2011 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews

Very Good Overall Package

Vehicle

2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

This is a very good overall package and an excellent value. Car is very sure-footed in rain and snow. Has comfortable ride and seats. Excellent visibility, has responsive brakes, steering, highly maneuverable, great sun roof - helps cool car quickly, responsive engine - a bit noisy on cold start, but smooth and quiet thereafter, excellent hauling capacity with rear seats folded, 4-speed AT is a bit antiquated, but shifts smoothly and is responsive. Integrated TomTom GPS & w/audio/video takes some time to figure out, but is not hard to use thereafter once you understand the controls. Mileage between 16 mpg in cold, city driving, & up to 29 mpg on the highway, w/overall ave. of 21.5 so far.
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Engine Vibration

Vehicle

2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Bougth my new 2011 Forester a week ago and have put about 250 miles on it. My main complain so far is the engine vibration at idle. Vibration can be felt through the driver seat when the engine is cold and then it reduces. Engine also makes noise when it is first started and then it goes away after few seconds but you can still hear a clicking noise coming from the engine like the valves are not tuned. Overall I am not very impressed with the car but willing to give it more time.
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Subee two

Vehicle

2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

My last Subaru was while in college several years ago, and after driving this brand new one, I'm disappointed. The engine sometimes sounds like one with 100k miles on it, the interior is cheap plastic. The console is not at all user-friendly. Sometimes when touching the gas pedal lightly the car will lurch forward as if I've gunned it, other times I have to really put it to the floor to get it to gradually accelerate. I was expecting the engine to sound really quiet for more than just the first week. When I start it sometimes different parts of the engine rev, sometimes it's smooth, you just never know. Besides those things it runs well, but I've only put 3k miles on it.
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Buy the Turbo

Vehicle

2011 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)

Review

The Forester is a practical, reliable, and versatile vehicle. The only problem is that it uses a 170hp engine to power a relatively large vehicle. So, if you are planning on buying one I recommend you buy the turbo charged XT. this will power you up hills with no trouble. The storage space is great, and the panoramic moon roof is incredible.
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A great Value but by no means perfect. . .

Vehicle

2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I recently bought a Pearl Blue 2.5X Limited Forester. I was looking for a smaller Crossover that was rugged enough to handle some relatively sketchy gravel / dirt roads on the way to the back-country, but was not completely out of place in an Urban environment. I also didn't want to spend 40K+ either. After returning from a 2500 mile road trip to the Tucson AZ area I can confirm that the Forester essentially fulfills its twin goals of being both tough enough for the desert and civilized enough for everyday driving. It is Not, however, a luxury car (see the Volvo XC60) nor is it a Performance car. As such people with long daily commutes might want to look elsewhere.
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Not all warm and Fozzy

Vehicle

2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

There is a lot of noise inside the car at speed. I spent a couple hours setting up the hands free Bluetooth phone. Pairing the phone was easy. Sitting still, windows up, programming numbers was a major chore. The voice mostly said pardon. It just didn't want to accept numbers. We finally got 6-7 numbers programmed and took it for a test ride. It rarely worked, even at speeds under 35 mph. At speeds above 55, forget it. Dealer replaced the radio and the microphone. Tech prewarned me it was no better, and it isn't. Called S.O.A. and I was informed there was no know fix for it. Bumper 2 bumper warranty, and it can't be fixed. That's reassuring.Pistons rattle when cold. Was told it's normal.
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2011 Subaru Forester Limited

Vehicle

2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Recently purchased the 2011 Subaru Forester Limited. All Wheel Drive was a compelling feature for me and the fact that it is highly rated in Consumers Report. Number one small SUV. Some things I would like to see improved upon: Interior fit and finish and quality of interior materials. Limited Edition should have features such as auto lights, auto locking doors, Satelite Radio instead of Satelite Ready (which cost you another $500 to buy the parts to have the radio function as a satelite radio), Gas Lid release should be on the driver's door instead of the floor of the car (making it easier to reach), transmission should updated to a CVT transmission or more than 4 gears.
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Nice overall package

Vehicle

2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

After test drives of the competition, the ride in this SUV was the best. Steering is good, and handling is responsive. The tilt/telescope wheel and power seat make it easy to get comfortable behind the wheel. It's been good in the snow so far. I installed aftermarket mud flaps, a good choice. Paint is a little soft/scratches easily. Engine is responsive, a little noisy but revs smoothly. Gear shift is notchy but tolerable and fine when you get used to it. The things I don't like about it, I decided at the test drive I could live with. No complaints on those things. The interior is well assembled, some materials are on the cheap side.
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great value and best in snow

Vehicle

2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

This is a great SUV especially for Harsh winters and off road driving. The 2010 /2011 Forester is easy on the eyes in my opinion. This car has the best value for money in its class. The leather interior is very nice but not luxurious. The blue tooth and Navigation work well, and the touch screen is very convenient. I really enjoy driving my Forester. The handling is better than I thought it would be. The sound system in the limited edition forester is good. I was quite impressed with the video quality of the DVD player. I watched Avitar in my Forester, and the surround sound together with the visual quality was great! I really love this car!
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fair at 800 miles

Vehicle

2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

800 miles so far for this fairbanks, alaskan vehicle. driving on ice requires patience since it slides around a lot -- better treaded tires will be the next investment, though have not driven it in much snow. not happy with the yokohama's. the back hatch has some probs closing all the way - have to open and slam it a few times to get it to securely shut. i love the huge moonroof and the visibility out back. the sound quality of the premium stereo is a bit stinky -- not what i expected, and have to crank it if i want to hear it. we'll keep on driving the overpriced car and see what happens.
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