Overview & Reviews

For 2011, Subaru Forester 2.5X models have a revised 2.5-liter engine that boosts torque and fuel economy slightly. The 2.5XT Limited trim has been dropped and a couple of new trim levels have been added: the 2.5X Touring and the 2.5XT Touring, positioned above the Limited trim. Several trims get improved audio features, while the 2.5X Premium gets a new optional TomTom navigation system. An eight-way power driver seat (with power-adjustable lumbar support) is now standard on the 2.5XT Premium, and Bluetooth is now standard on all Foresters except the 2.5X.

• Standard all-wheel drive
• Roomy cabin with ample cargo space
• Comfortable ride
• Strong turbocharged engine on XT trims.

• Unimpressive fit and finish.
• Outdated four-speed automatic transmission

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 55.00

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  Second Subie in 4 Months! - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By htx3 - November 17 - 6:44 pm

  Awesome Car! Bought my wife a 2011 Forester Premium in July. Our first Subie. I loved it so much I went and bought a 2011 Forester for myself. Got the 2.5 X(base) 5 speed. I was a GM owner for a number of years. I am sold on Subaru! Solid reliable cars. I have no complaints!

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  Good Value for AWD - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By Chris - November 12 - 2:00 am

  We’ve had a 2011 Forester 2.5X for about a month and are very pleased. The only fault we’ve found is that there is more road noise than we’re used to. Ride is smooth and feels solid. It has plenty of power while getting slightly better than 30 mpg on the highway. The 5 speed manual shifts smoothly, although it feels like it could use a sixth gear. The rear seats fold flat, giving tons of cargo space with built-in hooks galore. Love the audio jack in the center console for the iPod, although the console itself is too far back. Under the hood, all fluids you need to be concerned with are clearly marked and the oil filter is right up front on the topside. Can’t wait to try it in the snow!

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  Best SUV for the buck! - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By Premium Forester - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I researched this purchase extensively. Its by far the best SUV for the $. Safety was my #1 priority. "Rear visibility" (a passive safety feature) is the best of any SUV on the market as is the drive-ability of this SUV (great turning radius). The new engine is great and the vehicle is affordable. The Premium w/All Weather Package is the best value (<$24k++). It packs all the most important and safety technology. It rides like a car and looks unique. Time will tell but so far it is proving to be a very wise purchase. I found each SUV I looked at had its pros / cons but in the final analysis of various data points it wasnt even close. I also get a lot of compliments on it.

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  Exactly what Im looking for - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By driver_365 - July 29 - 9:06 am

  Ive put 450 miles on this lovely 2.5X ltd. Everything looks great so far! Nimble handling. Nice exterior. Plenty of room. Comfortable leather seats. Blue tooth. USB port. the backup camera is a nice safety feature. What I like most is the new engine, which is a surprise. Being also a 07 outback owner, I had expected nothing more than a noisy and slow H4. But this one is totally different. The new design has made low speed acceleration quiet, smooth and effortless. Another highlight is the Yokohama tires. They work well on ice and snow. So, theres no need for snow tires. I expect many years of enjoyable and reliable ride in this car.

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  Great Little Stationwagon - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By Ernie - February 22 - 2:00 am

  After much research and checking out competitors vehicles, my wife and I settled on the Forester. We liked the styling and comfort. Living in the California foothills and mountains we wanted all wheel drive or 4 wheel drive. Being a 4 cylinder, I thought it was a little underpowered, but after three months of ownership, we are both convinced, this car needs a 6 speed automatic to perform and keep up with traffic, especially in the hills. Being promoted as an outdoor vehicle for use in the hills, it seems funny most cars have a 6 speed automatic and Subaru has a 4 speed that was common in the 70s. Keeping the engine rpm in the higher ranges would make this car stellar. A good car.

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  A great Value but by no means perfect. . . - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By kghofsf - January 31 - 8:35 am

  I recently bought a Pearl Blue 2.5X Limited Forester. I was looking for a smaller Crossover that was rugged enough to handle some relatively sketchy gravel / dirt roads on the way to the back-country, but was not completely out of place in an Urban environment. I also didnt want to spend 40K+ either. After returning from a 2500 mile road trip to the Tucson AZ area I can confirm that the Forester essentially fulfills its twin goals of being both tough enough for the desert and civilized enough for everyday driving. It is Not, however, a luxury car (see the Volvo XC60) nor is it a Performance car. As such people with long daily commutes might want to look elsewhere.

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  This thing is GARBAGE!!! - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By markfu - January 28 - 5:55 pm

  It burns oil!!!!! My wife bought this new and we just had to have the engine rebuilt because it had no oil in it at the dealership recommended 7500 mile oil change!!!!! The dealership, with a straight face, tells us that 1 quart every 1500 miles is normal??? I have a 1995 Ford Bronco and it burns a quart every 6k miles. Why is it that an engine that is 19+ years old burns less oil than one 3 years old? How is this ok? How did this pass quality controll??? Why, why, why????? Pass these heaps over if you are wise! It is completely insane that a "modern" vehicle burns oil like its a vehicle from the 1970s, INSANE!!!!

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  Good car for slippery road but rattles - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By pvp5 - January 18 - 7:06 pm

  I have been driving this car since November 2010, and I have mixed feelings about this car. On the good side, it has handled very well from last winter (heavy snow, ice and rain) with winter tires and AWD drive. Also, I have total 360 degree view for turning and backing up without needing a rear view camera. I also love the tight turning capability (useful for U-turn and tight parking spaces). The bad side is Subarus failure of attention of details, particularly the moon roof, and driver seat. The moon roof rattles --particularly the build-in wind visor--when it is closed. This has annoyed me very much. Also, the driver seat is hard and so very uncomfortable for long drive.

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  Not all warm and Fozzy - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By arveejay - November 21 - 4:37 am

  There is a lot of noise inside the car at speed. I spent a couple hours setting up the hands free Bluetooth phone. Pairing the phone was easy. Sitting still, windows up, programming numbers was a major chore. The voice mostly said pardon. It just didnt want to accept numbers. We finally got 6-7 numbers programmed and took it for a test ride. It rarely worked, even at speeds under 35 mph. At speeds above 55, forget it. Dealer replaced the radio and the microphone. Tech prewarned me it was no better, and it isnt. Called S.O.A. and I was informed there was no know fix for it. Bumper 2 bumper warranty, and it cant be fixed. Thats reassuring.Pistons rattle when cold. Was told its normal.

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  An honest Car! - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By clobrun - September 5 - 2:11 pm

  Before I bought my Forester 2.5XT, I did a lot of research and tried many vehicles of the same type. Driving the Subaru for the first time was an interesting experience. The vehicle did exactly what the maker said it would do. Nothing more, nothing less. There were no surprises. I love my Forester a whole lot. It is great on the road and has plenty of power. You are not overwhelmed by the gadgetry. It is plain but very efficient. It has everything I need. I feel secure in it. In all, it does not disappoint. It gives you exactly what it says it will give. An honest all around vehicle.