Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
All-wheel-drive SUV, rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP in 2019 and sold in France with a single engine: the 150 hp 2.0 e-Boxer (with a 17 hp electric motor) paired with a continuously variable gearbox. L'Argus considers the hybrid system insufficient, and British owners report 12 V batteries going flat. Little reliability data specific to this model has been found: check the history.
- Reliability
- 5.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €20,500 – €41,000
- Monthly cost
- €635
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 2.0i e-Boxer Confort.
2.0i e-Boxer Confort
✓ RecommendedHybrid · Automatic · 150 hp · 8.1 L/100 km · 185 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
Entry-level trim at launch: same 150 hp 2.0 boxer, 17 hp electric motor and Lineartronic CVT gearbox.
2.0i e-Boxer Premium
Hybrid · Automatic · 150 hp · 8.1 L/100 km · 185 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
Mid-level trim at launch, with the same mechanicals as the Confort.
2.0i e-Boxer Luxury
Hybrid · Automatic · 150 hp · 8.1 L/100 km · 185 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
Top trim at launch, with the same mechanicals; the most expensive in the original range (€44,990 new in 2019).
Market prices
€20,500 – €41,000
Indicative range: 2020 to 2023, 2,500 to 165,000 km, e-Boxer hybrid, online listings from private and dealer sellers aggregated by LeParking.
Collected on 13 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
12 V battery going flat
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingOwners of the Forester e-Boxer on British and international forums describe a 12 V battery going flat after a few days standing, and starting problems. These are user testimonies: no recall or manufacturer bulletin has been found.
- Versions
- 2.0i e-Boxer Confort, 2.0i e-Boxer Premium, 2.0i e-Boxer Luxury
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Subaru Forester”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €199 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €102 |
| Maintenance | €26 |
| Depreciation | €308 |
| Total per month | €635 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€199
2.0i e-Boxer Confort version: combined consumption of 8.1 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
8.1 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €199
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
Consumption: technical data for the version (sources at the bottom of the guide).
- Insurance€102
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€26
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€308
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Subaru Forester V — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Test cold starting and starting after several days standing: owners report 12 V batteries going flat.
- Extended test drive: the CVT holds high revs under acceleration; check for any jerking or abnormal noises.
- Ask for the service book and invoices, especially the gearbox oil changes.
- Have the Subaru network check whether any recalls for the vehicle (serial number) have been carried out.
- Check that all equipment (screen, driver assistance systems) works properly during the test drive.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the 12 V battery already been replaced, and why?
- Has servicing always been done within the Subaru network? Do you have the invoices?
- What average fuel consumption do you record day to day?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota RAV4
V · since 2019
- Price
- €26,700 – €45,300
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Photo: Areaseven, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kia Sportage
IV · 2016–2021
- Price
- €12,000 – €17,200
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hyundai Tucson
IV · since 2020
- Price
- €17,700 – €35,000
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0
Subaru XV
II · 2017–2023
- Price
- €15,000 – €24,000
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Subaru Forester V (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Was the Subaru Forester V ever sold with a petrol-only engine in France?
Not according to L'Argus: at its French launch in 2019, the Forester was offered with a single engine, the e-Boxer (2.0 petrol with 150 hp combined with a 17 hp electric motor).
What is the Euro NCAP rating of the Forester?
5 stars in 2019 (adults 97%, children 91%, vulnerable road users 80%, safety assist 78%), for the European e-Boxer version.
What is the boot capacity of the Forester?
509 litres, and up to 1,779 litres with the rear seats folded, according to the technical data sheet from L'Argus.
Found a listing?
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