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• Outdated four-speed automatic transmission, handling could be sharper.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 71 through 80 of 217.00

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  Fix the seats - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By roadturtle - December 5 - 10:33 pm

  2009 Subaru Forester 2.5 X, Auto. This is my first Subaru. While I really like my AWD wagon. Subaru needs to up their game. The drivers seat has broken twice in less than 4000 miles. It took two weeks to get a new frame. A long time. Tech stated that Subaru has known about this problem for awhile. Yet they gave me another seat frame that broke in about one week. I am now waiting for another seat frame. Why couldnt I buy a drivers power seat without spending $4000 extra. Now I wish I had. This may be last Subaru.

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  A great touring car - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By lhaugen - December 4 - 3:30 pm

  Shortly after buying this vehicle, we took a 2000 mile round trip vacation. This car is very responsive and makes long driving days seem shorter. Best of all, we got up to 28 miles a gallon!

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  Fun and zippy ride! - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Lynn Coy - November 3 - 4:20 am

  This being my first SUV, comming from an Aerostar van, I couldnt believe how fun it was to drive. Tight circles, merged right into traffic, sat high, could see all around me, and the leg room was wonderful. Plenty of room for my two teenagers in the back. Cool blue lights accenting cup holders in back, also.

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  Poor Design - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Forester - October 21 - 1:20 am

  The headrests on this vehicle are designed so that they push the drivers head down and forward. This causes a number of people to have severe headaches and back pain after an average commute. In addition, there are NO cupholders in this vehicle. Subaru does not want a Subaru owner to drink fluids while they drive the vehicle... this according to Subaru corporate. The transmission is tough to get into reverse about 30% of the time. Experience with other makes and models indicates that transmissions that are difficult to put into reverse when new, are maintenance headaches later on. Engine runs a little rough after only 4000 miles.

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  My Subie - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By john - October 13 - 7:23 am

  Our second Subaru and the last. The maintenance requirements are expensive compared to a Suburban we once had and a Tahoe and a Yukon XL. At 30000 miles expect to pay between 400 and 700 bucks for this Forester. The 4 speed auto trans is a joke.

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  09 Forester - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By brian - September 17 - 11:33 pm

  I have only had this car a few weeks. At this point Im very satisfied. I have no major complaints. Yes I do have a slight rattle related to the sunroof cover on the inside of car. Not a big deal. Options I bought, tweeter, woofer, IPod connection, fog lights, all weather mats, cargo tray, rear spoiler, hood protector, rugged package (You should buy the rugged package). Handles great on slick streets. Have had to break under emergency condition one time and handling and breaks worked well. Acceleration is very adequate for my driving style. Right now MPG is holding at 22. I have shown this car to many friends who all like it, some of whom had given me a hard time over the type of car.

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  Noisy ski rack - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By jmiller - September 15 - 12:43 pm

  Really love the looks and handling of the 2008 Subaru Forester. The extra room is a plus. Not crazy about the plastic interior components. The trouble started with the ski rack. It creates a lot of noise and at 60 mph it sounds like I am in a wind tunnel. With actual skis on the car it is unbearable.

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  dont buy xt - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By bad experience - August 31 - 7:30 am

  The engine on this car (turbo) blew up in a remote location late at night in a snow storm. We had kids in the car. BAD experience. Totally unacceptable for a car with 9600 miles on it. Subaru paid for the rental car for the time my car was at the dealer; plus got them to pay me $1000 for my hassle and pay for free scheduled maintenance on the car for the rest of the lease term. I was told by dealer that turbo engines have an oil piping problem. The turbo gets starved of oil. The result is mechanical failure of turbo. Metal pieces somehow get into engine. Bye-bye engine.

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  Wow What an Amazing Turbo - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Neil - July 25 - 1:26 pm

  Just purchased 09 turbo - forget the base - way underpowered, awful stereo. The turbo is a blast to drive, no lag at all! Punches holes in traffic. Amazing tight feel, great turning radius, better stereo - still not the greatest but not bad, perfect dog/hiking car. The best car for the rain - Seattle gets just a little rain - haha. Overall a really huge improvement over the last Forester and looks so much better, a very attractive car. Do not bother with the limited 3 grand for leather - Major rip off. Get the base turbo and be happy!

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  Excellent Small SUV - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By vkinsocal - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this car two years now and this car has been nearly flawless. I love the low end RPM power this car has. The torque curve is very flat on Subarus 4 cyl engine. driving in snow is great. Heater and air conditioning is simple to operate. Wiper controls are fantastic and make sense. Cruise control on the steering wheel as well as radio controls are like a a more expensive car would have. Changing your own oil is a breeze as the oil filter is vertical and you can get to everything without driving the vehicle on ramps. Visibility when backing up is best in class. Paddle shifting manual mode transmission is handy holding gear downhill. For ~25K out the door a fine machine.