Used 2014 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews
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UPDATE 60,000 Mile Review ---> Now at 78,000 miles
Daxer, 09/09/2015
updated 03/16/2016
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
71 of 72 people found this review helpful
This is an update to my earlier review posted on 09/09/15 (I got an email notice from Edmund asking me to do so, so what the heck). Apparently there's a word limit, which I'd reached with my first review, so please refer to that original post to see my full review although I'll touch on a couple of items mentioned earlier. It's been 6 months and another 18,000 miles since my first post (yes, I drive a lot of miles). Regarding the oil consumption issue: In my original post I mentioned my low-oil light came on for the first time at 51,500 which was about 1000 miles shy of the 52,500 scheduled maintenance interval. At that time I just changed the oil then and there. At the time of my post I was at 58,000, still in the "safe zone" on the dipstick, and wondering whether I'd see another low-oil light before the next 7500 interval. I did not. I've changed the oil twice since then; once I had to add oil, the other time I did not. So my oil change and oil consumption history to date has been: 0 - 45400: Oil changed roughly every 7500 miles. No excessive oil consumption (i.e. no low-oil light) during this period. 45400 - 51500: Low-oil light came on at 51,500 - changed oil early. 51500 - 59222: No low-oil light. 59222 - 66950: No low-oil light. 66950 - 74388: Low-oil light came on at 73,450 - added about 3/4 quart. 74388 - 77,980 (current): No low-oil light, oil level one-third down from top hole on dipstick. By the way: In January 2016 Subaru announced they were settling the class-action lawsuit regarding oil consumption: "Subaru has agreed to extend its 5 year, 60,000-mile warranty in respect to the alleged defect to an 8 year, 100,000-mile warranty. SOA will also reimburse certain expenses for vehicle repairs, rental cars, towing and the purchase of up to six quarts of oil per vehicle with appropriate proof." Moving on. The other issue I commented on in my first review was the lousy OEM tires and how I couldn't wait to change them, which I did at 65,000. I was down to 4/32s and started to hydroplane in moderate downpours so that was a no-brainer. With a fresh set of General Altimax RT43s grip and handling improved greatly, both in wet weather and especially in light snow (I put my snows back on in January). In fact, if anything these particular tires are a little too grippy as my mileage droped by a couple of mpgs but as I was getting great mileage beforehand I'm not too disappointed with this aspect of things. What I am a little disappointed with however was the new tires didn't improve the ride comfort. I've always felt my Forester rode a little harsh on rough roads and over bumps and railroad tracts, etc. I had attributed some of this to the lousy OEM tires and was hoping a change to fresh rubber would help. The ride has improved somewhat but I still feel more rough road than I'd like. One last testament conerning traction and winter driving: In late January, I had to venture down unplowed dirt roads the morning after a 10 inch snowfall (having by this time changed over to my second-year Goodyear UltraGrip Ice WRTs). Chewed through the fresh snow without incident. Amazing. Not much else to add to my original post, no other maintenance issues to speak of. I fear I'll need new brakes soon and not looking forward to that expense but I'll adhere to the schedule and hope to have my Subie for many more years.
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First subaru
fannibal, 02/09/2014
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
42 of 42 people found this review helpful
I've had my car for 2 weeks and I absolutely love it! It is definitely a practical buy, so people looking for prestige/performance should look elsewhere. mpg is great, I am getting 28-30 in the first few hundred miles, even though I am mostly in 20-30mph traffic during most of my commute. I recently drove through a major snowstorm in the northeast and this thing performed wonderfully!
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OIl problem fixed
Jonathan Patchett, 07/16/2015
updated 01/17/2017
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
29 of 29 people found this review helpful
This was the original complaint, but see also new paragraph below. "Anyone buying this car should know that it will very likely use large amounts of oil. Subaru know about this, but do not mention it until the customer complains. Then they have an "oil consumption test", where the criteria to pass are ambiguous, but in essence if the car uses 0.33 quarts or less in 1200 miles, or can be argued to be in that ballpark of usage, they will not take any action. That criterion of 0.33 quarts in 1200 miles would leave the owner adding more than 1.5 quarts of oil between oil changes (synthetic oil, 6000 miles). The dealership appears to use any means available to avoid admitting there is a problem". Following settlement of a class-action lawsuit, the approach of the dealership seemed to reverse course. The service personnel then determined that our car failed a newly-conducted oil consumption test, even though the results seemed to us to be substantially the same as before. The dealership and Subaru America replaced the main part of the engine block (called the short block), and now the car loses very little oil, if any. We are now very pleased with the dealership, the outcome, and with the car.
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Constantly having to check engine oil
john749, 04/30/2014
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
40 of 41 people found this review helpful
Ok. we do drive a lot of miles(33,000) in 1 year. We have car serviced every 5000 miles at our local Subaru dealer with Subaru products. Each time of service I buy 2 extra quarts of oil this will keep it full until next service.I have complained they(dealer) tell me it's normal consumption.No leaks. It does drive and ride well just a pain to keep up with the engine oil.We bought this car brand new and we don't abuse it.This is info for anyone thinking of buying the 14 forester 2.5.We buy a new car every 3 years not sure if we'll buy another Subaru.
'14 XT possibly the best Forester to date.
kurtamaxxxguy, 04/03/2013
updated 04/05/2018
2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
44 of 46 people found this review helpful
The '14 Forester project leader vowed to improve last gen Forester in every way. He and his team have largely succeeded, for the '14 XT manages to ride, handle, accelerate, brake, and use fuel far better than the capable '09 XT it replaces. More like Lexus or euro car, the new XT outdoes most euros on interior packaging efficiency. Reliability's unknown as of yet but '14 build quality seems good with far fewer rattles and jiggles than in the older XT. Only weak spot is the new turbo engine, which has had several reprogramming, carbon buildup and valve rattle issues (all covered by warranty).
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2.0XT Touring is a high quality jem
autotimer, 01/02/2014
2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
19 of 19 people found this review helpful
I have owned this car for two months. It is really fun to drive. I drove the2.5i Limited first but when I drove the 2.0 XT I fell in love with it. I have sacrificed gas mileage but the smooth power and increased handling capabilities sold me. Then the dealer offered me a trade in price for my car I could not pass up. I had a Mazda CX5 which was a good car but my wife had problems getting in that car and its visibility was not great. The Forester solved those problems. There is a solid high quality feeling with the Forester. Each day I drive this car I feel the refinement of its build.
Excellent!
fannibal, 05/26/2014
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
18 of 18 people found this review helpful
Safety, visibility, AWD and transmission. These are 4 things which aren't very sexy, but oh my goodness do I love them! Safety features are things which I rely on the IIHS and NHTSA to tell me if they are good or not. The visibility and transmission for this car is amazing. I commend the company for not going for sacrificing practicality in the name of design. The windows improves my mood so much! I absolutely love driving this car and being able to see the sky and everything around me! The transmission is also extremely responsive. The AWD is also awesome! performed wonderfully last winter.
Do not buy this vehicle
michael leclerc, 01/06/2016
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
29 of 30 people found this review helpful
I purchased a 2014 Forester in the end May of 2015 (19,000 miles). After driving for about 1200 miles the low oil light came on. The dealership topped of the oil 4 times before they would do the oil consumption test. After the test they replaced my engine(so they say). After driving the new engine for a week, the low oil light came on. Topped off oil again. Consumption test again tomorrow. 7 months of owning this vehicle and over 20 hours of waiting in the waiting room. I want my 2006 Nissan back!
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First Subaru
atthelake, 08/26/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
17 of 17 people found this review helpful
Overall I am pretty pleased and it feels like it is built well but time will be the true judge. The ride is quiet and I like the CVT where you are always in the right gear - well not literally but its nice to feather the RPMs for just the right power without stepping across gears. After about 1000 miles I pretty much get 24/32 MPG city/hwy and could probably get higher if I kept it below 70MPH on the hwy. The seats were comfortable on a 10 hour trip and the rear camera is a first for me and works well. If you come from a Ford sync system you will find the connectivity less robust and more challenging to set up. See additional suggestions below.
I have to smile every time I drive this car
asutter1, 09/19/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
17 of 17 people found this review helpful
Purchased this car a little over 5 months ago and have about 7500 miles on it. 3 big trips, driving around town and my wife's 25 mile commute to work. I love driving this car no matter where I am driving. I am amazed at all the room in this car. At 6', I am used to having to put the drivers all the way back, but not in Forester. Second row leg room is unbelievable. Our 3 person family is used to taking trips in a Grand Caravan, but enjoyed taking this car instead. Everything still fit, but a nicer ride. CVT transmission is nice on cruise control as it can keep the speed steadier than auto transmission. Visibility is great, both with the height off the ground and the large windows.
Basically a good car with a few faults
Simon Levinson, 09/21/2015
updated 03/24/2017
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
39 of 41 people found this review helpful
I have had this car since new for over three years. The 2014 Forester has outstanding visibility and an excellent CVT that delivers great gas mileage. I'm 6'2" and I find the driver's position very comfortable. The cargo capacity is adequate for my needs (e.g. putting 8 ft long lumber in the interior for my woodworking projects). I find the electric steering to be responsive and provides good feel of the road, while the low speed parking maneuverability is excellent. Two serious faults: the ride is incredibly rough, especially over the poorly paved streets of Denver. Riding on residential streets feels like being pummeled by a boxer! My wife had a back operation and couldn't ride in the car for months! I haven't used it off road, but I worry that the ride will render it unusable. The second problem is a non-functional Bluetooth that will not connect reliably with my iPhone6 (nor did it with a previous iPhone4). Since my iPhone6 connects just fine with other car Bluetooth systems, this is clearly Subaru's problem, much as they denied it. Minor annoyances: The terrible instrumentation, which uses three separate and different format displays for fuel levels, consumption, audio system status, etc....very distracting and with lots o' useless information, such as driven wheel status, antilock activation (you can feel this, after all!), and several different displays for fuel rate consumption...overall, a very distracting and potentially dangerous system. On the other hand, there is no temperature gauge, just a blue idiot light that goes out when the engine warms up. Also, the climate control system is rather weak, and in cold weather in particular takes much too long to warm the cabin. This is the 7th Subaru that I've owned since 1981, and I generally kept them until they wear out (or were totaled by my kids). However, the flaws in this one, mostly the rough ride, has me considering trading it in for a Rav4 or a CRV.
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Oil sucker
Tom, 01/04/2016
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
I bought the forester in Jan 15 it had 23,000 miles on it. I drive 104 miles round trip to work each day. I have 47,000 on the suv now and just lately I have noticed it is drinking oil. After a fresh oil change I find that the oil light comes on after about 2,000 miles and I have to add a quart. I put the recommend synthetic oil in about every 6-8,000 miles. I have been in the car business for 40+ years and have always driven newer cars I have never had to add any oil. This is definitely a problem. I bought the Subaru because I thought it would be a reliable car,but now I,m not so sure. I'm going to contact the dealer and see what they do. Stay tuned.
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Thirsty for oil 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited
Jessy M., 07/11/2016
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
I bought the 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited in October of 2013. I'll start with the positives: I'm very impressed with the style (used to look dumpy prior model years), the reasonable gas mileage, the room, the fact that I can easily get in/out of the SUV (I'm short), the leather seating (I have chronic back pain so it helps), the huge moon roof, the lift gate, the safety, AWD handling, the brakes are nice (not super touchy and doesn't pull you forward). The cons so far: the options if it's not standard can be pretty pricey, what comes standard is not always the greatest (Acura per example, would beat out Subaru in that department, specifically the technology dept.), the heat takes awhile to get warm, a lot of trouble starting the car if it's colder than usual (-0), heated seats do not stay heated, sometimes I hear road noise even though windows are all up, not all doors have a light so if you're sitting in the back, it's hard to see where the window button is if you want to roll down the window when it's dark, the driver visor mirror does not have a light (pretty cheap if you ask me!), and most importantly, my car is one of the year/VIN/models affected by oil consumption issues. Recently, my oil light went on, on my way to work. I brought it to the dealership that day since it's under the power train warranty and there is an active lawsuit against Subaru that I was notified about. I was told that my car (2K more miles to the next oil change) lost 1 1/2 quarts of oil (not sure where it went b/c it didn't leak from what I could tell). They changed the oil and replaced a gasket (pretty bad that needed replacement but thankful it was under warranty), and I was told to bring the car back 1200 miles later for another oil consumption test (coming up), do not add oil if the oil light comes up and they will replace the engine if it goes while under the warranty. I haven't had to pay anything out of my own pocket for that yet, knock on wood, but this shouldn't happen to a car that doesn't even have 40K miles on it yet and is Japanese engineered! Subaru really needs to fix this problem! Enough people are affected that they should notice and be proactive!! I'm very disappointed and I don't know if I'll ever get another Subaru! So far, I seem to have better luck with Honda's....
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Best of the small crossovers I've tried
misprof, 12/28/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
I am 6'5" and my wife is 5'3" and we wanted something that we could adjust to both be able to drive comfortably. We tried a Forester last year, but the visibility was nowhere near as good and the interior seemed very cheap. The 2014 is a huge improvement. I don't have to adjust the seat all the way back even with my 35" inseam legs. Visibility is much better due to the larger windows all around and the relatively straight roof line, unlike a lot of the competitors. After about 400 miles I am getting about 29 MPG of mostly highway driving. Overall I like the look and functionality. It isn't flashy, but is the most comfortable and practical of the crossovers out there.
2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT
groksurf, 01/25/2015
updated 01/27/2018
2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
Lots to like about this vehicle if you do 50-50 street/highway driving and off-road mountain and desert roads of moderate difficulty from time-to-time. I wish it came with all-terrain tires rather than the stock Bridgestones. There are only 2, maybe 3 tires that will fit this vehicle's 18 inch rims with oversized front disk brakes. I've done the research and I think the Yokahama Geolander A-T-S is still the only all-terrain contender that will fit without troubles with the brakes or sidewalls. Gas mileage has averaged 23 mpg with about 70% highway and 30% streets, conservative accelerator and brakes.
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New Subarau believer
gearhead71, 02/20/2014
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
21 of 22 people found this review helpful
I test drove 30 awd's out there and due to a family balance disorder, the ride requirement was the following: Highway smoothness, near zero body roll, zero cabin pressure (Suv must be vented properly) unlike VW tiguan, and no road vibration through the steering and seats. The 2014 was a clear and easy winner. I have owned the forester for 2 months in the NE winter and this thing proves itself every day of my 70 minute tristate commute. Coming from a BMW x5 I thought I would be unhappy - but this SUV is really a swiss army knife. Insane in the snow/ice - great comfort, a kickin' stereo system. Computer readout of everything + X-Drive! + 27mpg avg + rock solid reliability LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
Great little car
john_in_tc, 12/15/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
62 of 68 people found this review helpful
We have owned our Forester for a little over three months and put on about 3,500 miles. I thought I would try and give some insights that might not be apparent on a one hour test drive.
Burning Oil at 7,000 miles
bilbo, 07/21/2015
updated 07/27/2020
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
Car used some oil during break in but after two oil changes, one at 3000 and the next at 5000 it started using oil at the rate of more than a quart every 1,000 miles. Took the car in for a oil consumption test and noted the dealer over filled it by a 1/4 quart. I am now on the third engine. The first Subaru replaced due to oil consumption, the second was RUINED by the service department at Lithia Subaru in Fresno and had to be replaced again by Maita Subaru in Sacramento which did a great job. The third engine does use some oil, maybe a quart or so between changes but I guess that is the best Subaru's are capable of. At least Subaru picked up the cost for the third engine too. Update - third engine still running good and no increase in oil consumption. Update - 115,000 miles and it has been using a couple of quarts in 5,000 miles. I live with it. Never going to buy another Subaru.
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Great Vehicle
fad1520, 06/19/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
26 of 28 people found this review helpful
I took delivery of my Forester on March 21. I have about 4K miles on the car to date. I traded in a 2005 Honda Element. Boy, what an upgrade this has been. The car is fun to drive and handles great. I have been averaging about 30 MPG with a mix of highway and city. The radio and navigation system are not difficult to operate as other reviews have pointed out. My 10 year old daughter had it figured out in no time. The nav system works great. I had to meet some work colleagues at a supplier about an hour away from home and I was the only one who made it to the right location. The others used the iphone and got lost.
Disappointed in the 2014
Adrian G, 06/30/2018
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
I’ll consumption bad and they won’t do anything about it but tell you that they will perform an oil consumption test but then tell you their results are fine. I have to add oil midway through oil changes making me feel like a 16 year old with an unreliable car. Also have had to replace break pads in front and back twice already in 4 years and they just told me I need new ones again. And had to replace axil, parking break suspension and now harness!!!!! Pretty disappointed in my Subaru- thought I’d have it for at least 10 years.
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The Excellent 2014 Forester 2.0 XT Touring
carlogic1, 03/15/2014
2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
21 of 23 people found this review helpful
The 2014 Forester 2.0XT Touring is one of the nicest small SUV I have owned and could argue the best on the road today. Just finished a 400 mile trip and averaged 30.9 MPG going 60 to over 70 MPH on 93 octane. So far to and from work has been 27MPG. The car is quiet, the Boxer engine is fantastic and very smooth with plenty of power for passing. I did not think I would like the CVT but it is not so bad. The S# mode has good simulated shifts. It is easy to see out of and feels very planted on the road. I am not sure why others are complaining about MPG, I am getting better then EPA. I think people are not paying attention to what mode (I, S, or S#) they are in.
Most comfortable of the small SUVs
misprof, 06/13/2014
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I test drove all of the small SUVs on the market and the Forester was far and away the most comfortable for me. I am 6' 5" and 225lbs and none of the other ones had anywhere near as comfortable a driving position. The visibility is great due to the big windows, especially in the back where the competition seems to have all put large pillars in the way. It is quieter than the Highlander that it replaced and I have been getting a combined 27 MPG commuting and as much as 32 on highway travel.
Delightfully Surprised
dbrothers, 08/08/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
Have 1,000 miles on it in three weeks and its getting as advertised gas mileage and that's with blasting the air conditioner. CVT is not loud like a lot of people complain about. I owned a Honda CRV for 4 years and the Subaru is quiter, faster and get better gas mileage. The 2014 body style is smooth and I'm actually looking forward to driving it in the snow this winter.
Fuel Performance
rb211, 01/25/2014
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
19 of 21 people found this review helpful
Purchased in October. Was getting 29 mpg on average. The cold weather began in mid December and mileage waned. Now January, Polar Vortex in PA, and the mileage is down to no better than 21. Takes quite a while to warm up...that's ok, I have heated seats. Defrost is ok, but it is just fogged windows I have to cope with - not the frost many of you spoke of. But I turn on the defrost or the heater and in auto, the air conditioner compressor is engaged to regulate the set temp. Can't turn it off. RPM goes up 500. OAT is 8 degrees. Don't need AC, just bring in outside air. Not smart engineering there. Is it because of the CVT, Mr. Engineer? Love the car otherwise.
Subaru took Shortcuts on New Forrester
jerrylevy, 04/07/2014
updated 10/12/2016
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
30 of 35 people found this review helpful
Very spacious for its size, and very comfortable front seats with good leg room in the back and pleased with gas mileage. Not a bad long distance driving car and four people will be very comfortable for a six hour drive. However, there is virtually no pickup. I have experienced a lot of rattles, no drycleaning/cloths hook in the vehicle, no temp gauge-just a light like my father's 1973 Impala wagon, cargo compartment has dismal dim light. Dealer has tried to fix rattles but they can't. For some reason when I turn on the vent, I get heated air. Dealer said it is just a design flaw.
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LOVE THIS VEHICLE
divakeys, 08/21/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I have come from 2 new cars in the last 4 years that had have mechanical problems, one being a Honda, so I bought this in hopes of a better exp. (We'll see about reliability, only time will tell) This care is awesome-at first, I was not impressed with how barren the interiors of Subarus are, but now I get it. Give me a great car with an simple design, and that's what I have. I get great gas mileage because I am VERY careful about not "gunning" it...28/32, and I only have 1800 miles on the car. Loads of space, giant moonroof, great visibility. Only quibble is that the armrest/center cubical is small. I look forward to many years with this car!!
Incessant Rattling
cjseals1, 03/31/2014
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
20 of 23 people found this review helpful
I have almost 4000 miles on my Forester Limited and from the day I brought it home the dashboard rattles and vibrates. I thought it was related to cold weather, but as the weather warms up it rattles worse. I have taken it into the dealership three times already and they tinker, pad and tighten with no improvement. I want to love this vehicle but it has eaten up and continues to eat up time and money in that I have to take off work and take it back to the dealer, only to have no improvement. The rattle seems to move but mainly in the vent or inside the odometer or MFD. Seems to be the whole dash. I am very disappointed. High rpms when accelerating, cheap carpet. Touchy gas pedal.
Oil Addict
Jeffrey Muskett, 10/14/2015
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
Normal engines don't burn oil at 6,000 miles. My oil light comes on between every oil change. Subaru won't admit there is a problem.
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Dangerous Flaws in an otherwise decent car
Steve, 06/15/2016
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
36 of 43 people found this review helpful
I owned a 2014 Forester for nearly 3 years and 36,000 miles. This was my second Forester having liked my 2010 so much, but it's also my last Forester and likely my last Subaru. The Forester provides a balanced package of performance, utility and price. As car shoppers we should understand the cost benefit analysis and the compromises inherent in every automobile we purchase. For the Forester, in my experience, the benefits include Subaru's AWD system, good safety ratings, relatively good reliability and decent driving dynamics... all at a decent price point. Downsides include poor interior design and fit and finish, noisy highway driving and lousy electronics. My ownership of the 2014 revealed that this redesigned model comes with something else: terrifying handling in sub-optimal driving conditions. At highway speeds I found the driving stability lacking, and very noticeably worse than my 2010 model. The car felt top heavy and unsteady when executing lane changes or navigating exit ramps. Also, highway driving in windy conditions or very wet roads was less than confidence inspiring and the car often felt poorly planted. I attributed these handling defects to the taller profile compared to my other Forester. The first winter I owned the car I was driving on a highway with less than a 1" layer of slush. I am 53 and have driven in winter conditions my whole life and I had my family in the car with me so I was driving even more cautiously than I normally do. Up ahead was a car on the shoulder so I slowly made a change into the left lane and then it happened... the car started to oscillate and the rear end felt like it wanted to come around. It was like driving with no traction at all and I struggled to get the car back under control for what seemed like an eternity... honestly, I am amazed we didn't go off the road. Yes the conditions were not great, but no other car on the road seemed to have problems driving and in all my experience driving I have never had a car handle that way. I attributed the incident to an unwise decision to switch lanes exacerbated by the truly horrible Yokohama OEM tires Subaru puts on these cars. Needless to say I got rid of my nearly new OEM tires and bought a set of top rated Continental True Contacts. The new tires helped the handling a bit, as did a dealer performed alignment, but the car still felt skittish and I again experienced the loose rear end feeling, albeit not as bad as the first time. Meanwhile I was growing tired of the endless rattles that the dealer could not address, frustrated by the awful Subaru navigation system and bluetooth that could not make outgoing calls and alarmed by the extended warranty issued for excessive oil consumptions (a problem for many Subaru owners, but not for me personally). As I casually started researching cars I found that the handling problems I had were not unique. There are countless cases of the same DANGEROUS handling flaws for the Forester and the mechanically very similar Crosstrek. Just search for "Ghost walking" or "dangerous Forester" or "Forester slush problem", etc. and you won't believe the extent of problems out there. And that's with most people, like me until I researched, thinking they did something wrong to cause the problem. I am now convinced that there is a serious design flaw (not sure if it's the suspension, AWD, chassis design, or some combination of these factors) with these vehicles that can render them an accident waiting to happen. I traded in my Forester (and it has not held its value well... depreciation is much higher than for Subaru's I have owned in the past) for a new Volvo XC60 and couldn't be happier and I feel much safer. It's a shame really. Subaru makes a decent product and it pains me to write such a scathing review. This Forester has been reliable, yields very good fuel economy, offers lots of second row and cargo space, had great visibility, relatively comfortable seats, and offered good maneuverability. I like my local dealer and have had generally good ownership with my four previous Subarus, but the dangerous aspect of this car has shaken my faith in the brand and I am not likely to ever purchase another Subaru.
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Great performance 2.5 liter engine with CVT
john_in_tc, 08/15/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I have only driven 1,000 miles so the engine isn't at peak performance, but I am impressed. I get 28 mpg driving around Traverse City. On two highway trips I got 32 mpg against a wind with the air conditioner on, and 33 on the return on a still day. I was driving at 62 - 64 on two lane roads and 70 - 75 on four lane interstates. When passing on two lane roads the car accelerates from 55 - 85 very quickly. The car is very quiet, and the ride is good for a short wheel base SUV. I find the seats and the driving position very comfortable. The dash displays could be improved. The speedometer is too small, and the information on the display screen is hard to navigate through.
MPG much better than estimated
treeweasel, 09/29/2014
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
We have had our 2014 Forester for a year now and still love it. My wife hated the styling of all Subarus and refused to even test drive one until I tricked her into looking at the new Forester by telling her it was a Mitsubishi. She was pleased with the styling, amazed by how easy it was to drive (it's like driving an awd glass bubble with the turning radius of a jeep) and completely shocked when I informed her that she was in a Subaru. It has performed wonderfully even in the 10 inch snows we got repeatedly last winter and has been a joy to own. On top of that I frequently break 40mpg on trips and overall average 34mpg with 50/50 highway city driving.
Why the Subaru is Vermont's State Animal
catperson9, 10/07/2014
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
We bought this SUV in July 2013 and now have 6,600 miles on it, using it only in summers at our cabin in Vermont and storing it all winter. We average 27 mpg in Green Mountain driving, get up to 31 mpg. The Forester rides and handles well. Alleged noise from engine, CVT and road is actually no problem. Visibility is unparalleled. Cargo capacity is enormous. If anything, the car is a bit too big for my preference; it's truck-sized. But, in a Subaru plus, controls are simple. (We have no nav, since we tend to know where we are, or excessive infotainment nonsense.) Consumer Reports ranked the Forester tops in class, and we can endorse that. I'd buy another.
A very satisfying car
ralphyboy1, 08/26/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
After what seemed like years looking for the right car, I bought the new 2014 Forester for my wife. The Consumer Reports review tipped it for me. We've had it about a month and a half now, with about 3500 miles. All the things said about it are true - good gas mileage, comfortable seats, easy access, nice handling and great visability. As reported, the ride is a little jittery, but it's nothing bothersome. We took it around the Mountain Loop Highway out of Granite Falls, WA. The highway has 25 miles of unpaved, often washer board road, and here the Forester shined. It handled incredibly well and smoothed out the washer boards with a smooth controlled ride. Can't wait for winter.
Love it!
bran1987, 10/07/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
After test driving the following: CRV,CX-5, Q5,X3,Outlander,Escape, and RAV4, the forester completely won me over. I wanted something that could handle canadian winters but yet still be fun to drive. I am a young women and wanted something that was still ''cool''. I fell in love with the forester. It had the handling I required and all the bells and whistles (touch screen navigation, a sound system, the eyesight) that I wanted. It was completely fun to drive. I have a little over 580kms on it now and I still have 1/4 of a tank of gas left. She is all windows I don't think there is a blind spot in that car. I never thought I would own a Subaru but I couldn't be happier.
2014 Forester ROCKS
jra32a, 07/25/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 14 people found this review helpful
My new 2014 Forester is the 4th Subaru I have owned - 2001 Outback, 2005 Outback, 2009 Tribeca were prior. Without a doubt the 2014 Forester mirrors the engineering and design competence at Subaru. The 2013 and prior were not really spacious and the overall comforts were missing. That has all been fixed! The new interior is well designed, roomy, the seats are awesome, and the driver controls, warning lights, instruments, etc. are well arranged and easy to view. The new Lineartronic transmission is silky smooth and saves a couple mpg. Cargo area is ample, and on the 2.5i Touring, the rear seats recline. That is a nice feature. This vehicle almost got 5 stars in every category from me.
5,000 Mile Update
fandango, 01/16/2014
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 18 people found this review helpful
Now that I've had my Forester long enough to be well acquainted, I thought I would leave an update. So far I'm impressed with the overall performance, ride, quality and features. I'm averaging just over 30mpg in 80/20 highway driving and I am quite impressed by the performance of the CVT transmission -- and I was always a manual transmission driver before this. It's no sports car (like my old Impreza), but it is generally comfortable, smooth-riding, relatively quiet and it handles pretty well for the SUV that it is. It's an excellent family-sized vehicle and a great value.
AMAZED!
pfriday68, 03/10/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
132 of 171 people found this review helpful
AMAZED! Took delivery on Friday and put on 378 miles going to the coast. Over mountains, up grades, in rain, got 34 MPG on the first tank! On the hwy with cruise set at 60 was getting 36! More power than expected. No power loss up hills or plenty of power for passing. Comfortable with terrific visibility! Traded 2010 Xterra OR due to horrible mileage (14/18). Gave up towing power but that is all! This easily has the pep of the Xterra in the mountains! Eric D at Capitol Subaru in Salem, OR went above and beyond and I had a terrific sales experience! I love this car. It does it all for me and I've been looking for this for a long time! Maybe there is something to this Subaru Love stuff!
Soft brakes
Thomas Mikolajewski, 02/21/2015
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought 2014 Subaru Forester in March and found some features below standard. The rubber coated dash is hard to clean and seems to attach lint. The rear hatch does not open when the open button is pressed but has a delay so at first the open button was pressed repeatedly causing some frustration unless you wait until hatch starts to move. The brakes feel soft and the pedal slowly moves when stopped at a light. Need to pump brakes to get pedal up and this causes car to move which is scary when sitting in traffic. Dealer says all Subaru brakes operate this way but this is my first Subaru and I do not remember this problem on previous American or Japanese cars I owned.
2014 Subaru
Toni Kerrigan, 10/06/2016
updated 10/10/2017
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
This is my 2nd one,and I got best (poster child)I have all the bells and whistles on my SUV and I just recently found out that they stopped putting navigation in the Subaru so I'm holding on to mine. It turns on a dime,it has the speed it's great on gas.Went to trade off for 2016 till I found out that I could get a 2017 but no navigation,inside knobs are cheaper looking and you pay a whole lot more for nothing.The 2014 are the best!
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Just breaking it in
stuprince, 07/30/2013
updated 10/01/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
After having driven a Trailblazer for 7 years, it was time to change to a car with better mileage because I was going to be driving 150 miles a day for work. The Forester was my choice after also driving an Escape, RAV4, CX-5, CR-V, and Equinox. Forester mileage was equal or better than all of them and I am getting about 34 mpg highway right now which should get better as it breaks it. Inside is spacious, came with the winter driving package, heated front seats, and back up camera. Good price at just 26 grand. Easy ride and it cruises at 70 on the freeway without even a push. Handles nice, but could be better. Subaru reliability is legendary so that also sold me on it
2014 Subaru Forester using oil
Laura, 06/17/2016
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Well, thinking about trading my 2014 Forester in for something else...undecided. At 40,000 miles, I am now up to using a quart of oil in about 3000 miles. I've been having some usage, about a 1/2 quart prior, but now up to the quart stage. Terrible! So very disappointing! I had heard such great reviews on this vehicle, and now I have to pay attention to the sound. I can tell when it starts to get low, and stop and get a quart. Keeping a quart with me at all times. I have my class action suit papers here on my desk. I shouldn't even have to read all these sheets of paper, as I paid good money, and still paying! I will fill them out!!!! Now what do I buy in it's place. I did so much research to come to the Subaru conclusion, now I have to start all over!
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Great in the ice and snow
Yankovich, 02/06/2016
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
This is my second Subaru Forester (my 2013 forester with 24k miles got totaled after someone ran into the back of me). I noticed the oil consumption issue on my 2013 forester, it would go thru a quart of oil every 5,000 miles. I switched to 5W20 and it solved the problem (still a pain). My 2014 does not burn any oil at all and I use the recommended 0W20 full synthetic. The big selling point for me on these cars is how well they drive in the mountains on snow and ice. I don't have a scientific way to validate my observation but I drive a lot in the mountains and I can tell you that compared to my 4WD Honda Element (which I love), the Forester is head and shoulders better when the road conditions deteriorate.
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Using Oil !
vablue1, 03/12/2015
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Disappointed with purchase of new Subaru 2014 Forester. I have had this car only 1 year, purchasing from local dealer. The vehicle is using oil between oil changes as other consumers note. The last occurrence was returning from out of town in the rain after midnight - light comes on - we are miles from anything open to purchase a quart of oil. Finally get to a 24/7 station, check oil - it is almost below oil stick!!!! This is 2,000 miles before the vehicle is due for another oil change!!!!!!!! Quite annoyed. Will see what Subaru does to correct this problem. So sorry I did not keep my Honda Odyssey Van, mileage 230,000, which never had oil burning issues, even with high mileage.
2014 Subaru Forester Loaded With New Features
mightynuke, 07/24/2013
updated 07/25/2016
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
We purchased our 2014 Subaru Forester, 2.5i Premium/EFF on April 30, 2013. Safety features and AWD capabilities are impressive. Our 4 Cyl Boxer engine delivers 170 HP. It has very adequate acceleration from either a fully stopped position and for speeding up rapidly for passing. Other features that we like are the great visibly, large doors that extend all the way down to sealed kick panels for easy, dirt-free entry and exit, very smooth CVT tranny, very responsive steering and handling in all driving conditions, comfortable adjustable seats, AL-alloy wheels, rear view camera, 8.7-inch ground clearance. Mileage of 32 mpg hwy w/AC has also been great for a vehicle of this size and pep.
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Even the rear seats recline
jacobbz, 06/29/2015
2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
I used to be an American vehicles only kind of guy. Not sure what got into me, but I decided I liked this vehicle after looking at it and test driving it. As I said in the title, they seem to have thought of everything. It is all about the little things, such as something as simple and yet so RARE as reclining rear seats. The 2.0XT (rally-cross turbo, if memory serves), has a sporty little get-up to it. Towing is pretty sad at 1500lbs, but I guess there are trade-offs. With Subaru reliability and this smooth drive and CVT with three different "shift modes", I believe it is worth it since I rarely tow, anyway.
The Best Car I Have Owned!
erichaight, 01/14/2014
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
I'll be honest in saying that this is first new car I have owned and the most luxurious, but I have ridden in nicer cars owned by others. I have owned a Subaru previously (1987 GL 3-door hatchback, 4-speed manual). I just sold it last year, but I have been longing to own a newer Subaru for many years. For the price, this car is unbeatable!
Oil consumption nightmare -- no longer!
Kathode, 07/24/2015
updated 01/28/2019
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
11 of 13 people found this review helpful
***Update**** After documenting several instances of the oil light repeatedly coming on and my having to add more oil for no reason, Subaru agreed to replace the engine. This was in September 2015. It was been running great since -- no oil lights going on and I replace the oil as recommended, every 7500 miles. I truly hope the new Foresters do not have this problem. I love my car now. ***First Post Starts Here***: A new car should not require constant checking of oil. I had the car less than 2 months and mileage was about 2-3000 when the oil warning light came on during a trip across Ontario (in an unfamiliar place! on a provincial holiday! when the store were not open!) . I had to interrupt my trip and spend an inordinate amount of time (and international roaming charges) to find a store that was open that sold 0W20 synthetic motor oil. I lost a day of my trip to that. Since that inauspicious first long trip in my Forester, I have to make sure I'm packing 2 extra quarts of oil at all times. The oil light comes on regularly and when I have brought the car in for service, the service people at the dealership try to explain it away as a feature of a high performing, environmentally friendly car that uses synthetic oil. They have also tried to blame the oil consumption problem on things like a loose oil tank cap! Synthetic oil also costs $10 a quart, so not only has this cost time, it has cost money. I have spent far too much time at the dealership than I should have to for a 2 year old car with 22K miles on it. Another reviewer posted that Subaru had told her this oil consumption problem was "fixed" in future models. I sure as hell hope so. I really liked my last Subaru Legacy -- it was a great car. But the fact that I'm paying $300 a month for a lemon that Subaru won't admit has anything wrong with it makes me feel as though they really don't want me as a customer any longer.
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DON'T BUY THIS CAR!!!!
ex_subaru_fan, 05/18/2015
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
19 of 24 people found this review helpful
I don't believe the rating system is accurately stating how disappointing this car is, based on some of the statements below: Using Oil ! but 4 stars? Oil burner & Subaru does not want to admit problem but 3 stars? Do Not Buy but 2 ½ stars? Constantly having to check engine oil but 3 ½ stars? BURNS OIL & has a slight hesitation but 2 ½ stars? Incessant Rattling 4 stars? Purchase Was A Mistake 2 ½ stars? DISAPPOINTED - TERRIBLE RIDE 4 stars? 2014 Forester BURNS OIL 3 stars? Let me put it succinctly. Subaru thinks it is "normal" for an engine to use 1 quart of oil per 1200 miles. That's insane. This is my 6th Subaru; I won't own another.
Burns oil,
Evan Williams, 07/29/2015
2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
13 of 16 people found this review helpful
Burns oil like crazy. The oil light came on before 3,000 miles after oil change and the problem is getting worse. I have to add oil probably a quart or 2 between oil changes. Might try thicker oil like 5 to see how it fairs because 0-40 is not working. On the bright side the rear viability is very nice compared to other suvs.
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Review for Rural Mail Carriers
oldgoatrr1, 06/11/2013
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
27 of 35 people found this review helpful
Ride and seat comfort is comfortable, neither too hard nor too soft. Interior room is huge for its size. Drivers seat very adjustable. If you are tall, leaning over console armrest is no problem. If you are short, your seat back will be in front of the armrest so you can slide over the cupholders to reach boxes on the right side. Side windows are large and go up/down quicker than most. Outside mirrors are good size and are more tall than wide, so pulling up to boxes is easy. All windows seem very large as well, visibility is the best of any vehicle I have driven. Lots of room all through the Forester for tubs/trays and can be stacked as high as you dare.