Skip to main content

What Would Subaru Do Without The Forester?

Subaru of America would be in trouble without the Subaru Forester compact SUV. Check out the current and recent sales performance of Subaru's hottest model and then see where it's going next. 
2024 Subaru Forester

What is going on with the Subaru Forester? It's the sizzling hot model in Subaru of America's (SOA) all-wheel-drive lineup. I've been saying it for over a year now. The Forester compact SUV now has 14 straight months of yearly month-over-month growth. It's the smokin' hot Forester that leads the way for SOA. 

Check out what happened in April, and then I'll dive into the past fourteen months. And the best is on the way. 

The Main Highlight For April Is Forester

The hot Subaru Forester compact SUV remains the top nameplate in SOA's all-wheel-drive lineup. The Forester is the top-performing Subaru model again, and it's not slowing down ahead of the all-new next-generation 2025 model. 

In April, the Forester remained the top seller, with 17,850 vehicles sold, a massive 85 percent increase compared to 9,651 models delivered in April 2023. 

The hot Forester has the highest percentage increase year to date of any Subaru nameplate. SOA sold 66,396 Forester models in the first four months, compared with 40,059 in 2023, and is up 65.8 percent for the year. 

No Other Subaru Model Can Touch This 

Let's review what I call a fantastic run for the Forester compact SUV. The last time that the Forester was down in sales was February 2023, when it dropped 10.9 %. Since then, it's been on an impressive fourteen-month sales run of continual increases. 

Here is When The Amazing Run Started: the Forester Sales In 2023

  • March +56.2 %
  • April +57.4%
  • May +92.5 %
  • June +34.2%
  • July +87.5%
  • August +45.9%
  • September +48.6%
  • October +29.5%
  • November +63.8%
  • December +15.7%

And It Continues In 2024 

  • January +24.8%
  • February +48.4%
  • March +105%
  • April +85 %

What Would Subaru Do Without The Forester? 

Troy Poston, Senior Vice President of Sales at Subaru of America, says, "As new models make their way to our retailers, we are confident that customers will be able to find Subaru vehicles like the Forester that continue to be the industry's top-rated models for safety even as the bar continues to be raised."

Speaking Of Safety

In the latest updated front crash prevention test from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2024 Forester is rated the best among compact SUVs. It's the only small SUV with the highest "Good" score. Read my report here. 

My takeaway from Subaru Forester sales is that Forester has been keeping SOA on an upward trend for at least fourteen months. Without the compact SUV, SOA may have been in the red a few times. Instead, it's in the black.

I've observed that the hot Forester is the most impressive model in the all-wheel-drive lineup. The 85% increase in April and the 65.8% increase for the year is by far the best performance of any SOA nameplate. 

But Wait, There's More Coming

What's next for Subaru? And as I reported in my recent Subaru sales performance report, the Forester compact SUV could get even hotter. The all-new, remodeled next-generation Forester arrives this spring with considerable upgrades over the 2024 model.

A New Forester Hybrid Could Launch It To New Heights

The redesigned 2025 Forester arrives soon, but a year from now, a new Forester Hybrid will make its U.S. debut. That could propel the Forester further up the mountain with outdoor enthusiasts. Check out my recent report here. 

Overall, before the new Forester arrives, I would give the Subaru Forester an A. With a Forester Hybrid, I'll give it an A+. 

What About You?

What grade would you give the Subaru Forester? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru Forester sales performance story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

Watch 2025 Subaru Forester | From Consumer Reports

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News and Subaru reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time. 

Please share the article with friends, and post X to your followers! 

Photo credit: Subaru

Automotive News
Electric Vehicle News and Reviews
Subaru
Subaru Forester News

Comments

Jim P. (not verified)    May 3, 2024 - 7:12AM

Permalink

In April I got my 12th Surbaru which happens to be my second Forester(back to back). This one, a 2024 Forester Touring and it’s a beauty.

Jim P.

Luc Tremblay (not verified)    May 3, 2024 - 8:42AM

Permalink

Bonjour,
J’en suis à mon 3ième produit Subaru (Impreza, Crosstrek et Forester), je suis très satisfait de ces véhicules très fiables, construction solide, économie d’essence, valeur de revente. Je recommande très fortement l’achat ou location des produits Subaru.

Robyn Z (not verified)    May 3, 2024 - 9:41PM

Permalink

This isn't hard to figure out. No one likes the looks of the new Explorester, and for darn sure, everybody wants to grab the last model Subaru that still has a decently functional screen and actual buttons and knobs that control things. I'm hoping my '19 will last til I die.

David C (not verified)    May 4, 2024 - 5:21PM

Permalink

Our 2024 Forester with the Premium trim package replaces our 2006 Forester, which we bought new. The older Forester was our “go to” car in snow and we are sure the DNA of our new one will not disappoint in this regard. The new Forester is everything we could have hoped for. All the reports of stodgy engine performance do not hold true for our family. We love it! Form, fit and function is what it is all about…A++!

Gordon Mooneyhan (not verified)    May 4, 2024 - 6:08PM

Permalink

I got a new to me 2019 Forester about 10 weeks ago, and I started driving for Uber. I can't tell you how many people are amazed by how the car rides. I had a Lexus RX300 and the Subaru is head and shoulders above the Lexus.

Back when Subaru first came out with the Eye Sight, I was a mystery shopper and one of the assignments was to see how the salespeople were presenting the Eye Sight. It impressed me so much I said one day I will own a Subaru. Now that I own one, I'll never own anything else.

Ernie Roaza (not verified)    May 5, 2024 - 3:13PM

Permalink

I drove 8 Subies since 1988 with the Justy and the DL wagon. Went through 4 Outbacks and 2 Imprezas since then. Just got the Forester model for the first time (2024) and I must say it's the best overall model so far but will refrain final judgement until I drove it for at least 150,000 miles without breaking my bank.

Adrian (not verified)    May 6, 2024 - 5:23AM

Permalink

Brought my forester new in 2018 and still going strong. Only thing I find wrong is that the front cup holders could be placed better and both front seats did not have electric adjustment in the Touring model. Overall, a great car.

Richard (not verified)    May 8, 2024 - 8:08AM

Permalink

My 1st subaru is the 2017 forester xt which unfortunately has no replacement after subaru eliminated turbo charged version .. has its quirk as a road car due to suspension tuning more for a bit of wilderness but powerful for its class and against more expensive alternatives like same era mercedes glc-200, volvo x60 etc. at 350nm 240ish bhp. Sadly no more subaru forester for me without turbo. Cheers.