Joseph Weaver If you are in the market for a used SUV and have landed on a 2010 Subaru Forester, then you might be wondering if it’s a good car. In this article, we will explore the features, performance, reliability, and safety of the 2010 Subaru Forester to help you decide if it’s the right car for you.
Key Takeaways
- The 2010 Subaru Forester is a reliable SUV that offers excellent handling and all-wheel drive to take on rough terrain.
- It comes with a spacious cabin, good cargo capacity, and a fuel-efficient engine.
- However, it has a few downsides, including a firm suspension, limited towing capacity, and poor fuel economy in the turbocharged version.
Features
The 2010 Subaru Forester comes in five trim levels: 2.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5X Limited, 2.5XT Premium, and 2.5XT Limited. The 2.5X and 2.5X Premium trims come with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine that produces 170 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. The 2.5X Limited, 2.5XT Premium, and 2.5XT Limited trims come with a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 224 horsepower and 226 lb-ft of torque.
All trims come with standard all-wheel drive and a 5-speed manual transmission. However, the 2.5X Premium, 2.5X Limited, and 2.5XT Premium trims have an optional 4-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.5XT Limited has a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Other features include:
- 16-inch wheels (2.5X and 2.5X Premium)
- 17-inch wheels (2.5X Limited, 2.5XT Premium, and 2.5XT Limited)
- Power windows and locks
- Air conditioning
- CD player
- Auxiliary audio jack
- Satellite radio (2.5X Premium and above)
- Bluetooth connectivity (2.5X Premium and above)
- Heated front seats (2.5X Limited and above)
Performance
The 2010 Subaru Forester is known for its excellent handling and all-wheel drive, which makes it ideal for driving on rough terrain. It has a smooth and refined ride, but its suspension is firm, which can be uncomfortable on bumpy roads.
The non-turbocharged engine is fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The turbocharged engine, however, has poorer fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
The towing capacity of the 2010 Subaru Forester is limited to 2,400 pounds, which is lower than other SUVs in its class.
Reliability
The 2010 Subaru Forester has a good reputation for reliability, with a score of 4.5 out of 5 from J.D. Power. It is also listed as a recommended used SUV by Consumer Reports.
Safety
The 2010 Subaru Forester has excellent safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It has a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.
Safety features include:
- Antilock brakes
- Stability control
- Front-seat side airbags
- Side curtain airbags
- Hill descent control (2.5X Limited and above)
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent handling and all-wheel drive
- Spacious cabin and cargo capacity
- Fuel-efficient non-turbocharged engine
- Good reliability ratings
- Excellent safety ratings
Cons:
- Firm suspension
- Limited towing capacity
- Poor fuel economy in turbocharged version
FAQ
Is the 2010 Subaru Forester reliable?
Yes, the 2010 Subaru Forester has a good reputation for reliability.
Is the 2010 Subaru Forester fuel-efficient?
The non-turbocharged engine is fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. However, the turbocharged engine has poorer fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
Does the 2010 Subaru Forester have all-wheel drive?
Yes, all trims of the 2010 Subaru Forester come standard with all-wheel drive.
What is the towing capacity of the 2010 Subaru Forester?
The towing capacity of the 2010 Subaru Forester is limited to 2,400 pounds.
Does the 2010 Subaru Forester have good safety ratings?
Yes, the 2010 Subaru Forester has excellent safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
