Overview & Reviews

Redesigned for 2009, the Subaru Forester compact crossover SUV is bigger and more beautiful inside and out.

• Standard all-wheel drive, spacious cabin with ample cargo space, comfortable ride, capable engines.

• Outdated four-speed automatic transmission, handling could be sharper.

User Reviews:

Showing 31 through 40 of 217.00

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  Drivetrain needs update, but... - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By zulualfa - January 9 - 1:40 pm

  Love the solid feel of this vehicle. Well built. Put together well. As a six-footer, plus, lots of head and leg room. drivers seat could be a little more cushy, but not bad. Only complaint: only auto is 4-spd, so went for the five-speed manual, which leaves something to be desired. Very notchy. My Ford Ranger 5-spd is smoother. Love the little SUV.

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  Its about love - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By tarsier - December 11 - 4:10 am

  I could have paid less for my Forester if I had been more patient but its about love and the extras I might have added for the same price were not terribly interesting or involved trade offs (standard, turbo) I wasnt willing to make. I have no problem with stereo volume but the plastic/felt interior, goofy high chrome exterior trim, engine high speed rev and blind spots exist. I am not thrilled with the armrest, but my dog likes it and I have issues with the ipod integration kit. But thats it, other issues are more industry-wide technology-style issues than Subarus fault. 15,000 miles, 6 major road-trips from the snow to the desert and its still all about love.

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  All good! - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By domo2880 - December 8 - 10:16 pm

  I decided on the Forester after seeing the new platform for the 09 model. I leased an Impreza in the past and have always had a thing for Subaru vehicles, but hte look of the older model Foesters had always kept me away. This new style is just what I needed to get me in the Forester camp.

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Owned - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Car Professor - October 9 - 10:53 pm

  This is the worst car Ive ever owned. In less than 3500 miles, its been in for service on five separate occasions. I’m not sure whether Subaru needs to redesign this vehicle, improve assembly procedures/training, or conduct more thorough testing, but I do know that somewhere along the way, Subaru lost sight of its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. I will never purchase another Subaru and would never recommend one, as I feel that I simply can’t rely on this vehicle. Where’s the ‘love’, Subaru? P.S. - Subaru Customer Service more hindrance than help. They simply dont care.

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  A Balanced Solution - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Snot-Rocket - September 13 - 2:06 pm

  We needed a platform that would accommodate a family of 4 for day trips, camping, daily commuting, Home Depot runs and just a general all-rounder so that we can keep the gas guzzling van in the car port as much as possible. The new Forester is turning into the most useful/loved car Ive ever owned. It can easily accommodate a family of four. The seats fold down smartly and easily (no removing head rests) to provide a large cargo capacity. Visibility is excellent from all position for negotiating traffic and the size is perfect- big enough for a family of four, yet small enough for easy city driving and parking...all the comforts of a car w/ a bit of off road capability to boot!

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  Great Ride - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By cosailor - September 5 - 10:13 am

  After 3 months of driving, Im pleased to say this is a great vehicle. The ride is smooth, cabin noise is low if you remove the rack crossbars. The turbo really adds to the experience once you get used to the surge as it kicks in. Effortlessly cruises at 75 MPH. The AWD is sure footed and the heated wipers, mirrors, and seats are wonderful during the CO winters. Actual mileage is good, 22 around town, 25 on the highway though if you drive aggressively in town you can easily drop the city mileage to mid- teens. Its a turbo after all. Coming from a Volvo S60 AWD, I find the Forester similiar in many ways. Well maybe not the dash materials but its just fine, I didnt pay S60 prices.

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  My First Subaru - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Firstsubaruguy - August 7 - 10:16 am

  After owning Lexus, Audi and Acura models in the past, I decided that paying for panache was no longer worth it. I wanted an SUV with good MPG and an excellent AWD system. After reading about the 2009 Forrester and the awards it has earned, the decision was easy. I got the fully loaded vehicle three days before 8 inches of snow fell, and driving in the snow was like driving on dry ground. The AWD system is as good as Audis Quattro which to me in the gold standard. The Forrester is very comfortable and theres plenty of room for 5. As a music lover, I disliked the SUVs stereo speakers so much that I had them replaced even before pick up. So far, Im very happy with it.

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  My experience - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Robert L. Ayers - July 27 - 6:13 am

  I found my 2009 Subaru Forester to be a very good vehicle. It is roomy and easy to get in and out of, I dont have to duck or crawl. I bought my vehicle last June and have 18000 km on it. At 6 ft tall and 250 lbs, I found the Forester a very comfortable fit, as it is larger than the 2008 version. The steering is positive but is not twitchy. The vehicle holds the road well in all seasons. Snow and ice have not been of a problem, even though we had more snow this year than previously. Any time we go anywhere, we have to cross a summit, yet have not had any concerns with the Forester. I researched vehicles on the net and Subaru was the best vehicle, so I bought it.

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  Overpriced Tinker Toy - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Very disatisfied - July 25 - 3:10 pm

  I dont want to offend all the Subie cultists out there, but what are they smoking! Spare yourself the agony of shelling out $28 grand for this overpriced tinker toy. All the reviews Ive read sound like they came from Subaru employees. The ride is bad and noisy over 35 mph and off residential streets. The non turbo 4 cyl - 4 speed downshifts constantly when trying to enter the interstate or climb a small grade, almost got creamed by an 18 wheeler. Seats hurt if you drive over 1 hour,cheap thin sheet metal, interior materials, noise from the back storage bins when hit bumps. Only had 3 months - someone hit my door with theirs, made golfball size dent, didnt happen on my American SUV.

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  Nice vehicle - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Happy with Subaru - July 18 - 3:16 pm

  Read many reviews before purchasing our 2nd Subaru, saw many great plus several poor ones but purchased anyway. We are very pleased with the Forester; great ride, rear seat wide and deep enough for our 3 growing boys, fuel economy much better than advertised (24 mpg city so far even with less than 100 miles on it) with MT. Seems to me that most complaints involve the turbo models and the 4AT transmission so avoid those and this is a GREAT vehicle. Looks very sharp equipped with the rugged package. Invoice pricing at start nice change from most dealers even in this economy who still think they can ask for sticker!