Subaru introduced the Forester to the market in 1997 as an affordable compact SUV with excellent off-road capabilities. Throughout the years, the Japanese automaker has gained a reputation for checking all the critical poxes in making dependable daily-driven vehicles.

Thanks to its impressive practicality and standard AWD drivetrain, we gave the 2022 Subaru Forester a solid 8 out of 10. Moreover, the new Wilderness package unlocks a healthy amount of features that make the Forester an underrated off-roading beast.

Foresters generally hold their value pretty well, thanks to their top-tier longevity and reliability. However, that doesn’t mean Foresters haven’t had their fair share of problems and headaches throughout the years. If you’re looking for a fourth-gen Subaru Forester (2014-2018) on the used market, you should know which trim and engine option is worth your dollar the most. Without further ado, let’s take a look at Forester’s most notable trims you can buy used.

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Best Performance: Subaru Offers A Potent Turbocharged I4 Engine For The 2018 Forester Touring And Premium Trims

2014 Subaru Forester Front View
Via Subaru

If you want to opt for the best performance you can get with a fourth-gen Subaru Forester, you should go for the 2018 Touring or Premium trims. The standard engine available for these trims is a naturally aspirated 2.5L inline-four that produces 170 horsepower. However, Subaru offers a more potent turbocharged 2.0L one that boasts 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

With the standard engine, you can choose from a six-speed manual transmission system and a CVT. But the 2.0L turbo-four engine can only be paired with a CVT. According to official EPA estimations, you can expect up to 26 miles to the gallon in the city and 32 on the highway (28 combined) with the more potent powertrain option.

When properly configured, the 2018 Subaru Forester can sprint from idle to 60 mph in just 6.8 seconds, impressive for its class.

With the Touring trim, the Forester comes equipped with leathered upholstery, steering responsive LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen connected to a Harman Kardon audio system.

Also, it is worth mentioning that the Forester has earned the Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website, a bold statement about the SUV’s safety and reliability.

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Most Cost-efficient: The 2014 Forester 2.5i Comes With The Basics Needed For An Everyday Family Hauler

Red 2014 Subaru Forester in on the road
Subaru

With the 2014 Forester 2.5i (the base trim), Subaru offers a 2.5L inline-four that produces 170 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. Similar to the previously discussed trim, the engine pairs up with either a six-speed manual or a CVT. If you’re looking to get the best fuel economy, stick with the CVT model. The CVT-equipped base model of the 2014 Forester gives you 24 MPG in the city and 32 on the highway. Thankfully, all 2014 Forester trims come with AWD as standard.

The 2014 Foresters is typically priced lower than most of its rivals on the used market. According to Kelley Blue Book prices, you can find one around the $11,000 mark.

On the downside, the Forester has a higher maintenance cost compared to the competition. Based on the RepairPal website’s estimations, a 2014 Subaru Forester's ownership cost is roughly $683 per year.

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Best Value: The 2016 Forester 2.0XT Premium Is A Bargain For a Long-lasting, Capable SUV

2016 Subaru Forester in Silver
Via Subaru

Last but not least, the 2016 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium is one of the best compact SUVs below the $20k mark on the used market. The 250-horsepower engine makes it a capable vehicle both in the city and off the pavements. With a 1,500-pound towing capacity, you can tow a fishing boat or a jet ski to your favorite resort on the weekends.

As you might have expected, the only transmission available with this trim is a CVT. Although a manual transmission would be more fun, the CVT stretches the Forester’s fuel economy to 23 MPG in the city and 28 on the highway.

Based on the owner complaints registered with the Car Complaints website, the 2016 model has significantly fewer complaints compared to other fourth-gen Forester years. So, you’re less likely to run into major headaches with the 2016 edition. According to Repair Pal, it costs roughly $547 to maintain a 2016 Forester in a year, noticeably more affordable than the previous models.

Foresters are built to last; according to various automotive sources, you can expect up to 250,000 miles of reliable service with a Forester’s original engine and transmission. However, if you’re the third or the fourth owner of one, you should expect powertrain overhauls around the 150,000-mile mark.