The 13 Most Loved Cars, Subaru Forester Misses the Top-10

How much do you love your car, SUV or truck?

I've written a lot about how much Subaru owners love their vehicles. Subaru owners are a passionate group that is devoted to the brand. Which Subaru all-wheel-drive vehicle do Subaru owners love the most? It's the Forester compact SUV, more than any other all-wheel-drive Subaru model, according to a new report from iSeeCars. 

iSeeCars says, "It's not easy to define "love" for a car, but when an original owner keeps a vehicle for more than 15 years, it's safe to assume they're pretty happy with their ride. Our latest study has identified the 13 cars that more original owners keep for at least 15 years more than all other cars."

Before I discuss the Subaru Forester, here are the top 13 models that owners love the most. iSeeCars says these vehicles and six brands inspire devotion from their original owners.

Here is the ranking, with the percentage of owners who have kept them for 15+ years and a comparison to the average of all cars, which is 3.7%.

1. Toyota Highlander Hybrid 7.0% 1.9x
2. Toyota Camry Hybrid 6.9% 1.8x
3. Toyota Highlander 6.6% 1.8x
4. Toyota Tacoma 6.4% 1.7x
5. Toyota Prius 6.3% 1.7x
6. Honda CR-V 6.3% 1.7x
7. Ford Escape Hybrid 6.3% 1.7x 
8. Toyota RAV4 6.2% 1.6x
9. Lexus IS 350 5.8% 1.5x
10. Nissan Versa 5.7% 1.5x
11. Subaru Forester 5.5% 1.5x
12. Toyota Tundra 5.5% 1.5x
13. Honda Ridgeline 5.5% 1.5x

As you can see, Toyota dominates the list of vehicle owners who keep the longest, taking the first five slots and having a total of seven models in the top 13. Lexus, Toyota's luxury division, has one model with the IS 350, giving the Japanese automaker eight top-ranked cars. 

Interestingly, four of these top 13 cars feature a hybrid drivetrain, likely because of Toyota's long tradition of producing hybrids, which likely contribute to the automaker's dominance. Read my report on the new Forester Hybrid coming soon.

iSeeCars says, "Most consumers can't commit to a single vehicle for more than a decade, but those that do save a lot of money on their vehicle costs," said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. "Keeping a car for 15 years means no loan payment for most of that time, along with falling insurance and registration costs. Those reduced expenses can counter higher maintenance costs as a car ages, especially in durable models that hold up well over time."

How did iSeeCars come up with the data?

iSeeCars analyzed over 929,000 cars from model years 1981-2009 sold from January to September 2024 to determine which older cars are most likely to be kept by their original owners. The analysis considered factors such as reliability, durability, and owner satisfaction, providing a comprehensive view of long-term ownership.

Which are the most loved car brands?

Subaru vehicles are in the top six automakers with the most loved models. It's important to note that Subaru accomplished this with a lineup of only eight models. At the same time, top-ranked Toyota and Honda have many more vehicles in their lineups, including cars, trucks, and minivans. 

Here is the ranking, the percentage of car brand owners who kept them for 15+ years, and a comparison to the average of 3.7%.

1. Toyota 5.6% 1.5x
2. Honda 5.3% 1.4x
3. Lexus 4.4% 1.2x
4. Mazda 4.3% 1.1x
5. Hyundai 4.2% 1.1x
6. Subaru 4.1% 1.1x

Here is the ranking, the percentage of SUV owners who kept them for 15+ years, and a comparison to the average of 3.5%. The Forester is one of the top SUVs, number six overall.

1. Toyota Highlander Hybrid 7.0% 2.0x
2. Toyota Highlander 6.6% 1.9x
3. Honda CR-V 6.3% 1.8x
4. Ford Escape Hybrid 6.3% 1.8x 
5. Toyota RAV4 6.2% 1.8x
6. Subaru Forester 5.5% 1.6x
7. Toyota Venza 5.2% 1.5x
8. Honda Pilot 5.0% 1.4x
9. Toyota 4Runner 4.8% 1.4x
10. Toyota Sequoia 4.7% 1.3x

Why do Forester owners love their vehicles more than Outback owners?

"SUVs have become the most popular vehicle segment because of their durability and wide range of uses," said Brauer. "This makes SUVs more effective for long-term ownership, as they can handle the shifting needs of owners who keep them for 15 years or longer."

The Outback is technically not an SUV but fits in the wagon/crossover category. I'm surprised that the Outback does not make the list. Many Outback owners keep their vehicles longer than the average and hand them down to family members. As do Forester owners.

More Forester benefits and why owners keep them longer. Click on the blue links for additional information. 

• 8.7 inches of ground clearance
• Standard all-wheel-drive
• Fuel-efficient Boxer engine
• The best outward visibility
• It fits tall and short drivers
• Easiest to get into and out of
• Plentiful cargo room
• The best safety crash scores
• EyeSight driver assist features
• Ranked number two compact SUV by Consumer Reports

"The functional, high-value nature of these models aligns with long-term ownership," said Brauer. "If you're keeping a car for 15 or more years, you want reliability, practicality, and fuel efficiency, traits all of these cars offer."

New car data shows new compact SUV owners love the Forester most. 

In another report from Consumer Reports, they asked compact SUV owners, "Would you buy this car again?" The Forester was the top model, with 78% of owners answering "definitely yes" to the Consumer Reports Annual Auto Survey question.

1. Subaru Forester 78%
2. Honda CR-V 71%
3. Mazda CX-5 66%
4. Hyundai Tucson 63%
5. Kia Sportage 62%
6. Toyota RAV4 60%
7. Ford Escape 49%

Forester owners said, "Considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), they would buy this vehicle if they had to do it all over again." 

Should shoppers consider the new next-generation 2025 Subaru Forester?

Consumer Reports says, "The redesigned sixth-generation Subaru Forester continues with its core virtues of excellent outward visibility, effortless functionality, a roomy cabin, and standard all-wheel drive. Looking past the new styling with its chunky fender flares, beefier grille, and slick headlights, the most significant change to this small SUV may be the increased use of sound deadening in the interest of a quieter cabin—long a weak point for the Forester."

Conclusion: 

The Subaru Forester has many excellent attributes, making it one of the most loved vehicles. Read my report here on two new safety and convenience technology features on the 2025 Forester, which are the first for any Subaru vehicle. 

Do you own a Subaru Forester? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and tell us how long you've owned it.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Cross Creek Subaru