Used 2012 Subaru Forester Base for sale 

Four trims make up the Subaru Forester. These are namely Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring. Except for Limited and Touring, the transmission choices for the Forester include a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Some of the standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, metallic-tone accents, engine immobilizer, cruise control, keyless entry with panic alarm, etc. 

Buying Advice

The Premium attracts buyers as it adds some premium exterior looks including chrome door handles and black roof rails. The interior and infotainment features are also upgraded adding Bluetooth and smartphone integration. Also, we recommend you choose manual transmission if you favor better fuel economy. 

Two engines are on offer for the Subaru Forester. All the trims come standard with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine that makes 170 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The Premium and Touring trims have the option of a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 224 horsepower and 226 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic is available for the boxer engine while the turbocharged engine is only left with the automatic transmission. 

On the pavement, the agility provided by the available turbocharged engine but budget-minded buyers will find the naturally aspirated engine sufficient. The Forester’s horizontally-opposed boxer engine is set low in the chassis which teams with an independent rear suspension to provide car-like handling. Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive is standard. It transfers up to 100 % of the available power to the wheels with the best traction which helps both on and off-road. Also, waiting for off-road capability are Forester’s stiff body structure, direct steering, and considerable ground clearance. 

The Forester is the only SUV that has the best acceleration and marks a top speed of 150 mph. Closest to it is the Hyundai Tucson despite having 165 horses under its hood. The CVT-powered Nissan Rogue comes in third while the powerful Honda CR-V is the slowest SUV in this competition. 

To deliver that uninterrupted performance on the road and exciting off-road adventures, the Subaru Forester burns more juice than its rivals. Hence, this SUV is not a fuel-friendly SUV. In the cities, the Forester returns 21 mpg while the highway figure is estimated to be 27 mpg. A combined range of 405 miles is delivered when the vehicle is loaded with 16.9 gallons of fuel. 

As expected from a Honda engine, it sucks less juice to deliver a respectable performance. Next in line is the Nissan Rogue with a combined mpg of 25. Compared to the above two rivals, the Forester and the Hyundai Tucson have an average fuel efficiency. On the other hand, the Honda CR-V offers a class-leading driving range of 413 miles. 

Getting in and out of the Forester is easy and front-seat occupants have plenty of room. The driver enjoys an upright seating position with excellent all-round visibility. In the second row, the legroom is plentiful and the seats are wide and comfortable. In all the trims, the second-row seats recline. The cargo room behind the rear seats is a respectable 33.5 cubic feet. Fold the seats down and capacity expands to 68.3 cubic feet. The cargo areas were made all the more useful by a wide opening rear liftgate and a rubberized floor that keeps objects from sliding around. 

The Forester gets all the praises for its spacious interior. This SUV is perfect for six-footers. The Nissan Rogue offers just 35.3 inches of rear legroom. The Honda CR-V is the most practical SUV followed by the Forester. With just 25.7 cubic feet, the Hyundai Tucson offers the least cargo capacity. 

How intuitive is the 2012 Subaru Forester’s infotainment system?

Inside, the Forester features gauges that are colorful and easy to read while audio climate controls are configured in a logical manner. The interface is easy to understand. You have to opt for an optional package to get access to the navigation system. The screen is small so finding the directions is not that easy. A sound system with four or six speakers is provided depending on the trim level. Some of the other features include:

• HD radio
• USB port
• SiriusXM
• Speed sensitive volume control
• AM/FM stereo
• CD player

The Subaru Forester is less wagon and more of a modern crossover. A large rille, hawkeye headlights, and a tall stance give the Forester the aggressive look of an SUV. Fog lights and rear spoiler give turbocharged XT models an even sportier look. The optional chrome handles and exhaust tips add a bit of fresh bling to the exterior. 

The Nissan Rogue flaunts the widest wheelbase of 105.9 inches but it’s the Subaru Forester that is more spacious. At 173.2 inches, the Hyundai Tucson is the shortest SUV in this segment. Also, Forester’s 8.7-inch ground clearance makes it easy for off-roading ventures. 

A total of four out of five stars was given to the new Subaru Forester by NHTSA and it also received a ‘Top Safety Pick’ designation by IIHS for its appreciable performance in all the crash tests. The rear visibility of the Forester is really good. Its unobstructed sightlines help drivers back up, change lanes and venture off-road. Advanced safety features are missing in the Forester. The only features available are:

• Vehicle Stability Control
• Traction Control
• Tire-Pressure Monitoring System
• Anti-Lock brakes

If you like your SUV to combine true utility with city maneuverability and reasonable gas mileage, the Subaru Forester may be the vehicle for you. In case if you are looking for V6 or V8 power, room for seven, or a rear-seat DVD player, the Forester can’t deliver.