Subaru Forester SK

The SK (2019-2024) is the most modern Forester: a tidy cockpit, lots of safety tech, sold in Europe almost exclusively as the e-Boxer mild hybrid. As a comfortable, safe AWD SUV with good space it suits anyone wanting Subaru engineering with up-to-date assistance — provided you know and budget for the typical electronics and cooling-system niggles. The off-road genes are still there (full-time AWD, plenty of clearance, X-Mode), just wrapped in a quieter, more comfortable body.

Engines: the naturally aspirated FB25 (2.5) is more solid than in the SJ, with oil consumption much reduced. In the EU the e-Boxer mild hybrid (2.0, 150 hp system output) dominates — thriftier than the old NA units but no sprinter; the small electric system only assists, almost nothing runs purely electric and only at walking pace. THE main issue of this generation is the thermo control valve (TCV) — the electronic plastic coolant valve fails internally, throws code P0126, and at worst drags the whole EyeSight system into limp mode. Subaru extended the warranty to 15 years/240,000 km and from 2025 reverted to a mechanical thermostat — a quiet admission. The fix with the updated part (Subaru p/n 21319AA040) should go through goodwill.

Test-drive red flags: check EyeSight stationary and on the move (camera calibration, phantom braking, lane-keep and cruise dropouts) — outages often trace back to the TCV, watch the coolant temperature in the display. Inspect the windshield closely again (same spontaneous-crack issue as the SJ, US class action). Also: clear the Denso fuel-pump recall (pump can fail, stranding the car) and the PCV-valve recall, plus on the 2024 model year the driveshaft recall. The Starlink infotainment occasionally freezes (a software reset helps). Have the service history and open recalls checked by VIN at a dealer.

Market price 2026 (Germany): early e-Boxer from 18,000-24,000 EUR, well-kept later examples 25,000-32,000 EUR, top-condition 2023/2024 cars also 33,000-38,000 EUR. Insider pick: an e-Boxer from 2021/2022 with a verifiably completed TCV replacement (new valve fitted) and clean EyeSight function — that clears this generation's main headache up front and leaves you with a modern, all-weather SUV with plenty of life left.