AWD SUVs
Used Subaru Crosstrek vs Subaru Forester: which should you buy?
By Hari Vinayak · Updated 2026-06-22
The short answer
The Crosstrek is smaller, more efficient, and easier to park; the Forester is roomier inside with more cargo space and better visibility. Same Subaru AWD reliability story — pick by size and fuel economy needs.
Model years
2013–2024
Mileage outlook
200,000 miles is realistic with care. The engine is understressed in daily driving; oil top-off neglect and skipped CVT fluid are what shorten lives.
Model years
2011–2024
Mileage outlook
200,000 miles is attainable, but Subarus punish neglect more than Toyotas. An oil-fed, CVT-serviced Forester at 120,000 miles beats a vague-history one at 70,000.
Subaru Crosstrek
A used Subaru Crosstrek holds value stubbornly because demand is high, so your job is mostly verifying it wasn't neglected: 2013–2017 FB20 engines can consume oil (check the dipstick), the CVT on 2013–2018 cars falls under Subaru's extended 100,000-mile coverage, and the 2.0L is slow enough that many were driven hard. Mechanically honest examples are great small-AWD buys.
Known issues to check
- 2013–2017: oil consumption on the FB20 — verify level and top-off habits
- 2013–2018 CVT: extended warranty to 100,000 miles tells you what to ask about — service history or replacement
- 2018+: windshield cracking complaints and minor battery drain issues
- Underpowered on highways — test a full-throttle merge; a screaming but smooth CVT is normal, shudder is not
What to verify
- Oil level on the dipstick today (2013–2017)
- CVT fluid service records
- Four matched tires with even wear (AWD requirement)
- No accident repair from its small-car-in-snow life
Subaru Forester
A used Subaru Forester is a capable all-weather buy with two documented soft spots: oil consumption on 2011–2015 FB25 engines (subject of a class action — check for top-off habits) and CVT reliability on 2014–2018 cars, for which Subaru extended the warranty to 10 years/100,000 miles. 2019+ models mostly trade those for minor annoyances like windshield cracking and battery drain. Verify head gasket history on anything older you're cross-shopping.
Known issues to check
- 2011–2015: FB25 oil consumption — check the dipstick now and ask how often oil is added between changes
- 2014–2018: CVT failures led Subaru to extend coverage to 100,000 miles — confirm whether the CVT was serviced or replaced
- 2019+: windshield stress cracking and parasitic battery drain complaints — ask about replacements
- AWD system needs four matched tires — mismatched tread depths cause drivetrain wear
What to verify
- Current oil level and consumption history (2011–2015)
- CVT service or replacement records (2014–2018)
- All four tires same brand/model with even wear
- No head gasket seepage on high-mileage examples
How to decide between them
On the used market, the better specific car almost always beats the better model on paper. A well-documented Subaru Crosstrek can be a smarter buy than a neglected Subaru Forester, and the reverse is just as true. Build a comp set for each, match the model year to its known issues above, and price in any maintenance the records do not cover.
Once you have a real listing for either one, paste it into DealScan to get a deal score, the red flags, a fair price range, and the questions to ask before you visit.
Found a listing for either one? Check the actual car.
Paste any Crosstrek or Forester listing and get a deal score, red flags, and the price you should actually offer.
Check a listingSubaru Crosstrek vs Subaru Forester: FAQ
Is the used Subaru Crosstrek or Subaru Forester more reliable?
Both are popular used picks, and reliability comes down to the specific model year and how well the car was maintained more than the badge. Match each car's year to its known issues — the Subaru Crosstrek watch-items and the Subaru Forester watch-items are listed above — and prioritize the one with documented maintenance records.
Which is cheaper to own used, the Subaru Crosstrek or the Subaru Forester?
Total cost depends on purchase price, insurance, fuel, and repair risk for the specific year. Use DealScan's free price checker on each to compare fair market values, and factor in the known repair items for each model before deciding which is cheaper to own.
Should I buy the Subaru Crosstrek or Subaru Forester?
The Crosstrek is smaller, more efficient, and easier to park; the Forester is roomier inside with more cargo space and better visibility. Same Subaru AWD reliability story — pick by size and fuel economy needs.