Kelley Blue Book: This is the compact SUV that costs the least over 5 years

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The Subaru Forester

Predicted 5-Year Cost to Own: $36,446

Compared with segment average: -$3,307

Another year, another win for the Subaru Forester for the lowest ownership costs over five years. You might think at this point it would be easy for Subaru’s
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5-passenger compact SUV to rest on its laurels. But the Forester didn’t get to where it’s at by sitting idly. You can bet it isn’t about to start now.

The Forester competes in one of the most popular segments for new car shoppers: compact crossover SUVs. Competition is fierce and rivals continue to up their game, but the Forester’s attributes appeal to a loyal audience. As a Subaru, all 2021 Forester models come equipped with all-wheel drive, something its rivals can’t match. And buyers of this Subaru are often of the mind-set to put that trait to work.

The Forester is among the most rugged and adventurous compact SUVs. It offers generous ground clearance and a powertrain that can be optimized for tackling trails far outside city limits. Yet with a 33 mpg highway rating, the Forester is more efficient than you might expect.

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Even if you never take a Forester deep into the forest, this Subaru appeals with its roomy interior, confident road manners, and a surprisingly long list of standard features. Even a base model with an alluring sub-$25,000 price includes automatic climate control, an infotainment system with Apple
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CarPlay and Android Auto, and adaptive LED headlights. Every Forester is also serious about safety with its EyeSight suite that includes pre-collision braking, lane-keeping assist, and even adaptive cruise control.

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No matter what you do with your Forester or where you roam, you can know you are getting a confident, capable SUV that will provide years of low-cost ownership.

KBB’s 5-Year Cost to Own is the total amount of vehicle-related costs you will likely have to cover during the first five years of owning a car. This includes out-of-pocket expenses like fuel and insurance, and vehicle depreciation (loss in value).

This story originally ran on KBB.com.