2009 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews

Excellent Utility Vehicle

Written by: Jeff on 06/17/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X 4dr SUV AWD w/All Weather, Premium Pkg, VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Ever shrinking budgets for clearing winter roads convinced me I needed an AWD vehicle. Was looking for something with good gas mileage, AWD, large cargo capability, and smooth ride. The Forester does all these things very well. All weather package is nice for us Michigan folks. Heated wipers, mirrors, and seats plus all weather mats came in handy already this year. Planning many road trips this summer. Forester has very smooth ride on rough and/or dirt roads. Huge moonroof is nice as is the reclining rear seats. Rear seats pop down very easily. Fuel economy has been good at around 25mpg, mostly city. Gets close to 28 on highway. Not super flashy or fast but so far, I love it!

Favorite Features

utility, smooth ride, fuel economy, all weather package, visibility

Suggested Improvements

5 speed auto, better radio

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Should have gotten another car

Written by: AMR on 06/13/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

The car has a non turbo 4 and it has very poor performance and gets dismal mileage, 15 to 16 in the city, 20 to 21 on the highway. It rattles daily, the carpet finish is poor, it takes 3 to 5 turns to start in the rain and the nav system is not only hard to use it is very bad at getting you from A to B in the easiest way possible.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

The car has poor performance, soft handling and is very noisy. I know it is a utilitarian vehicle but for $432 per month lease I feel like I am being robbed daily.

0 out 14 people found this review helpful

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Saab Owner becomes Subie Owner

Written by: Kenny Steinberg on 06/12/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

I bought this as a safe city car for my wife and teenage daughter to share. We are very happy with our purchase. I have read here about the imploding turbo engines on these. I have discussed this with my service manager. He said that early VIN versions did indeed have that problem, but that this has been worked out. Hope so! This is a perfect size for us, and fits four people very comfortably, with five in a pinch.

Favorite Features

Engine smoothness and power, quiet cabin, rear seat legroom, support from the leather seats, comfortable ride and good handling, large sunroof.

Suggested Improvements

Passenger seat too low and no height adjustment; sound system sounds good but is too weak; fuel economy disappointing so far; no six-speed auto and no manual transmission available with the turbo.

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Great all round package

Written by: shiva on 06/11/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

Just got my first Subaru Forester last month. The acceleration is fantastic for an SUV. A bit disappointed in 4 gear transmission, would have expected 5 fwd minimum. Great overall comfort and performance; I would highly recommend.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

5 or 6 fwd automatic transmission and improved breaking.

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You have a 5 Speed Auto Trans?

Written by: A4Maniac on 05/21/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X 4dr SUV AWD w/All Weather, Premium Pkg, VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

To the guy who claims a 5 spd auto trans...bad news, your dealer lied to you. One of the well know (& documented) Forester complaints is the lack of an overdrive gear for the AT, mileage would noticeably improve on the highway instead of the 25 MPG that we get doing 75 MPH. And a 4spd auto with overdrive is same as a 5spd. Plus check the sportshift for that "5th" gear. Mid-year gearbox change is major effort and tough to see. Our review: this is our 2nd Sub & liked the Outback better. The Forester feels cheap even w/ the premium pkg; the improved mpg might not be worth giving up the space of a larger SUV; zero passing power.

Favorite Features

Reliable AWD, decent handling and acceleration from standing positioning (decent low-end torque), reasonably priced, huge moonroof.

Suggested Improvements

Improve interior workmanship and "tinny" feel, offer a 5-speed auto trans, provide a bit more HP on the highway or when AC is running.

11 out 12 people found this review helpful

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Turbo Engine Trouble

Written by: luganlad on 05/20/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

Apparently the 2009 2.5 liter turbo engine has some metallurgic problems. Our engine began making loud banging sounds on a road trip after just 4,000 miles on it. Worked fine prior to this catastrophic breakdown. Subaru will be replacing the engine with hopefully a correctly produced engine.

Favorite Features

AWD, Night lights, sunroof, puddle lamps, navigation computer, easy fold down seats.

Suggested Improvements

Adjustable headrests for forward rear tilt. Better placed seat heater controls. More powerful sound system. Reliable engine.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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A Winner

Written by: Gus on 05/14/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

After suffering through 40 snow events in Chicago last winter, I decided that, while I loved my BMW sedan, I would not go through another winter without an AWD vehicle. I looked at and test drove AWD BMWs including the sedans, X5 and X3. I expanded to other brands, including Ford, Infiniti, Acura, Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Audi. I had been trying to decide between a sedan (the Infiniti M35X) and an SUV (BMW X3) when an old tree-hugging friend recommended that I look at the new Forester. Indeed, that was the last vehicle that I test drove (an XT Limited). I was pleasantly surprised by not only the performance, but the comfort, convenience and utility.

Favorite Features

Nimble. Versatile. Spacious. Smooth ride. Excellent acceleration with turbo engine.

Suggested Improvements

Power passenger seat. Less noisy fan. Better sound dampening at highway speeds.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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In Love With A Car??

Written by: Annette on 05/07/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

Only 1072 miles on her so far but have nothing but raves for this vehicle. Traded a 2007 Pacifica that I really liked. However this car is much easier to park, wend my way thru traffic and put my groceries in.

Favorite Features

Roof, Height adjustable seat and heated seats.

Suggested Improvements

Power seat and five speed transmission.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Buyers beware - another blown engine

Written by: SoxFan on 05/07/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

I've owned 3 Subarus now but this might be my last. The engine blew on my 2009 Forester XT yesterday. Unfortunately this appears to be all-too-common with this year's model. It's at the dealer now and everyone has been great so far with the warranty replacement. Still I can't help feeling remorse with a car that's not even a year old. If this is truly a problem across the model then Subaru needs to step up and address it proactively before they have more stranded motorists.

Favorite Features

Acceleration, visibility, safety, dealer has been great.

Suggested Improvements

Reliability of the powertrain. The folks at the corporate 800 number (guy was defensive and condescending).

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Engine went south at 5000 miles

Written by: PNSM on 04/26/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

I enjoyed the car until the engine stopped and left me stranded on the Interstate today. The Roadside Assistance feature works well, very efficient. I got good gas mileage. The AWD is wonderful especially in the rain. The interior is well designed but the radio is inferior - sound quality is just not there. The ride and comfort level were good. Reliability and faith in Subaru took a hit today after 5,000 miles of fun, I am without a vehicle. Not looking forward to the inconvenience of getting the car back - the nearest dealer is almost 100 miles away.

Favorite Features

AWD

Suggested Improvements

improve reliability and quality control

16 out 21 people found this review helpful

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