Used 2019 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews
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An outstanding crossover
Stephen E., 11/28/2018
2019 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
579 of 587 people found this review helpful
I've driven the 2019 Forester for 1500 miles now in a variety of suburban and highway driving and in a variety of weather conditions and I think that I have enough experience with the vehicle to write a review. I find that the Forester has a great number of virtues: 1) the seating position and overall visibility are excellent from the driver's seat. 2) the AWD system greatly helps to maintain control of the vehicle in snowy conditions (I haven’t driven the vehicle yet on any significant stretch of dirt or gravel road.) 3) the vehicle is quiet overall with only some wind noise apparent when traveling at highway speed. 4) the infotainment system is fast and easy to use. 5) the size of the cargo space is excellent; the lift hatch is both large and fast; and the cargo floor is low and easy to access. 6) in 1500 miles I’ve gotten a combined 31mpg. 7) the vehicle is very comfortable to drive on longer trips. 8) the adaptive cruise control works very well. It maintains a lock on the vehicle ahead and controls the Forester’s speed smoothly without jerkiness or surging the engine. It will also bring the Forester to a complete halt if the vehicle ahead of it stops, and it needs only a single flick of a switch on the steering wheel to start moving again. 9) the lane departure warnings and lane keep assist are accurate and do help keep the vehicle in the proper lane while being at the same time easy enough to override to quickly make lane changes if you need to. 10) I’ve only once had the automatic pre-collision brakes activate (a car turning left in front of me did not turn when I expected it to), but once again the system recognized a potential collision and activated to prevent it. 11) the blind spot detection will not only activate when there is another vehicle in the Forester’s blind spots, but will also activate if another vehicle is rapidly approaching the Forester’s blind spots. There several downsides to the Forester: 1) the engine horsepower is adequate, but this vehicle is not a speedster. I don’t find this to be a major downside. Yes, I do find myself wishing for an extra 30 or 40 horsepower at times, but honestly the opportunities to use a more powerful engine are few. Most of my driving is on suburban streets with a speed limit of 35-45 mph, or on the highway traveling at 65-75 mph. There is little use for a bigger engine in suburban or urban conditions. On the highway once the Forester is up to speed it does just fine and will generally get 32-34mpg in highway driving. The engine noise is noticeable during hard acceleration, but is quiet during normal cruising. 2) the vehicle handles well, but is clearly not a sport car. Its true that competitors like the Mazda CX-5 (which I have test driven) handle better. However, the handling is just fine for what the vehicle is and what it is meant to do. A few other notes: 1) the LED low beam headlights have a very sharp upper vertical cutoff. Meaning that the road ahead is either illuminated very well or not at all. This can be disconcerting when driving downhill as the low beams don’t illuminate the next uphill very well. The Forester has automatic high beams that cover the vertical gap in the low beam’s illumination. In my experience, you are either driving in an area at night that is lit well enough by streetlights or other cars’ headlights so that the low beams are all you need; or you are driving in an area that has no other cars present so that the auto high beams activate and provide all the illumination that is needed. 2) I really wish there was some way to edit the screens on the upper information display. There are a number of different screens that are useful, but several of them are borderline useless (I’m especially thinking of the weather screen that only shows picture-graph current, 3 hour, and 6 hour forecast). There is only one button for cycling through all the screens and it gets tiresome pushing the button repeatedly to find the screen that I want.
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I love my suby baby!
Tonya, 01/27/2019
updated 01/29/2020
2019 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
96 of 98 people found this review helpful
I purchased the limited, I received her on October 26, 2018. I am now approaching the 6000 mile mark. (Yes I do love to drive.)The handling of this car in all weather conditions has been absolutely impeccably amazing. I upgraded from a 2015 Forester. I was never happy with my 2015. But I was extremely happy with my original 2007. The 2019 Forrester Limited has met and exceeded all of my expectations just like my first suby did. I have driven is white out conditions, major rain storms and heavy snow and wind. She handles like a dream! The interior of the limited is so appealing, it looks as if Subaru put a lot of thought into it. And it has a smooth comfortable ride in the front and back seat. My only major complaint with this Subaru. Is the thin quality of clear coat paint. This was an issue with my 2015 as well. Within a month of having my car I already had two scratches on my car from the lawn crew. There should’ve been enough clearcoat on there to protect both of them. But sadly there wasn’t. My husband’s already talking about doing a vinyl wrap on the car only because of how thin the clear coat is. UPDATE- I still am in love with my car! I have 12,000 miles on her and all of her performance is still flawless. Super comfortable on long trips and the drive assist is a blessing! Still bummed about the super thin clear coat... living in a state where they dump rocks in the intersections instead of salt during the winter takes it’s toll on the paint. The clear coat should help with the protection to some level, but just like my old 2015 is does very little to help protect the paint. Update: I have on this car for a year and a half now. I still absolutely love her! It does to bum me out about the clearcoat being so thin. And how disrespectful people are to cars that are not their own. But the Subaru however, her performance is still top notch. She still runs like the day I bought her. The leather upholstery is holding up exceptionally well. And I keep the winter mats in all year round due to my 4 year old. If I had to buy this car again I definitely would!
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WONDERFUL CAR
Bruce, 01/24/2019
updated 11/01/2021
2019 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
422 of 436 people found this review helpful
I researched 15 cars, drove 10, boiled it down to the Q5, the BMW X5, and the Forester, believe it or not. Went back and forth a lot, but I ALWAYS returned to the Subaru. I wanted a quiet and comfortable ride, easy entry, room & visibility. Hands down, the Forester won. Examples: Forester has a spare; X5 doesn't and, instead comes with run flats (I had a set and hated them), Q5 has a spare, but it requires inflation believe it or not, Forester is MUCH easier--I always hit my head on the other two, never on the Forester; driving position is much better in the Forester; visibility is not comparable--poor in the other two, GREAT in the Forester-example: rear view mirror is on the door of the Forester, but on the pillar of the other 2--makes a world of difference, and, in addition, the windows are much larger in the Forester, so much so that many riders actually notice how much better is the visibility than their cars; Forester has a ton of stg under the rear floor above the spare--neither of the others has ANY--huge difference for things like headphones, jumper cables, towels, etc.; Forester is AS quiet as either of the others, believe it or not. Rides as well, too. Forester's multi media is INFINITELY easier to use than the others--try them--will drive you nuts. Mileage is much better. Cost is 20k less. Rear seat leg room is much better in the Forester. I used a long personal checklist of items to examine in every car I drove (which included, in addition to the Q5 and X5, the Tiquan, Mazda X5, RAV 4, Ford Edge, MDX, RDX, Subaru Ascent, Porsche Macon (and I love Porsches), Infinity QX50, Sorento, CR-V, Mazda CX-9, Volvo XC 60 and BMW X3. Drove almost all, but skipped some because of lousy reliability ratings, lack of spare, etc. I did not want a large car, but drove some in case I loved them, so the smaller SUV was my goal. Liked the Tiguan a lot except for the reliability ratings. Also liked the Ascent, but too lge. I'm really comfortable with my choice, especially with all the time I spent. This is an amazing car for the money.
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Love everything but...auto start/stop feature
Kayak Chic, 02/11/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
184 of 190 people found this review helpful
This is my second Subaru. My first was the 2012 outback premium. Moving to the 2019 Forester Touring was a huge upgrade. I like the extra headroom, moving headlights, heated steering wheel, heated backseats, and the great gas mileage. I love using the phone app to remote start the car without having to worry about being in range. You can also set the temperature inside the car or turn on the defrost. The face recognition is neat. It scans my face and moves the seat to my settings. Like others have complained, I don’t care for the auto start stop feature needing to be shut off with each start up of the car. But honestly I’m so used to doing it now it’s not that big of a deal to me. I too like someone else on here had trunk issues. It would not open with the buttons or the fob. It had to be reset. Was a quick fix at the dealer. It drives nice and is super comfortable.
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First Subaru in 44 years
Joe Shelton, 02/20/2019
updated 02/25/2021
2019 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
60 of 61 people found this review helpful
Bought the car because of a recent hip replacement, very easy car to get in/out of. So far after 5500 miles average its averaging 31 mpg, I’ve had 4, 750 mile highway trips, got around 34 mpg. I’ve own this car for two months with no issues. Safety technology works great. Lots of room for 4-5 people and their luggage. Update: Lots of long drives, averaging around 36 mpg. No issues except for the occasional rear hatch acting up when trying to open from the inside. AC works great here in the South.
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Superb upgrade of all the subtle probs on the 2017
MountainClimber, 02/08/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
119 of 123 people found this review helpful
They fixed the little stuff. The stuff your boss won't let you fix at work because there isn't a "value-add" despite the need for better security, comfort, convenience, or just plain fewer button presses! The windows go up after you shut the car off. There is a lock button on the lift gate. The unlocking action is customizable and so is how often the automatic headlights check for darkness. The brightness of the entertainment console can be adjusted automatically with the dash board, auto headlight sensor, and timing. The headlights come on after a few seconds of windshield wipers running. The cup holders hold normal cups. The cruise control drops to residential street norms (20 mph) and will shut off the engine when you (or the car) comes to a stop. This is way better and in a very mature, subtle manner that is pleasing to me in a way I cannot accurately describe. Nope, not a swoopy upgrade, but a very satisfying one!
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2019 Forester is a joy to drive
John Anderson, 09/20/2018
updated 05/20/2025
2019 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
182 of 191 people found this review helpful
***Note: This review is based on first impressions with my base model Forester - I have not had it long*** We were attracted to the Forester for its reputation of reliability, and we appreciate the good sightlines. So far, this vehicle has been a joy to drive. I find it to be very comfortable, with a solid road feel. It tracks very well, and there are no rattles or unwanted noises; it seems to absorb rough roads with ease. The size of the vehicle makes it easy to park, but it's not too small that it's overwhelmed by traffic. I am over 6 feet, and I find there is sufficient room and comfort for the driver. My family reports "more room" than our last small SUV. The cargo area is relatively large. Initial concerns: I am monitoring the stop/start feature. I don't care for it, but I've been able to deactivate it for the most part with a switch on the dash. I say "for the most part", because it occasionally activates, even with the white, crossed out "A" symbol showing. I have also noticed on two occasions an engine restart after quick, stiff braking, which seems unusual. As noted, I'm monitoring it. Also, the rear hatch does not fully latch sometimes. It feels tight, but the dash tells you it's not closed, so you have to reclose it. I'm monitoring that as well. And one final note on the interior. I feel it's very good overall, but the console where the radio is located is cheap-looking plastic - they could have done a bit better, but its a quibble. None of these things are deal-breakers, in my opinion, unless the stop/start is buggy. We'll see. So far, however, its been great! UPDATE: We were very early purchasers of the 2019 model; I believe we got it in September of 2018, which means we're going on 7 years. It currently has about 80,000 miles, and it is going strong. Actually, it's been the perfect vehicle. Completely dependable, great road machine. We've taken it on many 500-1000 mile trips, with no issues. Only once in Virginia a temp control module went out, but the vehicle drove normally to a Subaru dealer and they quickly fixed it on warranty and we were on our way. I see that some people are unhappy with the engine power, but I have the opposite experience. I find the power very sufficient - I've never had any problem accelerating or merging on some of the most challenging freeways in America. We keep it maintained regularly at the same Subaru dealer where we purchased it, where we were told if you take care of the Subaru it will take care of you. This turned out to be true, and we continue to enjoy this wonderful vehicle.
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New Suburu Owner
Jay, 11/14/2018
2019 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
115 of 121 people found this review helpful
I love my Subaru Forester. I have been a sports car and sedan driver for the last 30 plus years and was not sure I would like driving an SUV but I love the this vehicle. It does not have the pick up and go that I am use to in my former sedan but in all honesty, I find the engine performance more than adequate. It responds well in traffic and in the open road glides. I recommended it for anyone who is conscious of changing climate and weather conditions, safety, rough roads and fuel economy. My days of zipping in and out of traffic are no longer possible not because my driving skills have change or eroded but the congested roads where I live in the Northeast make it nearly impossible during my normal commute to accelerate at higher speeds, so why spend more on a powerful engine you will rarely use to its full potential. The materials and quality of the Forester are excellent. This vehicle meets all of my expectations. Did I say I love my Subaru Forester?
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Better than 2018 CRV
Tomas Singh, 03/05/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
83 of 87 people found this review helpful
We cross-shopped with 2018 Honda CRV and chose the Forester because it seems to be better than the CRV in many way and we want AWD. Not all the reviews agree with this so I would like to elaborate. In urban driving, never once I found the Forester to be lacking in power. The engine is tuned in a way that in urban driving you get plenty of low end torque so it can dash in and out the traffic with ease. When pushed hard merging into the highway, it performs well. While the engine is loud under stress, I would call it a growl; in contrast, the CRV sounded just crude, despite it is more powerful. The Forester is noticeably quieter than the CRV and the ride is more comfortable. I also like the way the blind spot monitor works in the Forester that it is big and easy to see. The tiny icon in the mirror design is too hard to see in a hurry. We have about 1500 miles now and only have a few minor complains. The built-in voice command does not alway work so we almost always use Apple CarPlay instead. The center screen is by default on all the time, and because it is bright, it can be distracting during day time when auto-brightness control does not work. You have to go into setting to turn it off, which takes your eyes off the road. It also takes us a while to realize how the power button of the radio works. Usually, I stress usually, you press the power button once to turn the radio on and once to turn it on. Not so with the Forester that one press only "pauses" the radio so next time you enter the car the radio is on when you start the car. One has to press and hold it to turn it off completely. Our car has the keyless entry and start system. By default when you shut off the car, the radio stays on, which again is counter-intuitive, and not always welcome. Finally for cruise control, in our Honda, one tap increases or decreases the speed by 1 MPH while holding it changes the speed continuously until the desired speed is reached. To me this works well and is more intuitive. The Forester does the opposite and I find it difficult to change the speed by 1 or 2 MPH with a long press.
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2019Subaru Forester by former 40+year Toyota owner
AM, 01/15/2019
updated 01/23/2025
2019 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
78 of 82 people found this review helpful
Have owned Toyota’s exclusively since 1978. Compared the RAV4 to the Forester. Forester was hands down winner in all areas but acceleration. Better value. More headroom. Easier to get into and exit from the vehicle. Great visibility and safety features plus it’s a great looking SUV. There are small annoyances such as radio coming on every time I start the car and confusing infotainment system. The electronic rear hatch button on the dash won’t work if the drivers side door is open.The passenger seat back lever is trapped under the lap/shoulder belt. Cup holders in center console are set too far back and partially blocked by top of the ultra small center console storage unit. I don’t know how these issues got past interior designers. Despite the quirks and lack of a parking assist system,we are happy with our purchase and feel confident with the expected reliability. Update: Have owned the car for 18 months now. All the little quirks are still annoying ( changing time on clock at daylight savings time was maddening, even Subaru dealer staff had hard time figuring out) but we love this little car. It’s comfortable. Getting in and out of vehicle is easy because of wide doors. It drives and handles beautifully and no mechanical problems in 18 months. Averaging 32-33mpg. Access to trunk area great because of wide with of tailgate. Get monthly email from Subaru with systems check report which is reassuring. Still wish electronics were a little more user friendly but other assets of the vehicle offset those annoyances. Update: 26 months into ownership. There have been zero mechanical problems. That’s huge. Software problem with radio in that the presets disappear somewhere between starting and turning off car. Dealer reports fix available so will live with the annoyance until after covid crisis. Subaru has won me over with this vehicle. Update:32 months. Other than a couple of recall items (promptly alerted by Subaru and dealt with by local dealer) we’ve had no mechanical issues or costs associated with ownership. Still handles beautifully.
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Mechanical Issues under 5K for 2019 Forester Sport
Christopher H, 10/07/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
46 of 48 people found this review helpful
Bought new 12/31/2018. The car developed an odd "chug" or "jerk" around 1,000 - 1,200 RPM's with the CVT transmission. Took the car to Subaru and I was told there was no fault code so everything was operating normally. Took the Forester Sport in for it's first oil change and found the CVT transmission was failing and most likely had been since day one. Had the CVT transmission replaced. Mere days later the same "chug/jerk" developed and we were told this was "normal" operation for this model. Became a pissing match between two different Subaru service departments regarding if the transmission even needed to be replaced. Subaru of America wouldn't do anything about it because they felt that the operation was normal. Funny really because the last Subaru technician that helped us said to NEVER buy the first year of a new platform for Subaru. Do yourself a favor and buy an Outback. Gave up on the fight and we had two-Outbacks as loaners with the amount of time we had our Forester in the shop. The Outback drove light years better and is more comfortable. We bought a 2019 Outback and took a bath on owning our lemon Forester for eight-months. Will never buy a new model year again and was really disappointed with how Subaru of America handled the situation. Didn't have time to wait for the 3rd CVT transmission to fail since this is my wife's car and I wasn't willing to leave her stranded on I5 with a infant. Don't lose money like I did. Two failed CVT transmissions under 8K miles.
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Excellent choice, but misses on a few things
AS_in_DC, 04/04/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
57 of 60 people found this review helpful
I really like this SUV. I waited over a year to get the 2019, once I found out the range of improvements expected over 2018s. It was worth it, but after 6 months of driving I have a list of (minor) improvements to suggest. I know some of them will seem unnecessary, but as an owner of Audis, BMWs, and Lexus over the 35 years of my owning cars, it would be nice for the Forester Touring to have some relatively low cost convenience upgrades to match their SUVs. More on that later. PROS: feel very safe and secure in vehicle, great visibility, I like the driver monitoring, comfortable in front and back, accel and engine noise are adequate for 95% of situations, generally a good suite of safety electronics/systems. CONS: stop/start can be rough and annoying, gas mileage has been POOR (under 20 mpg) but for heavy city stop and go driving, infotainment system can be spotty and Apple Carplay can be fussy, noticing a few minor squeaks on low mileage. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS: relative to Audis, a few easy improvements would make the driver experience better - have 4 doors with opening sensors, not 2. Have overhead 360 camera for parking in tight spaces. Have a front sensor/camera suite for low speed/parking - not just in back. I had these in 2013 Audi, should be easy adds for 2019 Forester Touring. Lower trims may not need, but Touring customers will compare to the Q5/X5 and they have these features. Minor picks, and I really am happy with my choice overall. Hence the 5 star, not lower. NOTE: the trunk issue is real, but super easy to fix - hold the open button on the trunk for ~10 seconds and it resets. Don't go to a dealer, waste of time and money. RTFM.
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Great Safety Features, A Few Poor Design Decisons
Andy B, 08/31/2019
updated 09/07/2023
2019 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
30 of 31 people found this review helpful
This is our 3rd Forester. My wife drives a 2016 Forester. I chose this one for its size, its myriad of safety features, its upright seating position, its great window visibility, its cargo space, and its tried and true AWD. Our Foresters have always been sufficiently peppy for us (except for climbing mountain peaks) and so I have no complaints about the Forester being underpowered, and the gas mileage is quite good. I also have no complaints about its handling. I do not mind the Auto Stop feature and never bother turning it off, but my wife thinks it makes stopping and starting too herky-jerky. The safety features all work great, and I especially like the new backup warning system. The navigation system is also improved over the 2016 model, although it still has some quirkiness--and updating maps from the quirky Harman Kardon site is a royal pain. I do love the Subaru phone app with the Starlink remote services. And Subaru FINALLY offers a power passenger seat, which is great for me when my wife is doing the driving. My wife likes the dual temperature control. The heated steering wheel is GREAT for my arthritic hands in the winter and one of my favorite features. We never use the panoramic moonroof and wish it was an option for this model. I have now driven the car about 17,000 miles. Overall, I enjoy driving this car very much, but there are a few design flaws and defects to be aware of: a) The power tailgate is very erratic and often gives me the dreaded 3 beeps and refuses to open with either the dash button or the key fob, which apparently is a fairly common problem. Have to force it to open using the rear button--as described in the mind-boggling, poorly written owners manual. EDIT: THERE WAS A RECENT RECALL TO INSTALL A PART TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. SO FAR, SO GOOD. b) The front seats are a bit too firm and irritate my tailbone when driving long distances. c) As someone else mentioned, the low-beam headlights have a sharp cutoff and limit visibility looking through the top half of the windshield. d) The facial recognition system is hit-and-miss. About 25% of the time it does not recognize me. e) There are too many buttons and controls, and many of them are hard to see where they are placed, such as the grouping low on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel. Trying to identify and find each of the buttons in the poorly written and confusing owners manual is unnecessarily frustrating. Ditto for all the various dashboard and warning symbols f) The Forester has ABSOLUTELY THE WORST COFFEE CUP HOLDERS in the front seat that I have ever experienced. They are placed too far back and too close to the console cover. It's very awkward trying to reach back for one's coffee or water and could result in an accident. So much for putting the Driver Focus technology in the car--only to then overload the car with hard to see and reach buttons and coffee cup holders that are awkward to use. The coffee cup holders in my wife's 2016 Forester are much better placed and easier to use. g) The storage console is very small. I really miss all the storage cubbies in my Toyota Venza. h) Splash guards are essential and ought to be standard equipment on the Touring and Sport models. i) The two-section cargo cover is a pain. The rubber bumpers that are supposed to hold the back end up frequently slide off their holders causing the back section to droop down. The cargo cover in my wife's 2016 Forester works much better. j) Did I mention that the thick stack of owners manuals are poorly written, poorly organized, poorly indexed, hard to understand in various sections, and exhausting to read through and comprehend? Does one really need hundreds of pages of instructions with several supplemental manuals? Some of this is due to government regulations, but there are too many places where one looks something up only to be referred to another section of the manual. EDIT: I've been driving my 2019 Subaru Forester Touring model for about four years now, and my impressions of it have not changed. I like its size and enjoy driving it. I would buy it again.
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Not ready for Prime Time
Greg Wayne, 01/31/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
227 of 245 people found this review helpful
Previously owned an Outback. When time came for new car decided to stay with Subaru but wanted to try something different. I really like the 2019 Forester. Some reviews have criticized the car for poor and noisy acceleration. It isn't particularly quiet, but I have no complaints about the acceleration. What is a problem is the software on this car - it's extremely glitchy. Within the first few hundred miles I had to take back to dealer to open the trunk for me - it has the automatic gate lift and the system had to be rebooted manually by detaching the battery and draining the electrical system. Dealer blamed it on the computer. The infotainment system is a disaster - every other day something is not working - the CD player won't play, there'll be no sound on the radio, Pandora won't load. Even when working the system is poorly designed. My concern is that all the safety features are computer-controlled and I don't have a lot of confidence in their software. Looking for an Apple operating system experience and I ended up with Windows Vista! Hopefully they'll get their act together and put out some updates to their software.
I really like my first Subraru - not love.
MaryC, 04/18/2019
2019 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
56 of 60 people found this review helpful
POSITIVES Smoooooth drive with CVT and AWD handles great! BEST driving car I’ve owned. Seating is roomy and comfortable with good lumbar support. Excellent visability at all angles. Auto headlights if you like that. Excellent fuel economy – 2.5-6.0 higher than my RAV 4. The backup camera and display are large, well-lit, and very helpful in backing out or into tight spaces. I really like the automatic dimming mirror – never had one before. NEGATIVES Horsepower is weak, but manageable as this is not a sports car, but an SUV. Why does radio automatically come on? You have to hold down the button to turn it off, but then your screen stays dark. That’s ridiculous. ALL other cars on the market turn off with a quick push of the button. WHO thought of that. Out of lane alerts is annoying, but you can turn it off for all future trips with one push of a button. Eyesight assist is a safety option, but it is annoying. The horn is soooooo loud and unpleasant. Acceleration also noisy. It seems there is little sound protection between horn and cabin. Auto stop/start is bothersome – you have to turn it off each and every time you restart your car. You really don’t save much money. NOT worth it. Oh, and restarting CVT is clunky/ not smooth. Could just be me, but my phone doesn’t stay connected with Bluetooth well nor does it retain phonebook information to make calls.
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Good concept, poor execution
toeser, 01/22/2020
2019 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
We have owned eight Subaru's and will probably buy another someday. However, we bought the absolute top-of-the-line this year and it has been disappointing in its flaws. There is a lot to like about this car, but following are our gripes. Rear door electronic release. This can and has failed. We had the car loaded to the roof the first time it did, and we had to unload everything and then crawl through the car to the back door, and then pry off a small door with a screwdriver to reach a manual release. We had the factory-authorized fix and it has happened again. Bad, bad design. Start-stop system to save gas works only about 50% of the time (even allowing for air conditioning loads, etc.). My ten-year-old golf cart works 100% of the time. EyeSight distracted driver warning. This is useless. It has given warnings when my eyes have been glued to the road. On another occasion, I had my wife hold the steering wheel as I stared out the side window. The warning never went off. You can do better Subaru, particularity for a car this expensive.
My last forester
JJ, 10/20/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
Horrible auto stop/start feature. I was almost rear ended by an inattentive driver at a stop. I drive forest roads to hike a lot. The car reads the tire marks in gravel roads as lane markers and beeps as if I cross lanes. The brakes engage suddenly if the eyesight reads a bird or low hanging branch as an obstacle. I don't feel confident this will be a good thing when it snows. How is the car going to know that there is black ice and slamming on the brakes could be disastrous. I have owned 2 other foresters, and I know feel uncomfortable trusting my car to be safe in hazardous conditions. I'm tired of turning off features I don't want because they came standard and when I turn the car on after stopping they reset to on. Too many features. I'm a minimalist. They placed the cupholders too close to the heated seat switches, AGAIN. Very easy to spill liquid on them. And large cups catch on the cubbyhole lid. The back hatch gate works when it wants to. Now for the positive side. The seats are very comfortable. The ride is great with good stability on cornering and dirt roads. Great cargo space for my 2 large dogs to go with me. The 17in wheels handle well. The climate controls are way better for quick heat/cooling. But I am seriously considering finding another car due to the above problems. Too bad, Forester used to be the perfect ride for my lifestyle.
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A compromise... and many regrets
RLT7020, 04/03/2019
2019 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
52 of 56 people found this review helpful
I regret purchasing the base model... what didn't seem apparent on the test drive is now a major contention for me: no power seat with adjustable pan in the base model. This vehicle just kills my back. I have been in the shop for the rear hatch not closing and catching properly; I've also been in the shop for a bad window channel run that pinched the glass and never allowed the window to roll fully up - boy, that was a treat trying to convince the window regulator to roll up my window on a wet day. Waited six weeks for the part. The fuel range is completely off ... there is an issue in the software with the OBK and another Subaru product; I hope the fuel range software recall soon extends to the Forester because it is completely inaccurate and unreliable. The good side to this vehicle is that it's tighter than previous Foresters; the CVT seems better tuned, but the drone still exists. Rear doors swing wide for easy entry/egress for elderly ones, and I love that I can carry just about anything. I also have the strange belief in being able to sleep horizontally, fully stretched in any vehicle I own (I'm 5'10") and it's just another box to check with the Forester. Eyesight is what it is... annoying bells I've turned off, and sometimes the fight for the steering wheel is scary in situations where lane construction means a very narrow passage... but otherwise, the Eyesight system is worth its weight in gold in touch-and-go, congested traffic - no more stress. All in all, this vehicle is a compromise. It's a 2019 and I'm already shopping to get out of this thing... after four Subarus, I believe this is my last one... time to go back to a normal transmission, and a more refined driving experience.
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Jack of all trades! Impossible not to love!
Laurie Jean, 03/07/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
80 of 87 people found this review helpful
Nothing I can truly hate. I'll start with my gripes - as it may be an immediate dis-qualifier for some. IT DOES NOT have true built in GPS. Not on the Sport trim. The only GPS you are going to get here is either by syncing the car to your phone via Starlink and using the Magellan app within it or by using Apple Car Play (or Android if that's your thing - eew!). Both of those options will be using your phone carriers data. The Magellan app within Starlink is about the most atrocious navigation I have ever used in my life. It is slow, it is loaded with glitches and is down right ancient in operations compared to others on the market - but it works. However, the Apple Car Play is absolutely seamless. It becomes a mirror display of your phone to include Siri who then takes over your cars Bluetooth and makes the car her own. Just say "Hey Siri" and anything is possible. Okay. Not anything - but close. The second gripe would be that IT DOES NOT come with a towing package. That is only allotted on the two trim levels above it. Even though when you build the car on Subaru's website - they offer the option of adding a "trailer hitch cap" so one thinks there is a trailer hitch already on it. Secondly, one cannot add the hitch in the build options on Subaru's website so therefor it convinces the buyer that again, it comes with a trailer hitch. It doesn't. If you want one - you will be buying one separately and paying to have it installed. You're welcome for those two "off the get go" Debbie Downers. Moving forward to the Goodie Gumdrops of this car. My review comes from choosing a fully loaded Sport trim to include literally everything possible (all but the two previous things...as I couldn't). This car comes equipped with enough technology to satisfy the biggest nerd. The Harmon Kardon upgrade is worth it if you are a music fanatic like me. I LOVE the KH upgrade. If anyone tries telling you the Rockford Fosgate is just as good - they are lying. The HK upgrade is crisp, harmonic and thumps evenly throughout the car with it's built in tweeters and subs. It's worth the price. Plus the upgrade includes a larger screen and other fun things like the most out of the EyeSight features. Speaking of those - they are wonderful and perform flawlessly. And they can each be turned off. Which is nice for when you want to get out of the "driving a spaceship vibe" and actually drive your car. The back up camera and the RAB feature is wonderful - picks up things I honestly haven't seen even after looking. Like a child rushing out of store just today as I checked things were clear, backed up and the child ran out of the store from his mother. The car saw him, I didnt. I was far enough away that an accident wasnt going to happen but to know the car was capable of picking that up - awesome. It also picks up very well at night for when the reverse lights just dont provide quite enough light sometimes. The EyeSight system on the interstate is single handedly the most luxurious without being obnoxious like some of it's competitors - like the lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control. Everything can be fine tuned as well. You can turn the chime volumes down or you can once again simply turn the features off. The Automatic Start/Stop has already saved me 0.25 gallon of gas in a matter of a single tank. Sure - it can sometimes feel a bit weird but it too can be turned off. The interior surfaces of the car are both aesthetically and physically appealing. Streamlined and soft to touch. The automatic dimming mirror with a compass has certainly saved my eyes while driving at night. I didnt think I would care until I turned that feature off and was immediately blinded by the vehicle behind me. The headlights are bright and the light is diffused evenly where you need it. The brights will also dim automatically if option is selected. Cargo space inside is more than adequate. No doubt I will be able to cram luggage, camping, fishing & photography gear, coolers and dogs in the back without concerns. Easily put a kayak or bike or two on the roof racks if needed. Rear seats are just as comfortable as the front and they recline giving those tall folks in our lives plenty of space and comfort (or your dogs). The climate control certainly makes it's way to the back as well. The sunroof is huge without cause that flapping noise when open. The exterior approach LED's save you from stepping in mess and getting into your car. The keyless concept is awesome. The automatic trunk is handy when your arms are full. I'm your M-F city slicker who is the avid outdoors person come the weekend. This car more than covers both & more of my needs without a single sacrifice other than true 4x4 and a truck bed. But - you're not buying a truck. You're buying a Subaru and they dont have a truck to buy so just get the Sport. A overly happy medium in the forester lineup! Dont forget the all-weather flooring and seat back protection. Thank me later.
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I don't actually have one complaint
Alex, 04/01/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
41 of 44 people found this review helpful
All the slight, or unimportant questions I had, already had answers. Everything has a place in the car, and everything works. The cargo is amazing, the features feel incredible. I love eyesight, I love car play, I love the feedback of the vehicle in the info dash, I love the reverse camera and power tailgate. I can't see myself not driving this car. I've heard people say that a fair trade off is the lack of power. I can't argue that it might not tow as much as a dedicated truck. But it terms of acceleration I think it's got everything it needs. I'm coming from a smaller two door sports car, and I really don't miss much. Especially over the fact that it's an SUV with 29 combined miles per gallon. It's a killer and I love it.
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Best Forester yet
David Miller, 12/31/2018
updated 01/19/2022
2019 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
48 of 52 people found this review helpful
Forester's 2003, 2014 and 2009 Outback. My favorite was always the 2003 Forester. Every edition of Subaru was better. I have liked all of these vehicles. Without reservation the 2019 is the best and my favorite yet. Standard eyesight with adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, CAR PLAY, strong bluetooth integration, best seats yet, more luxurious interior, standard audio setup is a major step up from previous editions, as in the 2003 Forester this vehicle somehow has a car like quality to it's ride, quieter interior. Negatives: poor OEM tires that are insufficient for northern climates (need upgrade option to an all-weather tire vs summer like all-season -where's the love when you require buyers to throw away good rubber?). Hate auto-stop and need option to permanently disable. Engine is sufficient but would like option for more powerful engine. 1500 limit on towing reduces versatility of vehicle. Would like tie down options built in (front and rear tie points for kayaks). Need OEM option for 2 inch trailer hitch - for better optioning on things like bike racks. Automatic lane assist was not reassuring and is left off. Looks like in 2020 they went to lane centering and I would be very interested to see if that feels better. Updating at 31K miles and most of 3 years. Still liking this vehicle. Car had a recall to tighten rear suspension links. Seems to have made a difference and car no longer wanders. If I were to purchase a newer forester here is what I would want. First and foremost the ability to permanently disable auto shut off. Horrible feature that seems to activate right as I hit the gas. Dangerous and does not afford any real improvement to fuel consumption. I would like the ability to permanently disable that and to have cruise control on whenever I start the car. Constantly searching for buttons to turn off and on makes for distracted driving and a potential for accidents. Other than that move lane centering off of the central stem as it is way too easy to turn it on. I find using it misleading and inadequate and too many times I have triggered it accidentally. I also want more towing power. OK other than that I love this vehicle. Update at 37K miles. My enduring hate for auto/stop and the inability to permanently disable.
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2019 Forester is the safest car I have ever owned
Bill Belfi, 11/10/2018
2019 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
63 of 70 people found this review helpful
The new Forester has been reengineered and improved in so many areas. They widened the rear cargo area significantly. The backup camera and display are large, welllighted and very helpful in backing out or into tight spaces. The lane departure lightlta are brilliantly moved to the inside of the side view mirrors so that is the first thing I see. I had a 2016 Outback and my wife drives a 2014 Forester. I can’t wait to get her into this new Forester. We are seniors and all the electronics we can get to improve our driving experience are appreciated. Well done Subaru.
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Forester is simply the best on/off-road small SUV
Jeff Y, 12/30/2018
2019 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
61 of 68 people found this review helpful
Having driven a 2014 Forester on and off road for 5 years and a Toyota 4Runner for over 20 years, the new 2019 Forester Touring we just purchased offers incredible value. I'm an old-school 4Runner kind of guy, but I can't say enough about how well the Forester handles everything except the giant boulders. Granted, there are places the 4Runner will go that the Forester cannot, but for 90% of the off-road adventures Forester is just fine. We added the aluminum engine underguard (skidplate) accessory on the Forester to provide more underbody protection when off road. The 2019 Forester drives even better than the 2014 we traded in, which is a high bar to cross, and the new global platform delivers both interior and exterior quality improvements. We compared the 2019 Honda CR-V, 2019 Toyota RAV4 and 2019 Mazda CX-5 before settling on the Forester. If you want a really capable "small" AWD vehicle that gets excellent gas mileage combined with state of the art safety features and quality that is second to none, the 2019 Forester can't be beat.
1st Subaru
Wolfman, 06/05/2019
updated 12/15/2020
2019 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
First time Subaru owner coming from a Dodge Ram to downsize but still have cargo space, so far I am very pleased after 5,000 miles. I love the entertainment and safety technology. Tom Tom GPS content leaves a lot to be desired but I go to Apple Play and use Waze and/or Google maps on longer trips. Transmission is not smooth while driving in town at, lets say 35 mph and under. I go to manual mode and paddle shift down for smoother performance. Engine power is more than adequate regardless of industry reviews-we’re not at a NASCAR track after all. I love EyeSight technology. Comfort and interior space are outstanding and passenger has power seats plus heated and reclining (a little) seats. Nice. 1 year and 9000 miles of ownership and still happy. The main issue is shifting of the transmission. When coasting to a stop from 20 mph the downshift is jerky and when getting to about 15 mph the vehicle surges forward like it goes into a higher gear with more momentum. Kind of scary as you want to slam on the brakes. After that it is smooth. Never seen a tranmission this quirky before but it reminds me of the Audi lurching problems of the 70s. Caused lots of problems but this is not like this as the vehicle doesn't actually accelerate but you think it will. TomTom content still sucks - not accurate and other than main roads the posted speed limit information is wrong, Determined that this vehicle is not for me. Seems to be too lightweight in windy conditions at highway speeds. Maybe too light for the profile. Wife totally didn’t like auto stop/start. If default was set at off she would have still liked the Forester.
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Almost Perfect
Jane, 04/24/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
32 of 35 people found this review helpful
I just leased a 2019 Subaru Forester. The car is great with a few exceptions. I am a woman and this review will reflect a female drivers opinion since every review I looked at online was made by a man and since getting my Forester I have decided that men are very biased regarding engine torque when reviewing a car. I drove at least five other suv’s Before deciding on the Forester. Here are the pros: For the price and safety rating (tops in its class) I felt the forester was the best deal. It also comes standard with all wheel drive, on other SUV’s that’s an expensive option. The cabin is roomier with large windows that allow for an excellent all around view and the cargo space is larger, a big +++ for us moms who are always hauling something or someone. It’s ride is smooth and the controls are intuitive. The AWD is awesome, I live on a farm so there is always conditions that may require it. I put it to the test just hours after getting and fully loaded with people it drove over muddy ruts effortlessly, I was impressed! Now the cons: the console storage is small, moms need more storage space! There is not an option, at least in the limited that offered seat/mirror position memory. Also there is not a built in garage door opener. As for acceleration it’s ok, not the best but not the worst. I’m not looking to be nailed to my seat on take off anyway.
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SERIOUS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS !!
Anonymous, 07/11/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
53 of 59 people found this review helpful
I have a 2019 Subaru Forester Premium and have had problems with it since I bought it. 3 weeks after I purchased it the radio made a high pitch sound and then blacked out and reset itself. I took it to Subaru and they told me they can’t Do anything because it was fine when I took it into the shop they wanted me to bring it in when it was malfunctioning and I told him when it resets and blacks out it does it all with it about six seconds so there’s no way for me to bring it in when it’s doing it because it only last six seconds. So I finally got it on video with my phone so I took it back in and it took 3 trips to the Subaru shop for them to replace my radio. 4 days after The new radio was installed it continued to do the same thing it was doing before . Now I’m having trouble with the sunroof !! The sunroof randomly loses power so I can push the switch and the sunroof will open but then it will lose power at random and it won’t return power to the sunroof until I turn my car off and then restart my car I have power going back to the sunroof. My car has been at the shop at least five times since I purchased it in February and I will not be buying another Subaru.... Has anyone else had trouble with the radio or sunroof?
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I want to love it...
Rydog75, 08/29/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
22 of 24 people found this review helpful
...but I just don't. It's mediocre. Acceleration is blah. Fuel efficiency is meh. Technology works sometimes. It's not particular sporty to drive. It's loud. It's not smooth. The Eyesight is so annoying. It slams on the brakes when I don't need it, and ghosts me when I'd like the added sense of security. The power lift gate works at least 50% of the time, the other times it freezes and I have the hold the button and reset it. But nothing, absolutely nothing, is as bad as the horrible start/stop technology. Yes, you can shut it off every time you start the car. If you forget, the engine will stop when the car stops, the A/C starts blowing warm, moist air. And heaven help you if you need to accelerate from a stop in a hurry - it takes seconds for the car to start back up and begin accelerating, and it is rough as heck. If you need to accelerate quickly, make sure the start/stop is turned off! People love their Subarus, I can't wait to get rid of mine.
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First 10 Days with Our Forester Limited
K. Bennett, 04/14/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
21 of 23 people found this review helpful
Acceleration: It’s always done what I’ve asked/needed it to do. It doesn’t feel underpowered, but i’ve only asked it to go 73 mph. Engine noise: Definitely noticeable in first acceleration, but it seems to quickly fade to background at cruising speed. Engine shutoff/restart at stops: We’ve owned Toyota hybrids, so I’m used to it and it doesn’t bother me. (Don’t think I’d try to beat an oncoming semi across a road, though. Depending on the stop, that slice of a second to kick in could be more problematic, but I’m not an aggressive driver, and it hasn’t bothered me.) On the 10th Day: yes, the dreaded hatch not opening happened - locked out of the “trunk.” Had to take it to dealer on a busy Friday afternoon. Service manager helped me directly; got under the hood and reset a code or something. Took the time to explain how the different buttons worked — it seems some of them “want” a long-held press, and others need a short, quick press. So far, the buttons are behaving. I was only there for about 15 minutes, while spending an hour, total, with drive times. Phone pairing is working fine, and we have an iPhone and an Android. Voice for that works pretty good, too. Radio/Sirius working fine - sometimes Sirius takes an extra 1-2 seconds to load. Upgraded Harman Karden stereo sounds amazing. Handles well, with a bit of movement on some windy days (23-30mph gusts). First tank of gas got 26.4mpg with at least half city driving — that hurts a bit coming after our hybrids. Hoping for better on vacation in May. Black-leather accented interior seems well done. Steering wheel has a lot of stuff on it; the “spokes” seem a little big because of that. Nice displays. Our other choice would have been a hybrid Toyota RAV4, but it was delayed and most of the first group coming in were sold with NO dealing on sticker price, and we were told maybe we could get it under sticker in six months or more. My husband liked the handling a bit more, and the dealership is quite a bit smaller than the Toyota, so he’s hoping for better service. Overall first impression: 4/5. Waiting to see how the electronics and mileages shake out. Amazed by the safety features, though.
Windshield cracks for no reason
Joan ryan, 03/22/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
38 of 43 people found this review helpful
Checked internet there is a lot more that it has happened to. Went to dealer showed no marks on windowshild showed that it came from bottom center up . NO HELP....said they don't fix glass .took car to Syracuse glass took window out tried TWO windows did not fit we had no car for 4 weeks not a window in the us to fit this car . Now have to take car to delay to have sensors calibrated $220. This is posivtly a factory defect . Johnlouisryan23@gmal.com
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2019 Forester is Great!
Oldgoat2, 05/27/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
30 of 34 people found this review helpful
I have over 25K miles on my Premium. The 2018 model was just as great with no complaints. This review will compare the 2019 to the 2018. This 2019 is noticeably quieter and feels a little more solid though not enough to trade cars to get. The motor is just a little stronger, slightly noisier under acceleration and 2 mpg less on mileage. The AWD system works flawlessly, maybe even a little better with less drama. The new standard tires (Ecopia?) are a little smoother and quieter but are at 3/32 (done) at 25K. The Geolanders on the previous models were always good to 35K in my driving conditions. The radio sounds better as well. Now for the differences, not good or bad, in no particular order, just to let you know. 1. No more mute button anywhere for the stereo. 2. Back door seals still leak dust in the cabin as before when driving dusty roads. 3. The annoying start/stop feature may save the planet, but the safety systems will try to kill you. 4. The cruise is inoperative if your seatbelt is not fastened or when ‘Eyesight’ routinely shuts off. For example, when ice/rain obscures the cameras or the AWD senses a tire slip. 5. Actual tire pressure readings on the display is great. If you do not notice, Skylink will email you about it a few hours later. 6. Collision avoidance will also firmly apply the brakes when you steer toward your mailbox to pick up your mail. 7. I stopped comfortably behind a car, my auto start/stop shut the engine off just as the backup lights of the car in front came on. Before I could shift to reverse, the collision avoidance pulled the bake down away from my foot as he started moving and my engine would not start. The horn did work and his wife yelling at him got things stopped in time. I see no problem with this feature. 8. Cubby holes and storage compartments are smaller than before. 9. Wheels are easy to clean but do not shed mud very well so lots of wheel washing to keep tires in balance. 10. Still the easiest car on the planet to change oil. 11. Heat shield above converter still packs full of mud. 12. Headlight switch on turn signal stem works mostly when the car is in park. The lights are pretty much automatic when you are moving. 13. There are so many safety/alert/convenience things beeping at you all the time you quickly learn to ignore them all. Thats all for now. Great car!
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Disable stop/start
Robert Montana, 01/30/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
116 of 136 people found this review helpful
To disable stop/start go to rear defroster in menu and put in continuous mode. Done deal.
Auto Start/Stop Feature Is HORRIBLE
DisappointedBuyer, 04/16/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
76 of 89 people found this review helpful
This is my 3rd Subaru Forester and had no problems with the first two. But the 2019 has a TERRIBLE new feature which pretty much ruins the user experience for me. Auto On/Off turns off the engine when you come to a stop and starts it up again when you press the gas. peddle The problem is that it stops and starts with a STRONG thud. It feels kind of like when you hit a speed bump. While you can turn off the feature, it defaults to "on" every time you start the car. I usually don't remember to turn it off when I start up so am reminded when I come to a stop sign or light and the car annoyingly turns off with a thud. I hate it! Neither the dealer nor Subaru have been any help. The service rep at the dealer test drove it with me and said ya, that's kind of what they do. He said the first time he drove it with the feature on he thought he might have broken something.... it's that bad! Anyway... he went on to say they can't permanently disable the feature (which would have been good enough for me) and until/unless Subaru comes up with a fix I'm out of luck. Subaru of America was equally unhelpful. They simply said they were sorry I was unhappy with the feature. Appreciated the feedback and would enter the information in their data bank. They offered no information on any efforts being made to address the problem. Their lack of help makes me think this will be my last Subaru! This feature is supposed to save gas but I read somewhere there is no improvement in the advertised gas mileage over last year so it doesn't appear to even do what it is designed to do.
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Amazing Vehicle For The Price
PNW Driver, 02/25/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
28 of 32 people found this review helpful
I drove many vehicles (including trucks, cars, and crossovers) prior to purchasing the 2019 Subaru Forester. The Forester wasn't on my short list at the beginning of my search. After being unsatisfied with many vehicles, in terms of trim level and performance for the price, I kept finding myself gravitating towards super expensive luxury models. With a final list ready for decision (which I still wasn't sold), my wife recommended I at least test drive a Subaru. The Crosstrek was nice (and I had a strong attraction to it), but the Forester was instant wow! The trim was amazing (soft touch materials, comfortable seats, heated steering wheel, etc), the tech, the safety, all would cost $15k - $20k higher to obtain in most other brands. I wish the engine was a bit peppier, but it really does quite well and has more get up and go than you might think. With stop and go traffic, I rarely have an opportunity to take advantage of a more powerful engine anyway. Thus, the Subaru became the best value for me. It can do almost everything you need. Child seat fits great. Everything just works for a busy parent who likes to hike and camp. I wish it could tow and haul yard debris, but its not very frequent I need that sort of function. Thus, limiting my daily driver on that premise is hard to live with. All in all, Subaru wins because it is an excellent value for the price.
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Living the Dream
Ellie Driver, 01/21/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
31 of 36 people found this review helpful
Couldn't be happier after purchasing the new 2019 Sport trim of the Subaru Forester in December. Two days after buying it I loaded half my life into the trunk, a 30-foot long rowing shell onto the roof rack, and drove across the country from NJ to CA with zero issues in great comfort. The Forester feels very large for a compact crossover. There's a ton of room in the back seats and huge amounts of storage space when you fold them down. I will say that the aero crossbars installed by the manufacturer had a little more flex in them than the aftermarket products I'm used to (round bar Yakima racks come to mind) but they did the trick. This is a young model and I haven't put too many miles on the car (the cross-country trek did add a few) but I am initially thrilled with the car and am living the dream as a first time Subaru buyer.
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Improved in almost every way
Gregg Schoof, 06/10/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
This is my second Subaru Forester. The first was a 2017. Though they look similar, the work that Subaru's engineers and designers have done addresses most complaints I had with the 2017. The newer model feels more substantial and has more space. The headlights are much brighter. It's quieter. The interior has better materials and looks more sophisticated. The fit and finish is impeccable, as is the attention to most of the car's features. I no longer hit my head on the rear lift gate's corners when it's raised and it's also wider. The Eyesight system is awesome. It already stopped me from hitting a deer. The engine could still use some more horsepower, possibly a standard turbo. The weakest point beside the HP is the standard radio with its small 6.5 inch screen. Also, voice directions require too much specificity. Why can I no longer say "80's on 8"? Instead, you have to say "Tune to satellite channel 80's on 8". Nitpicky? Maybe. But it should be simpler. Also, why no more pneumatic lifts under the hood? It's an old fashioned metal prop rod on the Premium model. Lastly, I got an upgraded brighter interior lighting package. It covers the front and back seats but not the cargo area. All interior controls are lighted at night EXCEPT the sunroof control. Why?
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Bean counters chose cheap seat materials
Northupthere , 12/17/2022
2019 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Bought it new in 2019. Premium model with cloth interior. 3 years later the vinyl parts of the seating are cracking and coming apart.
SOA Response to concern is concerning
Shannon R, 08/21/2020
2019 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I was so excited to be buying my 1st NEW vehicle and had spent 8 months researching as safety was a huge priority having 4 kids. The salesman was amazing, I get the bells and whistles. And a trear later I'm sitting in the shop for the ?th time... within the 1st week the hatch only would open half way, shortly after the rear hatch button literally fell apart and fell inside when pushed... lets fast forward to today it's in for the presets on the radio clearing every time car is shut off, apparently a software flaw. "Should just take an hour to upload" added to the 50 minute drive each way to the dealer. I contact SOA via email explaining my frustrations pouring out my heart that on top of the kids I'm a full time care giver for my hub w stage 4 cancer and many complications (he's very weak, rarely gets out of house and falls sho needs someone there). SOA responds to my email and I quote, "Thank you for contacting Subaru of America, Inc. We appreciate you taking time out of your day to contact us. I'm sorry to hear that you have been displeased with the number of repairs on your 2019 Forester. It's good to know that these have bene covered by the Subaru warranty...." It goes on patting themselves on the back for their high ratings. Seriously? Good thing it's under warranty?! Good thing this hour+ in waiting room provides me with time to blog. SHAME ON THEM you lost my respect and any chance of a future customer.
Cranky, slow, and fussy, but at least it's shiny
E. King, 03/20/2019
updated 07/22/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
95 of 115 people found this review helpful
I have been a religious Subaru owner for about 20 years now. I, literally, will not own another brand. Until now, my new 2019 Forester Touring has been, hands down, the worst Subaru driving experience I have ever had. Get me right, I love the new body styling, the handling is spot on, it looks great, the interior is amazing for its price point so how in the world wouldn't I just be head over heels on this thing?! Well, simply put my pre-installed, over caffeinated, driving instructor (EyeSight, Facial Scanning, blahh blahh blahh) takes over at the most minuscule hint of anything it doesn't like on the road. It freaks us out driving it, using it's fancy pre-collision braking for even the slightest thing another driver does around you. I have a friend who's driveway is slanted and this vehicle categorically refuses to back out of it unless I depart at 50 degree angle out of the driveway. The rear hatch has locked me out repeatedly and had to be reset by the dealership. They gasped when I told them that my entire family, literally, despises this vehicle. My other half won't even drive it because of the cracked out driving instructor in the software. This is our first "smart" vehicle, I use that term very loosely as this thing is about as sharp as a tennis ball. It simply gives the operator the illusion of control. At a nanoseconds notice the software overreacts to about everything around it to the point we are so stressed out by the time we get to our destination we don't want to drive it home. We live in an urban area so traffic runs tight and brisk, this thing needs wide open spaces to be happy with its surroundings. So whether this Forester is smashing on its own breaks, or trying to fight you for control of the steering wheel, or the rear hatch just decides it's going to be a jerk for no reason and usually when one of us has both hands full of groceries, we just simply have level 10 out 10 buyers' remorse. I just want my 2015 Forester XT back. It was amazing, had a great interior, and was ferocious under acceleration. This new 2019 Forester Touring's acceleration even on sport mode is glacial, at best. God help us if we ever needed actual power on the road to get out of a bad situation. It is noteworthy that while we waited the couple of weeks it took to get our new Forester up here I did NOT have the same experience in the 2019 Outback the dealership lent us. It behaved like any other Subaru I've ever driven even with all this new EyeSight bells and whistles. Perhaps the Forester Touring has these issue because it is the first vehicle in Subaru's lineup to integrate the facial scanning and maybe has some unexpected bugs that need to be worked out, but every time we say anything to the dealership we just get empty stares and no solutions.
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Annoying Issues
Joe, 05/22/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
17 of 20 people found this review helpful
There is no on/off for the radio...its always on! Even if listening to MP3 and you shut it off, the minute engine shuts off radio blasts on. Safety equipment is intrusive and over bearing such as lane control. Great car, enough power, average seat comfort, bizarre new technology as listed. Did not renew my lease, switch to the legacy.This is my 5th subaru ...no more Forester.
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Consider other options
Jeff, 08/17/2019
updated 02/20/2020
2019 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
The 2019 Subaru forester is a reliable and safe car with strong safety features. I have owned one for 9 months. However, there are many disappointing features as well. Cornering borders on painful with excessive sway. My 2006 Outback was far superior (in cornering and nearly all other areas). The fit and finish is poor in several areas of the car. The infotainment system is worthless and most owners I know plug in their phone for navigation. Drivers seat is showing excessive wear with gentle use. Finally, the rear cargo cover is a terrible two piece design resembling a cheap curtain rod. Odd that Subaru didn't use their one-piece cargo cover system from earlier models that worked great. As a long-term Subaru owner and fan I can't recommend this car. Suggest looking at other SUV's.
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Best vehicle I have driven!
Julian, 01/16/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
30 of 37 people found this review helpful
I didn't buy this 2019 Forester just for the looks. I test drove the CX-5 and the CRV before this one. I would say that both of them are awesome and performed great. Then, after I drove the Forester, I immediately felt the difference. The Forester's ride is much more impressive. It is not as fast or powerful as the other ones, but the most important is it's handling performance. You can feel that this vehicle is almost hugging the road. It also has a smooth and quiet ride. I love my Forester so when it's time to buy another one, it's got to be a Subaru!
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Hate the Auto Stop-Start feature!
Rebecca, 01/24/2019
2019 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
78 of 99 people found this review helpful
The auto stop-start is completely idiotic! I hate it. Whoever decided to install that on all models...with no way to disable it...should be fired. I hate it. I literally have to remember to push a button every time I start the car, if I want to disengage this little feature that is wearing out my starter!
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Back lift issues
Ben, 04/04/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
19 of 23 people found this review helpful
Great car. However the only issues I am having is the trunk! Power lift keeps on locking itself..annoying to go back to dealership to reset.
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Two months old and some glitches
Paul Hyman, 03/17/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
25 of 31 people found this review helpful
I'm on my second Forester and I really like it, but I'm starting to get somewhat annoyed. I can't open the rear gate now and I need to take it in to the dealer. And yesterday the "Keep your eyes on the road" warning kept coming up every few seconds even though I was watching the road. It was so distracting I almost ran a stop sign. It would have been something if a safety feature contributed to an accident. And the feature that helps keep the car in the lane beeps and turns itself off every few minutes and then resumes. I finally got tired of the alerts and turned the feature off. I'll see what the dealer says when I bring it in.
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One week review
Noah, 04/26/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
21 of 26 people found this review helpful
Granted - it's only been a short time since I brought this puppy home; but, I'm thrilled so far. I got the Limited trim level with black leather interior and silver exterior. I think that it looks great inside and out. It's not a head turner necessarily, but I think it's a handsome vehicle. I think the redesign from the previous year's model adds some nice contouring and is a step forward, if a subtle one. I test drove Hondas and Toyotas as well, and the interior build quality was head and shoulders above the others, in my opinion. I'm only 5'-8", so not a mountain of a man, but the interior space and headroom is impressive. Because of the height of the roof, the windows and front/rear windshield offer excellent visibility. When I look in the rear view mirror I only catch window framing at the very edge my line of sight. All of the technology in the car is great. Bluetooth connects automatically, and Apple Car Play is a nice feature. Even outside of car play, I can play music through my Pandora account without opening a secondary app. It's very user friendly. I didn't get the upgraded sound system, but I find the sound quality to be very good as it is. The only cumbersome thing with some of the technology is that there is a lot of menu to navigate, and it can be difficult to find what you are looking for. I think that with some "practice" that it will be much easier to adjust any setting that I may need to without spending too much time hunting for it. Lane keep assist I think can be useful for long drives on the highway or times when you may be driving late at night and tend to drift. It's not something needed all the time, but can easily be turned off. Rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, etc. are great features that require no input from you. The auto start/stop feature - I can take it or leave it. It has a counter that when activated tells you total time you have been using it and how much gas you're saving on that tank of gas. I've read a lot of people say it's very clunky when it starts/stops - that hasn't been my experience. But, if it's not for you, it is easily turned off with the push of a button. The collision avoidance system got a little test earlier today when traffic had stopped unexpectedly - the system applied the brakes for me. At the speed I had been traveling, I'm not sure it would have stopped without additional input from me; but, it would have surely softened the blow. A great feature in my opinion. Fuel economy in mixed driving has average about 29 miles per gallon, which is pretty good in my opinion. It's not a speed demon, but it's acceleration is totally acceptable, and if I'm passing someone it is capable of doing so. Again, just one week in, but I know I made the right choice.
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Problematic, and/or I got a bad one
Laura, 04/14/2019
updated 04/15/2020
2019 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
43 of 55 people found this review helpful
I got my 2019 in Oct. 2018, right when they came out. The pros: The car has lots of light inside with the big windows and panoramic sunroof; it is a smooth, comfortable drive, lumbar support is nice as is the auto dimming rear view mirror. There’s a lot of cargo space. I will say that since I’ve been driving other brands in my quest to get out of the Forester, the Forester does have the most comfortable handling of the other cars in its class. The cons: The one I got was defective. From the start, the entertainment system was defective. Also defective was the warnings system; the car beeped ALL THE TIME. Service repeatedly told me to “use an Apple cord” to remedy the issues with Apple CarPlay. The beeping was explained as “all the safety features”. The dealership just replaced the entire entertainment system (April 2019). It appears to be working now, but has only been a few days since the replacement, so I’m not ready to say outright that it’s properly working. It appears to be working, and the miscellaneous beeping has stopped. Other cons are: The sound when you make a call either through Bluetooth or CarPlay is awful. You have to turn the volume all the way up on the car and your phone. The cup holders are in a weird place. Also terrible is that when you turn the car off, the radio stays on. The power lift gate is problematic; it opens on its own sometimes, and once, it shut and refused to open until I took it back to the dealership to have it reset. I had to take it to the dealership when daylight savings time started b/c I couldn’t figure out how to change the clock. It’s kind of high off the ground for some dogs to jump in. To sum up, either the 2019 is wonky overall, and Subaru needs to work out the kinks in the 2019 design, or I simply just got a bad one. Since my car is only a few months old, I’m having a terrible time getting out of it. I am going to have to eat some negative equity to get out of this unfortunate car. Either way, for me the Forester was a mistake, and I don’t recommend it. I expected such an expensive, brand new car to be free from problems. Hopefully others have better luck. UPDATE 2020: I traded the Forester in for a 2016 CRV. Losing all the money I put down on the broken Forester was a huge hit, but now I have a reliable car that works.
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2019 Forester Sport
Phyllis, 11/27/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have seen reviews complaining of the errors coming up for eyesight...turn on the defroster. Your windshield has moisture. Immediate fix. Comfort ✅ Major lower back pains and this car beat every car I test drove and definitely don’t regret it when this is why I kept coming back to it. Cargo ✅ Better then my 2007 CRv. It’s more square. Easily went from knowing exactly what and were to put things makes my life easy. AC/Heat. 😶 The quality of the Air Force is great...the vents. Not so much on the design of them being sideways. Can’t find a decent phone holder..which is a problem. No where to really put the phone. 8” Screen ✅ Awesome. However definitely find myself knowing exactly how to dim the screen at night. It’s distracting. Glass and overall blind spot ✅ I opted for Rearview/Sideview warning system. The glass alone and sight...isn’t needed really and I had them added the day I bought it without. Thought of safety. I guess. Heated front seats. I want to see this option in the sport. Rear USB/ double and its location ✅ Great idea. 👍🏼 Power, Performance, MPG ✅ I don’t need speed. Also discovered the sport button was used three times since last March when I bought it. I live on Long Island and thought it was needed...it isn’t. Looks ✅ Performance ✅ Needs ✅ PS....met a man who was driving a Tesla. He informed me he has a Forester at home for bad weather. 😂. It’s been a joy and no returns for issues at all. This is my first Subie and I have to say....no new car has ever gone this long without some need to return for repair. Loving my Subie!!!
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Near Perfect!
Huntnstuff, 08/28/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I love my Forester Sport. It drives so smooth and the safety features are wonderful. At nearly 5,000 miles I feel I can write a review of this vehicle. My only real complaint - the cup holders are in a very awkward location. The gas mileage has averaged 29 with well over 30 on the highway. I compared this to the CRV and Equinox and I liked the Forester much better. So far, I'm very happy with my choice.
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Good, not great
Vann Herman, 03/14/2019
2019 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
39 of 50 people found this review helpful
If you're shopping for this car, please allow yourself a good 30 minute drive on varied roads and highways. PROS: Loved the look and quality of the interior. The outward view and sight-lines are the best. The ride is super smooth. The safety features are great. CONS: The seats on the sport model didn't fit me even though I'm an average sized male. The bottom cushion was deep and narrow enough to cause me discomfort. I really wanted to get this car but this was the one thing I couldn't compromise on with my 20K miles that I drive per year. Passing power seemed barely adequate but there are a couple different buttons that change shift points which may help. Oh, those buttons, in many locations, there are about 30 of them or more. I never did figure how to reset the mpg for my test drive. Lots of features will require a learning curve that I was willing to learn. Lastly, there was no way to permanently disable the engine stop/start feature which was not very smooth or seamless when activated. Other than the seats, for me, this will probably be a very good car for most folks.
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Scared to drive at night
P. Thank, 07/30/2019
updated 02/08/2021
2019 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
42 of 55 people found this review helpful
I just bought a 2019 Subaru Forester Premium. This is my 5th Subaru. I love the car but I am very afraid to drive it at night. When driving at night, there is a dark line across the entire windshield. When driving downhill this line lowers down covering the windshield.It's almost like pulling a shade down. The low beams do not illuminate the next uphill and it's very scary. It's just not me the first time I drove at night there were 3 other people in the car with me who experienced the same thing. Took it back to the dealer who said they could not replicate the problem. My neighbor then drove my car and experienced the same problem. I do not want to own a car that I can't drive at night. This is my last Subaru. Update: I am still scared to drive at night. Since my review, I voiced my concerns on Car Guru to see if others were experiencing the same problem. There have been several responses from owners of other car makes (Toyota, Honda) who have experiences the same concern. The common thread is the LED headlights. This is a safety concern that must be dealt with!
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