Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

• 

  Near Perfect. - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By JeysFXT - September 5 - 4:51 am

  Its a pretty great car if youre realistic. I traded my wife my C250 Mercedes for the new Forester XT (FXT), at first several things felt very cheap compared to the Benzo. After spending three months and 6k mi in it, I realized why the engineers did what they did and why this is a popular selling car. The car is comfortable and has great visibility, the Premium trim has everything you NEED plus some extras (i.e. pano roof and seat heaters). The turbo engine pulls strongly and the CVT transmission is not as obtrusive as many car enthusiasts say it is, I believe Subaru has very well executed their Lineartronic transmission for this application. The interior isnt as luxurious as a Benz but frankly, it shouldnt be... its a practical car. If youre realistic on what you want your Subaru to do and why youre buying it, it is pretty ideal. I wanted something to go off road on the weekends and commute to work during the week. The FXT serves its purpose well providing a very large back seat and great cargo room in the back. The turbo requires synthetic oil and premium fuel (as do most other modern turbocharged, direct injected engines) and there hasnt been any oil consumption or other engine issue to note. When cold starting, the engine shimmies just barely, but this is normal so ignore other peoples claims of a rough idle, theyre seriously over exaggerating it. The Subaru Starlink system is nice but pretty gimmicky, I do like the remote locking and tracking features but frankly could have done without. What I absolutely love about the vehicle is the go anywhere prowess.... I live in dry, Southern California where I go hunting for snow and dirt trails. Ive taken the FXT off roading in moderate and medium trails and have been very impressed with the capabilities with its AWD system (by the looks of the 4Runner and Jeep owners, they were too). I will say that on a moderate or medium trail, youre really pushing the car to its limits... in retrospect I dont know what I was thinking. Either way, its a great car and highly recommended.

• 

  Shoulda checked - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By AnotherBill - June 13 - 6:00 pm

  Who can not help but love a new car. I know I do, but after a month of owning my Forester, there are some little annoyances that cant be noticed until you have owned the vehicle. I may be a little critical, but some things you take for granted that they have been tried and approved. The front seats need some added cushioning. It is a little to firm for my aching back that becomes apparent after a six hour drive The power seat is very nice, I just wish the passenger side had some of the same adjustments as the drivers, such as the lumbar support. These things dont become apparent until you have spent time in the vehicle. The climate control blows lots of whatever you want, but my kids in the back seat were complaining of being too hot, or too cool. I thought there was a vent to the back seat area under the front seats, but there are none. The entertainment? screen, AKA the radio, is a touch screen. I think it is the same software as the RAV4. Having to page up or page down to see other programmed stations is cumbersome, and without fail, I miss the touch area to advance, and end up on a different screen. Im sure I will get used to it, but for now it is a pain. The steering wheel controls are there, and they work well, except you have to step through all the other preprogramed channels. That is just how it works. No fault there. The information screen on top of the dash, although mostly useful, has a number of screen settings that seem to be more fluff than substance. It handles very nicely, but does seem a little too much on the stiff side for the bumpy roads of Ohio, and for the expansion joints of many of our interstate highways. The CVT was a nice surprise. Being old school, I was suspicious of the design, but it is quite smooth. My only gripe is from a stop, it can be a little "grabby" as it engages. I also hope the longevity is on par with their older designs that lasted forever. The AWD system is flawless. They all are. Im about done, but I need to mention that as I packed for a family trip, I found myself wishing it was a foot longer in the cargo area. Purely for hauling our junk around. Probably owning a mini-van spoiled me, but I still like to take my stuff with me when I head out on trips. Oh and another thing. I didnt realize this was not assembled in the U.S. That could have been a deal breaker. (My 1998 Outback was built in Indiana. Still on the road, but tired)

• 

  Good visibility - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Andy lam - June 3 - 9:20 pm

  With the tall window glass and front door triangle glass the visibility is unlimited. No more blind spot compare with other competitor feel safer when driving down the road

• 

  Very happy! - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By M Clarke - April 29 - 6:14 pm

  We have only had our forester for a month and we already have 1500 miles on it. We have driven Hondas and toyotas and feel you cant beat them but loved the features of the forester. So far we are very impressed with the quality of our new Subaru and with Byers Subaru dealership. The salesperson told us to bring our car in as much as we wanted for a car wash. I was pleasantly surprised when they even sprayed off the all weather mats and swept the interior!

• 

  Missing in Action - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By mel turetzky - April 4 - 6:57 pm

  The Limited version I purchased omits many useful features that have been on all my previous cars at this cost and trim level. Heres a partial list: 1) ignition key does not fold so it stabs holes in pants pockets 2) there is no touch down for Passenger side window 3) there is no auto on for headlights at darkness 4) cruise control only increments in 5mph units after setting 5) there are no clothes hook hangers above back door entry 6) there is no overhead light in cargo area 7)the cargo mat is so rigid that it prevents entry to the useful underneath storage area. And Ive only had the car for four weeks. The ride and comfort are as good as reported. I think the Eyesight feature, while usually good is overrated because my limited experience is that its response time is too long for cars cutting you off and thereby requiring instant braking.

• 

  Never had a Subaru but now i am hooked - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By jennifer judge - March 23 - 11:55 pm

  The 2016 Subaru Forester purchase was a last minute decision. We had always gone with Toyota or Mazda..but we are thrilled with the purchase and the price. Great safety features, tons of room, in both front and back seat. Love the new look of this car also. My only disappointment was the lack of blind spot sensor. That said it is so easy (unlike the mazda x5) to see everywhere on both sides. Love the auto break if necessary and the alert if you change lanes accidentally and LOVE that it tells you when the car in front of you has moved forward. Great great car which is a big as an SUV. oh..also drives like a charm.

• 

  Satisfied with new Suburu - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Josephine - March 15 - 10:37 am

  It is too soon to answer some of these questions such as fuel economy, but my experience so far is good. I especially like the visibility with full Windows all around and the drivers seat raised. I wish the passenger seat was also electrically controlled it is comfortable as is. I especially liked dealing with the people at Matin CA Suburu/Mazda dealership p. Straight forward, reasonable price. No need for dickering. They didnt push extras . I drove my car off the showroom floor the first daY went in. I have returned a few times for more operating instructions which they gladly give. I got the security feature Eye Sight. That and other features made a lot to remember. The price below includes registration, license, tax, $1400 for 3 year maintenance at Suburu, and gap insurance recommended for first few months to insure replacement if my coverage falls a bit short. ( I have a comprehensive insurance.)

• 

  Im For my Forester - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Helen - March 5 - 8:38 pm

• 

  Too much glass not enough tint or AC - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Cheryl - February 26 - 10:23 pm

  The NAV system is virtually useless. It has so many safeties that your copilot cannot operate or change the settings unless you pull over and stop the car. The audible directions are horrible. You will be getting on and off Interstates until you cut it off. Requires way too much setup. Google Maps and Nav are much more efficient and trustworthy. Your copilot can recalibrate your smartphone nav while underway. Not so this machine. High level map and GPS coordinates are the only useful items. I do not have the oil issue that others have mentioned as of yet and hopefully wont but it is obvious that this machine is a rolling greenhouse. The glass and there is lots of it for optimum visibility is more than the AC can handle. Especially if you have a moonroof. You can feel the heat coming off the overhead with the blind shut. Not sure I would buy it again, we were not happy with the local dealership either.

• 

  My new car. - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By ellen torkelson - February 26 - 4:57 pm

  Just drove 230 miles and it was a pleasure. Very tall family and we all fit very comfortably.