carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $24,597–$30,779 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2015 Subaru Forester at 7.4/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Performance at 5.9/10 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 8.1/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The 8.5/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance at 5.9/10 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 6.2/10 — 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 $24,597–$30,779, 20 MPG, seating 5, the Subaru Forester sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. The 7.7/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 11 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 2015 Subaru Forester is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in technology and performance 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 2015 Subaru Forester ranks #1166 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 53% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $24,597 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 32%.
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 2015 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 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $24,597 |
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.
| Exterior lighting / Brake lights / Switch 28/02/2019 · 19V149000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the… |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification 03/10/2019 · 19V701000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen. |
| Engine and engine cooling / Engine / Gasoline / Turbo/supercharger 21/03/2016 · 16V162000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2015 Subaru Forester's reliability 8.1/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 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 7.4/10 overall, ranking #1166 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 53% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2015 Subaru Forester starts at $24,597 and ranges up to $30,779 across trims (MSRP when new). At 20 MPG, expect roughly $2,625/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Subaru models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.