2011 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
I have waited till a couple of winter storms to review the Forester. I have a 2010 Forester 2.5x Limited, that I purchased in May 2010. I love the sunroof. it is huge. With the top open and rear windows down, I only used the air conditioner on rainy days, and those 95 plus degree days. That has really helped with the gas mileage. The view of the road is incredible. I am able to see pretty much everything going on around me. The best way to confirm this is to drive my wife's car. There are many more blind spots in her car, and in pretty much everybody else's cars too. It's subtle, but contributes to the overall feeling of control that this car conveys. The interior is sufficient. I say that in the nicest way possible. It has everything I want, and not much more. Which is perfect. Easy controls, iPod interface, aux input, two power outlets, heated seats, four cup holders, and a nice sized center console. The other thing I really enjoy about the interior is that I don't mind getting it dirty. It cleans well and the all weather mats let you get in the car without feeling awful about getting it dirty. I hate buying something as useful and enabling of a good time as a car, and then being afraid to use it because I don't want to get it dirty. I am not a particularly fast or daring driver, so the engine and power of the car is great for me. I can pass a car doing 55 with ease, and going up and merging onto I-95 in Philadelphia is a breeze. Highway speeds are hit before I'm off the ramp. I'm not going to drag race it, but I would get a different car if that's what I wanted to do any way. Negotiating the city is very easy. It is like driving a sedan sized vehicle. Easy to park and zip in and out of spots. What I am really impressed with, before snow enters the review, is the handling. While the Forester isn't fast, it handles amazing. It corners and sticks to the ground very well. I enjoy driving this thing. I've never said that about a car before. (I ride motorcycles. I love riding motorcycles. I ride fast and aggressive, I buy cars because of their utility) My only true problem I have had with it is a leak from the air conditioner into the passenger side floor. I took it back to the dealer, and they fixed it immediately. It resulted from a clogged tube that drained the condensation. Once unclogged and armed with the knowledge to periodically clean out the cowling of debris I have not had another issue. Service at the dealer is impressive. They like their customers, and I feel welcomed every time. Lastly is the Forester in the snow. I waited till a nice storm to review it. We've had a couple here in NJ this winter and here it goes: It is a beast. Today there were 4 types of cars on the road early this morning: Trucks with plows, Audis, Subarus and cars that were hopelessly stuck. I cannot express how well my Forester handled in 12" of snow and ice. It seems to never be out of sorts. I was never out of control, and never spun my wheels. I drove cautiously and the car responded by doing everything I expected. It is reassuring to know that even in very bad driving conditions I am still able to drive somewhere. Overall, I love this car. It completely lives up to my expectations. My priorities when buying this car were (in order): Safe, AWD, able to carry lots of stuff, and reasonable fuel economy. It delivers on this and more. I love this thing.
VS
Critical Review
2010 Forester is well known, among mechanics, for oil leaks. Had to put in a new engine 1-1/2 years ago because it ran out of oil less than 3000 miles after last oil change. Subaru, upon notification, didn't care and is still depending on reputation of older models to sell newer defective vehicles.
2011 Forester Reviews
Showing 8 of 317 reviews.
Just an awesome reliable car.
Only fits five
My 2012 Subaru Forrester Limited edition is the best car I ever owned just finished paying for it a few years ago and I’ll never get rid of it thank you Subaru
Burns through oil like it's water. Very disappointed that a large manufacturer like Subaru that sells itself on value for money and reliability would 1. Put out a bad engine, 2. Discover that it was defective 3. Change the engine mid year and cheat consumers who purchased earlier in 2011 by not issuing a recall on these oil guzzlers. . Subaru- Where is your integrity?
Capable, reliable, spacious, comfortable
Head gasket :(, fuel economy
I’ve put 86,000 on Windsor over the past 8 years, and I’ve loved them all. The Forester is wonderfully capable in all conditions, doesn’t break the bank with gas, cheap and easy to work on, and is reliable out the wazoo. He’s never left me stranded, and I’ve only had a few major repairs—mostly from lack of routine maintenance. I hope to keep driving him for the next 86,000, or as long as he lets me. Windsor’s done everything I’ve asked, and then some. He’s taken me across the country and back 5 times—4 of which in 6 months. I used to live on top of a mountain in rural Wyoming, and he got me up and down every single time, in up to 8 inches of fresh snow. I would leave him parked for 2 weeks every month, and he started right up and hit the ground running. With the computer AWD, all-season tires were perfectly adequate. I would routinely be at ski mountain lots next to the big 4x4 trucks, and had just as many people and skis as they did! The interior on the 2010 year generation is perfect. The seats are comfy, I love the huge sunroof when the weather’s good, and the heated seats when it’s not. I love the no-frills approach even more. Never had an issue with electronics inside or outside, and I don’t plan on it. It’s definitely not as spacious as some of the larger SUV’s out there, but is perfectly enough for your average dorm room. Can’t say enough great things about the 2010 Forester. But that was my attempt. Now for the unpleasantries. If you grab one of these from 09-11, make sure the head gasket was replaced if the mileage is over 75, lest you pay the 3k to replace it. I really wish I’d known about it when I got it, but it’s paid off. I also really wish the gas mileage was better, given the new ones are easily getting 30+ mpg. All in all, I’ve loved my Forester. Would I buy another one? Sure! Should you? I recommend it!
Reliable and easy to maintain
You will not go 100+ mph in this
This car is amazing! Reliable, easy and cheap to maintain, and performs well! No complains! Subaru just got a new life-long buyer
Visibility/handling
2.5x sport boxer engine is not a good one
32k OTD May of 08 fully loaded. Has over 18 recalls. Has required approx 2-3k to maintain for the past 13 of the 15 years I’ve owned it for a cumulative total of well over 71K! It was great in the snow, had sporty feel, tight turning radius and adequate for a single owner around town transporter for 70mph or less. Gut less with merging on the freeway or climbing steep inclines with red-lining. Bad head cams$$ blown oil seal. Lacks compression. Still looks great however apparently worthless. I’d recommend researching the lemon models of Subarus and steering clear of them. There is no “Subaru Love” between the Twin Falls dealership, service department, and the customer once OTD! Be wise and PASS!
Reliable, great visibility
Several costly repairs
I bought it new 13 years ago with 5 speed manual transmission and it’s fun to drive. Roomy interior. Several large repairs, I am grateful to my Subaru specialist mechanics! I won’t sell this car even if I get a new one. It’s too useful. I’ll keep putting miles on it and changing the oil. It’s never stranded me. It’s great in the snow, I’ve never called out from work due to weather.
Great Drive Quality. Great MPG for a small SUV.
Bigger Engine.
I absolutely love this Car, It is my second car that I have ever owned it is very reliable and practical car very comfy and a great car for commuting, it gets fairly decent gas milage, better than my last Car which was a Jeep. My Subaru has 184,000 miles running on it. The only thing major that we have had to do on it was replace the catalytic converter, and that was quite the rigmarole, because when we took it to the Mechanic we had to replace the converter two times, because apparently the one supposedly new one" that they bought in was defective and that code, for that came back on the same day that the car was fixed, not the Foresters fault I blame the mechanic, bought they put a new one in again and the code hasn't came on sense!! New time If something major comes about will go too Subaru. Before I purchased this car, I was debating Between the Forester and the Honda CRV, but overall pros and cons, Honda can't even compare to the performance of how Subaru Iconic symmetrical AWD System. I most definitely would Recommend this car to anybody, and given the choice it is safe too say I would most Definitely buy this car all over again. The only thing I wished is if I was able to find one with lower miles, I would have enjoyed that but oh well. When I am able to purchase a brand new vehicle!!! I will most defiantly choose a brand new Subaru Forester!!!! My biggest wish is that in the coming year or so Subaru makes the Forester option available in Hybrids!!! We will see. I also wish my Subaru had a little bit more get up and go, I wish they had the option to have a V6 Engine, to have a little bit more go power, but I realized the make in in a V4 for efficient and everyday highway driving etc.
Dependable on Winter, since it's 4 wheel drive. Specifically for Minnesota weather this a kind of car everyone needs.
