Used 2017 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV SUV Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV SUV.
Most helpful consumer reviews
My First Subaru!
Lori T., Long Beach, CA, 10/08/2016
2017 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
Mostly my review is positive. I have one of the higher-end trim packages of the Subaru Forester, and, it is my first SUV as well as first Subaru. I'd love to see better climate control for the back seat people (they must rely on the front seat AC/heat vents to eventually reach them). There are limited amounts of cupholders, and the front two in the middle console are ok, but they are … front to back with each other and the back one requires moving the armrest backward to a position where it's not really much use. I suppose the mileage is good for a car this size (I've only had it a month, and I'm averaging 25 MPG). But, coming from a Prius C prior to this, and having 50-54 MPG regularly, this is a bit hard to take. (Deep breaths, it will be ok). The safety features at this point in my life are more important than MPG. I am loving the "Eyesight Technology"! I love sitting up high and feeling a larger presence on the road. Love the steering responsive headlights, and the backup camera is awesome. It's a smooth ride, and a good looking car. It did have a complicated electrical/computer problem the 2nd day that I owned it, so back it went to the dealer for three days. All seems to be well now, after a special technician was called to make an appearance to come to the computer's rescue. It's only been a month, so I cannot speak to the repair cost issue, nor to the reliability of the car, which I will know as time goes on.
Windshield replacement cost - have “the Eye”
Sharon, Rocklin, CA, 06/06/2018
2017 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
I like my Subaru Forester, however ..... If your Subaru has the safety package “The Eye” and a rock hits and cracks your windshield ... replacement windshield can take up to three weeks to come to your dealership, as apparently it is considered a special order. You, the car owner, pay’s special order delivery fee. I was quoted a price of $856 total for this new windshield by two … different Subaru dealerships and Safelite too. When I complained about the cost, I was told the safety package needs to be recalibrated once installed. As a Forester owner I am “extremely” disappointed with replacement time and part availability, and think Subaru’s cost of $856 is outrageous for its car owners.
4th Subaru; 1st Forester
Brian, Ashburn, VA, 02/21/2017
2017 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
This is a solid package and a relatively good value for the Touring trim. The gas mileage is ok, not great - I think 26-27mpg is about as high as we will see based on the first 1000 miles of driving. We love the overall package though. It feels roomy for such a short car, and the sunroof is incredible...lets in a ton of light, even when it's rainy and dark out. I don't love the seats- I … feel like I'm always sliding forward in them, and the bottom cushions feel too short (I'm 6') but are otherwise comfortable. Went to the snow last week and the car did great (as expected). This is a really great car for the money.
8 month update:
Now that we have had it for 8 months and about 6,000 miles, I thought I'd update this. Our early impressions stand: gas mileage is 26mpg with mostly urban driving (easily over 30mpg on the highway), the front seats still aren't super comfortable for me (although my husband disagrees), and we are still happy with the purchase.
One thing I'm not in love with is the CVT transmission - it sometimes surges at low speeds as if it can't decide what ratio it wants, and the "slipping" feeling inherent in CVTs still feels weird. In the mountains, though, the transmission is great...smoothly finding the right ratio for the grade/load. Without paddle shifters, though, it's tough to use the engine to slow the car on downgrades, and selecting Low helps but feels like a compromise. And the throttle response is waaay too sensitive for smooth takeoffs...still not used to that after 8 months.
Overall we are happy with our purchase...it's a useful, practical, and nice looking little wagon!
2 year update:
We’ve now had the car for two years and have 22k miles on it. Gas mileage has stayed around 26mpg overall, with 30 easily attainable on the highway. Not bad for an AWD car like this. My previous review is still accurate - the CVT is weird, the throttle sensitivity off the line is insane, and the front seats are not very comfortable for me, but that’s it for complaints. Our Forester has been amazing in snow and off road, it tows our 1500# camper just fine, and it handles really well for an SUV. Other than changing the oil and air filters, it’s needed no maintenance in its first two years.
2500mi on my 2017 Touring
Laura K., Cleveland, OH, 09/28/2016
2017 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
I've driven the wheels off this car in the last month, 2 semi-long road trips for family events. I thought about keeping it parked but it's such a nice drive on the highway, I couldn't imagine leaving it in the driveway. This is my first SUV or crossover, I'm coming from a 2011 Mazda 3 5-speed, so I was a bit nervous about the transition to CVT. The shifting is taking time to get used … to, but she will get up and go when I need it. The RPMs are usually low when I look, ~2k cruising but up to 6k if pushing it extra hard. The take-off is lacking but I knew that when I weighed the cost of ownership for the turbo; that said, she'll do what you need her to do. The noise is very low this year and it's noticeably so. I listen to audio books which can sometimes be difficult when doing 70mph. The interior is relaxing overall. The visibility makes me less nervous about driving such a big thing and the controls are easy. The navigation is absolutely fantastic and the bluetooth has worked flawlessly. The headlights that turn with the steering wheel are AMAZING for country driving and has helped me see deer in the road. The automatic cruise control and break assist is equally as fantastic. I can honestly say that the break assist may have saved me from rear ending someone already! Within the first week! The car behind me pulled to the side it happened so very quickly! The ONLY con I have really is the automatic headlights. These things make no sense and basically do whatever the heck they want. If you have automatic headlights turned on, you cant override and turn on the brights without holding the stick back. Seriously, WTH!? When I'm coming down by suburban street late at night, I like to watch for my neighbors cats and such but can't turn the brights on without either turning the headlights to manual or holding the stick.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV SUV
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Airy interior with plenty of room for adults in both seating rows
- Pro:Impressive fuel economy for an all-wheel-drive crossover
- Pro:Optional turbocharged engine provides spirited acceleration
- Pro:Above-average off-road ability
- Con:CVT may seem less responsive and refined than a traditional automatic
- Con:Doesn't feel as sporty around turns as some rivals
- Con:Cabin design and materials aren't especially noteworthy
- Con:Maximum tow rating isn't particularly robust
Which Forester does Edmunds recommend?
The standard 2.5i is well equipped for its very reasonable price, but there's better value to be had for not much more. The next rung up the ladder is the 2.5i Premium, and it's a standout in the Forester lineup considering its feature content and price. You can certainly get additional luxuries if you want them, but we think the Premium represents the best bang for your buck. The turbocharged 2.0XT versions are pricey, but owners who drive on hilly or high-altitude terrain will appreciate the extra performance.
Full Edmunds Review: 2017 Subaru Forester SUV
Driving
3.5Thanks in large part to the XT's 250 horsepower, the Forester is arguably the best-performing vehicle in this class. When combined with confident braking, on and off-road handling and multiple driving modes, the Forester is clearly a jack-of-all-trades.
Comfort
4.0The Forester's comfortable cabin and quiet ride make the case for taking this SUV out of the city and onto the open road. The ride is good across all surfaces, and most everyone will be able to find enough room and creature comforts to stay happy for hours at a time.
Interior
3.0There's nothing exceptional about the Forester's interior, but it shows the efforts Subaru has made to bring this SUV up to par with its competition. The overload of screens and redundant menus, along with an unusually high seating position, are the only real marks against it.
Utility
3.5Practicality is definitely one of the Forester's strong suits. With plenty of room for day-to-day items, there's also no shortage of space for larger bags, groceries or camping gear. But all that practicality comes at the expense of accommodating larger car seats.
Technology
3.0Though the new center display is a welcome step forward for Subaru both in terms of resolution and usability, the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a big disappointment. Subaru's own suite of safety features is very comprehensive and has improved since the previous year.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2017 Subaru Forester in New York is:
not availableLegal