Subaru Forester reviews

I migrated from a Premium diesel which was a fantastic car, including frugal fuel consumption - 46mpg lifetime average.  The 'new platform' model is far more taught, comfortable and handles better.  However, even as a fairly moderate driver, 32-34mpg is about the best I can get.  Given that the mild-hybrid battery takes up space underneath the boot floor, the smaller 48 litre full tank offers about 320 miles range - about 220 miles less than the diesel.  Worse is to come.  The battery goes too flat to start the car within seven days of no use (even shorter in colder weather).  It seems this is due to the alarm system.  This frankly makes it unfit for purpose.  Leaving the car for a week's holiday makes the carrying of a fully charged jump-start kit a necessity.  Subaru simply recommends 'use the car for at least 30 mins a week' - in Lockdown?  A recall to fix this should be a Subaru priority.  Other than that, it's still a great car.

My first forester all weather ran to 156 thousand miles, with no major mechanical failures,a superb car for towing and farm work etc   I traded it in for a basic 09 plate and has now covered 126 thousand miles ,had the clutch replaced and the steering rack refurbished not cheap but had done some really hard work for me, when I come to clean all the mud off it I think it colour is green !  Great car  will have another eventually!

This is an excellent car so far. I am new to the Subaru brand, never having owned a Subaru before. We wanted a hardworking, honest, reliable, non-flashy family car, not too large, and as good in remote areas as in the city. We bought ex-demo from a main dealer. The Forester looks more masculine than most of the competition. I like everything about its drive. It handles well because of its low centre of gravity. Smooth CVT with minimal rubber band effect. Easy to park and get through narrow spaces because it is narrow and has a good rear view camera. It is 2 years old. We have had it for around 6 months. No issues yet. My only negative is the driving position is a little too much to the centre for me - slightly more lateral would be preferable. Accelerative enough. Hugely practical.

Comfortable practical car, however it has a problem which is present across the whole new e-boxer range. The batteries are going flat in 7 days of no use. Subaru aren’t accepting there is a problem although lots of people with this new car have the problem. A better bigger battery only gives you a few more days before it goes flat. Apparently it is the alarm system and many people are having to leave their cars unlocked. We have also had a few other electrical problems with the alarm going off due to the bonnet being open when it wasn’t. Also one of the information display decided to turn off mid way through a drive. Overall this car has been very unreliable and not lived up to Subaru’s usual high reliability claims. The e-boxer hybrid system is also useless and never runs on electric alone.

I got this car from Diesels R Us in Welling in Kent. I bought it blind and my wife collected it. Diesels R Us described it accurately and were extremely helpful in getting it taxed and transferring the paperwork. The car is everything we expected and more. My old 2003 Forester has now been downgraded to Dog Car status although it still runs well and the new one kept for best.

This is my second Forester. I had the previous one 12 years. Much larger than my previous model, but much more comfortable . Performance good, auto- gearbox excellent. Averaging 39.4 mpg. Very good in poor weather, snow and off road - mainly muddy tracks. Should be very reliable. A vehicle to keep for a long period!

Markedly improved from previous model. Better mpg and performance. More refined and comfortable and still goes over rough ground

Good fuel economy for the size. Practical layout and flexibility. Very comfortable on long journeys and performs well in bad wintry weather, and has a lovely large sunroof when the weather is good. I'm on my third Forester now and think it is still a very comfortable and practical vehicle in its class

it has been the bast 4x4 I have had to date

Reliable, good performance, comfortable and all round workhorse.

Never run a car on for so long. Kept its looks. A pleasure to drive. The dog likes it!

Underrated car in many aspects , does not receive the credit it is due mainly because the reliability is second to none , when you hear so many horror stories about other makes of car .

I felt compelled to write on here as I've owned loads of different vehicles and after having a forester before I had to buy another for the winter .. Mine drives superb and with heater & heated seats it's luxury in any cold snap .. Not superb on economy but what do you expect .. Great as a second car and I really do love it .. Starts on the button every time ..very useful And I would recommend as long as it has been maintained

This replaced a 2006 Forester XTEn and provides more space for rear seat passengers and luggage although I prefer the lower stance and smoother lines of the older model. Fuel economy is much improved over the previous car (<30mpg versus <25mpg) - probably thanks to the smaller engine and Lineartronic gearbox instead of a 4-speed auto, however performance is similar. The new car has much more interior gadgetry to get familiar with. The SatNav screen is too low and gets partially obscured by the driver's left arm which prevents its effective use as an indicator of upcoming corners & bends. The lack of an auto-dipping mirror is a bit of a retrograde step. This car has all the attributes of a 'proper' SUV and sees a welcome return of the sort of performance for which Subaru has been well-known.

My Subaru Forester is the best car I've owned in 15 years of motoring. I own the entry model, and yet it has so many features of a car one would expect to be top of its range. This is my second Subaru, and I will never be tempted to buy any other sort of car marque.

bought secondhand and been a good buy except expensive to have any work done especially if at an agency garage and disappointingly high fuel consumption

Good car. Very reliable. Would recommend to someone who needed the power and performance. The amount of miles and weatehr conditions I am now prepared to now drive in, makes it too expensive to run. Will be swapping for a smaller, more economical car in the spring. Will be choosing the product of a 'mass manufacturer' to ensure that after-market spares are available to keep down costs of maintenance and service. Also mpg and road tax makes a small car sufficient for my needs.

I love this car, it is old, but has done just 100k registered 1997, because I live in a small, congested city it is awful as far as fuel consumption is concerned (now learnt my lesson use the bus), but once on a good run or motorway the consumption is much better, I think perhaps because it is a 4wd it will use more fuel, however it has got me out of more mud, fields and snow than I could shake a stick out. Been camping in it, I just love it, if I could afford to buy a new one I would, but a 64 year old pensioner I have to watch my pennies, so I am hanging to my "baby". Sssh - I am looking to get a rescue dog pretty soon, so want to hitch up my bike to the car and with the dog find some nice woods to cycle and walk the dog! And maybe some camping too! Who knows. Life is just a buzz - got to have some fun.

Great get you out of anything car. Do not dread snow and ice at all. This car is a star when it comes to these conditions. Nice, smooth running car,and quite substantial. Not beautiful to look at, but hey, you can't have everything. It is a good honest car and I love it. Down side is fuel costs and road tax.

VERY CHEAP CAR TO BUY ,FANTASTIC VALUE ,GREAT ROAD HOLDING,VERY RELIABLE,CHEAP TO MAINTAIN ,THIRSTY