2019 Subaru Forester

MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says Subaru redesigned the Forester for 2019 on the Subaru Global Platform that also underpins the Impreza, Crosstrek and Ascent, with more passenger and cargo room, a slightly more powerful engine, a new Sport model and the EyeSight driver-assist package standard, plus a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Carvana (opens in a new tab) calls it the first model of the fifth generation with a new 182-hp engine, and Planet Subaru (opens in a new tab) adds standard Active Torque Vectoring and a dual-mode X-Mode on the Sport, Limited and Touring.

Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) puts used 2019 Foresters at $16,350 for the base to $18,700 for the Touring at a dealership. EPA rates the 2019 Forester at 29 mpg combined and $2,150 a year in fuel, with all-wheel drive.

NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for the 2019 Forester. 19V856000 covers an aluminum PCV valve that can separate and let components enter the engine, causing a loss of power while driving, and dealers inspect and replace the valve. 19V065000 covers an Electronic Power Steering connector that may short circuit and cause a loss of steering assistance, and 21V263000 covers rear stabilizer bracket bolts that may loosen and detach.

Owners have filed 833 complaints with NHTSA: visibility and wiper with 370, unknown or other with 144, electrical system with 134, engine with 106, forward collision avoidance with 43 and power train with 38. CarComplaints (opens in a new tab) tracks the year's problems by category, and Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) keeps a common-problems page for it.

EPA rates the 2019 Forester at 29 mpg combined and $2,150 a year in fuel. The Honda CR-V lists 27 to 30 at $2,100 to $2,300, the Toyota RAV4 28 to 40 at $1,550 to $2,250 including its hybrid, and the Mazda CX-5 24 to 29 at $2,250 to $3,200. The Forester matches the top of the CX-5's range and sits inside the CR-V's.