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Forbes Says Subaru Forester Most Likely to Run For Over 250,000 Miles

Forbes says the new Subaru Forester is one of the top 5 vehicles to run for more than 250,000 miles. What makes it more reliable than others?

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Forbes has compiled a list of the top 10 cars most likely to run over 250,000 miles. It's not a surprise that a Subaru made the list. The Subaru Forester SUV made the top 5 vehicles list that is most-reliable and able to pile up the miles according to Forbes.

Subarus are known to go this many miles and more, and one thing you’ll notice about their owners, is how long they hang on to them. Like a badge of honor, they watch the odometer to see it roll over the 100,000 mile and then 200,000 mile marks and beyond. Many Subaru owners consider their car a member of the family and wouldn’t dare get rid of them, and according to Subaru, 96 percent of all Subaru cars built in the last 12 years are still on the road today. Forbes found this to be true.

How Forbes came up with the list

To determine which new cars would be the most likely to reach 250,000 miles and beyond, they combed the predicted reliability ratings for new vehicles published annually by Consumer Reports. The report is based on subscriber surveys received for over 1 million vehicles from the 2005 through 2014 model years. They take into consideration 17 potential problem areas, from major engine components, drivetrain, brakes and even paint, trim and interior accessories. Forbes narrowed down the highest-ranked cars according to which models Consumer Reports specifically recommends from their own road tests and owner satisfaction surveys. The Subaru Forester ranks in the top 5 of all vehicles.

Subaru Forester #5

The Forester is Subaru’s number one selling vehicle around the globe and its made at the Japanese automaker’s plant in Gunma, Japan. The popular small SUV received a Consumer Reports reliability rating of 62 percent above the average vehicle for reliability. Forester is popular with families because of its all-weather capabilities and its utility. Many fans mod their Forester and there are off-road clubs for adventure enthusiasts.

What else sets the Forester apart?

Subaru uses a unique engine design called "the boxer", and it sits at the heart of every Subaru vehicle. The name comes from the way the pistons move. In most cars, pistons move up and down. In the boxer engine, the pistons move horizontally, like a boxer punching. The advantages are many. The Subaru Boxer engines' unique design provides less vibration, and the major components stay lubricated reducing wear and friction compared to “dry starting” Inline and V-type engines. Think of it like a roll-on deodorant where you have to get the ball wet by rolling it before it works. The Subaru Boxer stays lubricated and there is less friction when initially starting the vehicle.

What cars made the Forbes top ten list? Go to Page 2

Here’s Forbes’ list of most likely vehicles to run for over 250,000 miles with their Consumer Reports Reliability Rating from 10th place to number one. Toyota Sienna (55), Lexus RX 350/450h (57), Mazda6 (57), Volkswagen Passat (59), Audi Allroad (61), Subaru Forester (62), Toyota Prius/Plug-In Prius (63), Lexus ES 350/450h (63), Toyota Camry/Camry Hybrid (66), and Scion xB (81).

Subaru Forester owners are the most loyal automobile owners in the world because they know their car is dependable and they can count on their multi-use vehicle to take them anywhere they want to go. It’s not a surprise that the Subaru Forester SUV is in the top 5 cars most likely to go more than 250,000 miles.

Photo credit: Subaru

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Comments

Teresa Lafferty (not verified)    May 15, 2017 - 2:17AM

Mine has 242,500+ and still going. Need some love and brakes, ac, u joints, and a muffler....But it will probably go another 50k.

Joe Hellox (not verified)    May 15, 2017 - 7:25PM

2003, 207,000 mile.
Everything works as it should, including AC, electric windows, doors, remote. Consumes very little oil. I use Mobil 1synthrtic every 4k

Vienna (not verified)    May 16, 2017 - 1:32AM

I own a 1997 Forrester 280.000 on the clock still running strong great little SUV it's been in my family for 15 years and I won't be letting her go. Everything is still in great working order. May just need a touch up paint job as I live by the sea and the clear coat is peeling

John Frame (not verified)    May 20, 2017 - 2:08AM

Just took delivery of new 2017 Forester XT. My first Subaru. So far, I love it! I'm looking forward to many many years and miles ahead of us.

Now all need to do is find a buyer for my 2006 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro. I still love it too, but I needed something with more interior room and the modern safety technology. Alas, Audis have gotten a lot more expensive over the last decade. My fully loaded 2017 Forester XT Touring model was nearly $10K less than a 2016 Audi Q5 demonstrator with less equipment and 5200 miles on it. More bang for the buck from the Subi!

Scrappy (not verified)    April 5, 2018 - 1:42PM

In reply to by Charlie (not verified)

According to Subaru
-Not as many made
-Most are bought w/ the higher performance engine options

My *guess* is it's the latter that accounts for the difference? And maybe...the owners. Different demographic buys those two models.

jazz man (not verified)    April 12, 2018 - 12:21AM

I had 230k when I finally got tired of my 1997 legacy wagon. Engine did not burn any oil but it began to have differential problems and too expensive to fix. Have a 2013 Legacy now which has same drive train and engine as the Forester. No reason why the Legacy won't outdo the Forester for longevity. I also have three Mazdas and they've been very reliable (so far). The trend seems to be the Japanese manufacturers are producing very reliable cars--thats toyota, mazda, subaru, nissan, honda (not mitsubishi or suzuki). European cars cost too much to fix if you keep them forever. The big 3 American makes seem to develop more problems over the long haul. Like the Europeans, they're fine for leasing but if you're a keeper like me, stick with Japanese. (doesn't matter if they're manufactured here or Timbuktu).

Suzuki B. Good (not verified)    August 15, 2021 - 3:56PM

In reply to by jazz man (not verified)

Jazz man, your comment that Japanese cars are reliable, but "not mitsubishi or suzuki" is counter to my experience. My 230k mile 2004 Subaru has been a great car, but by far my most reliable cars have been Suzukis. I have owned 4 Suzukis -- 2 motorcycles & 2 cars, and all have been absurdly reliable. I still own the 1996 Geo Tracker (rebadged Suzuki Sidekick) that I bought new 25 years ago, and it has never had a repair other than normal maintenance (brakes, fluids, a clutch after 20 years...) Great minimalist cars with no frills and not much to break, it's too bad nothing like it exists anymore in the US market.

CC (not verified)    June 18, 2018 - 3:43PM

Just bought a 2006 Suburu Forester with 90,100 miles on it and am glad to read the aforementioned emails. Wondering if any of you had Suburu do the repairs that their recalls addressed? Thank you.

Teresa Lafferty (not verified)    June 18, 2018 - 7:18PM

Mine has 248000 miles. It finally needs a big ticket item. ..a transmission. I have haulef it full of camping gear one too many times. she had been a great car. Anyone need a 1998 Red Forrester? Needs A/C, too. Too big a risk for me to trust the old AWD. No problems yet with the wheels. One is making a noise on the right front. I really loved that car. Drives great, useful as can be. Can carry all my stuff. I want a new one.

PA Steve (not verified)    August 14, 2023 - 5:08PM

I had to trade in my 2000 Subaru Legacy after 299,400 miles for s 2011 Subaru Legacy. I have 317,000 miles on it so far. I plan to trade it in for a Subaru Forester in September.
Had to replace the CVT transmission at 250k.