A future classic? Subaru’s Forester was the gold standard SUV

David Ross, Editor
Fri, 10 Jul 2026

Even your mum knows what an SUV is these days, which is a good thing or a shocking snapshot of the decline of the new car market depending on your point of view.

But if we can leave aside the horror of inflated bodies taking up too much road space and creating blind spots for other road users for a moment, we can acknowledge that the basic concept is sound – when done right.

We need to wind the clock back to the mid-1990s, when Toyota’s segment-busting RAV4 was still in its first generation. The majority of SUVs were still agricultural devices, but the baby RAV4 had shown there was another way. Subaru had the smart of idea of taking the Impreza platform with its four-wheel-drive and sticking a station wagon body on top.

The result was the Forester SF, which went a little under the radar in the UK, the limelight still hogged by its hatchback relation. But in 2002 the second generation SG Forester arrived and thanks to some useful upgrades it absolutely hit the sweet spot. 

It rode on a version of the second generation Impreza platform which was significantly stiffer and heavier than before, but employed some weight-saving trickery to keep the scales from tipping over. The engine range was also shared with the Impreza, so while there was a vaguely sensible 2.0-litre naturally aspirated version, it was the turbocharged 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions that really made the Forester fly.

A robust four-wheel-drive system meant reliable traction and secure handling for something of this size and shape, while the raised ride height and body cladding meant it was good for a reasonable level of off-road excursion – far more than the majority of buyers would need.

Despite this it still drove with the vigour and fun factor that would be recognisable if you’d ever stepped behind the wheel of an Impreza. The low centre of gravity considering its tall body was quite unlike any of its rivals, but it still had the practicality and hardiness that you could chuck any combination of children, dogs and rubbish in it without any stress.

Its replacement, the SH, arrived in 2008, but by then Subaru had succumbed to the approach that everyone else was taking and it became more of a crossover than a station wagon riding on a hatchback platform. Fine vehicles they may have been, but it is the SG version that will be remembered as the sweet spot.

Another important part of its appeal is that the Forester SG is tough. Yes there are known problems and it’s not bulletproof – nor rustproof, sadly – but find a good one, look after it and it will keep going as long as you need it to.

Any car that might have had a sniff of mud or water needs a thorough investigation underneath. Subframes, arches and sills are all susceptible, particularly if previous owners have ventured into the wilderness without a thorough cleaning afterwards.

But the mechanicals are strong, proven on the rally stage of course, so a good maintenance record should give you confidence. Turbocharged models like to be woken gently from cold and a regular cambelt change is essential, but isn’t as expensive as you might think. Gearboxes are tough and again regular oil changes will help keep them in top condition.

The suspension and engine are also strong, but components like bushes and CV joints will eventually give out over time so get underneath if you can to check for leaks and a good poke around. Turbo models have self-levelling rear suspension which can give up, but there are decent quality replacements outside of the Subaru network.

Finding a used one is not too difficult, but you need to decide what you’re looking for. There are plenty of exceptionally lairy STis that have been imported and tuned to the max, but they do attract a certain kind of owner. 

More sensible options wear X, XT or XTE badges and those that remain tend to be well cared for. We found a handful of late 2008 versions all with under 100,000 miles and good specifications for £6000 to £9000, which is respectable money for something with another decade to go if cared for.

The Forester’s following may be dwarfed by the size of the Impreza’s fan base, but it’s worth remembering how much the two have in common – it’s just that the Forester is happy to keep quiet about its abilities rather than shouting about them. Discreet, immensely capable and still fun to drive, it’s a wonderful piece of kit that will only become more desirable.