When you’re thinking about buying a pre-owned car or truck, safety is top of your mind. How do you know the Subaru Forester you’re thinking about is really going to be reliable and safe enough to drive your family around in on a daily basis?
How safe is the 2020 Subaru Forester?
The 2020 Subaru Forester received a 5-Start Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA and the highest possible score of “Good” from IIHS. Combine this with a 4.75-Star Owner and 4.6/10 Expert Review from Vehicle History, and you have a strong option.
While this information is quite helpful in making a buying decision, there’s more to know about the safety rating and overall safety features on board this vehicle. We’ll break that down for you here, giving you the ability to buy with confidence.
2020 Subaru Forester Crash Test Rating
Crash tests are an excellent predictor of how safe a car or truck is. These organizations put these vehicles through numerous tests to find out what happens in a collision. That’s good news for us – it tells us what to expect. Here are the results for the Forester.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Test Results
The IIHS performs a number of tests on a vehicle to determine its safety rating. In crashworthiness, the 2020 Subaru Forester did well, receiving the highest level of “Good” across the board. That’s in areas such as the roof, front impact, and head restraint protection.
In crash avoidance testing, it gave the optional upgraded headlights just an “Acceptable” rating, which is slightly lower. Front crash prevention, both vehicle-to-vehicle, and vehicle-to-pedestrian scored a “Superior” rating from IIHS. The LATCH ease of use is “Good” as well.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Test Results
The NHTSA provides a strong safety rating for the 2020 Subaru Forester with a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating. The vehicle gets a full 5-star rating across the board in Overall Front Star Rating and in Side Crash Star Rating, with no marks down in terms of performance.
The only area of some concern is in the Rollover rating. The NHTSA only gives the Forester a 4-Star rating here. While the dynamic tip test did not result in the vehicle flipping over, they did assign a Rollover Risk of 16.9%, which is higher than others in its class.
Available Safety Tech on the 2020 Subaru Forester
Technology is making it easier to drive a vehicle with fewer risks. Sensors located around the car can make it possible for the car to steer you out of the way in some cases. This is done through driver assist and safety features like these on the Forester.
EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is the heart of the tech on this vehicle. It is a suite of features that make it possible for the vehicle to reduce collision incidents. Subaru notes that this tech has reduced the rate of rear-end crashes with injuries by 85%.
It does it through features such as these:
Pre-Collision Braking
If there is a potential collision risk, the vehicle automatically applies the brakes to slow the vehicle. It can also apply the full braking force in an emergency, allowing drivers to completely avoid a collision even if they are not paying attention.
Pre-Collision Throttle Management
Another way it protects is by controlling the function of the powertrain in the cases where there is a risk of colliding with something. The vehicle automatically reduces the power from the engine and, in doing so, may help to minimize the impact force and frontal damage.
Lane Keep Assist and Sway Warning
This feature monitors where you are on the road. It uses the line markings on the street to keep you inside of them. If you move outside of these marked lanes, the vehicle will alert you and, if necessary, steer the vehicle back into the right lane gently.
Adaptive Cruise Control
When you’re on the highway and conditions change – such as the driver in front of you suddenly slowing down. Adaptive Cruise Control helps to minimize risks. It will slow down the car to keep the predetermined distance between you and others in front of you even when traffic changes.
In the advanced version of cruise control, you can choose the amount of distance you want to stay behind another driver.
Here’s What Other People Also Ask About the Subaru Forester
Here are a few of the frequently asked questions about the Subaru Forester that you may be thinking about and the answers to them.
Is the Subaru Forester a safe car?
The answer here is yes. With the top-ratings listed by IIHS and NHTSA, it’s a good performer. It also has key features, like automatic emergency braking, that are standard (not all EyesSight Driver Assist Technology is, though).
What type of problems do Foresters have?
There have been a few problems with the engine (in the 2017 model year) and concerns with the airbags deploying properly in previous models. Other concerns include the electrical system, steering, and electronic stability control of the vehicle.
How many miles can a Subaru Forester last?
This vehicle requires solid maintenance and upkeep. There are some notes from previous owners that say their vehicle reached 200,000 miles before needing any significant repairs. Others report more miles than this, but it all comes down to taking care of the car.
Is the Subaru tech package on all trim models?
This changes from year to year. On the 2020 model lineup, there are many standard features, including most EyeSight driving safety features. However, optional upgrades are available, including to the tech but also the vehicle’s tires, headlights, and other exterior features. Check the specs of the vehicle before buying.
Ready to Buy That Pre-Owned Subaru? Not Yet – Consider the Real Safety
There’s more to know before you buy your next vehicle. At Vehicle History, we’re working with other organizations to compile insights from experts and owners to give you a clear picture. Better yet, it’s a free tool – check out the 2021 Subaru Forester’s Vehicle History.
