A Subaru Forester Lease: Everything You Need To Know

in Car Buying Tips
Forester in the grass

Source: Pixabay

Subaru foresters are the kind of car that can take you on an adventure, go through the drive-through wash, and look good as new after. They’re hard-wearing company SUVs that appeal to a wide range of drivers, offer impressive safety features, and are a little more stylish than your average SUV. It’s no wonder that people are interested in getting a Subaru Forester lease. 

Here’s what you need to know about Subaru Forester leases, whether they’re a good deal, and when leasing your next vehicle is a better option than buying one. We’ll also talk about some of the pros and cons of leasing a Subaru and why some consumers might be better off buying their new vehicle instead of leasing it. 

Let’s dive in. 

Why Consider A Subaru Forester Lease

The first thing you need to know if you’re considering a Subaru Forester lease is that leasing a Subaru is generally considered a good option, except for one disadvantage. That is that Subaru vehicles hold their value better than their competitors, which also means that if you want to buy your vehicle at the end of your lease, it will probably be a little more expensive. 

That said, there are a lot more advantages to leasing a Subaru Forester than there are downsides. 

For one thing, leasing tends to be a cheaper option for the first 3-5 years you own a Forester, so it’s great if you want to trade up relatively quickly. 

Subaru Foresters also hold up fairly well, so you can safely lease a Forester even if you like to go camping or hiking and spend a lot of time on dirt and gravel roads. This is where the durability of a Subaru really shines; you’re less likely to get excess wear and tear charge for taking your Subaru on an adventure. 


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Leasing can also be a good choice if you’re not quite sure whether a Subaru Forester is the right vehicle for you. After all, leases are usually more short-term than buying a car and give you a trial run to see if you like the size and style of the vehicle as well as its road handling. 

The Forester has also been engineered for a wide range of different weather conditions, which means it’s an incredibly safe option no matter what weather conditions you’re used to. The compact SUV style is a little more balanced than larger SUVs, which means the Forester has better turning and all-weather performance, even in the wind and at speed. 

Overall, if you’re looking for a durable lease vehicle that can handle whatever you want to throw at it, handles well, and offers a variety of safety features, then leasing a Subaru Forester might be the right option for you. 

Leasing Vs. Buying: Which Option Is Better For Subaru Forester

Of course, a Subaru Forester lease is a big decision. Like any other big decision, you need to be informed of your options and know what each choice means in terms of your long- and short-term costs. 

So, if you want to seriously consider getting a Subaru Forester lease, you should also know the pros and cons of buying a Subaru Forester instead. 

First things first. The cost of leasing a Subaru Forester tends to be between $300-$400 a month, depending on how long your lease is and how high your mileage limit will be. The sweet spot seems to be a standard 36-month lease. Shorter 24-month leases and longer 48-month leases both tend to be a little more expensive per month. 

You’ll also probably have to put down a standard $2k at signing. 

For a vehicle with an MSRP of just over $25k, that’s not a bad deal overall. 

Leasing can be a great way to save a little money if you’re looking to have a new vehicle for a couple of years but don’t need to own the same vehicle for 5 years or more. 

Generally, leases require you to take relatively good care of the vehicle for the duration of the lease. That means it’s important to take your car in for all routine maintenance, even if you don’t necessarily go in for regular car washes or detailing. 

Buying your Subaru Forester might be a better option if your like to customize your vehicle or if you want to trade out accessories or get other options that aren’t available in a standard trim level. 

Customization is a big decider for a lot of people. Leased vehicles need to be kept mostly the same as when they were leased, and any customization you want to do needs to be 100% removable, while you’re free to change your vehicle however you want to if you own it. 


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How To Decide Which Option Is Best For You

Here are some things to think about to help you decide whether a Subaru Forest lease is right for you or if you might be better of buying a new Forester or looking at used models instead. 

If you aren’t sure which choice is right for you, this should help. 

Are you a high mileage driver? The more miles you’re likely to put on your vehicle in a year, the less likely a lease is going to be a good option for you. Most leases have a mileage cap of 10k-12k miles during your lease, with a per-mile overage charge that can be added on to your end-of-lease costs. 

Do you like upgrading your vehicle often? If you like trading your vehicle up every few years, leasing is a good option. That’s because ending a lease and getting a newer vehicle on lease is one of the easiest ways to always have a brand-new vehicle. 

Are you interested in the cost advantages of long-term ownership? Leasing a vehicle is cheaper for the first 2-4 years you have the vehicle, but the longer you need to lease your vehicle, the higher the costs will go. Buying can be cheaper in the long term, and you can even have much lower costs over time once you own your vehicle outright. 


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Final Thoughts

That’s it! That’s everything you need to know to decide if a Subaru Forester lease is the best option for you or if buying or going with a different option is a better choice for you. Remember to think carefully about your needs, as well as the terms of the lease, before you commit to any vehicle.



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