2010 Subaru Forester consumer reviews

I prefer my new Forester Premium to the '08 Outback it was traded for. Its a much more comfortable car but I've been disappointed with the build quality...two months in and the doors have developed some annoying rattles. The windows also rattle when they are wound down.

I've owned this Special Edition 2.5X for only a few weeks, and so far I only have one complaint. I've owned cars from five other manufacturers ... and have always been able to either push a button or slide a lever to immediately stop outside air from entering the car. This is not the case with the Subaru Forester. The air inlet button for "recirculation" does NOT work if your airflow dial is in either defrost position (the ones that put air onto the windshield that you normally need in rainy or icy weather conditions). Also, when in the defrost positions the air conditioner's compressor automatically operates in a clandestine manner (the air con light doesn't come on when in this mode). So ... you're not always choosing when or if you run your air conditioner despite the simple reality that outside air can adequately defog the inside of the windscreen without the air compressor's help. My main issue is that you can't "quickly" prevent sucking fumes from other vehicles into your car, should you prefer breathing oxygen rather than the diesel from that monster truck in front of you. For anyone who drives city traffic, this is a paramount need. You can, of course, stop the outside air, but you have to 1.) switch the airflow dial out of the defrost position(s) AND 2.) push the recirculation button to ON. And you usually have to take your eyes off the road twice or thrice to make it happen. I account this as a stupid design and needs a remake. Things I like: great ground clearance; only 5.5 inches longer than my trade-in and fits my garage; rear door release on key remote (great for quick entry to unload the grocery cart when trying to get out of the rain); comfortable seats with height option; plenty of compartments to put my junk; daytime running lights at low voltage to reduce the chance of having an accident by 80%, especially with so many distracted drivers heading straight at you; outside temperature and current gas mileage gauges on the dash.

Well this is my second Subie. I traded my 2008 Impreza 2.5 Auto(4 speed) read slowww! Always liked the Forester, but could not immagine it without a Turbo. So it had to be a Forester XT. Read good things about it, and the turbo is fast enough. Mine has the "Concept" front body kit from Japan, see www.roadandtrack.com and search "2009 Subaru Forester XTI concept. A black beauty. Added some 19" chrome spokes and it looks sweet. I stickdrive it, the only way I can tollerate the antiquated 4 speed. C'mom Subaru, you're always quick to respond to criticism, whats up with waiting so long to change this?, everybody's criticized it. I still love it though. No sweat merging onto a freeway, and the Subaru reliability makes this one of my last cars I think. The ride is a little wallowy, after all this is an SUV, and I didn't expect any less.

After my wife and I finished our test drives of the Forester we compared notes... The car is amazing... it drives like it was glued to the road... we both agreed that the ride and handling was far superior to any other SUVs we had driven and all that was left to decide was the color and accessories...

I'm retired and traded an Infiniti I35 for the Canadian equivalent of the 2.5x Premium because I wanted AWD and sufficient room for my 6' 3" 275 lb frame and I'm not disappointed. There is great headroom even with the sunroof, driving position is very comfortable and the 360 visibility is a plus. I've read reviews complaining about rattles, poor speaker performance and accelleration but I haven't encountered any of these "problems". The fit and finish on my Forester is outstanding, the doors close with a "thud", nothing seems cheap and everything works as advertised. Yes, the 4 speed auto should be upgraded to either a CVT ( it's not going to happen ) or at least a 5 or 6 speed. The only caviat that I send out to the Canadian readers concerns the GPS system offered with the Sport Tech model. Stay with the Touring ( Premium ) , this unit isn't reliable, isn't intuative and is downright dangerous if it's accessed while driving as the screen is almost invisible in the daylight and takes your eyes off the road to use. I've made arrangements to have it removed and replaced by the standard radio. I look foreward to many years with my new "toy" and I'm sure it will be as troule free as my Infiniti but oh so much more drivable when winter arrives.

Have had my new Forester for a little over a month and so far I am still very happy with my purchase. I have the 2.5X Premium, so not top of the line but not the base model either. I bought this car mostly for the interior room, AWD for the snow, and the good gas MPG. So far I am getting around 26mpg city/30mpg highway. I've had a full passenger load a few times and I can say that this car easily fits 4 grown adults with no issue. My complaints are very minimal and I hesitate to even call them 'complaints' because I have remedied each issue with little hassle. First, the standard 4 speaker stereo system is pretty weak. If you like listening to your music loud, then chip in for the stereo upgrade which gives you door tweeters and a disc changer. I usually listen to my iPod and the aux input is nice to have. I am upgrading the stereo to an aftermarket Kenwood next week which will also give me bluetooth for my phone and will have a little more power to the speakers. Don't get suckered on the 'cargo package.' All it gives you is a rubber mat for the trunk and a cargo privacy cover. I believe they charge you an extra $800 for this package but each of those parts can be ordered on-line for about $100 apiece which saved me around $600! The last thing I am going to upgrade to is the all-weather floormats. The carpet mats that come standard with the car are sufficient but I know they will get absolutely filthy when it starts snowing. But again, these can ordered for way cheaper on-line than what the dealer charges. Overall, this SUV has been great and I am very satisfied with my purchase. I've been on one fairly long road trip and never got uncomfortable with the standard cloth seats. The car rides very smooth and I actually caught myself going a little too fast a few times not even realizing it. The cargo room in the trunk is great and has ample space for everything that I haul around as a photographer (camera's, tripods, etc.). There is separate storage in the trunk if you lift up the carpeted floor which reveals a few cubbies where I store jumper cables, a first aid kit, and a tow strap. I haven't done much off-roading in it yet but a few of the dirt roads I've been down has been very sure footed. The AWD is exceptional making me feel like I am in control at all times. Overall, great bang for the buck!

This is my third Subaru and they keep getting better. I bought my first new Subaru in 1988; my second in 1998 (my son now drives this car). My new Forester is a joy to drive with a great combination of power, handling, and adequate fuel economy. I average 26 mpg, although I have had highway trips as high as 31 mpg. I find the driver's seat very comfortable and infinitely adjustable. My 6'1" son prefers the room and comfort in the back seat to than in our minivan. The construction is solid, the fit is good, and the finish is fine. I've enjoyed using all three modes of the auto transmission. I've never enjoyed a car more during my first 6 months of ownership.

I would certainly buy another, but I duobt if this one will ever wear out. From some of my friends experiance they last a long time.

I've owned my Subaru Forester for about four months, and so far have found it to be reliable and comfortable to drive and ride in. I bought it for reliability, safety, and the extra space it provides when traveling, and it's been great on all three counts. I live in a hot climate and haven't found the air conditioning to be as effective as in some cars, particularly in the back seat. Also, the interior features (cup holders, center console) are not as nice or as roomy as they were in my previous vehicle, however, I bought the lowest price model so can't complain too much. Overall, it's been an excellent car.

I replaced my 2005 Forester with a 2010 and have been pleased. I like the exterior styling - my kids no longer call it a station wagon. I do not like all of the storage areas that were taken out with the redesigned interior. Leather seats are very comfortable. I don't really like the fuzzy black material on the inside of the door; it is like felt and attracts and holds lint, pet hair, etc. The back seat is roomier than the 2010. Although I got the upgraded climate system I still think it could be improved. On a day when the temp is around 75 and the car has been sitting outside I like to just use the vents or open the windows rather that using the ac. The air coming from the vents is HOT even after driving around for 15-20 minutes with the windows down. It feels like the heater is on. Just got the car in June so I haven't used the heater yet. One other dislike about the interior is the color of the inside vinyl around the back windows.. The rest of the interior is black but the wide ledges surrounding the far back windows is a very light cream color and it slopes up towards the back of the car. When I am switching lanes and look over my right shoulder to move right, I immediately think I am seeing another car there because the color stands out and it is such a wide ledge and slopes up. hard to explain in words but it is very disconcerting . I have to check two or three times to be satisfied there is no one there. The handling is very good but I'll have to say it doesn't feel quite as responsive as the 2005 and that is disappointing. There is a bit of roll or sway or whatever it is called in turns. But nothing as bad as my husband's Pilot. The extra features that come with the Limited are nice - iPod interface, seat adjustments, fog lights, moon roof, and so forth. iPod interface instructions are best explained by a 12-16 year old. If I want to hear certain playlists I just use the aux jack to listen and can control it right on the iPod. When you are using the interface that works through the sound system you cannot control the iPod except through the audio buttons. I'll learn that eventually. Overall I really like the car and the gas mileage is about the same as the 2005 - average of 26-27 mpg.