Used 2017 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews
Used Forester for sale
White XT Forester
Mike, 10/01/2016
2017 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
11 of 13 people found this review helpful
Only have for two weeks but car rides a lot smoother and quieter than expected. Great pickup. Fit and finish very good. Expected simple and utilitarian controls and info system and have it. Meets all my needs. Cons so far are few; wipers/lights not synchronized, doors don't lock automatically when car gets going, no glovebox light, needs room to put in 3 car seats. Very good overall SUV.
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3rd Forester Crowned the Ruler
Peter Benjamin, 03/26/2017
updated 04/01/2019
2017 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
13 of 16 people found this review helpful
My Subaru history is a bit unique. My wife has owned 5 Subarus: 3 outbacks and 2 Crosstreks going back to the 90s. I now have owned 3, all Foresters. Unique? 2015 Limited. 2016 Limited. 2017 Touring XT - the King. Prior, I drove: 94 Nissan Pathfinder, 2003 Nissan Xterra, 2005 Xterra and an 08 Nissan Rogue for 180k miles. I had a bad bait and switch experience with a Nissan dealer when it was time to trade the Rogue. To the Subaru dealer I went, tested and purchased in the most easy, straight forward transaction I ever had. Loved the 15, got a call from the dealer asking if I would trade for a 16? Amazing resale trade value was an offer too good to pass. Had the 16 for 18 months and 18k miles. I had a performance itch. I went online with a query and had multiple dealers quickly respond. I kbb'd my Limited's book value and went deal'n. I soon found out how rare availability was for xt touring models. More so for color/option choice. Order waiting from Japan was 3/4 months. One dealer had a prior ordered Pearl White w Saddle Brown Leather interior ready to arrive within days. I was there to see it backed off truck w 3 miles on the Odometer. A 4 mile test drive sold me. Easy deal with my Limited's great retained trade value. 3 days later I'm still giddy with the Performance UPGRADE! Add the lux and safety and sound system (Harmon Kardon 440watt), Wheels and Exhaust upgrades over Stacked Limiteds... just Slammed. This ride destroys an Audi Q5 that costs over 50k in 0-60 and qm times and crushes it off road. I love a deal. I love and require reliable. I love real world functionality. Add this level of Luxury and Performance? Feeling Fine! Now at nearly 4k miles and 7 months of ownership, i can say I still love my choice and like new ride. Zero problems. I added stainless gas and brake pedals to up the sport and Love factor. The ride is Fast and I always drive with the #S button pushed to max the Sti turbo factor. Amazing “sleeper” factor reveals itself often at stop lights, on-ramps and xways! Macho $$$ status machines see my rear lights often and humble pie is Served. I once had a hopped up Mustang. With this XT, i get to enjoy the same thrills in a much more reliable and functional and modern Chariot! For the price... there is no competition. The Real competition is much, much more expensive. Update at 1 year ownership. Still like new. Quality workmanship and materials in my Touring XT have proven themselves and wear and tear hasn’t presented itself. Eyesight system was recalibrated at first oil change at 5,000 miles under warranty after I noticed rear automatic braking wasn’t quite working as it should. Works great now and gives comfort and confidence should surprising incidents occur. Engine and Performance still thrill and I just love goosing the accelerator whenever I can. This is just an enjoyable ride to drive....Anywhere! I live in a remote location only accessible by a hilly, pothole filled, mile long, one lane dirt road that any car or vehicle without 4wd would be wise to avoid. No problems with the Foz in the mud or in the ample snow faced this year. Recently, upgraded exhaust system. Replaced perfectly fine and still like new stock exhaust with an ‘Invidia’ 3” custom cat back stainless steel exhaust for greater performance and sweet sounds. My pearl white ultimate performance Forester XT Touring continues to Rock. My Sweet Ride continues to get approving looks and grudging approval from owners of much more expensive and less able vehicles. Update at 18 months of ownership and 10k miles. Zero mechanical issues. Turn key every time. Materials and workmanship holding up extremely well considering the rough environment -isolated, single lane, sandy, rocky, hills, inclines, muddy deep puddles when rains come, deep snow drifts during winter, mile long dirt road - on which we live and must travel everyday to go anywhere.... Performance remains exceptional. I always use and engage the Sport Sharp setting for maximum acceleration and engine performance and love giving the the Goose whenever the right opportunity presents itself. The perfect Sleeper indeed. My modified Invidia 3” performance exhaust makes this engine sing and growl and the musical sounds of hard acceleration and off the gas down shifts are a hoot! When I give my XT some love with a good wash, vacuum and interior wipe down... she still looks and acts brand new. She hauls our groceries, bikes, 2 dogs, tows my boat, and is still a high performance race car, luxury 5 person People mover... The saddle brown leather interior is still like new and very comfortable. I am very glad I got waterproof aftermarket mats and the Subaru rear hatch floor protector to save the carpets from all the sand, mud, leaves and snow melts. 2 years. Big letdown. Quality issues. Horrible dealer service support. 2 dealer service departments totally treated me like dirt for nearly a month. I traded my like new Subaru for a new Toyota 4Runner. Done.
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2017 Subaru Forester for sale near you
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Love my new Subie.
Beverly Eft, 09/17/2016
2017 Subaru Forester 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
13 of 16 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2017 Forester to replace my 2006 model. The new one is a pleasure to drive. The driver's seat and steering wheel can be adjusted in more ways, the interior is quieter, and the sound system is better. My only complaint is that the right-rear blind spot is bad. The rear-seat headrest on that side blocks the view out of that corner. Overall, I love the car.
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Windows problems
Steve, 03/05/2018
2017 Subaru Forester 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
Hello. My name is Steve and I recently purchased new 2018 Subaru Forester. Not long afterwards I had a very surprising discovery I would like to share with you guys. Every time you will disconnect your battery you will need to have your windows reprogrammed in order for them to function. It can be done at your Subaru dealership. I did contact Subaru of America representative to confirm everything - yes, windows need to be reprogrammed. And on top of enormous inconvenience it brings - YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT! I couldn't believe it when they said it. Don't forget - you disconnect the battery not only when you exchange it for the new one. Most of the repairs start with the words: "disconnect your battery". I know people who during really cold nights in the winter time disconnect the battery and place it in the warm of the house to insure the car will start in the morning. I just wanted to warn my fellow customers who still deciding which way to go about that fact.
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Switching from Forester 2009 to 2017
Konstantin, 07/31/2016
updated 08/01/2017
2017 Subaru Forester 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
29 of 38 people found this review helpful
WHAT IS WORSE: Instruments panel - terrible light and readability. Barely visible even at max setting of dimmer. No contrast at all. All controls are less comfortable. Like, position of ventilation knob is hard to read. Right button on dash board notoriously still does _nothing_, just sits there. This is just weird. All 'infotainment' stuff is just junk. Car controls must become simpler, not over-complicated. Less storage space inside: central console in 2009 has 2 compartments, now it is only one and smaller. No sliding cover for central console. The place under central 'infotainment' panel is smaller. The place for 'cups' is shallow and smaller. Rear view camera does not beep when in critical proximity. Rear view screen has poor brightness, in sunny day barely visible. Front sun visors are smaller with ugly retractable side extensions. Driver's floor mat 'retention' hooks changed from steady metal knobs to plastic stripes and they are very hard to find, they are moving from side to side. WHAT IS BETTER: rear view camera - the only really useful improvement of controls. Side visibility is better. Added light in the trunk. Added roof rails for all trims. Roof antenna does not swing (always had to adjust it after car wash). Alloy wheels look better and they are lighter. Less road noise. Thicker windshield. WHAT I HOPE WAS IMPROVED: bottom heat shields - on 2009 they start making annoying rattling sounds after 30K mi, now they removed(?) them. All internal panels have better soundproofing - old car was making all sort of sounds, esp. in a cold weather. AND MAIN ISSUE - heads gaskets, I do hope they will not start leaking at 60K.
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- Performance
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- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value