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• Outdated four-speed automatic transmission, handling could be sharper.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 11 through 20 of 217.00

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  Nice, but I like my 2005 better - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By javan68 - February 17 - 9:07 am

  I have a 2005 Forester that is the 2.5X Manual version. I bought the 2009 for my wife, with the Auto. It is the Premium version. As a summary, I like the vehicle, but the fuel economy is crap. We get about 20-22 mpg on average, whereas my 05 gets 26-28 on average. If we really baby the gas and drive ultra conservatively, we may be able to get 25 mpg, but that is a huge IF. As for Snow driving, I will take the 09 over my 05, granted, my 05 is more fun to drive. The 09 is like a tank in the snow. We are in the market for a replacement for the 09. Our family is growing again, and the forester is just too small. Perhaps if it got better fuel economy, we would reconsider.

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  I Wanted to Love My Subie - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By rkong79 - December 21 - 7:13 am

  The car was great in the beginning, but then it slowly began showing signs of poor craftsmanship. After 3-4 months, my brakes kept on squeaking. The engine is very loud at start-up. At my 1 year anniversary, with 20,000 miles on it, my engine gave up (rod knock). The engine was replaced, but Im now very hesitant to even drive it normally, knowing that it had already broken down with normal use (I dont race it... even if I wanted to, the "turbo" is not meant for that purpose). I dont think spending over $30k on a car with AWD, and a "turbo" that is not going to knock my socks off by any means is worth the money. Go buy yourself a Toyota or Honda V6 instead.

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  Good Colorado SUV but..... - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Good around town SUV - October 2 - 6:53 pm

  Likes: 1. Excellent handling in the snow, passed many 4x4 trucks and SUVs in a blizzard 2. Stylish, a head turner 3. Big moonroof 4. Fuel economy averages 25 MPG 5. Practical for a 1-2 child family 6. Great cornering and u-turns. Dislikes: 1. Interior is VERY cheap, especially center armrest; small glove box too 2. Fabric already coming away from rear seat reclining button 3. Little storage and poorly designed cup holders 4. SAT radio and I-pod not compatible together, 1 or the other 5. 4 speed automatic, a brick in the mountains and poor mileage at 75 MPH.

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  You get what you pay for... - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By MG - September 30 - 2:36 am

  Since there are pluses and minuses for all vehicles, we did not feel that the Forester had any major weaknesses; WRONG! Starting with trim levels, if you want any lumbar support, you are forced to buy the limited trim which translates into a higher payment. I could easily do without leather or the extras however with a bad back, the choice was essential. The transmission is not shifting correctly and it has been a fight with the dealership. It has been eight days since we met with the Subaru rep and while he agrees that the transmission is not right, the dealership has still not called; how lovely. Very poor performance in the mountains on a recent trip and the door skins are very thin.

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  Only if you love your mechanic... - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By RLM - September 6 - 10:33 am

  Ive owned my Forester for 10 months, 11K miles on it and Im considering a trade in. While this vehicle is exactly what I want in a car as a small SUV and I enjoy driving the car at times, overall the poor quality of the workmanship of the car makes me regret my purchase. Ive had the car in for both a major repair (power steering replacement) and major annoyances (mystery noises from door panels, rear-door catch had to be re- welded, and buzzing noises from stereo). Honestly, I miss my 7 year old 125K car I traded in because that car had less body noise and rattling than this brand new car. Im severely disappointed in the quality of this car and I am considering cutting my losses now.

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  Sounds like percussion section - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By JW in ETx - April 21 - 1:26 pm

  I bought this car after extensive research and what a thrill to have after almost 10 years. Everything was great for about 450 miles when back end started rattling. Dealer had it 5 days and couldn’t fix it or trade, Subaru wouldn’t cover it because it’s a “normal condition” of this vehicle but thanked me for bringing it to their attention so that "even though this is of no comfort to you," others may not have to experience the same defects. At 6K miles began rattling in back end, right front door, glove compartment, dashboard, in the roof. Mileage at 18/23 is also disappointing and at now having power steering problems. It’s now on the market, live and learn! Wipers work great

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  Great car, but... - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By St.Paul - September 19 - 4:46 pm

  The 2009 Forester is a re-design. Bought Topaz Gold (hides the dirt) and love the huge moonroof. No one told me that the premium package had been seriously downgraded since the previous model year. So, do your research on this car, things have changed. Drives nice, steering is a little light at low speeds, basic cloth seats are cheap w/no lumbar support, tons of road noise with this model, could use a little more power, moonroof not tinted, reclining rear seats are a joke. Go top of the line and get turbo and power leather - youll be happy.

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  Extremely Disappointed - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By MikeS - April 9 - 7:30 pm

  I dont know about any of you but this vehicle is a rattle trap. Drove off lot with 11 miles and was already rattling from multiple locations. My wife wishes she had her 05 Forester back. Love the exterior styling of this vehicle and like the ride, however they really skimped with quality of interior trim. Cannot get past the rattles & vibration. Vehicle has 415 miles and dealer fixed most rattles except the hatch vibration over bumps. I cannot live with spending $26k for a Forester that rattles. Luckily the dealership is allowing me to return it for 100% refund and get an Outback. The Outback is a much superior vehicle. One other note, two loaner 09 Foresters also rattled.

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  It is what it is. - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By fitethefututre - April 27 - 12:17 pm

  Manage you expectations. Its a crossover. So it doesnt do anything exceptional. The insides are unremarkable. So is the exterior. We have 2 little kids. So we need lots of space, with two car seats. It has a reasonable amount of space, but we cant fit everyone in--and the dog. I like the head room. Also, it has pep in the city for local driving, but with only a four banger, it is gutless on the highway. Maintenance is OK. Go under the wire for the warranty on the AC and replacing the rotors at 3 mm. 46K miles so far. So if you want something with more room, get a real SUV (We have a Sequoia for long trips). If you want a sports car, get something with more guts.

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  3 months - I try to ignore the rattles - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By energizerbunny - January 11 - 5:30 pm

  Okay, I bought this vehicle since I loved my husbands Subaru outback, but wanted a small SUV for my company car. My previous car was a VW Passat. First, the cloth seats have very poor support for long drives (shouldve opted for leather). Will be adding a lumbar support unit from a local detail shop. Tried to get the door rattles fixed from the dealership. They were not able to help and made them worse by trying. Am trying to love the car but kind of wished I had opted for the Subaru Outback or another VW Passat. If you do purchase this vehicle, go for one of the higher end packages (> 2.5XP) since you may get better interior quality. Gas mpg isnt bag... averaging about 25 mpg.