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• Outdated four-speed automatic transmission, handling could be sharper.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 1 through 10 of 217.00

• 

  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.

• 

  Sorry I bought a Subaru - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By susancolorado - March 31 - 2:23 am

  This is my first and last Subaru. I bought it because of its reputation and the new design. Ive been driving it 5 months and as much as I try to love it, I do not like it at all. The road noise is excessive, I already have several rattles. You sit very low to the ground, even lower than some cars so if you are used to sitting higher up, beware. The acceleration is slower than I had hoped for. Also, the mpg isnt as good as expected either. The gas tank is small so I am always filling up... at least it doesnt cost too much to fill up.

• 

  Poor Design - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Forester - October 21 - 1:20 am

  The headrests on this vehicle are designed so that they push the drivers head down and forward. This causes a number of people to have severe headaches and back pain after an average commute. In addition, there are NO cupholders in this vehicle. Subaru does not want a Subaru owner to drink fluids while they drive the vehicle... this according to Subaru corporate. The transmission is tough to get into reverse about 30% of the time. Experience with other makes and models indicates that transmissions that are difficult to put into reverse when new, are maintenance headaches later on. Engine runs a little rough after only 4000 miles.

• 

  dont buy xt - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By bad experience - August 31 - 7:30 am

  The engine on this car (turbo) blew up in a remote location late at night in a snow storm. We had kids in the car. BAD experience. Totally unacceptable for a car with 9600 miles on it. Subaru paid for the rental car for the time my car was at the dealer; plus got them to pay me $1000 for my hassle and pay for free scheduled maintenance on the car for the rest of the lease term. I was told by dealer that turbo engines have an oil piping problem. The turbo gets starved of oil. The result is mechanical failure of turbo. Metal pieces somehow get into engine. Bye-bye engine.

• 

  See my last review "I want to love this car, but..." - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By deserthillsman - October 28 - 4:38 am

  Since April of this year, I have to downgrade my opinion of this car. On a recent trip (1200 miles), I found the drivers seat to be so uncomfortable that my lower back and legs were wrecked for several days afterwards. There is no lumbar adjustment which is a big negative. Gas mileage on the trip was a mediocre 26. My overall mpg for the life of the car is 21.3. I drive fairly conservatively, smooth starts and braking. This car has absolutely no power when the A/C is on which is a requirement here in the summer. Transmission is rough. The silver paint used on the interior is cheap and has flaked off. The center console is absurd. Its the bottomless pit.

• 

  HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT! - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By dena - November 10 - 11:46 am

  Dont even think about buying this car! I have had it for about 6 months & absolutely regret buying this car. The exterior is great but the interior is cheap & poorly designed. The fabric on the doors already looks worn, the electric seats crack the plastic covers around the legs every time I move the seat back, the rubber seal around the back passenger door fell off... The position of the seat heater knobs is unreachable while driving. Plus, my factory installed remote start doesnt work unless the car is already warmed up. The dealership says there have been other complaints about this happening but nothing is being done to fix it. Subaru customer service is terrible. Dont buy this car!!

• 

  The car I really wanted to love - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By crr40 - January 22 - 4:24 am

  I decided on a Subaru Forester after extensive research, and bought a 2009 model new. It had flaws in the beginning- the ipod adapter didnt work well; the stereo in general was not very impressive, the drivers seat was uncomfortable, the mpg was consistently on the low end - but I didnt regret my purchase until the big problems started at just 29K miles, within weeks of the bumper to bumper warranty expiring. Between 29K and 38K miles the car has had the engine coil replaced, the brakes replaced and now the transmission. Its not my driving, either - my last car went 9 years and 80K miles without a single repair and Ive never spent this much in repairs on any car in 20+ years.