You Just Took The Aging Subaru Forester On A Sizzling Hot Run Before It Leaves Town

How hot is the 2024 Subaru Forester? It's almost unbelievable what the compact SUV pulled off last month. Check out the meteoric rise in sales and why it's sizzling hot right now.

As I analyze Subaru of America's (SOA) March sales report, I see one sizzling hot model. Surprisingly, the aging 2024 Subaru Forester is setting new records. The 2025 Forester arrives this spring, but before the remodeled sixth-generation Forester arrives, customers are buying record numbers of the outgoing model.

It's Unprecedented What the Forester Pulled Off in March

The 2024 Forester is the top-selling model again for SOA. As I reported earlier in my Subaru sales analysis, the 2024 Subaru Forester compact SUV isn't just hot; it's sizzling hot. 

The Forester Sets A New All-Time Record

The aging fifth-generation Forester achieved its best sales month of all time in March, with 21,045 vehicles sold, compared with 10,264 models delivered in March 2023. That's a whopping 105 percent increase.

Forester Is Now SOA's Sales Leader

Forester sold 48,546 units through the first three months of 2024 and took the top sales overall. The Forester is up 59.7 percent, the most of any Subaru of America nameplate. Without the Forester, SOA could be behind year-to-date; instead, they see 20 months of consecutive growth. 

There are only three models with an increase in March.

The sizzling hot Forester leads all models and is one of only three Subaru of America models, with an increase over March 2023. All other models dropped for the month, most with double-digit drops. Here are the top three sellers.

1. Subaru Forester - 21,045 (+105%)
2. Subaru Crosstrek - 14,527 (+3.5%)
3. Subaru Outback - 13,501 (+1.9%)

As you can see, the Forester has a third more sales volume than the Crosstrek and Outback models. The Crosstrek and Outback had only modest gains compared with March 2023, While the Forester is skyrocketing ahead. 

I would like to see Forester Wilderness sales.

Unfortunately, Subaru of America does not release Forester sales by trim level. The Forester Wilderness is likely a best-selling trim, as the Subaru Wilderness sub-brand has been a smashing success. The Forester Sport is another popular trim level for active customers. 

What does Subaru say about the Forester?

Troy Poston, Senior Vice President of Sales at Subaru of America, says, "Car buyers preparing for warmer days and outdoor adventures have been enthusiastic about our wide range of vehicles, including Wilderness models, which highlight additional capabilities alongside the safety standards Subaru vehicles are known for. Forester, available in Wilderness trim, achieved its best sales month of all time, a testament to its continued popularity in a competitive segment."

Why Is Forester Setting Records?

1. Subaru buyers are savvy and know that the Forester, in the last year of its life cycle, has few flaws, as I've reported here. The "bugs" have been worked out, and the Forester is a reliable model. It's also affordable.

Related Story: The 13 Most Reliable SUVs Under $30,000, and Why Subaru Forester and Crosstrek Get Top Rankings

2. The 2025 Forester will get a significant increase. The 2024 Forester is a good value pick for compact SUV shoppers before the remodeled sixth-generation Forester arrives this spring. 

Subaru of America is offering value pricing on Forester. 

3. Customers looking for a compact SUV should check out the 2024 Forester soon. Subaru wants to move out all 2024 models before the next-generation Forester arrives. 

SOA says you can "get a 2024 Forester with 2.9% APR financing for 72 months through April 30, 2024." Subaru says no down payment is required—a monthly payment of $15.15 per $1,000 financed. 

Here is the MSRP for all trims for customers looking for the outgoing Forester.

The Forester has six trim levels: Base ($28,190), Premium ($31,390), Sport ($32,960), Limited ($35,070), Wilderness ($36,015), and Touring ($38,490). Pricing includes destination and dealer fees ($1,295).

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru Forester report. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

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I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News and Subaru reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 30 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 The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Competition Subaru