The Subaru Forester is a practical SUV with full-time all-wheel drive as standard and good ground clearance. It suits rough roads, rain and gravel better than most car-based SUVs, and is popular in East Africa and hilly islands. The versions most often found at export prices are the fourth generation (SJ, 2012–2018), with the newer fifth generation (SK, 2018 onwards) also appearing.
Engines and Grades
- 2.0i: 2.0 petrol "boxer" engine with a CVT gearbox. The most common.
- 2.0i-L: better equipped.
- 2.0i-L EyeSight: adds EyeSight, Subaru's stereo-camera safety system (automatic braking, adaptive cruise).
- 2.0XT: turbo petrol, much faster. Uses more fuel.
Subaru's boxer engine sits low and flat, which helps stability.
What to Check
- CVT gearbox: ask about judder, whining or warning lights.
- Oil use: some Subaru engines of this era used oil between services. Ask about any note from the inspector.
- Tyres: all four should be the same size and similar wear, because the AWD system is sensitive to mismatched tyres.
- EyeSight cameras: they sit behind the windscreen. A replaced windscreen or damage there can affect them.
- Underbody: Foresters from snowy northern Japan can have rust; the auction sheet notes it.
- Auction sheet: read how to read a Japanese auction sheet.
Age Limits: Which Countries Can Take One
Some countries cap the age of an imported car: Jamaica allows up to 5 years, Trinidad & Tobago 4 years, and Kenya and Guyana 8 years. The Bahamas, Barbados, Suriname, the Eastern Caribbean islands such as Saint Lucia and Antigua, Uganda and Tanzania have no strict age limit on our checker. Rules change, so always confirm with your clearing agent before you pay.
Most SJ Foresters are now too old for Kenya, Guyana and Jamaica but can go to the no-limit markets such as Uganda, Tanzania, the Bahamas and Barbados.
The table at the bottom of this page applies each country's rule to our live stock and shows the cheapest delivered price. For the full list see import age limits by country, and for duty and port fees see how to calculate the total cost.
Comparing SUVs? See Japanese used SUVs for sale.