2009 Subaru Forester

Pros: What do you like about 2009 Subaru Forester?
Love the sport shifter!
Great all wheel drive - handles very sure-footed!
Love, love, love the HID head lamps - amazing night time driving lights!
Enjoy the heated seats.
Really enjoy the large sun roof - lots of light for passengers in back seat.
Spacious cargo area.

Cons: How would you improve 2009 Subaru Forester?
Install round cup holders - my coffee/tea spills constantly making for a messy interior.
Could use 5th gear on transmission.
Film on windshield - car has 130000 km and still having to clean often, dealer unable to resolve.
Improve the mileage - very disappointed with the city mileage.
Lots of rattles and squeaks - very annoying especially on a gravel road.
Height adjustable passenger seat would be nice.
Would love to be able to switch out of AWD when roads are clear - would help save mileage.
Dislike the painted plastic trim on interior - wearing off in patches - looks poor especially around door handles.
Diesel engine would be fantastic!

2009 Subaru Forester Review:
This car handles really well in snow and icy conditions - live in Canada and this is very important. I have 130000 km on my Forester and have mixed feelings with regards to whether I would purchase another. It has a great reliable engine but lacks power, very disappointing mileage and I absolutely detest the square cup holders.

Pros: What do you like about 2009 Subaru Forester?
Nimble as a mountain goat on all surfaces.
Smooth, supple ride.
Excellent acceleration with turbo.
Spacious and versatile.
Great in city, highway and offroad situations.

Cons: How would you improve 2009 Subaru Forester?
Loud fan with climate control on auto setting.
A bit too much wind noise on high speed cruising.
Would like power passenger seat.

2009 Subaru Forester Review:
Model: 2009 Subaru Forester XT Limited w/o Navigation. Silver Spark Metallic, Leather.
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After suffering through 40 snow events in Chicago last winter, I decided that, while I loved my BMW sedan, I would not go through another winter without an AWD vehicle. I looked at and test drove AWD BMWs including the sedans, X5 and X3. I expanded to other brands, including Ford, Infiniti, Acura, Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Audi. I had been trying to decide between a sedan (the Infiniti M35X) and an SUV (BMW X3) when an old tree-hugging friend recommended that I look at the new Forester. Indeed, that was the last vehicle that I test drove (an XT Limited). I was pleasantly surprised by not only the performance, but the comfort, convenience and utility. I actually delayed my decision for a month, and took it out for a second test drive. I was sold and ordered one that very day. I have had the vehicle for 5 months and have been delighted with its performance in the snowy and icy conditions that have plagued Chicago. In the better weather since the winter, it has been a delight to drive: comfortable, quiet, fast, nimble and very spacious. The fact that it was five figures less expensive that my other choices still astounds me.

Pros: What do you like about 2009 Subaru Forester?
Very spacious interior.

Cons: How would you improve 2009 Subaru Forester?
Higher seats for driver and passengers.
Less rattles.
Headrest uncomfortable - pokes into back of head.

Pros: What do you like about 2009 Subaru Forester?
Spacious interior, comfortable seating.
Body style is functional and pleasant on the eyes.
Plenty of storage space, esp. when rear seat backs are folded down.
Ride is stable and responsive.
Fuel mileage is not great but for a AWD vehicle not that disappointing either.
Price is very competitive compared to other SUVs without AWD.

Cons: How would you improve 2009 Subaru Forester?
Inferior audio system.
Lots of annoying rattles.
Brake pedal and accelerator pedal seem poorly located for easy transfer from one to the other. Have had my shoe caught in between and this can be very annoying also.

2009 Subaru Forester Review:
Happy with the first 11,000 miles and 1 year driving experience. Leased for 36 months but probably will not buy it as it serves as a second vehicle now which will not be necessary in 2 more years. We like our Camry Hybrid which is averaging 36 mpg, or 13 more mpg over Subaru. Fuel costs are a major factor these days for retirees and those living on fixed incomes.

Pros: What do you like about 2009 Subaru Forester?
All aspects are fine. Better then expected.

Cons: How would you improve 2009 Subaru Forester?
Gas mileage issue. The window sticker rated average mpg at 22/26 at time of purchase (Jan.,2010). Highway mileage is fine, generally between 27 and 30 mpg. City mileage is a very disappointing 13-14 mpg. The vehicle is driven very gently with every effort made to improve local mpg. To no avail over the 12 months and 15,000 miles on the car. Dealership service personnel are stumped on this issue and have no answers or suggestions.
Any suggestions or observations ?

Pros: What do you like about 2009 Subaru Forester?
Engine.
AWD.
Sportshift.
Design.
Ride.
Utility.

Cons: How would you improve 2009 Subaru Forester?
Seat pan narrow, short and rake on power seat not high enough angle.
Door panels rattle at new.
Speakers and door panels rattle on modest deep bass from stereo.

Pros: What do you like about 2009 Subaru Forester?
Very clean simple design and AWD engineering is absolutely great!!

Cons: How would you improve 2009 Subaru Forester?
Visors need extenders to block side sun exposure.
Better sound system.

2009 Subaru Forester Review:
Wonderful SUV to drive, actually fun-like. Excellent AWD capability. I can pull my fishing boat out without any slipping. Nice space volume. The information mpg, temp, clock could be larger display or darker during the day. Overall I enjoy this little well-engineered SUV.

2009 Subaru Forester Review:
I've owned a 2003 and 2006 Forester. The 2009 is buy far the most spacious and best-looking. The cabin is also quiet. Gas mileage is also better than previous models. Four speed automatic transmission is smooth and works quite well. Unfortunately, driver seat is too low. Radio quality & plastic panels are inferior to previous Forester models (2003 and 2006 models). I think a fifth gear on the automatic transmission would improve fuel economy even more.

Pros: What do you like about 2009 Subaru Forester?
Love the black interior, easy to keep clean and the heated leather seats are nice. Back seat recliner is nice too. Drivers seat being able to sit high and adjust for comfort. All wheel drive is wonderful for the area we live in.

Cons: How would you improve 2009 Subaru Forester?
Passenger front seat would be better if it adjusted like drivers.

2009 Subaru Forester Review:
Driven 19,000 miles in less than one year in my 2009 Forester, have not had any troubles or concerns. Great car!