2019 Subaru Forester - Deal Or No Deal?
video description
Date: 2019-05-30
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 10
shockashocka
Heres an opinion from someone who just bought a new Forester Sport after test driving most of the direct competitors as opposed to just commenting based upon specs or a review. Speed: this is not a fast car. However it has enough power to get it up to speed and pass on the highway. Im also averaging in the low 30s for mpg. Looks: subjective. Doi. I happen to like the looks. IMO Honda is overwrought, Toyota looks like its trying too hard to be butch, and the Mazda looks great but a bit too precious for a vehicle that will actually be going off-road. Which brings me to Utility: I actually got to do some light off roading on my test drive and was seriously impressed w the compliance and ability. And while that suspension does make it a bit floaty on the road, it soaks up every pothole and pockmark easily. Plus the interior is cavernous. Speaking of the interior: my favorite of the bunch. Again, SUBJECTIVE. Part of this is due to the fact that only a few of these vehicles will fit a 69 driver comfortably. Part is due to the overall solidity, simplicity, and plushness of the materials. The Hyundai Santa Fe for instance felt like a cheaper vehicle trying to be fancy. The Mazda just doesnt feel like something Id want to climb into with two mud covered dogs. On top of all that, the upgraded stereo is actually an upgrade, the safety features work extremely well, and every person I know w a Subaru LOVES THEIR VEHICLE. Its an odd one, this Forester. The engine is gruff, its slow, the CVT is still a CVT, and its neither sleek nor particularly modern looking. But it actually has PERSONALITY. Something lacking in many if not most vehicles today. A case of the sum being greater than its parts.
reply
Heres an opinion from someone who just bought a new Forester Sport after test driving most of the direct competitors as opposed to just commenting based upon specs or a review. Speed: this is not a fast car. However it has enough power to get it up to speed and pass on the highway. Im also averaging in the low 30s for mpg. Looks: subjective. Doi. I happen to like the looks. IMO Honda is overwrought, Toyota looks like its trying too hard to be butch, and the Mazda looks great but a bit too precious for a vehicle that will actually be going off-road. Which brings me to Utility: I actually got to do some light off roading on my test drive and was seriously impressed w the compliance and ability. And while that suspension does make it a bit floaty on the road, it soaks up every pothole and pockmark easily. Plus the interior is cavernous. Speaking of the interior: my favorite of the bunch. Again, SUBJECTIVE. Part of this is due to the fact that only a few of these vehicles will fit a 69 driver comfortably. Part is due to the overall solidity, simplicity, and plushness of the materials. The Hyundai Santa Fe for instance felt like a cheaper vehicle trying to be fancy. The Mazda just doesnt feel like something Id want to climb into with two mud covered dogs. On top of all that, the upgraded stereo is actually an upgrade, the safety features work extremely well, and every person I know w a Subaru LOVES THEIR VEHICLE. Its an odd one, this Forester. The engine is gruff, its slow, the CVT is still a CVT, and its neither sleek nor particularly modern looking. But it actually has PERSONALITY. Something lacking in many if not most vehicles today. A case of the sum being greater than its parts.
reply
BJ
I already traded in my 19 Forester Sport (upgraded from 15 Forester premium. The vibration through floorboard and through the steering wheel (especially on the highway) drove me nuts. The car sat at the dealer for almost two months while they waited for Subaru to tell them what to do. In the end, they swapped wheels (road force balanced) and replaced the prop shaft to no avail. They compared the ride to 4 other Foresters and said the ride was equivalent. The other annoyances were: CVT shift points, no dedicated climate control LCD (have to stare a foot up from controls to see what you are setting, 3 second lag when you change climate outputs, lane assist ping ponging, piano gloss black all over the place. I could have lived with the nagging features, but the vibration was the deal breaker. I personally also tested 2 other Foresters after discovering the vibration and found them to also exhibit the issue. FWIW, I switched to a 19 Santa Fe Ultimate 2. 0T AWD and find it to be far superior. This is in addition to a 13 Santa Fe Limited that we have had zero issues with. Im also glad to have a non-CVT trans and a turbocharged motor. I live in the northeast and find the SF no less capable than the Forester in the snow. If you do decide to test drive this vehicle, pay close attention to vibration through the wheel and floorboard, especially at speeds higher than 45mph. If you want more info, search subaruforester. org for Vibration through floorboard, which was opened by another person having the same issue. I did comment on that thread as well.
reply
I already traded in my 19 Forester Sport (upgraded from 15 Forester premium. The vibration through floorboard and through the steering wheel (especially on the highway) drove me nuts. The car sat at the dealer for almost two months while they waited for Subaru to tell them what to do. In the end, they swapped wheels (road force balanced) and replaced the prop shaft to no avail. They compared the ride to 4 other Foresters and said the ride was equivalent. The other annoyances were: CVT shift points, no dedicated climate control LCD (have to stare a foot up from controls to see what you are setting, 3 second lag when you change climate outputs, lane assist ping ponging, piano gloss black all over the place. I could have lived with the nagging features, but the vibration was the deal breaker. I personally also tested 2 other Foresters after discovering the vibration and found them to also exhibit the issue. FWIW, I switched to a 19 Santa Fe Ultimate 2. 0T AWD and find it to be far superior. This is in addition to a 13 Santa Fe Limited that we have had zero issues with. Im also glad to have a non-CVT trans and a turbocharged motor. I live in the northeast and find the SF no less capable than the Forester in the snow. If you do decide to test drive this vehicle, pay close attention to vibration through the wheel and floorboard, especially at speeds higher than 45mph. If you want more info, search subaruforester. org for Vibration through floorboard, which was opened by another person having the same issue. I did comment on that thread as well.
reply
David Vega
I always wanted to be a fly in the room when these manufacturers are making decisions that dont make total sense and start buzzing them to death. Ok I get it, the XT Turbo version only sold about 80-100 of them a month. So Subaru made an executive decision to no longer sell them and streamline the process to one engine and one transmission on the new global platform. But if thats the excuse, then wouldnt Subaru do the same for the WRX and streamline that to one engine and transmission. Granted, in a lot of areas, with the traffic jams on highways, the 9. 9 sec 0 to 60 is adequate enough to get you on the highway. Another thing that bugs me is that I like the interior trim colors of the Sport model but love the leather in the Touring. Does Sport mean cloth only and no leather? Im sure there are quite a few vehicles with the Sport naming that have leather seats and trim. Also, this one really bugs me, why place the Sport model (which is replacing the previous XT, minus the turbo) in the middle of the trim levels? Subaru should have placed the Sport model in between the Limited and the Touring trims and have the items that are on the Touring trim available as optional packages on the Sport Trim with choices for cloth or leather, regular or color accents (not just in orange or silver, DriverFocus, etc.
reply
I always wanted to be a fly in the room when these manufacturers are making decisions that dont make total sense and start buzzing them to death. Ok I get it, the XT Turbo version only sold about 80-100 of them a month. So Subaru made an executive decision to no longer sell them and streamline the process to one engine and one transmission on the new global platform. But if thats the excuse, then wouldnt Subaru do the same for the WRX and streamline that to one engine and transmission. Granted, in a lot of areas, with the traffic jams on highways, the 9. 9 sec 0 to 60 is adequate enough to get you on the highway. Another thing that bugs me is that I like the interior trim colors of the Sport model but love the leather in the Touring. Does Sport mean cloth only and no leather? Im sure there are quite a few vehicles with the Sport naming that have leather seats and trim. Also, this one really bugs me, why place the Sport model (which is replacing the previous XT, minus the turbo) in the middle of the trim levels? Subaru should have placed the Sport model in between the Limited and the Touring trims and have the items that are on the Touring trim available as optional packages on the Sport Trim with choices for cloth or leather, regular or color accents (not just in orange or silver, DriverFocus, etc.
reply
wren460
I just bought a Forester Sports 2019 just last week. I also own a SUbaru Foretser XT 2008 with 30k original miles. WIfe has a 2013 Honda CRV 4WD. I can tell you that I love the new Forester, I love all of it. The ride is incredible, leaps and bounds ahead of my 08 XT. Extremely comfortable and easy to drive. For all bashers of the CVT and the engine I can only say that I love both things. My XT08 has just 4 gears, imagine the rpms at 75-80mph vs this one, imagine the noise and the vibration. no no no, I take this new version over the old one in ALL aspects although there is ONE thing that the XT does better: it is more exciting to drive, more raw, more fun. but thats it. The CR-V has one mayor advantage over the Forester and thats cargo space. So, I do like the engine and CVT, sorry to dissapoint many. I am very happy with the Forester and BTW I get exactly the same fuel economy from my CR-V than the Forester, identical fuel economy in the same routes we use everyday.
reply
I just bought a Forester Sports 2019 just last week. I also own a SUbaru Foretser XT 2008 with 30k original miles. WIfe has a 2013 Honda CRV 4WD. I can tell you that I love the new Forester, I love all of it. The ride is incredible, leaps and bounds ahead of my 08 XT. Extremely comfortable and easy to drive. For all bashers of the CVT and the engine I can only say that I love both things. My XT08 has just 4 gears, imagine the rpms at 75-80mph vs this one, imagine the noise and the vibration. no no no, I take this new version over the old one in ALL aspects although there is ONE thing that the XT does better: it is more exciting to drive, more raw, more fun. but thats it. The CR-V has one mayor advantage over the Forester and thats cargo space. So, I do like the engine and CVT, sorry to dissapoint many. I am very happy with the Forester and BTW I get exactly the same fuel economy from my CR-V than the Forester, identical fuel economy in the same routes we use everyday.
reply
Jordan Ayoub-Miron
Alex, I do enjoy your reviews. They are the most factual and researched reviews one can find. I must unfortunately comment your your AWD comment as all AWD are made the same Subaru is the only mainstream brand to offer full time AWD. No slip and grip as the competition and it works at ALL SPEEDS The competition does not engage the AWD system usually at speeds greater then 80km\h. Second although the RAV4 offers an active rear diff. Keep in mind the Subaru symmetrical layout is designed to naturally send power to each wheel by design alone offerering equal length drive axels front and back making torque steer a thing of the past. Subaru does not use a viscous coupling [auto tran]centre diff, it uses a Multiplate clutch pack built right in the transmission making it much more robust under heavy use. Much more is involved in the AWD of a Subaru then any of the mainstream competition. I live in Canada I know the difference and experienced it. Its worth it
reply
Alex, I do enjoy your reviews. They are the most factual and researched reviews one can find. I must unfortunately comment your your AWD comment as all AWD are made the same Subaru is the only mainstream brand to offer full time AWD. No slip and grip as the competition and it works at ALL SPEEDS The competition does not engage the AWD system usually at speeds greater then 80km\h. Second although the RAV4 offers an active rear diff. Keep in mind the Subaru symmetrical layout is designed to naturally send power to each wheel by design alone offerering equal length drive axels front and back making torque steer a thing of the past. Subaru does not use a viscous coupling [auto tran]centre diff, it uses a Multiplate clutch pack built right in the transmission making it much more robust under heavy use. Much more is involved in the AWD of a Subaru then any of the mainstream competition. I live in Canada I know the difference and experienced it. Its worth it
reply
Jim Fraser
Bought a 2019 last October, and it turned out to be a mistake. I tested the 2018, thinking the 19 would have more power, as advertised, and more advanced technology. Turns out I was wrong on both counts. Although it lists 12 more hp, it feels as underpowered as the 18, and the technology has actually regressed. For example, the new models will not display personal jpeg files like the 18s. Also, the eyesight tech is flawed. I fairly often find its not working and the dealer tells me there are a number of things that can cause this. He says its normal. That was not the case with my 2017 Mazda which uses radar, unlike the Subaru. This is my first time driving a CVT, so I cant say if its a problem, or if the common power lag is caused by something else. Overall, its lack of power, less advanced technology and lower quality interior have caused me to regret buying the Forester.
reply
Bought a 2019 last October, and it turned out to be a mistake. I tested the 2018, thinking the 19 would have more power, as advertised, and more advanced technology. Turns out I was wrong on both counts. Although it lists 12 more hp, it feels as underpowered as the 18, and the technology has actually regressed. For example, the new models will not display personal jpeg files like the 18s. Also, the eyesight tech is flawed. I fairly often find its not working and the dealer tells me there are a number of things that can cause this. He says its normal. That was not the case with my 2017 Mazda which uses radar, unlike the Subaru. This is my first time driving a CVT, so I cant say if its a problem, or if the common power lag is caused by something else. Overall, its lack of power, less advanced technology and lower quality interior have caused me to regret buying the Forester.
reply
Brian Lear
I had a 16 Forester. It had no power when loaded up at highway speeds to the point of being dangerous. The HVAC system would not hold a proper interior temperature. The CVT was very annoying to drive. I got rid of it after the AC compressor seal failed spontaneously. There were several other quality issues too. What used to be a solid, well built vehicle is now one of the cheapest in the segment, and the drivetrain is just atrocious. Its sad, because it really does have good stability off road, the interior is pretty good, and as someone else said, it does have personality. But those cannot carry a vehicle. It needs better quality control, a snappier motor and a modern automatic transmission to truly be good. I went to an Equinox LT 2. 0 turbo with AWD, and its far and away a better vehicle.
reply
I had a 16 Forester. It had no power when loaded up at highway speeds to the point of being dangerous. The HVAC system would not hold a proper interior temperature. The CVT was very annoying to drive. I got rid of it after the AC compressor seal failed spontaneously. There were several other quality issues too. What used to be a solid, well built vehicle is now one of the cheapest in the segment, and the drivetrain is just atrocious. Its sad, because it really does have good stability off road, the interior is pretty good, and as someone else said, it does have personality. But those cannot carry a vehicle. It needs better quality control, a snappier motor and a modern automatic transmission to truly be good. I went to an Equinox LT 2. 0 turbo with AWD, and its far and away a better vehicle.
reply
Arthor Wright
I would like to see IIHS and other safety organizations include a rating criterion based on objects detaching during crash tests. Most of the Subarus, and some other vehicles, would fail that test. In the case of Subaru vehicles, the driver side a-pillar fascia detaches in the small offset crash tests. The new Ascent is an exception, sort of. As a tall driver, my left eye might contact that detached Subaru fascia in a crash. I always watch the crash videos of IIHS, NHTSA and global NCAP test for this reason. And, for this reason, I no longer buy Subaru. Watch IIHS crash test videos for Subaru and other vehicles, and one will see that interior part detachment is not uncommon. This important aspect of occupant safety is not assessed, and it should be.
reply
I would like to see IIHS and other safety organizations include a rating criterion based on objects detaching during crash tests. Most of the Subarus, and some other vehicles, would fail that test. In the case of Subaru vehicles, the driver side a-pillar fascia detaches in the small offset crash tests. The new Ascent is an exception, sort of. As a tall driver, my left eye might contact that detached Subaru fascia in a crash. I always watch the crash videos of IIHS, NHTSA and global NCAP test for this reason. And, for this reason, I no longer buy Subaru. Watch IIHS crash test videos for Subaru and other vehicles, and one will see that interior part detachment is not uncommon. This important aspect of occupant safety is not assessed, and it should be.
reply
Matt Clark
I almost spent 28k for a Forester 2. 0XT a couple years ago, but got a 27k VW Alltrack S and put a 500 APR Stage 1 chip tune on it. Its wonderful. The Forester drove like a sports sedan compared to my old Ford Escape, but it drove like a land yacht compared to the Alltrack. Obviously the VW is a smaller car, but I really have used the car for job sites, empty fields, and even scrabbled it up and down sandy and rocky slopes (not to mention taking it to the snow, and it has the utility to do so much of what you need to do, while feeling near-GTI like in its driving dynamics. If youre looking at this segment but want something thats more fun to drive (and gets better mileage, stop thinking crossover and start thinking wagon
reply
I almost spent 28k for a Forester 2. 0XT a couple years ago, but got a 27k VW Alltrack S and put a 500 APR Stage 1 chip tune on it. Its wonderful. The Forester drove like a sports sedan compared to my old Ford Escape, but it drove like a land yacht compared to the Alltrack. Obviously the VW is a smaller car, but I really have used the car for job sites, empty fields, and even scrabbled it up and down sandy and rocky slopes (not to mention taking it to the snow, and it has the utility to do so much of what you need to do, while feeling near-GTI like in its driving dynamics. If youre looking at this segment but want something thats more fun to drive (and gets better mileage, stop thinking crossover and start thinking wagon
reply
optimus308
i just dont understand why all this guys doing all these car reviews make things more difficult that what really are. Me personally i dont own a subaru, Im very interested in own one, and that is one of the reason Im watching every single review available. These cars are made to enjoy the ride, to take time to go out there with family or simply yourself and your damn dog. So why do you need all that power and torque and blah blah blah. common sense tells me if i want more power and luxury and that is my priority then i have to look for another option and in consequence more money for that. very simple. Why not make the review strictly to what the make and model offers to the public.
reply
i just dont understand why all this guys doing all these car reviews make things more difficult that what really are. Me personally i dont own a subaru, Im very interested in own one, and that is one of the reason Im watching every single review available. These cars are made to enjoy the ride, to take time to go out there with family or simply yourself and your damn dog. So why do you need all that power and torque and blah blah blah. common sense tells me if i want more power and luxury and that is my priority then i have to look for another option and in consequence more money for that. very simple. Why not make the review strictly to what the make and model offers to the public.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
