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• Outdated four-speed automatic transmission, handling could be sharper.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 121 through 130 of 217.00

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  Subaru Newbie - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Birdboy - January 4 - 10:46 am

  The Forester handles well at all speeds. It is peppy and climbs hills well especially when in sport mode. Is relatively quiet. The gas mileage has been good so far. I got 28-30mpg driving speeds around 55-65. Cabin is both roomy and comfortable, except for passengers seat. Visability is excellent

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  Reliable, Safe, Nice Looking - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Sarah - December 30 - 12:40 pm

  I love my Forester. I find some of these reviewers asking for things that are available if you are able/willing to pay for it. I searched many other cars and found that Subarus AWD is by far the most reasonably priced. If you want a great stereo and lumbar support, dont go with the base. However, if you want decent payments on a reliable SUV, go for the base. It is a great vehicle that handles well, steering is responsive and I never feel as though my safety is compromised. I love my car.

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  Best compact SUV available for the price - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By accupolka - December 18 - 7:26 pm

  We chose the 2009 Subaru Forester over the 2008 Honda CRV in that I like the exterior design better, especially enjoying the large rear windows. During test drives, the Forester has good acceleration, whereas the Honda CRV struggled to get up to speed. The CRV has a slightly better interior with upgraded cloth seats in the EX model. I dont like the fact that you need to buy Subaru accessories separately after purchasing the vehicle. But, overall, the Subaru won me over.

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  Love it! - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By FLSubaru - November 24 - 9:56 am

  I was a 98 Outback owner (and proud of it); when the wife and I decided to go new, it was either the Prius or the Forester. We made the right choice as this car is fun, peppy, roomy, sunny and a blast to drive. We were on vacation for 10 days, and we both missed driving it! Everywhere we went, we said, "Wouldnt it be fun to have the Subaru" for hills, curves and wonderful mountain roads... and most especially the Pacific Coast Highway. No rattles, good MPG and more room and visibility than we know what to do with! So far, a worthy successor to my beloved Outback (160k miles).

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  My auto transmission has 5 speeds - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Barry - November 23 - 4:30 am

  I wanted to comment about the complaints regarding the use of a 4- speed auto transmission instead of 5- speeds in the Forester 2.5X AT. I have tested it, counted shifts and watched tach, and my AT definitely has 5 gears. It does not shift into 5th gear until about 60 mph if the engine is cold, but if warmed up and driving on a flat surface, the 5th gear will engage as low as 35-40 mph as long as you are not heavy on the gas pedal. Regardless of what the 09 Forester owners manual says, the dealership confirmed that the AT is really a 4-speed with an overdrive. Could this be something the assembly line changed mid-year? Mine was one of last 2009s to come off the assembly line in Dec. 2008.

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  Very Nice, little room for improvement - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By akwagon - November 8 - 6:30 am

  Picked up a 09 2.5X Premium with All weather package and 5 Spd. Really wanted dark interior. But dealer didnt have any with stick shift. Averaging 21.5 mpg in town driving fairly aggressive. I do enjoy driving this. This car is definitely the benchmark in the small SUV category. This car is fun to drive, and hopefully as reliable as previous Foresters. I would of never considered purchasing a Forester, until this new model came out. Being a single guy in my mid 20s, I do get a little crap for it looking like a "soccer mom" mobile.

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  09 Forester with Lots of Miles Already - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By GM - November 4 - 9:46 pm

  I have put 20,000 miles on the Forester in six months and find it to be a pleasant vehicle to drive. I am a big guy and find the drivers seat comfortable and the interior controls within easy reach except for the heated seat switches. It performs well in the snow in Vermont with the standard tires and the gas mileage has been a steady 24 to 25 mpg with lots of hwy driving. The passenger seat is strange to get used to with it being so low. There is a rattle in the moonroof mechanism that needs attention and the road noise is loud compared to our Camry.

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  Best new small SUV - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By pktsizecub - November 4 - 8:30 am

  I just bought the 2009 Subaru Forester and am amazed. The interior quality is great. There are no rattles. All the body panels fit together tightly. The driver has excellent visibility of the road and the moon roof is huge. Exterior: The new Subaru now looks much more like an SUV. Its off-road performance greatly exceeds its competitors like the Honda CRV and Ford Escape. It is willing to go wherever you point if. Ive averaged between 28-31 MPG on the highway and 22-24 in town. The 4 speed automatic is a bit slow to down shift, but not a problem as you can do it manually with the shiftronic. The 2009 Subaru Forester is a winner

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  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.

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  Annual Update - 09 Forester - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By BikerGuy - September 27 - 4:03 pm

  I did a review here when I first purchased my 09 Forester. Ive now owned the vehicle for 1 year/11,000 miles, so here is an update. I still really enjoy this car! The AWD was so amazing in the Pacific NW storms this winter, that I bought another Forester for my girlfriend. Only major disappointment is with the thickness/quality of the exterior sheetmetal/paint. It seems to be lower quality & less durable than other SUVs Ive owned. My early production model had undersized plastic film fender protectors, so paint chipped and fenders now need to be repaired & repainted.