2009 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews

Good Value-and Fun Too

Written by: steamloco76 on 10/22/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X 4dr SUV AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The 2009 Forester in base trim provides a ton of utility, capability and safety for a fairly low price. I am a big-tall type and most vehicles don't fit me well-the Forester has plenty of room and big, wide opening front doors for easy entry. Excellent visibility and driver sight lines. Negatives- Seat cushions are too short, pedal space is tight for size 14E shoes and the seat cloth and carpet are cheap feeling. Biggest complaint INTERIOR RATTLES!! The clutch is smooth, but the drive-by wire throttle hangs revs-coupled with a notchy shifter makes smooth shifting challenging, however, the stick allows you to make best use of the high revving flat four. Handling is nearly sport car class.

Favorite Features

Great AWD system. Sporty handling. Tight turning radius. Room for the big- tall types. Very good visibility. Decent gas mileage for a full time AWD wagon.

Suggested Improvements

Better interior quality control and seat fabric. Better wearing stock tires-the Bridgestone Duelers wont make 20K miles. Tinted windows on the base model. Bring back the standard skid plates.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Only if you love your mechanic...

Written by: RLM on 10/13/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I've owned my Forester for 10 months, 11K miles on it and I'm considering a trade in. While this vehicle is exactly what I want in a car as a small SUV and I enjoy driving the car at times, overall the poor quality of the workmanship of the car makes me regret my purchase. I've had the car in for both a major repair (power steering replacement) and major annoyances (mystery noises from door panels, rear-door catch had to be re- welded, and buzzing noises from stereo). Honestly, I miss my 7 year old 125K car I traded in because that car had less body noise and rattling than this brand new car. I'm severely disappointed in the quality of this car and I am considering cutting my losses now.

Favorite Features

The Ipod Interface to the stereo is great if you are a tech & music lover. I love the roomy interior and style. For its size it gets good fuel economy. I recommend the all weather floor mats & trunk mat.

Suggested Improvements

Better insulation and workmanship to reduce rattling noises!!! Better stereo that doesn't produce buzzing noises when bass occurs. Improve the comfort of the seats, seat height & head restraint angle.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Bittersweet

Written by: dcw2 on 09/21/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Finally a car with enough headroom without sitting on the ground! I'm 6'5 and I sit with the seat straight up and my head does not hit the ceiling. Wife is 4'11 and passenger seat is way too low. Before you buy know this, 09 foresters have been consistently having rattling problems. No fix in sight other than tearing out the interior and doing a custom job. By rattling I mean pull your hair out mad that your new car sounds like rattling. Am totally shocked by this but wow the headroom.

Favorite Features

head room

Suggested Improvements

Rattling!!! OH MY GOD IT'S HORRIBLE! The stereo is really bad. The sound is so off I'm limited as to which albums I can listen to. The highs and lows are all messed up and you can't alter the dynamics enough to make it better. Passenger looks like a little kid from outside they sit so low.

5 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Well Engineered

Written by: yooper on 09/16/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

AWD is flawless. Pulls my boat out of water with ease!! Quiet interior at 70 mph. I tried several small SUVs, none drove in a solid controlled way. It challenges my BMW 323. With 3000 miles, I'm averaging 26 mpg total, includes 60% city/40% highway. Pulls utility trailer with ease. Simple interior controls are breath of fresh air.

Favorite Features

Comfortable seats, passenger seat could be higher. AWD is well done!! MPG very acceptable, simple interior controls, excellent space with rear seats down. Nice compass, temp and mileage display. Love this vehicle!!

Suggested Improvements

Body sounds hollow when closing doors, 17" wheels should be available without buying a package same with fog lights, interior display lights could be brighter during day driving.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Close to 19k miles in first anniversary

Written by: Manny on 09/11/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X L.L.Bean Edition 4dr SUV AWD w/VDC, Nav (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

First time Subaru owner; may go back to Toyota. Two months after the purchase felt like wheels were spinning on two occasions. Finally at 15k transmission is gone. Dealer wanted to charge $90 for transmission flush. Threatened them to call Subaru of America and only then they agreed to replace tranny for new one. A/C had intermittent problem that showed up shortly after I bought it. Had to get Subaru of America involved to get dealer to provide loaner car and keep the Forester overnight to try to duplicate problem. Disappointed with the service received at dealership for a fairly new car under warranty. Makes me wonder what's next? Wife thinks I bought a "LEMON". Have Subaru phone # on hand.

Favorite Features

Visibility, panoramic moonroof, comfort, nice ride, symmetric all wheel drive, good handling.

Suggested Improvements

Audio System, flat trunk (slanted floor; cargo slides toward hatch). Cheap interior/carpet. Turning signal arrows in rear view mirrors. Lack of digital A/C controls, no interior temp gauge. It will be a better car in the near future...

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Fix the seats

Written by: roadturtle on 08/31/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X 4dr SUV AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

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 couldn't I buy a drivers power seat without spending $4000 extra. Now I wish I had. This may be last Subaru.

Favorite Features

Fun to drive, parks easy, good gas mileage, great visibility. Large back seat. Great headroom.

Suggested Improvements

Fix lousy seat frames, Raise passenger seat up, Add 2 inches of rear seat travel, make privacy glass standard on all models, make adding fog lites a simple plug in instead of a $400 job changing Headlamp stalk. Add a fifth gear to automatic transmission, and a diesel option with an automatic trans.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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First time Subaru owner

Written by: Martin on 08/31/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I switched from a Volvo V70 front wheel drive because I wanted the the advantages of AWD in snow and icy conditions. I had previously owned a Volkswagen Passat with AWD (same system at the time as Audi Quattro) and I considered getting an Audi Quattro station wagon, but the ground clearance was a limitation in deep snow. So far, after 11 000 km. very happy with this car. BUT: I live in Europe, bought the car with the new Boxer Diesel: 147 hp. 256 ft./lb. torque, 6 speed manual tranny and, absolutely no kidding: 43 mpg. highway mileage. Why don't you guys in the States demand to get in on the real action with this car?

Favorite Features

AWD, ride, mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Interior more on a par with my V70 or Audi. Do something about the annoying tendency to "buck" when the electronic climate control is on. Dealer explains this is due to AC compressor engaging/disengaging, citing it draws about 7-8 hp. I feel this is unacceptable in a car today.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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New Turbo Subie Owner

Written by: TLH on 08/26/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)

Review

7 mo/7000 miles, so far so good. Almost bought a RAV4 V6, but didn't like paying extra for accessories and hated RAV4 looks. However, would have bought a V6 Forester if available vs turbo-4cyl. While the car is fun, sometimes it seems it can't decide whether to downshift or use turbo, so performance is jerky with some lag at times. Could be due to 4spd auto tranny (or my driving style, which is avg to a little aggressive). MPG is ok, 20-23mpg avg, with up to 25 seen during a recent 1000 mile trip. I installed aftermarket oil temp and turbo gauge b/c I like to be more informed about engine status vs silly idiot lights. However, I still think its the best small SUV on the market, no regrets.

Favorite Features

huge moonroof, looks (wheels, hood scoop, rear wing, and optional sport grill look awesome!), handling, AWD, stereo controls on steering wheel, size, visibility (vs RAV4), ground clearance, leather heated seats with lumbar support, rugged package, safety features

Suggested Improvements

Better interior materials/exterior paint (mine already has lots of scratches/dings inside/outside after only 7 months!), update tranny, offer V6, bring back a real temp gauge! Put turbo gauge on turbo models (seems like a no-brainer), round cup holders, larger mud guards (seem like an afterthought).

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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One Year Past Now, Like It A Lot

Written by: Linda on 08/20/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)

Review

Have had the XT for one year now, 14,000 miles, and like it a lot. Nothing has gone wrong. Ride comfort is excellent, very fun and nimble to drive, gas mileage OK at 22.2 overall. Would have liked a finer quality interior. I made the front seats comfortable with memory-foam seat cushions topped by sheepskin covers. Love the cargo space and visibility, turning circle, cornering ability, power. So far, so good!

Favorite Features

Handling, great ride (far better than Toyota), cargo space, visibility.

Suggested Improvements

Needs a better interior, especially the cheap carpet.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Outstanding $ for Value!

Written by: Bee Dub on 08/11/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X 4dr SUV AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I've owned my Forester almost a year now. It's not sexy but it's extremely practical. It's been an absolute pleasure to drive and own. I live in CO so it's been tested in snow, ice, mountains, dirt roads, etc. No problems. The 4 speed auto could be a big problem in mountain driving except the sport shift feature makes it into an easy to use manual transmission! I've averaged 26.1 MPG since owning it, much better than anticipated.

Favorite Features

Outstanding AWD capability, plenty of interior room, great safety equipment, sport shift, and the handling and turn radius rock!

Suggested Improvements

Add an adjustable passenger seat and better sound system.

11 out 11 people found this review helpful

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