Auto loans: yellow 2021 Subaru Forester Base in Bald Knobs

Thinking of buying the 2021 Subaru Forester Base?

We rent cars and sell one only now and then. There is no 2021 Subaru Forester Base for sale by us right now. We are not a lender and do not arrange loans. A monthly rental can cover the time while you arrange financing with your bank. Here is the 2021 Subaru Forester Base for buyers: fuel use, size, recalls and a test drive that lasts a week.

What to check on the Forester

Owners filed 210 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility/wiper, unknown or other and electrical system; have those parts checked. Have a mechanic inspect a used one before you buy it. A private seller in Ontario must give you a Used Vehicle Information Package. Look at the tires, brakes and battery; they are costly to replace.

Reading the spec sheet

Power: the 2.5L 4-cylinder; drive: all-wheel drive. It runs on regular gas. With all-wheel drive, it pulls away more surely on slippery roads, though it does not stop any shorter.

For 300 km of mixed driving, expect about 25 litres, from its 8.2 L/100 km rating. At our price setting, 1,000 km costs about $127.10. EPA puts its fuel cost at US$2,300 a year for 15,000 miles at US prices.

Practical details

As a compact SUV, it sits higher than a sedan, which makes getting in and loading easier.

Who it is for

It suits a weekend away when the train does not reach where you are going. It suits people curious about the model who want to drive it before they buy.

Drive it on your own roads

If it is in our fleet, rent it; if not, a similar car gives you a feel for the class. Rent it, live with it for a week, and decide with real experience. A test week in the Forester tells you more than any review.

The cost of driving it

A 1,000 km month costs roughly $127.10 at our price setting. At our price setting, 100 km costs about $12.71 in fuel. The EPA estimates US$2,300 a year in fuel for 15,000 miles at US prices.

Choosing the right one

Compare the Base with the other trims of the same year before you decide. If two trims share a powertrain, the difference is equipment, which you can check in person. Decide what matters most first: fuel use, space, or the price you can pay.

A note on Bald Knobs

If you are starting from Toronto, rent the car here and drive it to Bald Knobs. Bald Knobs is about 568 km from Toronto, outside our delivery area.

Over to you

Want to try before you buy? Ask for your dates.