What is the best year for a Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2023 Crosstrek stands out with only 32 complaints, a 10/10 NHTSA safety score, and just 4 severe issues — the cleanest year in its recent history. Avoid the 2019 model, which had 276 complaints. The 2023–2025 window represents the most refined version currently available on the used market.

How much does Subaru Crosstrek insurance cost?

The Crosstrek averages about $1,968/year to insure — roughly $164/month — making it one of the more affordable subcompact SUVs to insure. Its strong safety ratings and low theft profile keep rates competitive across most driver profiles.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek or Honda HR-V cheaper to maintain?

The HR-V is cheaper by about $191/year — $301 versus $492 for the Crosstrek. The HR-V also leads on reliability (10 vs. 9) and major repair probability (5% vs. 7%). The Crosstrek's counterargument is standard AWD, which the HR-V doesn't offer — a meaningful difference depending on where and how you drive.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Subaru Crosstrek?

Probably not. A 7% major repair probability and 13% repair frequency both sit below the subcompact segment average, and a 9/10 reliability score puts it in low-risk territory. If buying a 2019 model used, some coverage is worth considering given elevated complaints that year — otherwise, self-insuring makes more financial sense.

Is the Subaru Forester expensive to maintain?

The Forester costs $632/year to maintain — $111 above the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 37% is above the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 7 is below the class average of 8, and major repair probability of 13% is above the 11% norm. It trails the compact class average on every ownership-cost metric.

What is the best year for a Subaru Forester?

The 2024 Forester (28 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) is the standout year — the best on record. Avoid 2014 (402 complaints, 53 severe) and 2018-2019 (483 and 831 complaints respectively), which coincide with documented engine oil consumption and EyeSight recall issues. The 2022-2024 window shows significant improvement.

How much does Subaru Forester insurance cost?

Forester insurance averages about $2,035/year — roughly $170/month.

Is the Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $203/year cheaper — $429 versus $632 for the Forester, over $1,000 in savings over five years. The RAV4 also has higher reliability (8 vs. 7), lower major repair probability (10% vs. 13%), and lower repair frequency (26% vs. 37%). The RAV4 has a significant advantage on every maintenance metric.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Subaru Forester?

Reliability score of 7, major repair probability of 13%, and repair frequency of 37% — all above the compact class average — make extended warranty worth considering, particularly for 2014-2019 models with severe documented complaint spikes. For 2022 and newer, the risk profile improves substantially but still trails the class average.

Subaru Crosstrek vs Subaru Forester

Two subcompact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Subaru Crosstrek — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

Buy the Subaru Forester if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Subaru Crosstrek	Subaru Forester
Annual maintenance	$492winner	$632
5-year total cost	$2,460winner	$3,160
Reliability score	9 / 10winner	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	7%winner	13%
Cargo space	54.7 cu ft	74.4 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$27,600winner	$29,600
Best years to buy	2021	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Subaru Crosstrek	Subaru Forester
RepairPal score	9 / 10winner	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	—	172.2
Years to avoid	2018, 2019, 2023	2013, 2018, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	90.5%winner	86.9%
Value retained · 5 yr	71.2%winner	67.5%
Value retained · 7 yr	59.5%winner	54.4%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Subaru Crosstrek	Subaru Forester
Engine	10.7%winner	13.3%
Electrical	10.1%	8.0%winner
ADAS	10.4%winner	10.6%
Brakes	1.6%winner	3.8%
Suspension	1.0%winner	4.2%
Steering	3.1%	1.8%winner
Fuel system	—winner	1.6%
Tires/Wheels	2.2%	1.5%winner
Glass/Windows	33.0%	24.4%winner
Airbags	1.4%winner	10.4%
Lighting	2.5%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Subaru Crosstrek	Subaru Forester
Avg annual premium	$1,968winner	$2,035

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Subaru Crosstrek

$492/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Subaru Forester

$632/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

At $492/year the Crosstrek sits just $26 above the subcompact segment average of $466 — essentially at par on sticker cost. Where it distinguishes itself is frequency: a 13% repair rate versus the segment average of 20% means fewer unscheduled shop visits per year. Combined with a 7% major repair probability (below the 9% class average) and a 9/10 reliability score, it's a strong long-term ownership choice.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →