2020 Subaru Forester — should you buy one?

Why people love the 2020 Subaru Forester

The 2.5L naturally aspirated boxer engine pairs with Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive and a CVT transmission that feels less rubbery than earlier versions, making it genuinely fun on dirt roads and light trails without needing premium gas. Owners praise the upright driving position and visibility—you can see the hood line and corners clearly, which cuts down on parallel-parking anxiety. The EyeSight driver-assist suite (standard on most trims) catches red-light runners and texts you alerts, which caught one owner's attention when a delivery truck ran a stop sign.

Common complaints and known issues

Transmission shudder between 25k and 60k miles is the most common complaint in online forums, usually during low-speed city driving or when the CVT is hunting for ratio under light throttle; Subaru extended the warranty to 100k miles specifically for this but it doesn't always resolve the issue completely. Paint bubbling and peeling on the hood and roof starts appearing around 40k miles in salt-belt states, especially on white and silver cars. A smaller number of owners report infotainment screen freezing after 50k miles, requiring a dealer software update that may or may not stick.

Typical asking price

Under 80k miles: $19,500–$23,500. 80k–120k miles: $16,500–$20,000. Over 120k miles: $13,500–$17,000. Price spread is driven mainly by trim level (base versus Premium versus Limited), service history documentation (Subaru owners who keep records sell for $1,500–$2,000 more), and geographic region (higher in Pacific Northwest, lower in Midwest).

Ranges are typical 2026 asking prices, not appraisals. The actual fair offer depends on this specific car's title history, accident record, and open recalls — which is what EstimateProof tells you.