Subaru Forester specs: horsepower, fuel consumption & ground clearance
The Subaru Forester in Kenya: 2 versions from 2013–2017, 146–276 hp, 10–12.5 km/L, 220 mm ground clearance. Read the Subaru Forester buyer’s guide for prices and what to check.
All versions at a glance
| Version | Power | Torque | Clearance | Economy | Fuel / month* | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Subaru Forester 2.0 (SJ) 2.0L FB20 Boxer-4 · CVT · AWD · 2013–2017 | 146 hp | 196 Nm | 220 mm | 12.5 km/L | KES 27,200 | KES 1.9M–2.9M |
Subaru Forester XT 2.0 turbo (SJ) 2.0L FA20 Boxer-4 turbo · CVT · AWD · 2013–2017 | 276 hp | 350 Nm | 220 mm | 10 km/L | KES 34,000 | KES 2.4M–3.4M |
*1,500 km a month at KES 226.96 per litre of petrol (EPRA Nairobi, 15 Oct – 14 Nov 2026) (diesel: KES 227.76/L). Typical factory figures — individual cars vary.
Subaru Forester 2.0L Boxer-4 (2013–2017)
2013–2017 · typical price KES 1.9M–2.9M · source: GariSpec model library
- Power
- 146 hp
- Torque
- 196 Nm
- Engine
- 2.0L Boxer-4 (2.0L FB20 Boxer-4)
- Engine size
- 1,995 cc
- Cylinders
- 4
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Ground clearance
- 220 mm
- Fuel economy
- 12.5 km/L
- Fuel tank
- 60 litres
- Seats
- 5
- 0–100 km/h
- 10.6 s
- Top speed
- 190 km/h
Kenya Fit
- Murram-ready220 mm of ground clearance handles murram, potholes and tall estate bumps.
- Parts easy to findSubaru spares are easy to find in Nairobi and major towns, and most mechanics know them.
What it means in plain English
Power — 146 hp, “Confident”. The Kenyan sweet spot: safe, quick overtakes on Nairobi–Nakuru with room to spare when fully loaded.
Torque — 196 Nm, “Moderate”. Pulls a family car well. You will hear the engine work up the Kikuyu–Limuru escarpment.
Ground clearance — 220 mm, “SUV”. Comfortable on murram, rough estate roads and through rainy-season puddles.
Fuel economy — 12.5 km/L, “Average”. Typical for an SUV or larger saloon. At KES 226.96 per litre of petrol (EPRA Nairobi, 15 Oct – 14 Nov 2026), 1,000 km costs about KES 18,200, 1,500 km about KES 27,200 and 2,500 km about KES 45,400.
Engine — 4 cylinders, “Kenya’s workhorse”. Smooth enough, economical, and strong when turbocharged — especially as a diesel. Parts on every street in Kirinyaga Road, and every mechanic knows them. The safest first-car choice.
Subaru Forester 2.0L Boxer-4 turbo (2013–2017)
2013–2017 · typical price KES 2.4M–3.4M · source: GariSpec model library
- Power
- 276 hp
- Torque
- 350 Nm
- Engine
- 2.0L Boxer-4 turbo (2.0L FA20 Boxer-4 turbo)
- Engine size
- 1,998 cc
- Cylinders
- 4
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Ground clearance
- 220 mm
- Fuel economy
- 10 km/L
- Fuel tank
- 60 litres
- Seats
- 5
- 0–100 km/h
- 7.5 s
- Top speed
- 221 km/h
Kenya Fit
- Murram-ready220 mm of ground clearance handles murram, potholes and tall estate bumps.
- Hill & load ready350 Nm of torque climbs Mai Mahiu with a full load without strain.
- Parts easy to findSubaru spares are easy to find in Nairobi and major towns, and most mechanics know them.
- Easy overtaking276 hp makes overtaking lorries on the Nairobi–Nakuru highway quick and safe.
What it means in plain English
Power — 276 hp, “Strong”. Effortless at any legal speed. You will rarely use all of it — but it is there when you need it.
Torque — 350 Nm, “Strong”. Relaxed hill climbs and confident pulling with a full boot — no need to rev hard.
Ground clearance — 220 mm, “SUV”. Comfortable on murram, rough estate roads and through rainy-season puddles.
Fuel economy — 10 km/L, “Average”. Typical for an SUV or larger saloon. At KES 226.96 per litre of petrol (EPRA Nairobi, 15 Oct – 14 Nov 2026), 1,000 km costs about KES 22,700, 1,500 km about KES 34,000 and 2,500 km about KES 56,700.
Engine — 4 cylinders, “Kenya’s workhorse”. Smooth enough, economical, and strong when turbocharged — especially as a diesel. Parts on every street in Kirinyaga Road, and every mechanic knows them. The safest first-car choice.
Frequently asked questions
How much horsepower does the Subaru Forester have?
Depending on the version, the Subaru Forester makes 146–276 hp — 2.0L Boxer-4 (2013–2017): 146 hp and 196 Nm; 2.0L Boxer-4 turbo (2013–2017): 276 hp and 350 Nm. Effortless at any legal speed. You will rarely use all of it — but it is there when you need it.
What is the fuel consumption of the Subaru Forester?
2.0L Boxer-4: about 12.5 km/L (≈ KES 27,200 a month for 1,500 km); 2.0L Boxer-4 turbo: about 10 km/L (≈ KES 34,000 a month for 1,500 km). Costs use KES 226.96 per litre of petrol (EPRA Nairobi, 15 Oct – 14 Nov 2026) and diesel at KES 227.76/L. Factory figures — Nairobi traffic uses more.
What is the ground clearance of the Subaru Forester?
About 220 mm. Comfortable on murram, rough estate roads and through rainy-season puddles.
What engine does the Subaru Forester use?
The Subaru Forester in Kenya comes with: 2.0L FB20 Boxer-4; 2.0L FA20 Boxer-4 turbo. Parts on every street in Kirinyaga Road, and every mechanic knows them. The safest first-car choice.
Is the Subaru Forester 2WD, AWD or 4WD?
Versions sold in Kenya are AWD. AWD adds grip in the rains and on murram, but there is no low range for serious off-roading.
How many seats does the Subaru Forester have?
5 seats.
How much is a Subaru Forester in Kenya?
Typical Kenyan asking prices for imports in good condition are about KES 1.9M–3.4M, depending on year, mileage, grade and whether duty is paid.
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Typical factory figures for each version. Individual cars vary with trim, market and condition — confirm against the car’s documents and auction sheet. Spot a mistake? Tell us.