2020 Subaru Forester Buyer's Guide: Base vs Premium vs Limited vs Touring

The All-Weather Champion

The 2020 Subaru Forester represents the second year of Subaru's fifth-generation compact SUV, built on the Subaru Global Platform. This generation brought improved handling, a quieter cabin, and most importantly, a new 2.5L Boxer engine that finally eliminated the oil consumption concerns that plagued earlier models.

We analyzed 1,025 listings nationwide to identify fair pricing and common issues. Standard symmetrical all-wheel drive, available EyeSight safety technology, and Subaru's reputation for all-weather capability make the Forester a strong choice for buyers in challenging climates.

Trim Analysis: Breaking Down Your Options

Subaru offered five trims in 2020: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring. All use the same 2.5L Boxer four-cylinder engine (182 hp) with CVT transmission and symmetrical all-wheel drive. The differentiation comes through features, comfort, and technology.

EyeSight driver assistance is standard on Premium and above, optional on Base. This suite includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane departure warning. Given its value and safety benefits, most buyers should consider Premium as the practical entry point.

Premium: The Smart Choice

The Premium trim represents the sweet spot for most buyers. It adds EyeSight as standard equipment, a power moonroof, 10-way power driver's seat with memory, all-weather package with heated front seats, and upgraded cloth upholstery with orange stitching.

At $2,000-$3,000 over Base, Premium's additions are worth significantly more than the price difference. EyeSight alone is valued at $1,500+ and provides meaningful safety benefits. The Premium represents the largest inventory pool in the used market and offers excellent resale value.

Sport: For the Active Lifestyle

The Sport trim targets younger, outdoor-oriented buyers with exclusive styling: gloss black exterior accents, 18-inch black wheels, orange accents throughout, and sport-tuned suspension. It adds dual-function X-Mode for enhanced off-road capability.

Mechanically, Sport is identical to Premium—the $2,000 premium is primarily for appearance and X-Mode upgrade. If the styling appeals and you need the enhanced X-Mode, it's reasonable. Otherwise, Premium offers the same capability for less.

Limited and Touring: Premium Comfort

Limited adds leather upholstery, power liftgate, LED steering responsive headlights, and 8-way power passenger seat. Touring adds Harman Kardon premium audio, heated rear seats, and brown Nappa leather. Both include dual-function X-Mode.

These trims appeal to buyers who want compact SUV practicality with luxury features. They command significant premiums but depreciate slower in percentage terms. Consider them if comfort features genuinely matter to you.

Current Market Pricing: What You Should Actually Pay

Pricing varies significantly by geography. Outdoor recreation markets (Colorado, Pacific Northwest, New England) command 5-10% premiums due to strong Subaru demand. Sun Belt markets often offer better deals as AWD is less valued.

Pricing by Trim and Condition

Base Models: $18,000-$21,000 for 65,000-85,000 miles. Verify EyeSight equipment—some Base models lack it. Otherwise capable and reliable.

Premium Models: $21,000-$24,000 for 55,000-75,000 miles. The largest inventory segment. EyeSight standard. Best value proposition.

Sport Models: $23,000-$27,000 for 45,000-65,000 miles. Appeals to specific buyers. Holds value well in outdoor markets.

Limited Models: $27,000-$30,000 for 35,000-55,000 miles. Leather and power liftgate add convenience. Slower depreciation.

Reliability Analysis: What Actually Breaks

The 2020 Forester represents a reliability improvement over previous generations. The new 2.5L engine eliminated oil consumption concerns, and the Subaru Global Platform improved overall build quality. The CVT transmission has proven durable with proper maintenance.

Known Issues and Fixes

Windshield Cracking: Subaru windshields are notoriously susceptible to cracking from small impacts. This appears related to the steep windshield angle. Budget $400-$600 for potential replacement. Comprehensive insurance often covers this.

Infotainment Lag: The 8-inch STARLINK system can exhibit lag and occasional freezes. Software updates have improved but not eliminated this. Test thoroughly during purchase.

CVT Whine: Some owners notice a whining noise from the CVT under acceleration. This is normal operating characteristic for Subaru's CVT, not a defect. If concerning, test drive several examples to understand what's typical.

Driver Fatigue Monitoring False Alerts: The DriverFocus system occasionally gives false fatigue alerts. This is annoying but not a safety or reliability concern. It can be adjusted in settings.

What Doesn't Break

The 2.5L Boxer engine is fundamentally reliable with 200,000+ mile potential. The symmetrical AWD system is essentially bulletproof. Suspension components hold up well even with off-road use. The CVT lasts when properly maintained—fluid changes every 60,000 miles are critical.

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

• CVT Fluid Service: Verify CVT fluid was changed at 60,000 miles if applicable. Dealers can check service records. This maintenance is critical for CVT longevity.
• Windshield Inspection: Check for chips, cracks, or repairs. Budget for potential replacement given susceptibility.
• EyeSight Calibration: If windshield was replaced, verify EyeSight was recalibrated. Improper calibration affects system function.
• AWD Test: On loose surface, confirm all four wheels engage smoothly without vibration or unusual noise.
• Infotainment Test: Navigate through all functions. Pair phone via Bluetooth. Check Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Long-Term Ownership Costs

The Forester's ownership costs are moderate for the segment. Annual maintenance averages $450-$600. The 2.5L engine requires timing chain inspection around 150,000 miles ($1,500-$2,000 if replacement needed). CVT fluid changes run $150-$250 every 60,000 miles. Insurance averages $1,000-$1,400 annually.

Fuel costs at 29 MPG combined and 12,000 annual miles: approximately $1,450 at $3.50/gallon. This is competitive with similarly-sized SUVs.

Depreciation runs 7-10% annually for Premium trim. Subaru's strong reputation in outdoor markets helps residual values. Sport and Touring depreciate slightly slower in percentage terms.