per-year ownership period; combined they land above the compact-SUV comfort band.

Blend of two industry residual estimates for the 2021 model year; Subaru resale is consistently strong versus the mainstream-SUV field.

Standard industry-floor bumper-to-bumper term, unchanged for the 2021 model year.

Standard industry-floor powertrain term, well short of the 10-yr/100k terms offered by Hyundai/Kia/Mitsubishi rivals.

Subaru bundles free roadside assistance (towing, jumpstart, flat-tire change, lockout/fuel delivery) for the duration of the 3-yr/36k basic warranty and includes a 3-year STARLINK Safety Plus trial plus a 6-month Security Plus trial, but there is no complimentary scheduled maintenance (oil changes/inspections) of the kind Toyota or BMW bundle in.

$28,845 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (66% retained, or about $19,038) leaves about $9,807 in depreciation. Add the projected $10,066 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $19,873 in total.

Consumer Reports rated the 2021 Forester's predicted reliability 4/5, 'much better than average,' reflecting a clean run of owner-survey data since the 2019 redesign's engine and CVT settled in. JD Power's per-model dependability score for this generation was not a standout, but CR's larger sample and model-specific verdict carries more weight here.

Subaru's standing is genuinely split by methodology in this era: Consumer Reports has ranked Subaru among its top brands (trading the #1 spot with Toyota/Lexus in surrounding years), while J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study had Subaru below the industry average in both 2021 (182 PP100) and 2022 (191 PP100 vs. 180 industry average), and the brand won no segment awards in the 2022 Vehicle Dependability Study. That split between a strong long-term durability reputation and weak initial-quality/dependability-study scores lands Subaru mid-pack rather than top-tier on this item.

CarComplaints and NHTSA show no recalls filed specifically against the 2021 model year at initial release; a later campaign (Subaru ref. WRQ-23, filed 2023) covering an inhibitor-switch weld defect that can knock out the backup camera and reverse lights swept in some 2021-2023 Foresters, but it is a non-powertrain, non-fire, low-severity fix. That's a clean-to-typical record, not the 'few, minor recalls' top band nor a systemic issue.

The FB25 2.5L flat-four moved to direct injection for the 2019 redesign, which owner-forum and Consumer Reports data show sharply cut the oil-consumption complaints that dogged earlier naturally-aspirated Subaru fours; a small number of 2021 owners still report modestly elevated consumption within Subaru's stated normal range. The Lineartronic CVT carries a 10-year/100,000-mile extended warranty from a prior class-action settlement and outright failures on this generation are rare, though isolated shudder/hesitation complaints (often fixed with a fluid service or reflash) keep it short of a fully proven, high-mileage track record.

Reviewers consistently called the 2021 Forester's cabin well-built with quality materials and one of the roomiest in its class, but also 'spartan but serviceable' and 'fairly basic' compared with segment leaders, with the mid-grade Sport trim's finishes landing 'between basic and luxe.' That's solidly competitive for a mainstream compact SUV rather than class-leading.

Multiple reviews of the 2021 Forester describe tight, consistent assembly ('the tight fit and finish only comes from made in Japan') with no notable rattle or panel-gap complaints surfacing in owner or press coverage, placing it solidly in the 'tight, consistent assembly' band without evidence of class-leading initial-quality scores to push it higher.

Subaru distributes through 630+ US retailers, a dense nationwide footprint for a mainstream brand, and the brand has repeatedly placed at or near the top of J.D. Power's Customer Service Index among mass-market brands in the years surrounding and following this model year, indicating a strong, well-regarded service network rather than merely adequate coverage.

RepairPal puts Forester's average annual repair/maintenance cost at $632, above the $521 compact-SUV-segment average, with a 13% chance any given repair is severe (vs. 11% segment average) and an overall RepairPal reliability rank of 21st of 26 in the compact SUV class. Parts themselves are widely available through Subaru's large dealer network and a solid AWD-focused aftermarket, but the cost and severity figures keep this out of the top band.

The volume Premium trim carries the smaller 6.5-inch Starlink screen; the larger 8.0-inch unit is reserved for the Sport's option package and Limited/Touring standard equipment.

The Starlink interface is simple to navigate but reviewers regularly called its graphics dated and touch response middling next to newer rival systems.

The 2021 Forester's Starlink system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto by USB cable only; no trim offers factory wireless phone projection, a gap owners routinely worked around with aftermarket adapters.

Built-in voice control and the optional embedded navigation (available with the 8.0-inch screen) are functional but unremarkable, and most owners default to phone-projected navigation instead.

Base audio is adequate but unremarkable; an optional Harman Kardon premium system is available on upper trims and package-equipped Sport models.

The 2021 Forester retains analog speedometer/tachometer gauges with a small multi-info color display between them rather than a configurable full-digital cluster.

Starlink supports over-the-air software updates for the infotainment system, but this is scoped to maps/infotainment rather than whole-vehicle ECU updates.

The MySubaru app covers the core remote-start/lock/locate/climate functions, but full functionality requires a paid Safety Plus/Security Plus subscription after the initial trial.

Two always-powered USB ports are standard, and a Qi wireless charging pad is available on higher trims, but port count and placement trail the segment's more generous rivals.

Keyless proximity access arrives on Premium and up, and remote start is available through the MySubaru subscription; no phone-as-key feature exists in this generation.

A standard rearview camera covers the base package; Reverse Automatic Braking and Blind-Spot Detection are optional/trim-gated, and no 360-degree surround-view camera is offered at all.

No head-up display is offered on any 2021 Forester trim.

Tall roofline, wide door openings, and a flat, high rear bench make loading kids and car seats easy; low load floor also helps with strollers and gear.

EyeSight (adaptive cruise, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, lead vehicle start alert) is standard on every 2021 trim including the base Forester, and the model earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a 5-star NHTSA overall rating — strong safety credentials at an affordable price point.

Comfortable seating and generous rear legroom suit multi-hour trips, but rear-seat amenities are thin — no standard rear climate vents or larger infotainment screen on the volume trim, and cargo space is only mid-pack with seats occupied.

Light, responsive steering, good outward visibility from the tall greenhouse, and a CVT tuned for smooth low-speed response make the Forester relaxed in daily traffic.

Standard AWD carries a fuel-economy penalty versus FWD-only compact SUV rivals, landing the Forester at roughly average per-mile running costs for the class rather than a standout.

Compact exterior footprint and good sightlines aid urban maneuvering, though the 35.4 ft turning circle is unremarkable and no 360-degree camera is offered to assist tight parking.

Towing is capped at 1,500 lbs — enough for a light utility trailer or small watercraft, but well short of genuine work-vehicle duty.

Subaru's boxer-engine/AWD platform has a reputation for holding up to rough weather and light-duty abuse, though this is not a fleet or work-truck-oriented vehicle.

Standard raised roof rails support cargo carriers and racks, but there is no onboard power outlet, no washable cargo liner standard, and essentially no upfit ecosystem.

Comfortable seats and standard EyeSight adaptive cruise reduce highway fatigue, but a roughly 16.6-gallon tank at segment-average combined economy caps range at around 450 miles, short of road-trip standouts.

Standard AWD, 8.7 in of ground clearance, X-Mode with hill descent control (Premium and up, Dual X-Mode on Sport), and standard roof rails give genuine light off-pavement capability — though the dedicated Wilderness trim with its lifted suspension didn't arrive until MY2022.

60/40-split folding rear seats, a flat load floor, and standard roof rails handle typical gear loads well, though underfloor and in-cabin storage options are limited versus segment leaders.

Secure and planted through corners with minimal body lean, but reviewers consistently describe the Forester as nimble rather than genuinely engaging.

Steering is accurate and appropriately weighted for daily use but delivers little road feedback to the driver.

Brakes deliver adequate, predictable stopping performance with a competent pedal feel; not a standout but no reported deficiencies.

The Lineartronic CVT has been tuned to respond quickly to throttle input and shift 'through' simulated ratios, but the pairing with the 182-hp boxer four yields only modest real-world acceleration.

A pronounced engine buzz under acceleration is a widely-noted characteristic of the 2.5L boxer/CVT combination, even after refinement versus earlier model years.

A tighter-than-average turning circle for the compact SUV segment aids low-speed maneuverability.

Excellent outward visibility from the tall, upright seating position, a wide range of seat/wheel adjustment, and easy ingress/egress are consistently praised.

Competent and secure but largely appliance-like in character; even the styling-focused Sport trim's Dual X-Mode is about off-pavement capability rather than driving enjoyment.

Every 2021 Forester trim, including Base, carries standard Symmetrical AWD and the full Subaru EyeSight driver-assist suite (adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane-keep assist) — both are frequently cost options on mainstream rivals.

Strong safety-and-capability-per-dollar thanks to standard AWD/EyeSight, but the cabin tech (6.5-in base touchscreen, no available third row) and cargo/rear-seat room lag class leaders like the CR-V and RAV4, tempering the overall content-for-price picture.

Five well-spaced trims (Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Touring) span $24,795–$34,895, but every trim is CVT-only with a single naturally aspirated engine and AWD — no powertrain or drivetrain choice to widen the range further.

154,723 US units in 2021 made the Forester Subaru's best-selling nameplate for the year, achieved despite the industry-wide semiconductor shortage that suppressed overall volume.

Subaru carries an unusually loyal, outdoors/safety-oriented following and a reputation (reinforced by 2021's IIHS safety sweep) that supports resale and repeat purchase, without the aspirational cachet of a premium marque.

2021 was a semiconductor-shortage year with thin inventory and industry-wide incentive cuts, and Subaru is a historically low-discount brand even in normal years, so buyers had little room to negotiate off MSRP.

2021 is the third model year of the fifth-generation Forester (introduced for 2019 on the Subaru Global Platform, running through 2025) — current and unfacelifted, but not newly redesigned.

The 2021 Forester earned its 15th consecutive IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and was Consumer Reports-recommended, but mainstream comparison tests consistently favored the CR-V/RAV4 on interior room and refinement, making it well-regarded rather than an outright class winner.