Used 2021 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews
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New Subaru Buyer - Update 6 Months Later
Rgl, 03/24/2021
updated 03/31/2025
2021 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
92 of 94 people found this review helpful
After 30 plus years driving Toyota vehicles I am a picky hard sell to change. My dealership would not deal with me so I changed to Subaru with hopes of similar reliability. My 2021 Forester limited has more options than a RAV4 limited and for over 3k$ less. Standard AWD, comfortable ride and better mpg. Just did a 300 mile weekend trip and the vehicle was great! So far very happy with my first Subaru. 9/25/21 - not one issue with the new Forester. Still rides quietly and solid with 3k miles. I find the agile handling is confident and quick. I like the eyesight auto cruise driving system to be very helpful for long drives. In mostly city driving I’m averaging 24 mpg. Great vehicle. 3/27/22 Odo reads 6k miles. My Subie has been problem free. Owning 3 previous Camrys I needed an suv that was comfortable and quiet. The engine roars during hard starts but is still quieter than the RAV4. Comfy drives and highway trips avg 31 mpg. 9/28/22 Odo reads 8,600 miles. 18 months now and no issues/problems. I did have isolated surprise that all warning lights lit up and turned out to be unseated fuel cap. Learned a lesson with that. Very happy with my Red Subie. May purchase at lease end. :) 9/28/23 Odo is 12k miles and 6 mo to lease end. Definitely going to buy Subie. The suv continues to be problem free and solid. During a recent highway trip I was cut off by a impatient driver who then hit his brakes. Eyesight responded faster than me and avoided a nasty accident. What a fantastic vehicle for the purchase amount I paid. My dealership provides great service and gives me back a fresh washed vehicle. I’m sold on Subaru vehicles. 3/30/2025 I purchased my Forester at its cap cost of $24k. What a bargain being low miles and cheaper than a new car. At 21k miles, the Subie continues being problem free. I did have an a new oil filter blow/leak. Apparently it was defective and my great service place cleaned my engine. Quantrell Subaru provides great service each time I’m there. The suv is still quiet and comfortable to drive and ride. Very happy.
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A Great Choice
Rod Grodt, 04/26/2021
updated 04/29/2025
2021 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
65 of 66 people found this review helpful
I researched all the small and medium-size SUVs for a replacement for our 2016 Hyundai Tucson Eco and the Forester seemed the best choice. It broke our string of five no-problem Hyundais going back to 2000. The Forester delivers in all categories. It's roomy, economical and safe. The gas mileage is between 35-38 on the highway and 33-35 combined. It's about the same as the Tucson. A lot of magazines criticize the CVT transmission, but it's a welcome change from the dual-clutch in the Tucson which was really the only complaint. The Forester is more comfortable and has more cargo space. It's quiet on the highway and the all-wheel drive is fantastic in the rain. I love the car. Only complaint is that trying to figure out all the electronics is baffling. But, eventually, that will come around. One feature I don't like is that the engine shuts off when you stop in traffic for more than a few seconds. When you lift your foot off the brake, it sort of bangs back to life. There is a switch to override this function, but you have to turn it on every time you drive the car. There should be a permanent override or simply do away with this supposedly environmental function. We purchased the base model which had the wheel upgrade and interior rubber mat package. Our dealership in Orange Park, FL, is super to work with. Great service department and free car washes. The Forester has just over 37,000 trouble-free miles on the odometer now.
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2021 Subaru Forester for sale near you
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- Premium 4dr SUVMSRP: $19,50025 mi away
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Glad we considered it!
Nick N Nora, 03/31/2021
2021 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
106 of 109 people found this review helpful
Very comfortable, great head room, superb views from all windows. Substantial cargo area in hatch. Large glove compartment. Turn signals are not obnoxious, as most vehicles tend to be. Windshield and rear window wipers are large- sweep very well. Steering radius is fantastic!!!
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Excellent Choice!
Karen B., 01/15/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
33 of 33 people found this review helpful
Love the safety features especially the front & back eyesight driving. Sure helps when backing out of busy parking lots! It also alerts you of auto & pedestrian movement on the sides of your vehicle. Great safety feature! Also for those that have difficulty driving in the dark, the headlights turn with the car so no blind spots on corners plus you can set the lights to bright & they will automatically dim when another vehicle is detected & then return to bright once it has passed. Alot to love about being a Subaru owner!
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Lovin my new Ru!
Sandy, 12/31/2020
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
31 of 32 people found this review helpful
Just traded in my 2015 Subaru Outback 2015 Limited for a 2021 Forester Premium. I may have given up a teeny bit of luxury but I gained immensely in new safety features, those adaptive LED headlights and all that wonderful open interior and panoramic sunroof. I love that it is much shorter and narrower than the outback and it is a smooth wonderful ride. Nice pick up. I am really enjoying my new Forester!!
Better Than I Expected
SealsForChristTrucker, 11/22/2020
2021 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
48 of 51 people found this review helpful
We purchased this car to replace our 2007 Edge. Was not sure if we were going to like it since it was not as heavy. But after driving it, we Love it. It is almost the same size as the Edge and has much better visibility. It has plenty of pep with the Boxer 4 cylinder and do not have to deal with a turbo. I like to do my own oil changes and this car has the oil filter sitting right up on top in the front with the threads down...so easy and no mess. The transmission is sealed so I do not have to deal with the fluid. We got the base model with a couple of upgrades....roof rack and 17 in alloy wheels. There is still plenty of neat things on it without spending the extra money....unless you want them, which we did not. All in all, the more I drive this car the more I like it.
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1st Subaru after 21 years of Honda products
Mike, 03/02/2021
updated 01/18/2022
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
87 of 94 people found this review helpful
Picked up my 2021 Forester Touring on Saturday and wish I had looked at Subaru years ago. A much better product than Honda. Solid in every aspect - my prior 2019 CRV was all over the road in bad weather (snow, rain and wind). Made the switch to go back to AWD and it is like night and day. IMHO there is plenty of acceleration to get on and pass on the highway (was worried when reading reviews) but it has plenty of get up and go! Comfortable and a pleasure to drive - went out on Sunday and drove over 150 miles and didn't realize it - did not want to get out of the car. The only complaint - and it is MINOR - is the placement of the lap seat belt attachment. Different placement and size compared to the Honda, but everything else is top of the line. Lots of tech (if you want to use it). As a long term Honda owner (owning the Pilot, CRV, Element and Odyssey) the Forester is hands down the best vehicle I have owned.
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Great car that got better!
Joe of Delaware, 12/21/2020
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
67 of 73 people found this review helpful
Traded in our 2016 Forester for the 2021 model and couldn’t be happier. Both models were the Premium line and there is so much more included in the 2021 over the 2016 that it is amazing. The ride is superior and so is the road noise (much quieter that is). Instrumentation and comfort is also much improved. So far couldn’t be happier. One thing to note is that because they put more into the car, you now have to purchase the cargo rails separately, but at $200 it was not the end of the world either.
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Great vehicle
Marion , 12/24/2020
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
31 of 33 people found this review helpful
So far this vehicle has proven to be every thing I read about it and even better on gas. A lot of electronics to learn, but nothing that really effects driving it. Great sound system. Subaru is one of the last cars to offer a cd player, which is part of why I bought it.
Lovely
Anoniemoose, 03/20/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
58 of 64 people found this review helpful
I'm a 6'2" man with an unusually long torso. Most new vehicles come with standard moon roof, and no height control in the passenger seat. This means I do not fit in most new vehicles without special orders. Some of the only vehicles I fit comfortably in, with the trim levels I want, are the Forester (taller headroom) and Outback (standard option to delete moon roof). Luckily I love these cars. I have a 2021 Forester Premium with the power lift gate package, which adds rear cross traffic alert. The safety is fantastic. Subaru's adaptive cruise control can follow start and stop traffic, or intelligently slow down if the car ahead slows. It can also automatically steer and change lanes, although the system requires a good amount of input. It cannot follow hard corners for instance. Android Auto means I can use my phone's Google Maps for navigation. The tech is quite good even on less-than-loaded models. Overall I think the Premium pack with power lift gate is open of the better options on the market. It has buttons! I hate the Tesla style over reliance on touchscreens. They get dirty, and they're dangerous to use while driving. The Forester Premium has all the right controls (volume, climate) on physical buttons. Once you commit those controls to muscle memory it's a superior experience. The engine rocks. Reviewers complain that the engine is smaller in class, while praising best in class fuel efficiency. The two are related. The Forester has similar EPA gas mileage to my old Civic (!), and feels if anything faster. It corners like a dream. My wife is not a performance driver and she is still commenting on the lack of body roll. The Forester comes standard with a CVT which maximizes fuel efficiency. Drivers used to harsh manual transmissions often feel CVTs are weaker because they don't jerk as much. Think of the Subaru boxer engine more like a luxury experience - the power delivery is immediately and smooth at all speeds. I spend 1/3 the amount on gas that my family spend for their Land Cruiser, yet this thing can probably race my old Civic, with similar gas mileage. It's insane. It is also a Subaru in all the right ways. Tons of storage. I packed for 2 people for a week going cross country, and barely even used the back seat. We arrived at a muddy back road and engaged the X-Mode just for fun. The vehicle had zero issues and I arrived with more energy thanks to the excellent safety features and adaptive cruise control. Equally capable rock climbing as at highway speed. Complaints? The ride is quite stiff. It feels fine on the highway, but over poorly maintained city streets where truckers have built up brake zone ruts it's like a roller coaster. The infotainment system could be faster and integrate more seamlessly with Android Auto. When I plug in my phone I want Google Maps - make it happen. The steering assist is a bit annoying. It requires such constant input that I don't feel I'm gaining much. However, up models (especially on the Outback) have even more advanced navigation that likely makes this better. The stop-start cruise control with engine cutoff for efficiency is still a winner, it's just not a Tesla autopilot. Storage could be better. The cup holders are far back to put the X-Mode button on display, and the console has fairly small bins, so you're often hunting for a spot to put things. It's not terrible, but you get the feeling if they relocated the X-Mode button you could gain the storage you need. Rear headroom is poor with the moon roof, so rear comfort is a bit of a budget experience compared to the front. Interior is worlds better than the last generation Subaru, but they still need a design expert to to get rid of those last vestiges of awful cheap plastic where your hands go (especially around the door handle, and around the shifter, for me personally). Overall. Zero issues after a six-hour trip into mountains and dirt roads and mud. Dealership experience was ideal. Fuel consumption is beautiful. Subaru cruise control means you arrive at your destination fresher. Covid financing and warranty options mean I'll be seeing my dealer if anything happens, and right now that seems wonderful. This car makes me and my wife happy. We literally drove it from the lot to a bike shop. Subaru lifestyle is real.
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Checks all the boxes
Ken in Akron, 04/30/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
19 of 20 people found this review helpful
For me, an SUV needs to have plenty of well-arranged space, a quiet and smooth ride, safety features, reliability and decent gas mileage. The 2021 Forester checks all the boxes. The Subaru Eye Sight system has to be one of the industry leaders, and has been improved even since my 2019 Subaru. I suspect some might feel that the car is under-powered, but merging onto the interstate is no problem, the fuel economy is much better than with a V6, and thi is an SUV, not a sports car
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Sport handling in a SUV
George, 04/03/2021
updated 04/10/2023
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
54 of 60 people found this review helpful
So far, very pleased. Very positive handling. We have the Touring model, so it requires some skill to complete all the programming. It took a while to trust the lane centering, but it really does a great job, as does the adaptive cruise control. I was a bit concerned about the power after reading some other reviews, but I can say that the vehicle's power is more than adequate. Quality of build is absolutely superior. Can't fine one flaw anywhere in the interior or exterior of the vehicle. That's the quick review.
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My First Subaru
Ed, 07/12/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
After years of Hondas and Toyotas and the poor treatment from the Toyota Dealership where I had purchased 7 Toyotas it was time to find different. During the pandemic I had lots of time to do online research and narrowed my choice to the Ford Bronco Sport or the Subaru Forester. The test drive and the style made the Forester my choice. We had two Toyotas to trade, A 2015 and a 2016 as it was time to go to one vehicle. The local Subaru dealer gave us $29,000 for the Toyotas and took $4,000 off the MSRP of the 2021 Forester Touring plus the 0% financing for 36 months made a great deal. The ride is great, the boxer engine is smoother than any V-8 we have owned also no torque steer when you accelerate. Visibility is very good and this is the first vehicle we have owned that I can see the end of the hood in many years. Very easy to get in or out of and the seats are great. The auto start/stop of the engine is annoying.`
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21 Forester Premium
G, 01/28/2021
updated 11/21/2022
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
34 of 39 people found this review helpful
What a difference three years makes ! The 2021 Forester’s head and shoulders better than its’ predecessor. Proximity key makes for easy access. With key on your person, put your hand in the handle, and the car unlocks ( done from the passenger side, unlocks all doors !). Rear hatch opens seamlessly, faster than the previous model, also has heavier duty struts. Once the hatch is open, there is now a second button that closes and locks all the doors. Interior is rugged, especially the tailgate area being covered with rubber. Eyesight’s better than ever, but, lane centering option is very jerky. Another nuisance is having to turn off the engine shutdown feature, otherwise at each stop and resuming driving sequence, the engine restart is noticeable, but not to the point it jerks you around. Infotainment and Starlink are also upgraded. With the My Subaru app, you can start the car remotely, also being able set temperature and other settings. Visibility, ground clearance, AWD, interior design, safety features, great hwy gas mileage, plenty of cargo space behind the second row, Subaru’s commitment to quality and customer service. On the “down-side”: Lane keeping/centering is very “jerky” AVH smooths vehicle forward starts from a stop 👍👍👍 If engaged while backing up, reacts slowly, with a sudden jerk (as with lane assists) 👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼
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Not lovin' it
We'll see, 06/25/2022
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought my car brand new in July 2021. I took it on a road trip for a month early on and had no problems. It took a while to learn all the bells and whistles, but overall I enjoyed driving it and it suited my needs. AND THEN, I was driving from Richmond, VA to Raleigh, NC and it sputtered and quit. No warning lights. Fortunately I was able to get off the interstate to a safe spot, but after it was towed, I had a terrible time communicating with the dealer (not where I purchased the car). I was informed that it needed a new engine. Of course there are staff shortages, and supply delays. They have had it for almost six weeks so I don't know what I'll end up with. Subaru is paying for a rental, but I had to argue for that.
Will never buy any other brand ever again.
Austin P, 05/23/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
I am absolutely in love with my 21 Forester Sport after 1 month and 900miles, it brings a smile to my face every time I drive it. I disagree with what is said in this review. I have been a die hard Toyota fan and a sports car guy, once I started to have a family I needed a change, and I couldn't be more impressed. This SUV accelerates and handles well. Is it going to throw you back? No, but what do you expect from a 4cyl N/A motor? I'd take it over a 4cyl Camry any day and I honestly have almost as much fun driving it as some of my previous sports cars, and it sticks in the corners on twisty, back roads.
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Nice car
Barbara, 10/03/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I pretty much like this car. A couple of things that are irritating is the cup holder. It's too far back to easily get a bottle of water or cup, takes a bit of manipulating to get it in your hand. The seat belt clasp is much too close to the seat, it digs into my hip, and I'm not a heavy person. I stuck a wadded up rag between the seat and the clasp, it kind of works. Have to turn off the button that makes the car stop/turn on when you stop, and turned off the steering that helps keep you in-between lines, I felt I was fighting the steering wheel all the time. But most of all it seems the brakes sticks when in slow traffic, I lift my foot and it's still slowing then it releases and kind of surges a bit.
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2021 Subaru Forester Touring
Johnny hacks, 12/31/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
After more than 30 years of driving on different car brands. Subaru Forester is the best of the best. we are extremely happy with everything they build in the car. except the start/Stop option. That is the only dislike and annoying figure that I have . -- Safety, comfort are Top notch -- I wish I know it long ago. Remember: No car is perfect. But this one is standing out as the best !. I recommend: Do a lot of test drives on others to compare with it. You will buy it . Need not to word it long here. I give it a 5 stars all across with a big thumb up .The best bang for your bucks.
Solid, reliable and a great value. A perfect car.
Happy Serial Forester Owner, 04/23/2021
2021 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
22 of 27 people found this review helpful
This car is not a high performance vehicle and won't impress your friends at the country club but it will be safe, reliable, comfortable, efficient and cost effective. I had a 2019 and when I had the chance to trade up a couple of model years I didn't hesitate. I bought exactly the same model and build out as my original Forester. Because I liked it so much. My local dealer has a great reputation for service. The cargo space of the Forester is huge once you fold done the back seats. The eyesight feature enhances safety and the overall fit and finish is better than some of the German luxury cars I've owned in the past. If you are rational and logical and not looking for a status symbol it would hard to go wrong with the Forester. Never had a problem on the 2019 and don't expect I will on the 2021. Just....happy.
Great car!
L Cramer, 03/28/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 18 people found this review helpful
We are very happy with our purchase. It has great safety and comfort features that we were looking for. Consumer Reports rates it as the best overall compact SUV.
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Wants to be the boss of me.
Machinya, 05/28/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
11 of 13 people found this review helpful
I have one issue. It wants to be the boss of me. I object to the can telling me to keep my eyes on the road. I need to disable that feature. Otherwise I have no issues yet.
Good Car
Sri, 02/12/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
17 of 21 people found this review helpful
Nice, Spacious, good handling and comfortable ride.
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Love my Forester Sport
Satisfied Customer, 09/30/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Very attractive vehicle, excellent handling, our Foresters go everywhere in all weather conditions - especially snow that hobbles other vehicles. Rear automatic braking and rear cross traffic safety features, along with blind spot detection make this a much safer vehicle.
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Worth your money
Bumble bee, 03/16/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
11 of 14 people found this review helpful
Worth the purchase. Great safety features without spending a lot for an suv
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Love my Forrester!
Winsor, 03/06/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
22 of 30 people found this review helpful
This is my second Forrester, following my original first Subaru which was an Outback and a 2017 Forrester - the Forrester’s windows’ visibility range is my favorite feature, and its handling of corners and curves In the toughest weather is the best! Subaru’s mechanical reliability over years of ownership has been outstanding as has their Service Dept. team. Safety features and interior comfort are wonderful - I love my Subarus!
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Great car"."
AK, 05/13/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
I always stayed with Lexus and Acura cars.This is my first Subaru Forester and so far I love the car. Over-all it drives vary nice and no complaints whatsoever.
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Could not be better!
New2theclub, 05/31/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 13 people found this review helpful
I love my Forester, I bought the Touring trim, as I currently drive a Lexus ES 350, and am accustomed to quite a few amenities. This vehicle has everything my Lexus has and more.
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Very solid, no frills
Asiafish, 08/19/2021
updated 01/18/2023
2021 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 18 people found this review helpful
I’ve driven Mercedes-Benz sedans for most of the last 20 years and while my wife has owned SUVs most of the that time, I never really cared for them. Lately I’ve had lower back problems and came to the simple realization that my wife’s car was much easier to get in and out of than my own. I bought the base model 2021 Forester with the wheel package and while this is definitely no luxury car (not even close), it isn’t annoying or uncomfortable. Everything about it is simply adequate. It is smooth and quiet on the freeway, though wind noise intrudes above 80 MPH or on windy days. It is adequately powerful, though not in any way fast. It gets adequate fuel economy (30MPG at 80 MPH, though still breaking in and may improve). It even handles adequately, with a safe and secure feeling, tight turning radius and only moderate body lean, though of course there is nothing sporty about the handling. In short, this car is an appliance. Like my washing machine or coffee maker, it goes about its business without any annoyances, and of course with it’s high seating position it is even easier to get in and out of than my wife’s Mercedes GLC300, let along the Mercedes E300 I traded for it. Speaking of trade, my regular Mercedes dealer of the last 15 years also carries Subaru in the shop next door, so even with the pandemic and microchip shortage, they gave me the new car at a slight discount (everywhere else was marking up new AND used cars a few thousand dollars over sticker) and matched CARMAX’s very high trade-in value on my E300. In the end, I ended up with an even trade for my 80,000 mile old 2018 E300 for a brand new Forester and just paid the tax. Its no luxury car, but so far (1000 miles in one weekend) it is a smooth, comfortable and solid-feeling car that I expect to give me years of trouble-free driving. UPDATE Seventeen Months and 38,000 Miles Later: I bought my base-model Forester in August 2021 after almost 20 years driving Mercedes-Benz sedans. The reasons for the change were many, including a desire for a higher car to make entry and exit easier with my back pain and a job change that no longer requires me to impress anyone with a expensive or fancy car (with a corresponding pay cut to match). My last car was a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300 loaded with all of the top-of-line upgrades, so moving from a loaded $71K luxury sedan to a $27K base-model compact SUV was not something I was eager to do. I’ve now had the Forester quite a while and put a lot of miles, mostly highway road trips on it with absolutely no fuss whatsoever. In my previous review just after buying the car I called it an appliance, and that remains true, but like any high-quality appliance, the Forester has become something I rely on and use every day without any fuss or concern. No, it isn’t fast or fun to drive, but it isn’t slow and has no bad behaviors in the way it responds. Handling is direct, turning circle is tight, ride is both smooth and quiet and there is almost no wind, engine or road noise at any speed up to 80 MPH and even at 85 or 90 MPH it remains smooth and comfortable, if a bit noisier. Fuel economy is consistent, with about 24 MPG in town and 28 MPG in (fast 85 MPH) highway driving. When gas prices reached almost $7 per gallon last year I made an effort to stay at or below 75 MPH and was rewarded with 33 MPG highway mileage, so fuel economy is quite good for this class. If my review sounds like I’m unimpressed, nothing could be further from the truth. This car cost only $27,000, and while it has no luxury features it gets all of the basics right, and that is far more important than frills. No, the stereo (base 4 speaker) isn’t audiophile quality, but at moderate volume levels it sounds fine, and I’m picky. The seats don’t adjust a million ways and are covered in basic cloth, but they are firm, supportive and comfortable even on 400 mile days. Best of all, they don’t aggravate my bad back. The controls and trim are mostly plastic, but everything feels very high quality. The turn signal level clicks into place as quietly and smoothly as a Honda, and better than a BMW or Mercedes-Benz. So, after seventeen months and 38,000 miles, I’m actually more impressed with this car than I ever expected to be. It isn’t in any way fancy, but it is exceptionally good.
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Love this car
Llc, 04/30/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
9 of 12 people found this review helpful
This car has everything you could possibly want in a well appointed vehicle. It is by far my favorite vehicle I have ever driven. I look forward to many years of service with my Forester.
Subaru Forester
Helen Brown, 05/19/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
The car is not as quiet as most new cars while driving it but it is very comfortable to ride in.
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LOVE THIS CAR!
Marianne, 06/08/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
This is my second Forester and I'm lovin' it! Visibility is the best. Great handling on the road. Takes corners on a dime. Comfort and room abound! We have more features this time around and it just adds to our pleasure driving and touring with this car! I'm guessing I'll make a return in three years for yet another Forester.
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Not going back
Bryan B., 06/24/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
My girlfriend had a Subaru Forester and it went to the land Beyond and we had to replace it. We decided to stick with the new 2021 Foresters and we are very pleased. Obviously we had a lot of trouble due to microchip shortages and Coronavirus issues. But overall I'm sticking with Forrester for life.
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Best SUV. AWD
Willie, 03/27/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 17 people found this review helpful
Very practical and capable suv, a workhorse
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New car, new problems
Stacey, 01/24/2023
2021 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I've had this 2021 car since 5/1/21. So far, I've had it in twice for a god awful driver seat squeaking noise while making left hand turns. Seat replaced, still happens and adjustability of the seat hasn't been the same. I think it's the seatbelt but Subaru seems uninterested. Paint was also damaged when they "fixed" this. AC makes random loud humming noise, lots of wind noise got slightly better when they actually put the molding back in the drivers window which was missing. Now windshield has cracked, like 8 inches. After closer inspection the plastic mold around the windshield is warped, so now I have to take that in to be fixed. Car does not get near the gas mileage advertised and engine does not have good pick-up- it's a 2.5L probably should have a bigger engine. I'm glad I'm just leasing this car, I will not be buying it. I will either go back to the Crosstrek or another brand.
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easy to get into
lee, 04/11/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
9 of 13 people found this review helpful
roomy, comfortable, tight turning radius. love this car
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hold on to your horses
fed up, 02/25/2021
updated 09/07/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
45 of 72 people found this review helpful
3 Subarus in three years due to quality issues....this 2021 Forester, my sixth, has the worst ride quality ever...ok on highways, but around town you're thrown all around. Road noise is terrible, on wet roads sounds like no insulation. 20019 Legacy had body assembly issues . Dealer ripped me off $7500 trade difference on a 2020 Forester, So much for best trade-in value.2021 windshield broke. Dealer said call you insurance co. I got on customer service any finally got it replaced. Seems having a issue with windshields breaking.
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New to Subaru and loving it
JMark, 03/11/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 20 people found this review helpful
Have always had “other” vehicles and dedication to the brands. Decided we wanted something with a track record that had high marks in safety and longevity on the road and everything pointed towards Subaru. Dealership was AMAZING and helpful with narrowing down which model would best suit us and going over every single option and package in detail and even laying out all the pricing options in front of us so we could compare easily and consider which would work best for us. Planet Subaru in Hanover, MA ... can’t say enough good about them! Definitely the “un-dealership” that they touted... great experience any great product!
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Not bad but have issues
Dave, 06/04/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
19 of 30 people found this review helpful
2021 Forester Touring for about a week now. First the positives. The stereo system blows away the Bose I had in Acadia. Very responsive steering. Mileage good. Smooth ride. Now negatives. Gas tank access on passenger side. If the car doesn't have ventilated seats then why the perforations in the seats? Feel sorry for the kid who pukes and you have to clean out the holes. Eventually the holes stretch and don't look good plus they fill up with dirt, dust, dead skin, food crumbs. Take a look on youtube as to how to clean. Hole by hole with a dental tool. Subaru has a head up or head straight ahead system which is actually kinda cool BUT if they were so concerned about keeping your eyes on the road then why not a heads up display on the inside windshield? Where I have the steering wheel it blocks a portion of the dash and I need to look down. Then get a warning to keep my head up. Overall a decent vehicle but seems like not much thought went into the design. Give it 3.5 out of 5 stars as of today.
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Forester
Clay warden, 05/02/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 10 people found this review helpful
Very surprised at the level of features and styling. First new car in 20 years and we made the right choice.
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Nanny State Driving Experience
Pete, 01/09/2022
updated 07/12/2022
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 23 people found this review helpful
Purchased a brand new 2021 mid-level Forester and so far, have regretted the decision. This car is clearly aimed at folks my age (mid 50's) who more than anything are considered "immigrants to technology" but now are driving a vehicle loaded with tech that borders more of an autonomous experience. I can't tell you how many times my poor dog has been nearly launched through the front windshield as the "eyesight" feature detects a car slowing/stopped in front of me and slams on the brakes. So far, this has not happened on an icy road but when it does, we will end up either in the rear-end of the car in front of us or sliding into oncoming traffic. During highway travel, the car takes over, (especially with the cruise control feature activated) slowing us down and correcting if I get too close to the fog lines. And God forbid you don't want to wear you seat belt or take it off too early, you're treated to the ascending warning chime which makes you want to poke out your eyeballs hoping it will stop. Too much happening on the dash as far as lights activating telling you something, taking your eyes off of the road. The tiny graphics imprinted on the steering wheel buttons are not good for those who we glasses and have to look down at them for several seconds to see exactly which button they just pressed. Having recurring issues with the bluetooth system dropping calls. If I can speak for those in my generation, this is just too much tech and too frustrating of a driving experience. The car is not a total loss, however- I love the engine, full-time awd, and the spacious interior. Another totally cool touch employed by Subaru is providing something the equivalent of after-market all weather mats for the front back and cargo area as standard. Update: We've had the car for almost nine month and it's been no better. We gave up on the phone dropping calls. Subaru replaced the entire head unit but even then, the issues continued. We learned to circumvent the issue by using the apple car play and so far, that works flawlessly. The start/stop feature is aggravating and in 9 months, hasn't even saved us a half gallon. Luckily we figured out what button deactivates the feature. Thus far, we are still regretting having bought the Subaru and not the Rogue; and I don't see that changing anytime soon. But sometimes you have to live with your mistakes.
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Smooth
Steve, 11/01/2020
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
28 of 48 people found this review helpful
It's a smooth ride with a lot of standard features and comes with AWD. Plus plenty of rear leg room. All and all a real good ride and ride
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Smooth ride
Apple user, 06/05/2021
updated 06/07/2023
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 25 people found this review helpful
Just bought this car this week. Very impressed-t is such a smooth ride, especially on rough farm backroads. Much more comfortable than the 2017 ford edge titanium i traded in. Engine has plenty of getup and go. BIGGEST COMPLAINT: the harmon carden stereo does not accept iphones. I am now understanding it is owner by samsung and people with apple iphones are having a ton of problems with the music skipping and being very distorted. I did not know this before i bought the car and i probably wouldnt have bought it because i am an apple person. Apparently all of the updates to both phone and car are not fixing it. I read about problems since 2018. Huge disappointment for such a great car. UPDATE: iphone does work but not when the wifi in on. That must be turned off. Lots of accessories (especially for safety), and it takes quite a while to learn them all. Eyesight is a little too sensitive-but that can be shut off. Best feature-the car is programmed to shut down at stops—thank god there is a button to shut that feature off! I looked at other cars when and none of them had that feature so i picked the subaru. Great in snow too!!! UPDATED: its June 2023, and I love my Subie. The iphone issue was resiolved in the first month and everything is great! I still dont know all of the safety features with the touring package. Had one incident where the person in front of me slammed on the brakes so he wouldnt miss a turn-my subie also slammed on the brakes-without me even touching the brake pedal. Worst thing is the glare on the touchscreen when the moonroof is open, and moonroof does not vent. Small things in a very large picture!!!
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Shake and Shudder On the Road
CC MOODY, 03/01/2021
updated 09/05/2023
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
55 of 97 people found this review helpful
Positively hate the ESS. The car shakes and shudders every time when stopped at the red light and shakes and shudders again when it restarts.Keep switching it off but it goes back into that mode as soon as I turn it on.
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Disappointed - Forester Sport 2021
AAA, 11/15/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
20 of 35 people found this review helpful
I got my Forester sport in June 2021. First impression was great. After using the car for a week I started noticing many quality issues: 1- Engine noise is not good 2- interior noise such as plastic cracking and stuff moving that you can't find 3- Mpg is never honest after driving for 4 months I only got 22MPG combined not even closed to what it was advertised for. 4- Some mechanical noise stuff moving outside the car under the engine when you drive on a rough dirt road. 5- Not comfortable driver seat. If drive for a long distance you will for sure get back pain from setting into that uncomfortable driver seat or the passenger seat. 6- Eyesight system is never good when you enter a tunnel or driving in the city. It immediately stop and you almost lose control of the vehicle. Almost got me in a deadly accident + Adaptive Cruse control will not detect car who just pulled in front of you and you will need to stay alert all the time. 7- Engine power is like dragging a dead body. All sound but no power 8- Towing capacity is just 1500lb and you need to pay around 1k to install a good hitch that looks like a factory install and for what to add a bike rack! 9- Wind noise makes you feel that you are riding a bicycle 10- Sound system quality is bad 11- water leaks inside the door panel after car watch which could damage your speakers. Overall I wish I did some research and no got fooled by the look of the car. It's very disappointing to see that Subaru being advertised as a luxury safe while in many areas they have failed. Quality control team can do better special on the interior noise and the engine HP maybe STI brand can put their hands on Forester and show us what the real Forester will look like.
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Not That Great
Merlot57, 01/02/2022
2021 Subaru Forester Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 13 people found this review helpful
I planned on buying a new 2022 Forester. But after test driving 2021 the engine is very underpowered, very noisy (I know it's a boxer engine), and leans too much going around corners. My wife has a CRV and it is much quieter, handles better and much more refined. Also, Windshield cracking issues...I will give the Forester a plus for off road handling and that's it. No thanks I will pass.
Blown Motor. 99,105 miles
Aggravated. , 07/21/2024
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Have a 2021 Forester Touring the motor blowed at 99105 miles. Being a mechanic the oil was changed faithfully. It never had any warning lights, the rpms never changed or did the temperature gage rise. I was I S drive switched back to I drive the motor started knocking on the driver's side. Call the dealer and they estimate at least $9,000.
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Great value
Andy, 01/24/2022
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I love these new features like automatic lights on/off, auto high/low beam, steering response headlights, off-line warnings, auto dimming mirrors both inside and outside. Excellent visibility all around the car. All these features make it so easy and nice to drive.
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NEW tires @ 15,000 miles
Chris, 09/12/2022
2021 Subaru Forester Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
I thought tires lasted longer than 15,000 miles!! Im not a crazy driver....a women in my 60s
Awesome ride!
Kristie Brantley, 04/18/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
So far we love everything about this vehicle!
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Not as solid as last one, rattles
Dgg, 05/06/2021
2021 Subaru Forester Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
11 of 24 people found this review helpful
Not that impressed, suspension a bit soft and so many rattles. Three piece dash? Subaru scolded me for wanting the eyesight unit to be fixed because it rattles! I was pissed, they made me feel so small....Great Mpg at the cost of light weight. and squeaks? Also design of wheel arches with 18 rims looks cheap, off the ground with small wheels.