2019 Subaru Forester — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2019 Subaru Forester is an SUV powered by a 2.5L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine. It returns around 35 mpg (UK) / 29 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Subaru Forester workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2018 Subaru Forester: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 35 mpg (UK) combined. No longer listed: 2L 4-cyl turbo. It carries the same 5★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 2.5L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S7) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Length | 4450 mm |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 35 combined / 31 urban / 40 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 29 combined / 26 city / 33 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 193 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 6 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,300 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2019 Subaru Forester, all with the 2.5L 4-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 35 | 29 (26/33) | 193 | $2,300 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2019 Subaru Forester
Running Costs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2019 Subaru Forester at 35 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,039 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2019 Subaru Forester Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2019 Subaru Forester (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Suspension (1), Engine and engine cooling (1), Steering (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Suspension — campaign 21V263000, reported 15 April 2021. Risk: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Engine and engine cooling — campaign 19V856000, reported 2 December 2019. Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
- Steering — campaign 19V065000, reported 6 February 2019. Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners have filed 833 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Subaru Forester. The most-reported areas are Visibility/wiper (370), Unspecified (144), Electrical system (134). Complaints include 37 reported crashes, 11 reported fires, 21 reported injuries, 1 reported death. That is well above the median of 208 complaints across the 17 Subaru Forester model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2019 Subaru Forester
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Visibility (370 owner complaints) — Check wipers, washers and demisters work properly.
- Electrical system (134 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Engine (106 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Suspension (1 recall campaign) — Listen for knocks over bumps and check tyre wear for signs of alignment problems.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Subaru Forester compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 35 mpg figure is 8 mpg better than that average. Its 193 g/km CO₂ figure is 60 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Subaru models in our database average about 33 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2019 Subaru Forester's 35 mpg is 2 mpg above that make average. Its 193 g/km CO₂ figure is 13 g/km lower than the 206 g/km Subaru average.
Of the 17 Subaru Forester model years we cover, the 2019 is the most economical on its best configuration (35 mpg UK combined). See every Subaru Forester year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2019 Subaru Forester
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2019 Subaru Forester have?
It's fitted with a 2.5L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (av-s7) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Subaru Forester?
The most efficient configuration returns around 35 mpg (UK) combined, or 29 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2019 Subaru Forester cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2019 Subaru Forester have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 5 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2019 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2019 Subaru Forester (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Suspension (1), Engine and engine cooling (1), Steering (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2019 Subaru Forester?
Among the 833 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Visibility/wiper (370 complaints), Unspecified (144 complaints), Electrical system (134 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Subaru Forester's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 35 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.