If you want an affordable, comfortable, modern safety features, large visibility, spacious, daily and long road trip car, then the forester should be on your list. It's power is more than adequate. If you want a performance car, paying premium gas, and high maintenance then stop complaining about the forester's power and buy yourself a luxury suv with a turbocharged engine and crappy mpg.
You know what safety feature I'd like to see? ALL THE BOLTS TORQUED TO SPEC. At 2,000 miles, our 2019 had to be repaired because the rear sway bar bracket bolts were not tightened and came loose while driving!
In Canada EyeSight is not standard (and I'm glad that it isn't -- I've driven too many rental cars that yell at you for perceived dangers that are not actually there. If you need sensors to tell you to stay in your own lane, then you shouldn't be driving to begin with); and fog lights are standard on all but the very base model
Good video, the only thing I thought was strange. The title when viewed on my phone said "don't buy the 2019 Subaru forest" I was like ok, wasn't until I clicked on it that I got the rest of the title.
I also got the 2018 premium model Forester. Some of these pros and cons don't matter to me, but you're right about the safety features. Go ahead and make them all standard; it's why I bought my car, and why Consumer Reports named the Forester as the best SUV for senior drivers (me). I love my Forester, but there is one thing I don't love: the placement of the center cupholder(s). I am a short female driver, about 5'2", and I have to move the driver's seat way forward, which means I have to also slide the center armrest way forward, which means the cupholder is very, very awkward to get to. I'd be willing to believe that many Forester drivers are female and possibly also short in stature - this has got to bug other short drivers! And speaking of the center armrest - as a short driver, with the seat scooted forward AND up vertically, my elbow doesn't reach the armrest without leaning way over to the right! I had to buy an armrest cushion with elastic straps on Amazon in order to have a comfortable place to rest my right arm. Subaru can certainly do better designing for short drivers. Otherwise everything is great - I love, love, love the transmission and the safety features.
Have a 2017 Forester XT. So far I' m very happy with it. It' s very nice to have power when you need it for overtaking or just for fun. Now just 7000km on it. Really hope for a long life.
Asked if Subaru if they would offer their optional 2.4 turbo for 2020 Forester, the answer was no and they don't seem to care about the abrupt shuttering of their Auto Stop/Start system either.
@@MommyKhaos At the Auto show we drove a non-hybrid Toyota Highlander limited and it was like the engine slightly exhaled when it shut down and barely inhaled when it started back up, which was something I could live with and leave on. When we drove the Forester Touring, it very abruptly shuttered to a stop. Just our experience
Boxer engines already have a tendency to blow head gaskets at about 125 to 150,000 mile mark . Putting a turbo in those will just make that happen all that much sooner. I think it was a wise decision for Subaru to nix the turbo option for that reason. I'm saying that as somebody who owns an Outback who had to replace the head gasket at about 150,000 miles. Plus, the 2.5 four cylinder is just fine.
That was true of much older models of their engine, it had little to do with it being a boxer and everything to do with a flaw in the design of the gasket which has been fixed for many years.
Just purchased a 19 Forester base model replacing our 09 Forester base model. I noted vast improvements in comfort, ride quality, wind noise me standard safety features including back up camera, intelligent cruise, blind spot monitoring . As for the engine performance it feels much quicker than the 09 and accelerates well enough and climbs hills easily. Contrary to what everyone seems to be saying the CVT trans makes the vehicle seem livelier. My only complaint is lack of paddle shifters. As a licensed auto damage appraiser I can tell you that the Subaru's are well built and hold up in collisions quite well. For me an all wheel drive vehicle that is well built and relatively inexpensive to purchase , has many standard safety features and gets decent fuel mileage is a no brainier. I purchased for my wife due to above .
I'm retired, but do dlr trades for two Subaru dlrs in my area. I love all the SUV models and the Legacy for regular useage. Not fond of the Imprezda. Gets great hwy mileage, but doesn't feel well built. ALL Subaru models need more power pretty much. WRX types excluded. Keep the mileage up over 30 for hwy. Don't feel the cvt is a problem. Works well for the cars I've driven.
I’d be very surprised if they didn’t bring the XT back. They brought it back for the 2020 outback and legacy so hopefully they’ll add it to the Forester and even the Impreza. The new outback XT gets 30 on the highway, supposedly anyways, and can tow I believe 3500lbs.
The ability to add the 2.4 L turbo engine that comes on the Ascent to a Sport model Forester would be awesome! Here in Vermont, I find the 2.5 L normally aspirated engine to be plenty peppy for both climbing and even passing on steep mountain roads as well as for merging onto the Interstate. However, a 2.4 L turbo would be that much better. I moved away from the Forester to a WRX about 10 years ago because my 2005 Forester lacked get-up-and-go and had way too much wind noise. The 2019 Forester (mine is a Sport) solves both of those issues and gives me a very pleasant, smooth ride even over frost heaves. I’m really pleased with what Subaru has done to improve the Forester.
Great to hear you love your new Forester Sport. I want a 2020 when I purchase next year. Everything is so much better than the previous generation. Everything about the new global platform Forester is the best Forester ever. Especially upped the game with the interior. Consumers Reports named Subaru the best company for 2019. Mainly because of the Forester and Crosstrek and the new Ascent 7 seater. Ive seen the new global platform Outback on TH-cam. Wow, awesome! Beautiful interior design fit and finish. Offering turbo, 11inch infotainment screen and cooled seats on the top of the line. Real leather Nappa seating. I'd wish Eyesight was standard here in Canada. Although it's still not that expensive at $1500. Best AWD system and safety features out there arguably.
@@bradcreber75 Canada version Forester Sport provides more features than the U.S.. dual zone AC and day time LED beam are not available in the U.S........BTW the new Outback is absolutely fantastic, it will be a hot sale this year, really wish Forester will bring back the XT next year or two.
The wind noise of new SGP platform is much lower than last gen, and the CVT actually performs not bad at all, at least better than Nissan Rouge, it will be awesome if Subaru brings back the XT Forester next year!
Turbo engines are a headache - that is one reason why people stayed away from that engine. Give me a solid 6 cyl (that Subaru previously offered) and the biggest concern (lack of power) would be addressed.
Re: Towing -- totally agree. And on that point -- not sure this was the intent of your reference to "global platform" -- a comparison of owner's manuals around the world, find Subaru Forester does have a higher (read 'useful') towing capacity in those other markets, and only in the US is it limited to 1,500 lb.
Thanks for the video. I own a 2019 Premium with Option Package 15. It's a great ride, replacing my 2011 Outback 2.5 Limited. But, like you said, I missed out on these things that I think I wanted (and will get them next time!): First, the Konoji style boomerang DRL's. My Premium has LED low beams, and it uses the same bulbs for their DRL's, whereas the Limited and higher has the boomerang style C-lights, which have a distinct brand personality. Next, I'd like to see fog lights default like you mentioned. I do miss them on bad weather/foggy days. Next, I'd like more illumination in the cargo area. I know the Sport has the LED flood light back there, but I would like to at least have an option in other trims. It looks like they have a small indentation in the front grille - this would be a perfect spot to add a front view camera like on the Ascent Touring. And finally, I would love to see side-mirror turn signals. Again, I'd have to go Limited for this feature, but I can't even option it on my Premium. My lease is done in about 30 months - I'm hoping for a PHEV variant of the Forester going forward since I'm a city driver, but at the very least I think I'll have to consider the Limited my next time around. I love the car, it is really fun to drive!
Thank you, my two main complaints with my Subaru Forester is the fact blind spot detection and fog lights aren’t standard on my premium version. Should have uploaded this months ago before I bought the car but oh well, still love the car.
It's a BEAUTIFUL upgrade over the 2018. However, i have too agree with this reviewer either bring back the turbo option. Or up the horsepower and torque numbers. Because 182hp isn't cutting it Subaru you should know better...(g) You could have easily put a 220hp CVT engine in this new model taking regular gas. Let's hope you listen too your consumer base and fix this come 2020 or 2021 at the latest. Because i'm quite sure you'll have PLENTY of complaints by then in motivating you too do something better in the HP department for this new vehicle.
I'm in the same boat here. I have about 2 years that I can wait, but that base engine only is a deal stopper for this Car. I hope they can fix the shuttering Stop/Start system by then too or at least improve it. Time will tell, barely adequately powered cars with cute paint highlights and slightly higher mpg may be Subaru's wave of the future.
Ive got the last 3.6 outback with the old transmission, it’s bloody awesome, tows the boats no problem. They wanted me to buy one with a C V T . It was like driving a car powered on rubber bands very strange
Bulletproof 4eat? HELL NO They may be good but not bulletproof. You know, funny how people used to talk trash about the 4eat and 5eat just like they talk trash about the CVT now. You'll learn.
This guy is awesome. Great points for pros and cons. Though the lack of Turbo is why I got the 2018 model. Going from WRX that turbo is so nice to have.
@@leroy8516 That's a bunch of BS...!!! You watch how many folks complain and their going too be forced into changing these numbers. It's a gorgeous vehicle especially in the bronze exterior with brown interior. But the HP and Torque numbers need tweaking BIG TIME. 182HP is just not going too cut it for a vehicle this size and what it's meant too do off road.
@@tomtalker2000 and you think Subaru will make those additions for free? Increase in power will mean an increase in cost for the public…no thanks. This vehicle is already excellently priced…if it ain’t broke…don’t fix it.
I just purchased the 2020 Touring that has the items he says he would like on the car. The other three are irelevant to me as I do not tow or go extreme offroad and do not need the turbo. Which makes this car perfect for my use.
I'm a big Subaru fan, but disappointed that they only offer their vehicles with a CVT now. That's a deal killer for me. Until the CVT technology improves, I'm staying far away from them.
I've driven a few of the 2019 Foresters and the CVTs were all fine in them. Saves fuel and the only thing you have to deal with is the drone. Subaru has some of the best CVT designs.
@@nathanyoung8284 They're good when they're new, but they start going south sooner than a standard or regular automatic transmission does. First Subie was a 79 Brat and put 243k miles on it, then got a 1984 GL with the dual range transmission. Loved that car. Currently have a 2003 Forester with 168k on it and still going strong. The CVTs with higher mileage start developing problems that the other trannies don't. We'll have to see how the newer generation of CVT lasts. I tend to keep my Subarus for a long time, so I get to deal with aging parts. Currently I only have to replace standard wear items, and I hope to get another 100k out of the Forester before I trade it in on my next.
@Natewatl The CVTs are made by Aisin, not by Nissan. Aisin is not strictly Nissan and they use a different design than the Nissan CVTs, which use a Van Doorne belt.
Its your opinion. You have the Outback XT as an option. The new one is more focused on offroad capabilities and comfort rather than being a sports car.
The system is the same. And you dont need horsepower for offroad. Well yeah it has more torque. Tho the 2019 Forester is the most suitable offroad vehicle Subaru has ever made now that the cvt can simulate low gears and allow wheel spin. More horsepower doesnt mean more offroad capabilities!
@@moonsapling the cvt on 17 forester can simulate low gears too. just activate xmode and put the gear selector to the left in the first "Gear" , and you have a low gear.
I have a 2019 Forester and I agree with you on these items. I was thinking of adding a trailer hitch receiver for a bicycle rack. All in all, a great car. I would consider a Subaru in the future or something like a Toyota 4Runner.
Ron Bateman I, too, don't want to rain on everybody's praise parade, but I do listen to the radio a lot. It's lousy. My 2 favorite stations come in w/ so much static that it is hard to hear/understand--those same 2 stations come in just fine in my other car and in anyone else's car. Also, the radio doesn't modulate the volume: some stations come in real low and others are loud...I'm afraid I'll blast out my speakers if I switch from the former to the latter. The service department at the dealership from which I bought it and another dealership both slough it off. That alone tells me never again to buy a Suburu.
it tows 1500kgs in Australia. (3306) pounds. in our Diesel model we had you could tow 1800kgs (3960 pounds). it does seem odd the american subarus have such restrictions.
Unlike the South Koreans (Kia-Hyundai) who admitted they made a mistake with the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) and went back to the conventional 6 speed OD transmission. The Japanese would never admit a mistake until its too late and then some big company executive will commit suicide. Subaru would need to be near bankruptcy (again) before they admit failure and go back to a "real" transmission.
Very words I live by. As a matter of fact, I only recommend people I hate to buy a Subaru, because it is a total piece of junk after 5 years of ownership. And they also burn engine oil, totally unacceptable in this day and age.
The head gasket issue was fixed years ago with an engine redesign. CVT is where it's going to be, probably til we're all driving or are being driven by EVs.
I appreciate your honest review and critique. I’m glad you mentioned about Turbo, especially people like us that are very high up on the mountains...also blind side and rear cross traffic should all be standard. Lastly I think Subaru should add 360 camera.
I have 2 more things Subaru should've made available: 1) rain-sensitive wipers (heck, our 2006 Mercedes E350 had them; why aren't they standard on the Touring edition Forester and Outback?) and 2) why are the exterior mirrors, even on the Touring Edition, manually-folding, when so many other top-line vehicles let you fold them electrically? On top of that, when you fold them back out, the mirrors are no longer in adjustment so you have to reset them, too. Not what I expected for Subaru's most luxurious models.
I was going to buy a 2020 Forester Ltd, they do have blind spots for the smallest vehicles, even with the blind spot detector. Has anyone had issued with the windshield they had issues with cracking with no impact? I'm also wondering why the 2016 Forester goes down to 24mpg city rather than the 26 mpg in the 2019-20. Would turbo be the difference? I wish they would take the useless graphics of the little man walking to the gas tank. I absolutely LOVE the visibility of this vehicle & that the windows aren't tinted so dark! Other SUVs are tinted way too dark for night visibility and add that to the smaller windows, that's why I did not buy the Outback which had way more comfortable seats with lumbar support, another thing Forester should look at.
If it has a CVT, I'll avoid the model. Long-term reliability is very important to me, so I want good historical data on the components of the vehicles that I consider buying.
This engine is going in the 2020 Outback with more added weight so it should be a real slug in the mountains. It's only saving grace is the 2.4 turbo. Then you have the big touch screen which is another story.
Turbo shmurbo. My problem with the car is going easy on the pedal from a dead stop so my head doesn’t get jerked back. I got the Limited edition for $30G with no add ons. The one thing I miss over my ‘96 Camry is not being able to rest my left arm on the armrest and steer with one hand. I rarely have passengers, so took the back seat headrests off for better visibility. I can always put them back on when needed. I just ordered an aluminum skip plate and rear tow bar and harness, and plan to install them myself. I still don’t know if Subaru approves of 17 inch wheels on the Limited, for winter tires. The front disks are bigger than on the lower end models that have 17” wheels.
Has anyone else had the experience of the seat belt clip poking you in the hip? I moved to the left to avoid feeling as if I was sitting on something wedged into the seat and then realized I wasn't centered behind the steering wheel. I am of average weight for 5'4" person. What's with this - it was so uncomfortable!
I own one. I think there is excessive air turbulence noise around the mirrors, it annoys me. Lack of power in the sierra mountains, it's just a strain to keep up hwy speed. Factory off road package would be great. I did enhance my own after purchase but 2k out of pocket just after purchasing the car sucks. But it looks cool, drives nice and decent fuel economy so far.
Bought a 2016 Subaru Forester based on its safety and crash worthiness. From that point on I think we should have traded up with a newer Toyota Highlander which we sold our 2005 Highlander to my grand daughter with 220,000 miles and still going well after 2 years. I don't find the Subaru driver or passenger friendly. My spouse had 2 hip implants. She likes a seat cushion for comfort, but with our Subaru the passenger air bag stays off if she uses a cushion because it is pressure sensitive whereas in the Toyota there was a manual switch to turn on or off the air bag if it was empty. Now it is computer controlled based on weight on seat which a cushion blocks so unless she opts out of an airbag a cushion is persona non grata. After that is the unviewable dash board on bright sunny days and then many other pet peeves. It will be our last Subaru.
As others have indicated in these comments and from what I have seen and heard from a number of mechanics, a CVT transmission should be a red flag. It is said only Toyota and Honda does CVT transmissions right. You can have all these wonderful bells and whistles in your Subaru, but if its transmission isn't built to go the distance, that should give buyers serious reservations.
Hi guys. When do you think the e-Boxer Hybrid will come to USA? By the way, I really like the 2020 Forester's Rear Seat Reminder. This will help a lot of parents and pet owners. You can see on our channel the 3rd conditions under which this system works in Subaru 2020 (please consider subscribing to us too).
Is there any truth to the idea of having more engine options on the 2024 Forester (turbo, flat six, etc.)? Reviewers all say that the 2.5L flat four is underpowered, especially off-road.
Ah its strange you bring up offroad capability upgrades when I think the biggest could be the CVT or at least if Subaru added a single 1st real gear then the CVT handled the rest after that like Toyota developed recently for some of their vehicles. My understanding is I heard Subaru has told dealers to not support any lifts or upgraded tires as they can put extra stress on their CVTs and that isn't desirable anymore.
i have a 2013 forester. i soon realized i messed up by not getting the 6 cylinder 3.6 outback. the engine is just to slow and small for a car its size. its good for retirees and people who dont care how long a trip takes. i had to push the engine hard to get it to do what i want. that ended up costing me a few grand for a head gasket at 78000 miles. its a good versatile car but ill never purchase a small 4 cylinder again
Very good to know. I keep thinking I can live with the 4 cyl in a '19 Outback LImited. So I planned to test drive both the 4 cyl and 3.6r, 6cyl models soon. I've only owned 6 cyl autos, '08 Pilot, 03 Tacoma, '12 Ridgeline, '13 Crosstour. And I'm in a '15 HIghlander now. I also plan to test the HOnda Passport, EXL-Touring models to compare. I think I will like the larger interior space of the Passport over the Subies. I need my elbow room when I drive. Loved my Taco 4dr but way too narrow compared to the spacious Ridgeline. I need that space.
ive had a 16, 19, and now a 22 Forester and i have never ever gotten over 24mpg on any of them and all i do is highway driving. i obviously love the Foresters but they are lying big time about mpg
Okay, but do they still blow head gaskets and did they solve the problems with the heavy oil consumption in the new timing chain engine design? That is why a lot of people lease Foresters now instead of buying them.
The Forester is a trusted, reliable platform. Not. It used to be, but as with so many carmakers, you need to check it out just as you would a brand new model. For example, the Forester used to have enough torque to pull a small trailer or boat. With the CVT, not any more. In fact, last I looked you could not even fit a 2" receiver to it for a bike rack, etc. Plus, the CVT itself is garbage (as Scotty K. would say) and a crashing bore to drive. Rather than honestly deal with fuel economy regulations, Subaru has tinkered with some really stupid stuff to optimize their fuel economy. For example, they took to disconnecting the alternator intermittently to remove engine load resulting in people who do too much city driving getting stranded with dead batteries in nearly new cars. They also messed with the throttle mapping, CVT software or, well, they are a little vague but the result is really wonky acceleration from a dead stop. Yes, there are fixes for these. But you need to ask and and when I asked they gave me as much grief as possible before caving in and fixing the damned things. The Forester wants to be your nanny, too. From refusing to allow Sirius radio to start on a grownup channel that might offer, heaven forfend, Howard Stern, to spectacularly poor implementations of nanny safety "features" it's just infuriating to live with unless you're sedated and compliant I suppose. Finally, Subaru has had a spate of nasty quality issues, several of which affect the Forester. And the fundamental issue of boxer engines tending to burn oil has never been solved. We got rid of our 2017 copy. Hated it. Don't be like me. Don't trust a long trusted brand. You can't trust those any more.
I understand this is a commercial but still good quality content ;) I like Subaru to the point that I visited the factory in Ota, Gunma, Japan. Granted it is only a 2h drive for me... There should be at least 2.0T option. The engine already exists on Levorg STI. Does the armrest move forward? I think it doesn`t but I hope to be wrong. Anyway, for someone 5'5 (170cm) it should be more comfortable. The steering wheel should have a bigger range as well. Especially on the Japanese market were lots of men are my height and women are even shorter. ;) Still, only Mazda and CR-V come close to Forester for me in terms of comfort. :) The front bumper and hood are way too high and for shorter people it is hard to see at close distance (parking especially). The previous gen had that better so I do not understand the logic behind it, especially that it decreases aerodynamics and there is a boxer engine that allows the hood to be lower in comparison to the competition. Also, the raisings on the sides of the hood are unnecessary and they seem to be a new trend on a lot of vehicles. I plan to do lots of mountain countryside trips in Japan and it is often very tight so visibility is a priority in any vehicle. Does anyone know how is the carbon issues on this gen engines? It is, to my knowledge, single DI so I assume there will be problems down the line. I wish Subaru use D4-S from Toyota on their engines to prevent that issue. The changes between generations are impressive. The only reason I have so many "issues" is because I checked it a few times as it is one of my favorite vehicles. I think the new Outback will fit my preferences better but that does not take anything from Gen V Forester.
Hi I have forest 2019 and blue light is blinking on windshield top left corner It never did I drove it parked turned off and then I saw the blue blinking light only when I close the car (locked) when unlocked it’s not blinking so I don’t want the battery to die and didn’t lock it.Can you help ?
I have a question, do you think the dealership would swap out the touring wheels with limited wheels? I LOVE the look of the limited/sport black wheels and hate the touring wheels.
I had a 2017 Forester and had to trade it in because the pedal position was so uncomfortable. The brake pedal was too far left, and was hard to keep pressed when sitting stopped in traffic. It was not possible to 'heel toe' the pedals in this car because of the distance between the brake and gas pedals. Also the pedals themselves were too high off the floor to operate comfortably. After about 10 minutes of driving in city traffic with lots of stops - my leg would start to hurt. Can anyone confirm whether this has changed in the 2019 Forester?
If you want an affordable, comfortable, modern safety features, large visibility, spacious, daily and long road trip car, then the forester should be on your list. It's power is more than adequate. If you want a performance car, paying premium gas, and high maintenance then stop complaining about the forester's power and buy yourself a luxury suv with a turbocharged engine and crappy mpg.
WOW! The level of honesty from an actual dealer is refreshing!
Title should be “ Buy a Subaru After Watching This”.
You know what safety feature I'd like to see? ALL THE BOLTS TORQUED TO SPEC. At 2,000 miles, our 2019 had to be repaired because the rear sway bar bracket bolts were not tightened and came loose while driving!
"The Subaru Forester can only tow 1500 lbs - which is not a ton..."
Love the pun. HaHa.
first review where someone climbed in back to address my sleeping bag /camping question!
No kidding right?
For real, same!
In Canada EyeSight is not standard (and I'm glad that it isn't -- I've driven too many rental cars that yell at you for perceived dangers that are not actually there. If you need sensors to tell you to stay in your own lane, then you shouldn't be driving to begin with); and fog lights are standard on all but the very base model
Good video, the only thing I thought was strange. The title when viewed on my phone said "don't buy the 2019 Subaru forest" I was like ok, wasn't until I clicked on it that I got the rest of the title.
Funny that you tout the quietness and comfort since EVERY single owner review complains about it being LOUD and fairly stiff over bumps.
I was the number Two dealer in the world for Subaru’s.
Best car for the money bar none
So nice a gift to the auto world
I also got the 2018 premium model Forester. Some of these pros and cons don't matter to me, but you're right about the safety features. Go ahead and make them all standard; it's why I bought my car, and why Consumer Reports named the Forester as the best SUV for senior drivers (me). I love my Forester, but there is one thing I don't love: the placement of the center cupholder(s). I am a short female driver, about 5'2", and I have to move the driver's seat way forward, which means I have to also slide the center armrest way forward, which means the cupholder is very, very awkward to get to. I'd be willing to believe that many Forester drivers are female and possibly also short in stature - this has got to bug other short drivers! And speaking of the center armrest - as a short driver, with the seat scooted forward AND up vertically, my elbow doesn't reach the armrest without leaning way over to the right! I had to buy an armrest cushion with elastic straps on Amazon in order to have a comfortable place to rest my right arm.
Subaru can certainly do better designing for short drivers. Otherwise everything is great - I love, love, love the transmission and the safety features.
5.2 ? Mmm that most be nice in the bed hehe.
Can you use the cupholder in the drivers door?
Have a 2017 Forester XT. So far I' m very happy with it. It' s very nice to have power when you need it for overtaking or just for fun. Now just 7000km on it. Really hope for a long life.
I own a 2019 Touring. I love everything; however, it has a noisy acceleration that gasps for more power.
Asked if Subaru if they would offer their optional 2.4 turbo for 2020 Forester, the answer was no and they don't seem to care about the abrupt shuttering of their Auto Stop/Start system either.
wind7sailor anything that isn't a hybrid is gonna shutter like Michael J Fox with auto start stop
@@MommyKhaos At the Auto show we drove a non-hybrid Toyota Highlander limited and it was like the engine slightly exhaled when it shut down and barely inhaled when it started back up, which was something I could live with and leave on. When we drove the Forester Touring, it very abruptly shuttered to a stop. Just our experience
Did you get the leather? if so,how do you like it?
Boxer engines already have a tendency to blow head gaskets at about 125 to 150,000 mile mark . Putting a turbo in those will just make that happen all that much sooner. I think it was a wise decision for Subaru to nix the turbo option for that reason. I'm saying that as somebody who owns an Outback who had to replace the head gasket at about 150,000 miles. Plus, the 2.5 four cylinder is just fine.
That was a part issue mostly. Get a double layered gasket and your solid.
That was true of much older models of their engine, it had little to do with it being a boxer and everything to do with a flaw in the design of the gasket which has been fixed for many years.
Just purchased a 19 Forester base model replacing our 09 Forester base model. I noted vast improvements in comfort, ride quality, wind noise me standard safety features including back up camera, intelligent cruise, blind spot monitoring . As for the engine performance it feels much quicker than the 09 and accelerates well enough and climbs hills easily. Contrary to what everyone seems to be saying the CVT trans makes the vehicle seem livelier. My only complaint is lack of paddle shifters. As a licensed auto damage appraiser I can tell you that the Subaru's are well built and hold up in collisions quite well. For me an all wheel drive vehicle that is well built and relatively inexpensive to purchase , has many standard safety features and gets decent fuel mileage is a no brainier. I purchased for my wife due to above .
I'm retired, but do dlr trades for two Subaru dlrs in my area. I love all the SUV models and the Legacy for regular useage. Not fond of the Imprezda. Gets great hwy mileage, but doesn't feel well built. ALL Subaru models need more power pretty much. WRX types excluded. Keep the mileage up over 30 for hwy. Don't feel the cvt is a problem. Works well for the cars I've driven.
I’d be very surprised if they didn’t bring the XT back. They brought it back for the 2020 outback and legacy so hopefully they’ll add it to the Forester and even the Impreza. The new outback XT gets 30 on the highway, supposedly anyways, and can tow I believe 3500lbs.
The ability to add the 2.4 L turbo engine that comes on the Ascent to a Sport model Forester would be awesome! Here in Vermont, I find the 2.5 L normally aspirated engine to be plenty peppy for both climbing and even passing on steep mountain roads as well as for merging onto the Interstate. However, a 2.4 L turbo would be that much better.
I moved away from the Forester to a WRX about 10 years ago because my 2005 Forester lacked get-up-and-go and had way too much wind noise. The 2019 Forester (mine is a Sport) solves both of those issues and gives me a very pleasant, smooth ride even over frost heaves. I’m really pleased with what Subaru has done to improve the Forester.
Great to hear you love your new Forester Sport. I want a 2020 when I purchase next year. Everything is so much better than the previous generation. Everything about the new global platform Forester is the best Forester ever. Especially upped the game with the interior. Consumers Reports named Subaru the best company for 2019. Mainly because of the Forester and Crosstrek and the new Ascent 7 seater. Ive seen the new global platform Outback on TH-cam. Wow, awesome! Beautiful interior design fit and finish. Offering turbo, 11inch infotainment screen and cooled seats on the top of the line. Real leather Nappa seating. I'd wish Eyesight was standard here in Canada. Although it's still not that expensive at $1500. Best AWD system and safety features out there arguably.
@@bradcreber75 Canada version Forester Sport provides more features than the U.S.. dual zone AC and day time LED beam are not available in the U.S........BTW the new Outback is absolutely fantastic, it will be a hot sale this year, really wish Forester will bring back the XT next year or two.
The wind noise of new SGP platform is much lower than last gen, and the CVT actually performs not bad at all, at least better than Nissan Rouge, it will be awesome if Subaru brings back the XT Forester next year!
Turbo engines are a headache - that is one reason why people stayed away from that engine. Give me a solid 6 cyl (that Subaru previously offered) and the biggest concern (lack of power) would be addressed.
Re: Towing -- totally agree. And on that point -- not sure this was the intent of your reference to "global platform" -- a comparison of owner's manuals around the world, find Subaru Forester does have a higher (read 'useful') towing capacity in those other markets, and only in the US is it limited to 1,500 lb.
Thanks for the video. I own a 2019 Premium with Option Package 15. It's a great ride, replacing my 2011 Outback 2.5 Limited. But, like you said, I missed out on these things that I think I wanted (and will get them next time!): First, the Konoji style boomerang DRL's. My Premium has LED low beams, and it uses the same bulbs for their DRL's, whereas the Limited and higher has the boomerang style C-lights, which have a distinct brand personality. Next, I'd like to see fog lights default like you mentioned. I do miss them on bad weather/foggy days. Next, I'd like more illumination in the cargo area. I know the Sport has the LED flood light back there, but I would like to at least have an option in other trims. It looks like they have a small indentation in the front grille - this would be a perfect spot to add a front view camera like on the Ascent Touring. And finally, I would love to see side-mirror turn signals. Again, I'd have to go Limited for this feature, but I can't even option it on my Premium.
My lease is done in about 30 months - I'm hoping for a PHEV variant of the Forester going forward since I'm a city driver, but at the very least I think I'll have to consider the Limited my next time around. I love the car, it is really fun to drive!
Thank you, my two main complaints with my Subaru Forester is the fact blind spot detection and fog lights aren’t standard on my premium version. Should have uploaded this months ago before I bought the car but oh well, still love the car.
That's been the case since 2014. Don't get why outbacks and even crosstreks get them standard on all levels but foresters don't.
I actually prefer it not have either haha
I love the brown leather on the touring model but the sport exterior looks way more modern and stylish
For the soccer moms who love dogs and actually buy this car the power is just fine.
Just fine for soccer dads too! :-)
It's a BEAUTIFUL upgrade over the 2018. However, i have too agree with this reviewer either bring back the turbo option. Or up the horsepower and torque numbers. Because 182hp isn't cutting it Subaru you should know better...(g) You could have easily put a 220hp CVT engine in this new model taking regular gas. Let's hope you listen too your consumer base and fix this come 2020 or 2021 at the latest. Because i'm quite sure you'll have PLENTY of complaints by then in motivating you too do something better in the HP department for this new vehicle.
I'm in the same boat here. I have about 2 years that I can wait, but that base engine only is a deal stopper for this Car. I hope they can fix the shuttering Stop/Start system by then too or at least improve it. Time will tell, barely adequately powered cars with cute paint highlights and slightly higher mpg may be Subaru's wave of the future.
Interestingly, the same vehicle in New Zealand is rated to tow a braked trailer of 1500kg, which is 3,300lbs!
I will NOT buy a new subaru until they ditch the cvt. Untill then I'll keep my decade old impreza with its bullet proof 4eat.
they make me nervous also
Well I avoided the CVT, but now that I’ve used it for a while, I kind a like it.
Ive got the last 3.6 outback with the old transmission, it’s bloody awesome, tows the boats no problem.
They wanted me to buy one with a C V T . It was like driving a car powered on rubber bands very strange
Bulletproof 4eat? HELL NO
They may be good but not bulletproof.
You know, funny how people used to talk trash about the 4eat and 5eat just like they talk trash about the CVT now. You'll learn.
Umbra says
That’s funny!
This guy is awesome. Great points for pros and cons.
Though the lack of Turbo is why I got the 2018 model. Going from WRX that turbo is so nice to have.
What's also puzzling is why they included a turbo in the Outback and not the Forester.
Answer: Cost control, the XT only comprised 5% of Forester sales.
Leroy
@@leroy8516 That's a bunch of BS...!!! You watch how many folks complain and their going too be forced into changing these numbers. It's a gorgeous vehicle especially in the bronze exterior with brown interior. But the HP and Torque numbers need tweaking BIG TIME. 182HP is just not going too cut it for a vehicle this size and what it's meant too do off road.
@@tomtalker2000 and you think Subaru will make those additions for free? Increase in power will mean an increase in cost for the public…no thanks. This vehicle is already excellently priced…if it ain’t broke…don’t fix it.
I just purchased the 2020 Touring that has the items he says he would like on the car. The other three are irelevant to me as I do not tow or go extreme offroad and do not need the turbo. Which makes this car perfect for my use.
I'm a big Subaru fan, but disappointed that they only offer their vehicles with a CVT now. That's a deal killer for me. Until the CVT technology improves, I'm staying far away from them.
I've driven a few of the 2019 Foresters and the CVTs were all fine in them. Saves fuel and the only thing you have to deal with is the drone. Subaru has some of the best CVT designs.
@@nathanyoung8284 They're good when they're new, but they start going south sooner than a standard or regular automatic transmission does. First Subie was a 79 Brat and put 243k miles on it, then got a 1984 GL with the dual range transmission. Loved that car. Currently have a 2003 Forester with 168k on it and still going strong. The CVTs with higher mileage start developing problems that the other trannies don't. We'll have to see how the newer generation of CVT lasts. I tend to keep my Subarus for a long time, so I get to deal with aging parts. Currently I only have to replace standard wear items, and I hope to get another 100k out of the Forester before I trade it in on my next.
@Natewatl The CVTs are made by Aisin, not by Nissan. Aisin is not strictly Nissan and they use a different design than the Nissan CVTs, which use a Van Doorne belt.
@Natewatl www.marklines.com/en/report_all/wsw0012_201408#:~:text=Two%20Japanese%20CVT%20suppliers%2C%20JATCO,of%20the%20CVTs%20in-house.
Bought a 17 Forester xt. I won't even consider the new one if they don't bring the turbo back. Period.
Its your opinion. You have the Outback XT as an option. The new one is more focused on offroad capabilities and comfort rather than being a sports car.
@@moonsapling But it's offroad capabilities are worse than the previous model (XT).
The system is the same. And you dont need horsepower for offroad. Well yeah it has more torque.
Tho the 2019 Forester is the most suitable offroad vehicle Subaru has ever made now that the cvt can simulate low gears and allow wheel spin. More horsepower doesnt mean more offroad capabilities!
@@moonsapling the cvt on 17 forester can simulate low gears too. just activate xmode and put the gear selector to the left in the first "Gear" , and you have a low gear.
@@DaHerrKulzer i didn't know the 2017 can do it. Such an awesome vehicle!
I have a 2019 Forester and I agree with you on these items. I was thinking of adding a trailer hitch receiver for a bicycle rack. All in all, a great car. I would consider a Subaru in the future or something like a Toyota 4Runner.
I wish the seat front could tilt up just a little more than it can. I need all the thigh support I can get.
You didn't address the reliability of the 2.5 engine. Did they fix it?
I would love it if they would fix the seatbelt attachment to the right of the driver's seat!
Thank youuuu ....finally someone noticed that!!!
good job young man. i will wait to see if there will be any changes on the 2020 model
The 2020 Forester has a cd player which was missing in the 2019 Forester.
This is not a review. It's a commercial.
He even says “We” and not “They” when referring to the brand.
Whine more please.
Dexter Haven no shit Sherlock! Captain obvious, what clued you in. Maybe that fact that he is wearing Subaru gear? What a mook. 😂😂😂😂😂
@@williamcabell142 , he was click-baited. I understand the annoyance.
The channel is called Grove Subaru. It’s literally a Subaru dealer.
Ron Bateman
I, too, don't want to rain on everybody's praise parade, but I do listen to the radio a lot. It's lousy. My 2 favorite stations come in w/ so much static that it is hard to hear/understand--those same 2 stations come in just fine in my other car and in anyone else's car. Also, the radio doesn't modulate the volume: some stations come in real low and others are loud...I'm afraid I'll blast out my speakers if I switch from the former to the latter. The service department at the dealership from which I bought it and another dealership both slough it off. That alone tells me never again to buy a Suburu.
it tows 1500kgs in Australia. (3306) pounds. in our Diesel model we had you could tow 1800kgs (3960 pounds). it does seem odd the american subarus have such restrictions.
I'm not buying any Subaru unless it has a real automatic transmission and they have a lifetime warranty on the head gaskets.
Wait why? Lemme know plaese
Unlike the South Koreans (Kia-Hyundai) who admitted they made a mistake with the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) and went back to the conventional 6 speed OD transmission. The Japanese would never admit a mistake until its too late and then some big company executive will commit suicide. Subaru would need to be near bankruptcy (again) before they admit failure and go back to a "real" transmission.
Very words I live by. As a matter of fact, I only recommend people I hate to buy a Subaru, because it is a total piece of junk after 5 years of ownership. And they also burn engine oil, totally unacceptable in this day and age.
@@dominicfong6341 why so much hate? What happened? Some Subaru guy took your boyfriend? Lol.
The head gasket issue was fixed years ago with an engine redesign.
CVT is where it's going to be, probably til we're all driving or are being driven by EVs.
I appreciate your honest review and critique. I’m glad you mentioned about Turbo, especially people like us that are very high up on the mountains...also blind side and rear cross traffic should all be standard.
Lastly I think Subaru should add 360 camera.
I have 2 more things Subaru should've made available: 1) rain-sensitive wipers (heck, our 2006 Mercedes E350 had them; why aren't they standard on the Touring edition Forester and Outback?) and 2) why are the exterior mirrors, even on the Touring Edition, manually-folding, when so many other top-line vehicles let you fold them electrically? On top of that, when you fold them back out, the mirrors are no longer in adjustment so you have to reset them, too. Not what I expected for Subaru's most luxurious models.
Just about the only thing he didn't do is lick the exhaust pipe in this commercial.
i have a 2009 forester 2.5i turbo.i get on the highway close to 30 mpg using premium,i prefer the fuel grade less knocking and cleaner running
Actually many of the features that you mentioned are not included in a base model, which is the one that most people can afford. Agree or not?
Lmao y’all broke
I was going to buy a 2020 Forester Ltd, they do have blind spots for the smallest vehicles, even with the blind spot detector. Has anyone had issued with the windshield they had issues with cracking with no impact? I'm also wondering why the 2016 Forester goes down to 24mpg city rather than the 26 mpg in the 2019-20. Would turbo be the difference? I wish they would take the useless graphics of the little man walking to the gas tank. I absolutely LOVE the visibility of this vehicle & that the windows aren't tinted so dark! Other SUVs are tinted way too dark for night visibility and add that to the smaller windows, that's why I did not buy the Outback which had way more comfortable seats with lumbar support, another thing Forester should look at.
Bought a 2019 Subaru Forester premium 15 package 30k out the door tax ect👍 NJ Old Bridge
Peter Gunn how's your driving experience so far? i've heard lots of complains about the sensors
I’m not talking about commercial vehicles , I’m talking about the domestic ones that have CVT transmissions.
If it has a CVT, I'll avoid the model. Long-term reliability is very important to me, so I want good historical data on the components of the vehicles that I consider buying.
Toyota RAV4 seems better on the lower trim levels, but Subaru is better on the higher trim levels.
Very thorough analisys 👍
I would like to see the same designed roof rack as the Outback.
The only complaint I ever have had is the second row seats that do not lay flat. Terrible for sleeping!!!
Beautiful view all around the car!!! Some mountains and valley... And Subaru 2019 is close to the top too)))
This engine is going in the 2020 Outback with more added weight so it should be a real slug in the mountains. It's only saving grace is the 2.4 turbo. Then you have the big touch screen which is another story.
Turbo shmurbo. My problem with the car is going easy on the pedal from a dead stop so my head doesn’t get jerked back. I got the Limited edition for $30G with no add ons. The one thing I miss over my ‘96 Camry is not being able to rest my left arm on the armrest and steer with one hand. I rarely have passengers, so took the back seat headrests off for better visibility. I can always put them back on when needed. I just ordered an aluminum skip plate and rear tow bar and harness, and plan to install them myself. I still don’t know if Subaru approves of 17 inch wheels on the Limited, for winter tires. The front disks are bigger than on the lower end models that have 17” wheels.
Has anyone else had the experience of the seat belt clip poking you in the hip? I moved to the left to avoid feeling as if I was sitting on something wedged into the seat and then realized I wasn't centered behind the steering wheel. I am of average weight for 5'4" person. What's with this - it was so uncomfortable!
I own one. I think there is excessive air turbulence noise around the mirrors, it annoys me. Lack of power in the sierra mountains, it's just a strain to keep up hwy speed. Factory off road package would be great. I did enhance my own after purchase but 2k out of pocket just after purchasing the car sucks. But it looks cool, drives nice and decent fuel economy so far.
Bought a 2016 Subaru Forester based on its safety and crash worthiness. From that point on I think we should have traded up with a newer Toyota Highlander which we sold our 2005 Highlander to my grand daughter with 220,000 miles and still going well after 2 years. I don't find the Subaru driver or passenger friendly. My spouse had 2 hip implants. She likes a seat cushion for comfort, but with our Subaru the passenger air bag stays off if she uses a cushion because it is pressure sensitive whereas in the Toyota there was a manual switch to turn on or off the air bag if it was empty. Now it is computer controlled based on weight on seat which a cushion blocks so unless she opts out of an airbag a cushion is persona non grata. After that is the unviewable dash board on bright sunny days and then many other pet peeves. It will be our last Subaru.
As others have indicated in these comments and from what I have seen and heard from a number of mechanics, a CVT transmission should be a red flag. It is said only Toyota and Honda does CVT transmissions right. You can have all these wonderful bells and whistles in your Subaru, but if its transmission isn't built to go the distance, that should give buyers serious reservations.
G Carmona I thought that only Subi does the CVT properly. Only Subaru.
Will the dealer disable the auto start/stop?
Hi guys. When do you think the e-Boxer Hybrid will come to USA? By the way, I really like the 2020 Forester's Rear Seat Reminder. This will help a lot of parents and pet owners. You can see on our channel the 3rd conditions under which this system works in Subaru 2020 (please consider subscribing to us too).
Is there any truth to the idea of having more engine options on the 2024 Forester (turbo, flat six, etc.)? Reviewers all say that the 2.5L flat four is underpowered, especially off-road.
Ah its strange you bring up offroad capability upgrades when I think the biggest could be the CVT or at least if Subaru added a single 1st real gear then the CVT handled the rest after that like Toyota developed recently for some of their vehicles. My understanding is I heard Subaru has told dealers to not support any lifts or upgraded tires as they can put extra stress on their CVTs and that isn't desirable anymore.
extremely helpful, thank you
i have a 2013 forester. i soon realized i messed up by not getting the 6 cylinder 3.6 outback. the engine is just to slow and small for a car its size. its good for retirees and people who dont care how long a trip takes. i had to push the engine hard to get it to do what i want. that ended up costing me a few grand for a head gasket at 78000 miles. its a good versatile car but ill never purchase a small 4 cylinder again
Very good to know. I keep thinking I can live with the 4 cyl in a '19 Outback LImited. So I planned to test drive both the 4 cyl and 3.6r, 6cyl models soon. I've only owned 6 cyl autos, '08 Pilot, 03 Tacoma, '12 Ridgeline, '13 Crosstour. And I'm in a '15 HIghlander now. I also plan to test the HOnda Passport, EXL-Touring models to compare. I think I will like the larger interior space of the Passport over the Subies. I need my elbow room when I drive. Loved my Taco 4dr but way too narrow compared to the spacious Ridgeline. I need that space.
I have a 2016 Outback 3.6R. Absolutely love it!
Bought one before it even came in, I love it! Great Video
Nobody should buy a Subaru UNTIL they allow the auto start/stop switch to be permanently OFF. This is super annoying.
ive had a 16, 19, and now a 22 Forester and i have never ever gotten over 24mpg on any of them and all i do is highway driving. i obviously love the Foresters but they are lying big time about mpg
Where can I buy that jacket?
Okay, but do they still blow head gaskets and did they solve the problems with the heavy oil consumption in the new timing chain engine design? That is why a lot of people lease Foresters now instead of buying them.
This was the right sized car for us, But please give it a stronger optional engine...Please!!!
i agree
Brendan does great reviews and totally understands the Subaru lineup. Don't lie people, some of you are mesmerized by his voice.
Love your videos!!!!!
Don't open the back windows by themselves. WOW intense vibrating noise. ! Otherwise I love my 2019 Forester.
That's literally every car.
I bought the 2018 Forester with a turbo. On 93 octane gas, hit the petal and hold on!
Is having turbo so important?, not to me but it seems you keep mentioning it in most of your videos.not many SUVs have that feature nowadays.
Great review but did they fix the oil consumption problem?
Well said, thanks for the video!
Always wanted one!
The Forester is a trusted, reliable platform. Not. It used to be, but as with so many carmakers, you need to check it out just as you would a brand new model. For example, the Forester used to have enough torque to pull a small trailer or boat. With the CVT, not any more. In fact, last I looked you could not even fit a 2" receiver to it for a bike rack, etc. Plus, the CVT itself is garbage (as Scotty K. would say) and a crashing bore to drive.
Rather than honestly deal with fuel economy regulations, Subaru has tinkered with some really stupid stuff to optimize their fuel economy. For example, they took to disconnecting the alternator intermittently to remove engine load resulting in people who do too much city driving getting stranded with dead batteries in nearly new cars. They also messed with the throttle mapping, CVT software or, well, they are a little vague but the result is really wonky acceleration from a dead stop. Yes, there are fixes for these. But you need to ask and and when I asked they gave me as much grief as possible before caving in and fixing the damned things.
The Forester wants to be your nanny, too. From refusing to allow Sirius radio to start on a grownup channel that might offer, heaven forfend, Howard Stern, to spectacularly poor implementations of nanny safety "features" it's just infuriating to live with unless you're sedated and compliant I suppose.
Finally, Subaru has had a spate of nasty quality issues, several of which affect the Forester. And the fundamental issue of boxer engines tending to burn oil has never been solved. We got rid of our 2017 copy. Hated it. Don't be like me. Don't trust a long trusted brand. You can't trust those any more.
I respect the time and effort it took you to write this review. Many thanks sir/mam.
Hatchback opening is " about " 4 ft across. Either it is 4 ft or greater or isn't.
Do the leather seats hold up or will they tear within a year and a half?
So @ 3:18 ...how do I disconnect all that safety trash I don't want or need?
I understand this is a commercial but still good quality content ;)
I like Subaru to the point that I visited the factory in Ota, Gunma, Japan. Granted it is only a 2h drive for me...
There should be at least 2.0T option. The engine already exists on Levorg STI.
Does the armrest move forward? I think it doesn`t but I hope to be wrong. Anyway, for someone 5'5 (170cm) it should be more comfortable. The steering wheel should have a bigger range as well. Especially on the Japanese market were lots of men are my height and women are even shorter. ;)
Still, only Mazda and CR-V come close to Forester for me in terms of comfort. :)
The front bumper and hood are way too high and for shorter people it is hard to see at close distance (parking especially). The previous gen had that better so I do not understand the logic behind it, especially that it decreases aerodynamics and there is a boxer engine that allows the hood to be lower in comparison to the competition. Also, the raisings on the sides of the hood are unnecessary and they seem to be a new trend on a lot of vehicles. I plan to do lots of mountain countryside trips in Japan and it is often very tight so visibility is a priority in any vehicle.
Does anyone know how is the carbon issues on this gen engines? It is, to my knowledge, single DI so I assume there will be problems down the line. I wish Subaru use D4-S from Toyota on their engines to prevent that issue.
The changes between generations are impressive. The only reason I have so many "issues" is because I checked it a few times as it is one of my favorite vehicles. I think the new Outback will fit my preferences better but that does not take anything from Gen V Forester.
can you adjust the distance between the rear bumper and the upcoming car on this blind spot feature? thanks
Can I get one of those jackets?
I'd like to see hood struts.
Hi I have forest 2019 and blue light is blinking on windshield top left corner
It never did I drove it parked turned off and then I saw the blue blinking light only when I close the car (locked) when unlocked it’s not blinking so I don’t want the battery to die and didn’t lock it.Can you help ?
And the 6th opportunity is the E-Boxer hybrid system.
I am getting my forester this December. I live in upstate NY and we get tons of snow. Do you recommend snow tires or will the all seasons be better.
The standard tires from the factory aren't the best. I put Goodyear assurance weatherreadys on my outback. They are all seasons and seem pretty good.
Snow tires for sure
One big Subaru add😮
you can get foglights on a premium trim....
Eye sight should be an option. I hate these Nanny systems on cars.
I have a question, do you think the dealership would swap out the touring wheels with limited wheels? I LOVE the look of the limited/sport black wheels and hate the touring wheels.
172 horses is the only drawback
I had a 2017 Forester and had to trade it in because the pedal position was so uncomfortable. The brake pedal was too far left, and was hard to keep pressed when sitting stopped in traffic. It was not possible to 'heel toe' the pedals in this car because of the distance between the brake and gas pedals. Also the pedals themselves were too high off the floor to operate comfortably. After about 10 minutes of driving in city traffic with lots of stops - my leg would start to hurt. Can anyone confirm whether this has changed in the 2019 Forester?
Very good points
Where can I get a sweater like yours?
A manual option over the CVT would be good to, particularly in the XT version.