Overview & Reviews

Noting Forester fans' desire for more power, Subaru adds a turbocharged XT model to the lineup. The XT is essentially a loaded XS with a 210-hp engine replacing the 165-hp motor.

• Standard all-wheel drive, two engine choices, availability of upscale features, class-leading crash test scores.

• Price can be higher than most of the competition, tight on legroom in the backseat.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 161.00

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  0 for 2 With My Subaru - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Dougie Henson - October 10 - 11:46 am

  This was my 2nd Subaru and it will surely be my last. I should have known better after our 93 Legacy wagon broke 2 timing belts, blew a head gasket, and needed both front wheel drive axles replaced-all before 36,000 miles. Nevertheless, I traded it on a new 04 Forester 2.5X because it was the best deal we could get. Never again! The right front wheel well liner came loose and fell out before 10,000 miles. The transmission began to give us trouble at 15,000 miles. The whole car vibrated while turning even though we faithfully had it serviced & the tires rebalanced and rotated every 3,000 miles at the dealers. The windows leaked and whistled in the wind whenever you exceeded 35 MPH. Junk!!!

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  Too many other choices to buy this again - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By brinx - March 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is well thought of for some people. I dont understand why. There are too many good alternatives to this car to buy another one. Normal recommended maintenance is expensive and add in wheel bearings and head gaskets and its like buying another car. The car is marketed for harsh weather and service, but it doesnt seem to be built for it. Before buying search on head gaskets and wheel bearings and see if you still want one.

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  Pass on Subaru not worth trouble - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By JeffD. - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Purchased the car based on Consumer reviews. Car has lived in the shop: valves, clutch, brakes, radio, etc. The car handles well but no power and no room for kids. Most expensive car Ive ever owned based on days in shop and dollars in repairs. I keep cars for 10+ years but looking forward to parking this one under a tree and walking away from it. Subaru dealerships have a lot of swagger about the belief of what they read in consumer reports. Unfortunately this attitude makes it "your fault" that the valves fail after 60 k miles and be prepared for very long waits for parts. Took 3 weeks to get in a new rear windshield wiper arm. None of the needed work has been under warranty.

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  Expensive parts, noisy on highway, worst car I ever had. - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By whatwhatwhat1 - March 4 - 2:28 pm

  I bought this car used in 2009. In three years, I spend $2400 in repairs (rear bearings on both sides, head gasket, rocker bars in the front that were recalled, air conditioner compressor) and when I traded it in today for a 2012 Camry, the turbo was smoking and the transmission was on its way out too. It had 140K miles. Parts are hard to come by, none of the charging ports worked on it and the check engine light was always coming on, which turned off the cruise control. in three years, I got to use the cruise control once. It was a nightmare to own. It was almost impossible to talk on speakerphone on the highway due to the road noise. and the backseat doesnt have any legroom.

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  Regular kitchen appliance - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By DL - August 29 - 4:46 am

  This is a great little car for people who think that driving is as exciting as homework. It is not that expensive, reliability on major parts are good, can take a beating reasonably well. It is a completely forgettable car that takes you from point A to point B with no complaints.