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 51 through 60 of 161.00

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  Paint problems - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By John S - April 17 - 5:56 pm

  A great car in most aspects except paint. Have commuted 110 miles round trip for years with Hondas. The Subaru paint on the front plastic components has become heavily pitted from bugs in spite of frequent washings. Looks trashy on the front. Now I am getting a milky residue on the entire exterior. No known exposure to air borne pollutants. Waxed regularly. Washed predominantly by hand with proper washing materials. The black pearl paint looks great except it shows both of these blemishes rather dramatically. Subaru only offered to pay 1/2 cost of bumper repainting. A real disappointment.

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  Like it more as time goes on - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By HJW - April 15 - 11:50 pm

  A practical car that made sense to buy, but wait! Its been a blast to drive, even more so on logging roads and when roads get curvy. Not a single problem so far.

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  Nice Car! - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By jlawson - February 20 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I were searching for a safe and roomy second car that had enough room to haul around two small children and the gear that goes along with it. The Forester proved more than adequate. There is plenty of room in the back for the two car seats, and the kids enjoy looking at the stars through the oversized moon roof. This is an extremely comfortable and fun car to drive. The premier leather package contains lots of extra features for a modest price. The Forester is a great family car at a reasonable price.

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  Try adding a Bilge Blower Ull luv it ! - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Trout Terminator - February 15 - 11:43 am

  This is my 3rd Subaru. They are great and will never leave you stranded, that is including the 1-800 help number. If you want a little more kick, add an inline bilge blower for 25 bucks...take out the air box near the fender and simply add the electric bilge blower with 220 cfm and feel the power increase in the mid range...its a kick in the pants and youll notice the difference immediately. Improves gas mileage too/slightly. Lots of good things to say about my Forester and prior Outback. Do yourself a favor and just buy a Subaru and youll be happy that you did...I love their safety and have seen them after accidents that would have stopped a train in its tracks. These are safe cars!

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  Still in Love 5 years later! - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By EJGauthier - February 11 - 5:53 am

  Did my research before buying my Subie. Used to drive 4X4 Cherokee 4.0L. Rented one for a few weeks to test it properly, but it wasnt a turbo. Test drove the new 2004 Turbo and bought it on the spot. Has every feature possible and most accessories. I changeover my tires Winter(use Toyo Walnut shell composite)/Summer( still have my factory tires). The AWD, antilock brakes and low center of gravity has proven to be an extremely stable, safe and solid vehicle for me. I would buy the same again in a NY minute. Love the rearview mirror with autodimmer and compass. Love the weatherband radio! Love leather smells awesome everytime I sit down. Love the great big sunroof, increases my big sky country!

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  Speak softly, carry a big stick! - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Nuvolari - January 7 - 2:00 am

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. There is little turbo-lag, the gears are well matched to the engine. Its a comfortable car for something of its modest exterior dimensions and is extremely maneuverable in tight spots despite high cargo volume and practicality. Fit and finish is superior. Every car is a compromise: Subaru has attained perfection. You can buy a slightly faster sports car that is far less practical. You can buy a slightly more comfortable euro wagon that is twice as expensive. You can buy a minivan thats somewhat more practical but completely not fun to drive.

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  Excellent Family Vehicle - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By M. Park - December 30 - 1:40 pm

  Family is just two + a dog, but its got room for more. We traded in 2000 Honda Passport V6, and got Forester 17 months ago, and we still love it. Its a bit boxy, but ride is far more comfortable than Passport, drives better in snow and ice, it takes far less gas and on top of all that its safer. It does all the things SUV does, only better, and it beats a sedan in luggage and grocery hauling too. Its an excellent vehicle. Practical, practical!

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  Its not a station wagon! - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By T-$ - November 29 - 4:26 pm

  This vehicle is rock solid. It chews up the lousy road conditions a crummy New England winter can throw at you. No need to shovel your driveway when you have one of these parked in it. This car will crunch its way up the steepest ice covered hill in town. I also love the fact that off the line you can easily smoke those larger SUVs. All of my friends are surprised at the power the Forester has after the take a spin in it. So please people get it straight the Forester XT is not a station wagon - its a small SUV!

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  Premature wheel bearing failure - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By pinging_ej25 - November 16 - 2:03 pm

  I bought the car new and liked it with respect to driving and its AWD feature. What owners should be aware of is that this is a high maintenance vehicle. Parts like the wheel bearing fail prematurely (<60,000 miles) and can go on undetected for months and years and mistaken as just tire noise. Repair cost is >$450 per wheel.

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  Forester XT- better than WRX wagon - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By spyderman4774 - October 27 - 10:33 pm

  Ive had my XT automatic (wife doesnt know how to drive a manual) for about a month now and must say this crossover is awesome! Compared to a WRX automatic that I also drove, the XTs extra displacement means more torque and better acceleration off the line. For American driving styles this better enables one to keep up in traffic and equals more smiles/mile. The seats are very comfortable and the interior user-friendly, also headroom will not be a concern for 6-plus drivers. The handling is one area where the WRX wagon might have the advantage, the XT has a bit too much body roll in corners (even compared to my trade-in vehicle, an 01 Pathfinder). XT= practicality & fun!