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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $19,200–$24,080 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2012 Subaru Forester at 6.8/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.8/10, while Technology at 5.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.6/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 7.8/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 5.5/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 5.5/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $19,200–$24,080, 15 MPG, seating 5, the Subaru Forester sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. The 7.3/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2012 Subaru Forester is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance and technology hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Subaru Forester ranks #2205 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 10% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.6 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $19,200 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 47%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $25k →
Across the Forester model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.9/10 | $34,705 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.9/10 | $34,705 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $33,695 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $32,684 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $31,673 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.7/10 | $30,662 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $29,651 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $28,640 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | $27,629 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $26,619 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.4/10 | $25,608 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.4/10 | $24,597 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 09/01/2019 · 19V008000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of… |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 09/01/2019 · 19V007000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana,… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 09/01/2019 · 19V009000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa,… |
| Electrical system / Ignition / Switch 11/04/2019 · 19V297000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 10/01/2017 · 17V014000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states… |
Showing 5 of 15 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2012 Subaru Forester's reliability 7.6/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 15 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
15 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 6.8/10 overall, ranking #2205 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 10% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2012 Subaru Forester starts at $19,200 and ranges up to $24,080 across trims (MSRP when new). At 15 MPG, expect roughly $3,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Subaru models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
