Overview & Reviews

Subaru's well-regarded Forester crossover sport-ute has been completely redesigned to be an even more enjoyable addition to your family. Engineers have given the tall wagon more interior room, a stiffer body structure, a revised chassis and more standard feature content -- all while keeping exterior dimensions the same and reducing the curb weight by 90 pounds.

• Standard all-wheel drive, availability of upscale features, high safety scores.

• Only one engine choice, price can be higher than most of the competition.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 163.00

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  tips on equipping - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By twolvesfan - December 22 - 10:00 am

  i expected to buy an impreza wrx wagon for its performance, but ended up with the forester X instead. what really helps this car stand out is its space and utility (five people plus one bike fit comfortably inside over a three hour car ride), and its interior (far superior to the impreza, finish almost comparable to a luxury car). a little underpowered, but can still comfortably weave through highway traffic when needed. nothing you cant live without. get the pop equip pkg. also request the armrest extension; you wont know where to put your right arm without it.

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  Good Car - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By billreed63 - December 21 - 9:06 pm

  The car has had excellent reliability. The gas mileage could be better based on the cars size and engine performance. The carpet is very poor. We already have a hole in the carpet from wear.

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  Highly recommended. - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Martind - November 9 - 10:00 am

  We bought new due to a dearth or nearly- new Foresters; glad we did now. Love the car. Feels rock-solid and unbreakable. Surprisingly quiet and comfortable with excellent features such as climate control, heated seats, etc. Dealer was very patient (I took my time deciding) and helpful. Handling is confidence-inspiring and new design tasteful. Would definitely recommend the car to anyone who has pets or needs a car with utility and not the price/fuel consumption of the larger SUVs.

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  lots of car/tall wagon/suv for your $$$ - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By smallfish - November 9 - 10:00 am

  put 1100 miles on my platinum silver forester 2.5X already. no problems so far. love the car. like the textured gray bumpers and side moldings which makes it look like a volvo cross county. like the heavy solid sound of the doors. base X model came with all the options i would ever need and use. although wish they had a moonroof option for the X. nice steel wheels even on a base model. lovely interior. sharp looking texturd soft vinyl trim all around. lots of car for your dollar.

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  Most reliable car Ive ever owned!!! - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By spunkyhorn - September 14 - 7:41 am

  I absolutely love my 2003 subaru forester. It has never left me stranded and has required the least amount of repairs of any car Ive owned. The only repairs that Ive done on it are wear out parts like brakes and rotors. Ive recently (105,000k) had the timing belt, water pump, and most of the fluids replaced just as a pre-emtive strike to keeping this vehicle running as best it can well into the 100ks.

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  yip-dee-doo for my subaru - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By dante inferno - September 9 - 10:00 am

  i really like this car

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  Genuine SUV - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Zeke3579 - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Wanted an SUV for toughness and abilities. Looked at practically all and listened to what everone said - carefully. Had owned a Subaru wagon previously so deliberately left that to last. Absolutely no comparison, even went back to refresh my memory of the best of the competition. The Forester is relatively simple (not all bells & whistles of say Ford Escape) but does it all so much better - eg, space, comfort, access, reliability etc, etc. Yes, it could be better as nothing is absolutely perfect but the topper is that it is the safest SUV on the road. That and its clear vision from anywhere inside means most to me, and my family.

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  looks tougher than it is - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Jimmy - July 23 - 8:30 pm

  Nice ride, good mileage and easy getting in and out. Not too quiet from the outside. The steering was off a bit after 500 miles because I went over a 2 foot high pile of dirt. A side view mirror cracked cracked in half on a winter night. The back seat is for little people only. The brakes didnt last too long either, it pulled to the right every stop after 10,000 miles.

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  2003 vs 2002 - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Nova Tony - July 23 - 10:00 am

  Weve had a 2002 Forester S Premium for a little over two years; and like it so much that we recently replaced our other car with a 2003 XS with the premium leather package. Both are auto trans. Drove the 2003 from Virginia up to Acadia Maine and spent a month driving in Maine and Western Massachusetts (3000 miles). No complaints, very similar to the prior model (which is an excellent vehicle) except for a flaw in the drivers seat adjustment mechanism.

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  Totally reliable, but a bit spartan. - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Jon P - July 21 - 11:03 pm

  I did a great deal of research on mid-size SUVs and narrowed my choices to the 2003 CRV or the 2003 Forester. After 4 years and 45K of driving I think I may never buy anything but a Subaru again. The car handles any weather condition you can throw at it with ease. Snow, rain, ice, sub-zero temps. The car behaves well in any element. Most importantly though the car just runs well with no major mechanic or electrical problems to date. Certainly there are some minor, mostly aesthetic and comfort changes I would welcome. However this car has earned my trust and has been an excellent ambassador for the Subaru line-up. The best vehicle purchase I have ever made.