is capable of some moderate off-road driving. However, its relatively low ground clearance and lack of four-wheel drive prevent it from being truly terrain-ready.

If you’re looking to ride the rough backcountry roads, you need a vehicle that goes beyond daily driving.

Subaru

built their reputation around solid, off-road capable SUVs, but how do you know which ones can roll over boulders and logs and which ones just look like they can?

Want to bring your 2004 Subaru Forester on some weekend wilderness adventures? Check out this useful guide from

Jerry

— the

super app

that saves you hundreds on your

car insurance

. We’ll go over major off-road essentials, like tires and torque, to help you decide if the 2004 Forester meets your needs.

Can the 2004 Subaru Forester go off road?

In general, yes. The 2004 Subaru Forester is capable of leaving the paved roads behind, but it offers the best performance on dirt roads or moderately uneven ground. If you’re a serious off-roader who tackles the most extreme challenges, there are better options.

Based on pricing information from Kelley Blue Book, a used 2004 Subaru Forester costs somewhere between $3,500 and $5,500 making it a great option for drivers on a budget. On the other hand, if you want the best experience, look for a 2004 Subaru Forester

. The XT eclipses lower trims like the X or

in terms of power and performance thanks to its turbocharged engine.

Before taking the 2004 Subaru Forester off-road, you need to know how it performs — so keep reading to find out.

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Ground clearance

Experts recommend a ground clearance of 8.8 to 10.8 inches for more serious off-road adventures. Unfortunately, the 2004 Forester misses that mark. With just 7.5 inches of space between the lowest part of its frame and the ground, this compact SUV can only handle driving over moderately uneven ground while large rocks and logs could easily damage its frame.

When you compare that to something like the 2004

Toyota FJ Cruiser

and its 9.6 inches of clearance, the Forester doesn’t stand up to the competition.

MORE:

What is frame damage to a car?

Torque

Whenever you drive a car off-road, its turning power, or torque, has a bigger effect on its performance than speed. With a maximum torque of 235 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm, the 2004 Forester has enough power for dirt roads or light off-road trails–-but because that power can’t be accessed at lower speeds, you could run into trouble if you’re trying to drive on uneven ground or through mud.

Tires

If you’re about to buy a used 2004 Subaru Forester, you’re probably looking at a standard set of all-season tires. While these tires can be ideal for daily driving in a four-season climate, they offer poor performance once you leave the paved roads.

Drivers that want to bring their 2004 Forester off-road should seriously consider a set of

all-terrain tires

instead. Not only do A/T tires have a deeper tread depth to prevent your vehicle from getting stuck, but they also offer better cornering and improved traction for maneuvering in tight spaces.

Drivetrain

The 2004 Forester’s all-wheel-drive system offers impressive performance under moderate off-road conditions. It can’t hold a candle to a powerful four-wheel drive vehicle like a

Jeep Wrangler

, but it will outperform any front- or rear-wheel drive car.

Angles

It’s important to be aware of your car’s approach angle and departure angle before tackling large obstacles or steep hills. Here’s what they mean:

Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference

Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference

The 2004 Forester’s approach and departure angles of 23 and 25degrees allow it to handle most hills and dips. However, you could still end up stuck on trails because of the Forester’s low ground clearance.

Key Takeaway The 2004 Subaru Forester can hit the open trail under certain conditions, but serious off-roaders should look into a vehicle with higher ground clearance and four-wheel drive.

Off-road rating: Rough and ready

Just for fun,

Jerry

has put together this extremely technical DIRT rating system to help you decide if the 2004 Subaru Forester meets your off-road driving needs. Here’s how it works:

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

We give the 2004 Forester an R rating. An all-wheel-drive system and generous angles make it reasonably trail-ready — but it’s held back by low ground clearance and unimpressive torque. Overall, the Forester is a great choice for a weekend camping trip or two, while extreme adventurers would be better off with a dedicated off-road vehicle like the

Ford Bronco

Toyota 4Runner

MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

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The best off-road alternatives to the 2004 Subaru Forester

The 2004 Subaru Forester can be a great pick for budget-conscious drivers who want to do some moderate off-road driving — but if you’re looking for a little more power on the backroads, here are some great alternatives:

Model	Fair market value	Description
2003 Land Rover Discovery	$5,500 to $8,500	Its 8.2 inches of ground clearance and powerful V8 engine make the 2003 Land Rover Discovery excel on backcountry roads.
2006 Nissan X-Terra	$4,000 to $6,500	With 8.3 inches of ground clearance, the 2006 Nissan X-Terra can outperform the Subaru Forester when equipped with the optional four-wheel drive.
2007 Jeep Wrangler TJ	$12,500 to $16,500	Four-wheel drive, 8.8 inches of clearance, and high torque make the 2007 Wrangler TJ a powerhouse on the open trail.

MORE: Cheap off-road trucks

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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

An off-road vehicle can enhance your weekend camping trips, but it comes with one major downside: it’s more expensive to insure than a typical daily driver. The bottom line is that you’re more likely to damage your car if you bring it off-road — and more likely to file a claim with your insurance company.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t find coverage that fits your budget! If you’re looking for

cheap insurance quotes

, turn to

Jerry

. A licensed broker that gathers affordable quotes from name-brand insurance companies, the Jerry app helps you switch plans, and can even cancel your old policy for you.

The best part? Before every policy renewal period, you’ll be presented with new competitive quotes, which means you’ll always have the best coverage at the best price. On average, Jerry users save over $800 a year on their car insurance.

“I felt like I was paying too much for my insurance policy, so I downloaded
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