Used 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) Consumer Reviews
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Still a car I love to drive
Ken Schory, Dayton, OH, 01/05/2017
updated 05/09/2025
Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
120 of 122 people found this review helpful
I previously considered the Forester to be a rather frumpy-looking car with inferior interior materials and ergonomics, compared to my beloved 2005 Outback 2.5 XT Limited with a manual transmission, which I owned for twelve years. But the 2017 2.0 XT Touring edition of the Forester puts those perceptions to rest. While its exterior design is more purposeful than elegant, I think it has a nice balance, proportionally, and the interior is a pleasant, rewarding place to pass the miles. I also considered the Outback 3.6R Touring, but opted for the Forester instead because I prefer its interior design and ergonomics as well as its performance and handling, which are more responsive and lively (the Outback is nice, but it's comparatively sedate). I find the build quality of the Forester to be excellent and its aesthetics appropriate to its go-anywhere character. Ingress and egress are excellent and outward visibility is superb, in contrast to competitive vehicles that have huge blind spots in the rear quarters. The Harmon Kardon audio system sounds great, and EyeSight does what it's designed to do, very well. The front seats are comfortable, but I wish they had a little more lateral support, because the Forester handles so well, and I wish the passenger seat provided adjustability (preferably powered) of height and lumbar support -- significant shortcomings in a vehicle of such overall quality. Also, the tailgate opens and closes rather slowly automatically, but it's quick and easy to do manually, which I usually do, and it doesn't go quite high enough to clear my 6' frame. I initially had serious reservations about going from a manual transmission to a CVT, based on test-driving competitive vehicles, but Subaru has implemented this technology extremely well, and I'm very happy with it, in conjunction with SI-Drive. I highly recommend this vehicle for anyone who values function and usability over style, and people of all ages (I'm a "senior") who lead active lifestyles and appreciate a vehicle that's versatile, fun to drive, well built and safe. A lot of improvements were made for 2017, such as additional sound deadening, active torque vectoring, its front-fascia design, steerable LED headlights, interior materials and appointments, etc.). Having owned this vehicle now for over eight years and 83,000 miles, I can confirm in this update that the above comments remain accurate. At the same time, I would like to add a few details that might be useful to people who might buy this vehicle used. I live in the "flatlands," but I've taken several road trips in this car to Colorado, where Subarus seem to be the "state vehicle" -- and for good reason. The Forester handles mountain highways and rocky, steep, muddy, unpaved back roads with aplomb. It's no Jeep, so it's wise to take the rough spots gingerly, but the high ground clearance, X-Mode, S# (Sport sharp) mode, short hood (for good visibility), tight turning circle, and generous approach and departure angles worked beautifully and inspired confidence. With 8 (simulated) gear ratios in S#, the CVT provides fine control of engine braking going downhill by shifting with the paddles (I usually do that with the transmission in Manual mode). While I find S# mode a little fussy in flat country (I usually prefer S mode), I've come to be a great fan of it under more demanding driving conditions. While every previous car I've owned had a manual transmission, and it did take me a while to adjust to the CVT (it does have some idiosyncrasies, especially when warming up), I can say now that I've become a great fan of Subaru's implementation of this technology. I've read some criticisms of the CVT in other versions of the Forester, but I have not had any of those concerns with the high-torque version of the CVT that is paired with the 2.0 XT engine. I also found the 2.0 XT engine, with its twin-scroll turbo, to have plenty of power for thin-air mountain driving and very satisfying torque at all elevations. In short, of all the competitive vehicles I've tested, I consider the Touring edition of the 2017 Forester 2.0 XT to be the best blend of "sport" and "utility," at least it was back in that time-frame. It may not have the sexiest styling, but I find it tasteful enough and appropriate to how this vehicle is used. Its build quality, affordability, performance, handling, ergonomics and versatility carry the day. I still keep looking for excuses to get in and drive it. While I wouldn't recommend tackling the Rubicon Trail with a Forester, this is one great car for anyone who has an active lifestyle and enjoys exploring out-of-the-way places. Even after owning this car for over eight years, I plan to keep it for at least a few more years, with the hope that Subaru will reintroduce the turbocharged engine to the Forester or offer a hybrid version that has similar power and handling characteristics. And I sure hope that by then Subaru dramatically reduces the amount of plastic cladding they've been plastering all over their current vehicles!
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2017 XT Touring w Eyesight - Fun to drive
Jon, Bethel Park, PA, 02/05/2017
Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
48 of 50 people found this review helpful
Was considering the 2.5L normally aspirated engine and but I am so glad I got the 2.0L Turbo. This SUV is quick and fun to drive with a 0 - 60 in 6.3 seconds. Those reviewers who have said it is not I doubt actually own one or neglected to read the owners manual which describes how to use the SI Drive system to choose Sport Sharp mode for maximum driving fun. I know it was a struggle for me to find one to test drive since only 10% of Foresters shipped are turbos. I have had the Forester XT for over a month and have not regretted a single day of driving - in sun, rain, snow, sleet and really bad ice. Nothing stops it. See the SubaruGlobalTV channel on YouTube for the development videos for this current generation Forester which detail how the engineering is brilliantly executed in a well thought out design (Why? Subaru Episode....). I got the Eyesight package and really appreciate all of the features. Only disappointment is the Navigation system but it is bundled with Eyesight. There are so many features in the 2.0XT Touring trim level with Eyesight that I would insist on having in any future vehicle - adaptive cruise control, lane sway warning, lane keep assist, pre-collision braking/throttle management, adaptive LED headlamps, reverse automatic braking, X-mode...the list is extensive. If you are fortunate enough to get the Touring with turbo, add optional Eyesight and are willing to wait for a custom order (in my case, 3 months), you will not be disappointed! To top it off, Subaru was offering very competitive financing (0% at 36 mos or .9% at 48 - 63 months) and deals at or below invoice are common.
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First Subaru
Satisfied Customer, San Jose, CA, 07/12/2016
Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
56 of 60 people found this review helpful
After much research I determined that the 2017 Forester was going to be the SUV for me. And I haven't been disappointed...granted I've only had it 2 and half days. The stories, reviews and forum posts were more than enough to help me make my choice. This is not only my first Subaru but is also my first new vehicle. I have to say that the package I picked (2.0XT Touring in Sepia Bronze Metallic w/Saddle Brown leather interior) is stunning!...inside and out. The LED headlights are beautifully done. It is gorgeous! You WILL get noticed. It took about 30 minutes for the guy at the dealership to show me all the features. Acceleration is fantastic for an SUV...and I haven't even been able to test out the turbo yet. First impressions with how it handles on the open road and curvy hills were I live were impressive...for an SUV. I read reviews on earlier models about comfort issues in the front seats. I feel that they are more than adequate in the comfort department on the 2017...remember, this not a sports car. The leather really helps with the comfort factor, IMO. One of my favorite features is the visual display you receive with the large, over-sized sun roof coupled with the large windows. Interior controls don't include anything fancy, but again are more than adequate and reasonable. The 7" touch-screen display seems easy to use and is user friendly. I have not had any problems with Bluetooth with the few calls I've made so far. I could go on with this review but the bottom line is I'm very please with my purchase. And I don't mind the looks I get when driving down the highway either.
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'17 XT Touring's a refined '14 XT Touring
kurtamaxxguy, McMinnville, OR, 08/13/2016
updated 08/16/2017
Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
25 of 26 people found this review helpful
For '17, Subaru's XT Touring has better sound suppression (though road noise's high on coarse roads), nicer interior (especially trim and seats), a smoother ride (less harshness and jiggles) and a few new features (blind spot detection, heated steering wheel, LED tracking headlights). '17 engine and CVT have less quirks and steering's slightly quicker. Sadly, the HK sound system degraded to 3 band EQ rather than multiple bands with saveable presets (the manual incorrectly claims otherwise) and searching for FM/AM/XM station's more of a pain due to revised scanning procedures. You'll see a white cloud behind when accelerating hard, but the '14 XT did same with no ill effects. Engine runs roughly on inclines. Blind spot detection generates many false alerts and fails to detect cars in your blind spot during freeway driving (sensors detect motion, not proximity). Keyless entry's handy but may be subject to hacking. So far, quite reliable: has few rattles (a first among my Subies) and its trim fits well ('14 had numerous mistakes). MPG's the same as the older '14. Tires lack ice traction; were replaced with Nokians.
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'17 XT Touring attended finishing school
kurtamaxxguy, McMinnville, OR, 10/04/2016
updated 10/08/2018
Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
21 of 23 people found this review helpful
After mixed results with the '14 XT (was first year model, suffered major engine wear covered by TSB), I found Subaru had refined it for '17, smoothing out ride (less jiggly/harsh), reducing interior noise (engine quieter, tires less so), and upgrading interior trim and seat colors. Engine/CVT feel more polished, there are fewer rattles in dash and interior. A saddle brown color option offsets the usual drab black interior. Gains: LED brake lights and Road following LED headlights, heated steering wheel, better shaped seats, color graphic displays, lighted vanity mirrors, memory seating. Losses: Harmon Kardon sound equalizer degrades to 3 bands rather than 10, Nav only available with Eyesight. No Apple Carplay or Android Auto (a favorite peeve of car journalists). A fair bit of chrome and shiny trim can prove distracting in sunlight. XT's nicely responsive on the road, with option to use regular fuel (at cost of 10 - 15% of power/MPG) but can stumble going up hills. Odd that torque vectoring's only available with Eyesight, and that tailpipes soot up quickly. S# mode lets engine lug at times due to "fake shifts" - not good fit for performance driving. For icy roads ditch its stock Bridgestones for ones having ice grip - Nokian WR G3 SUV's work much better.. Only minor quality issues. Summary: a very practical, pleasant vehicle.
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