2021 Subaru Forester

Planet Subaru (opens in a new tab) lists the 2021 changes as keyless access with push-button start and fog lights becoming standard on the Premium, the 6.5-inch Starlink Multimedia Plus screen standard on the Base, and a rear seatbelt reminder added as standard equipment. The Subaru media center (opens in a new tab) adds a 1,500-lb towing rating with standard Trailer Stability Assist, and prices the Sport at $29,395 to start.

Torque News (opens in a new tab) notes that the fifth-generation Forester arrived for 2019 and that a mid-cycle refresh was expected in its fourth year, so a 2021 is the car just before that update. EPA lists a single 2.5-liter four-cylinder with all-wheel drive at 29 mpg combined and about $2,150 a year in fuel. Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) puts used 2021 Foresters at $18,900 for the Sport Utility 4D up to $21,900 for the Limited from a dealer.

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2021 Forester, and owners have filed 207 complaints. Visibility and wiper complaints lead with 76, followed by unknown or other with 41, electrical system with 33, engine with 32, forward collision avoidance with 17 and power train with 14.

ProblemsByVin (opens in a new tab) and CarComplaints (opens in a new tab) break the same record down by component, and Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) keeps a common-problems page. With visibility the top category, check the windshield and wipers on any used one.

EPA rates the 2021 Forester at 29 mpg combined and $2,150 a year in fuel. The Toyota RAV4 lists 28 to 40 at $1,550 to $2,250, the Honda CR-V 29 to 38 at $1,650 to $2,150, the Mazda CX-5 24 to 28 at $2,250 to $2,600, and the Nissan Rogue 28 to 33 at $1,900 to $2,250. The RAV4 and CR-V hybrids and the Rogue's best versions beat the Forester's single rating, and the CX-5 trails it.