Overview & Reviews

Changes are minimal for the 2008 Subaru Forester. Stability control is now standard on all turbocharged models equipped with an automatic transmission, and Subaru has shuffled the equipment among the Forester's many trim levels. One notable change is the L.L. Bean model's loss of its self-leveling rear suspension, which increased the pressure of the shock absorbers to compensate for heavy loads.

• Peppy base engine, seriously fast in turbocharged XT trim, carlike ride and handling, standard all-wheel drive, reassuring crash test scores.

• Scarce rear legroom, too much road and wind noise, automatic transmission is slow to downshift.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 34.00

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  Great car. - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By cranky consumer - September 3 - 1:23 pm

  700 miles in. Seats are comfortable on 2hr+ drives. Cargo space is great. MPG is reasonable. Sunroof noise is fine at 65 and only gets annoying at ~80. The visibility is fantastic.

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  Best Car Ever Owned - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By Michigan Winters - July 25 - 6:40 am

  This car is absolutely fantastic. My Wife and I were looking for an AWD or 4x4 vehicle that could handle our tough Michigan Winters. Along with that, we LOVE to travel. This car fits the bill - it can outhandle snowy roads/ slushy roads/ muddy roads better than any truck or sports utility vehicle I know of. Add the fact that I average around 28 mpg and its quite the vehicle. Its built with extreme quality, which in itself makes it look expensive. It doesnt need the fancy bells and whistles.

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  Subaru Newbie - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By SubaruMum - May 9 - 5:23 pm

  Drives like a dream and holds to the road well. Drove the WV mountains back roads and had a blast. Many curves and a lot of up and down hill travel. Good mileage, 29 mpg on this trip. Hope to do better on flat ground. Still breaking the car in.

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  A good solid B+ - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By walorado - March 27 - 11:10 pm

  Had a Subaru or two along the way, and decided on the 08 Premium because of a value package. Great vehicle with a couple of small hiccups. Had a minor issue with the AC but was resolved under warranty. Replaced the drivers door speaker 3 times, also under warranty. In fact, the stereo is a real weak point in the car for me. Really lame speakers, and I paid for the "upgrade." Seats are comfortable and fit my rather copious rump easily. Plenty peppy even here in the high country of Colorado. AWD system is very good, but the 2008 model lacks stability control. Without it, the cars rear end can slip out if you arent careful in the snow. Id buy the car again, though.

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  First Time Forester - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By pico - March 20 - 3:30 pm

  Best driving "small SUV" of the RAV4, CRV bunch, even with base engine. There is no comparison. Even in base X form the handling is awesome, confidence inspiring. Turns are crisp, stopping/starting all great. Drove both XT and normally aspirated and was pleasantly surprised with the pull of the base engine. Interior is also roomier than expected, back seat is roomy enough if the front seats arent pushed all the way back but even if they are I feel I have just enough legroom with front seats at maximum travel. Love the height of the cabin plus the tall stance. And in terms of AWD systems, there is no comparison (especially with these Colorado winters weve been having).

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  Great Subaru - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By Carter - January 11 - 9:23 pm

  Love this car. Right before the major 2009 redesign they were making the nicest Forester they could. Everything about the car feels tight and smooth. I had a 2002 Outback before this car, and this car is much better. The automatic and the 4 cyl. engine feel strong compared to the Outbacks weak, noisy 4 cyl. and jerky manual transmission. The interior feels premium, with just a few hard plastics to distract. Interior like a greenhouse with panoramic sunroof; bright and cheery in beige.

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  My first SUV - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By Jan - November 4 - 7:26 am

  I purchased my very first new vehicle ever just a couple of days ago and I think it is wonderful. I havent had it long enough to really comment on the gas mileage but my old car only got 15 miles/gal so this is a dream. The SUV handles very well and my children love it. It has plenty of room my husband is a very large man about 350 lb. And he fits in the vehicle just fine. I would recommend them to anyone.

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  Truck to SUV - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By Lee - March 27 - 7:23 am

  Settling down doesnt mean slowing down. I had an 02 Tacoma Limited and traded up for this new toy and have no regrets. Great performance and power when you need it while its tame looks might suggest otherwise.

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  Great Subaru...if you can still get one! - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By Matt - February 27 - 2:33 pm

  My wife and I were looking for a small SUV and new we wanted to look at a Forester. We started with a test drive of the new 09 Forester. We were really dissapointed. They just changed it too much. Luckily for us, the dealer still had a few new 08 Foresters on the lot. We snapped one up for $4K off of the sticker price. We love the look of the 08 better, and the front seats were much more comfortable. This car has plenty of power and good gas mileage for an AWD car. We couldnt be happier.

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  Initial reaction - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By Rodmo1 - December 4 - 7:50 am

  I only bought the car about ten days ago so it is much too early to comment on the reliability or long term comfort level of the interior. However, so far I really like the car. It is fun to drive and performs very well. As everyone else has already said the backseats are very small but I will always be sitting in the drivers seat so what does it matter? This is my first car. I have always owned trucks before but with the cost of gasoline and me living half way up a mountain I needed an efficient AWD. The Subaru fit the bill. My only fill up so far has resulted in 25.97 MPG which I imagine will only get better come engine break- in and non winter blend gas. Great car for the money!