For me, you are really stretching things. Not concerned about any of your 'issues'. Others might see things differently. That is fine. Ruin? Makes for higher views I guess.
I have the 2025 forester and a new built construction house. I went to open my trunk and it hit the top of my garage door once it hit it and immediately closed on its own (I think that it might have a sensor that if the door taps something while lifting it closes so it doesn’t force its way up causing damage) well thankfully it did not damage my vehicle or my garage door. I park it backwards and I have enough space to open the trunk it doesn’t hit the roof of my actual garage. That other stuff mentioned doesn’t bother me so I would say one issue not 7 … My husband said it looked like a ford explorer 😂 Update: you can customize the height the trunk opens so it won’t it my garage door just open the trunk pull down to the desired level then hold and press the close door icon until it beeps. (On the premium with the automatic trunk close add on)
You can adjust the height of the rear hatch ... just read the D instructions. Better go to the salesman and chew him out for not showing you how to make the adjustment.
I like the feedback as an owner. As an owner myself and a part of both the outback and forester forums. I agree with most of what you are saying. First power is fine for me, but I live at sea level. When I'm in the mountains I use manual mode and the shifters. I'm not sure why Subaru didn't keep the shifters on the Premium model for 25. No problem with the window or heated seats, but maybe they downgraded the heating element on the fabric seats? I have Startex on the Sport. Steering wheel leather is cheaper, maybe pigskin vs cow leather like on my Outback. Wireless charging, no issues but I have a S21 in a Otterbox Defender case, so it doesn't slide around. Blind spot is definitely small compared to the Outback, but better than other models with it in the glass. A temp spare tire for me was expected. What wasn't expected is that I can't fit a 19" If I want to buy a full size spare myself. I opted out of the powerlift gate option. I want to use a hitch for a bike rack later on. Last, Start stop is fine for me, I actually prefer it over the Outback which is a lot more active (especially in the city). Plus I turn it off pretty often since 30 stops in 3 miles can't be good for the starter.
Great criticisms. I have a 2017 Forester that I routinely drive at a mile above sea level. There is quite a difference between sea level performance and my altitude of nearly 50 percent; but as had always been an owner of underpowered vehicles such as Prius, Sentra, Suzuki, and the original air-cooled Beetle; it still seems to have plenty of power and one, as a driver does compensate for the power of the vehicle. My biggest concern for the newest Subaru Forester is the switch to Direct Fuel injection from the older but more simple and reliable Port Fuel injection --- this only has a slight improvement for fuel economy and it adds unnecessary complexity and maintenance such as decarbonization that may have to be done, maybe every 40,000 miles, negating any fuel saving cost.. And the addition of yet another piece of technology to an already overly complex accumulation of mechanical parts and computers will hasten obsolescence. Maybe it's time for electric vehicles... but NOT the ghastly Solitara or BZ4X that is raw and half-baked by Toyota for Subaru.
I find it interesting that almost every youtuber points out the so-called lack of engine performance from the Forester. The Forester has a greater power-to-weight ratio than any other vehicle I've owned, yet I've never heard of anyone criticising those vehicles for it. I wish i had more power from the Yaris i used to own, but i never pointed that out to others as a drawback.
I have mixed feelings about the power level. For most people especially those who don’t load it down or tow and are at sea level I think it’s totally adequate. For the rest of us, it’s questionable and that starts to interfere with its ability to safely manage itself on the road. My intention about the powertrain issue was more about the uncertainty of the hybrid system, which some people are waiting on before deciding to buy one or not. Thanks for watching and sharing your insight!!
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208For 15 years, I lived in Montana at 6,020 ft. I owned two Foresters and NEVER had a problem on the 80MPH Interstates or back roads. I am not a dragster.
Dude, you have no idea what you're whining about. I have a 2014 Forester XT and it doesn't have a full size spare......nothing new there. Foresters, and other Subaru models, have been underpowered for a while now with their base engines. Again, nothing new. Really, you are complaining about how far the rear hatch swings open if you have your garage door down. It would seem to be a common issue for all SUVs with a rear hatch not just a 2025 Subaru Forester. I will give you credit though for the heated seats. I noticed my 2014 heated seats not getting as warm as the heated seats got in my 2004 Forester. Probably someone sued Subaru because their butt got a little toasty on a very cold winter morning and then Subaru had to dial down the power to the heating coils in the seats. I also think that heated seats only reach full power below a certain temperature so if you are trying those in the middle of summer you may think they are not working properly. Let us know how they work in the middle of winter.
Have you ever tried to find the spare .... it is there ... pull up the carpet and then pull up the tool container and there by magic is the spare and jack. Again .... the hatch height is adjustable (at 6'4" I have mine all the way up. As I said .... chew out the sales person for not showing you.
I have a 2024 Subaru Forester. Over 5,000 miles with zero problems. I have no problem with the power from the Boxer engine. I personally find your review BS.
I have a 22 and a 24 Outback. Over 25,000 miles with zero problems. The 2.5 is sufficient for most commuters but nothing more. It does however feel more smooth and better mated to the CVT than the 2.4 turbo. The points in this video are valid but easy to look past if you're not picky or much of an automotive enthusiast.
2025 engine isn't the same as yours. Depending on which engine you have. 2 different engines sport, limited and up have the higher HP 182 torq: 176 base and 152 hp/145 torq premium has the lowest. 2025 have one engine 180 HP less than your 2024 and the torque is 178 all the trims including sports, limited and touring. So it's not BS. Your infortainment system nothing like the new 2025. Looks more like the outback and Crosstrek 2024 upgraded their infortainment system.
@@heatherwright4082 I realize all your points are valid. That said I personally I find the Subaru Forester a good quality vehicle....and did not care for the disparaging remark that the Subaru Forester is "ruined". Yes my 2024 Forester has a whopping 2 HP advantage....yet the 2025 has more torque. I have the Premium Forester and the only item I not fond of is the Auto start/stop. However I can turn this feature off.
Spare tires - CRV Hybrid and others have fully ditched spare tires. You get a fix kit. So, anything with a compact spare makes my list. Thanks for your review.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 What do you mean by full size spare? You mean one that includes the same fancy heavy rim as the others? Not only would that be pricey, but I can't imagine what it would do to gas mileage. What would even be the point of a full size one anyway? So you can wait a year to fix it and not have a spare? The idea when you get a flat is to immediately get it fixed. Only positive for a full-size spare is maybe if you wanted to take it off road for a long distance.
My 2016 lincoln mkx which may be replaced by a Outback in the future has fantastic heated and comfortable seats. The leather on the seats and heated steering wheel still look brand new. The rear hatch motor can be programmed to the max height that you want the hatch to open. The seat belt warning chime has a time delay so that if you get the mail out of the mailbox, you can back up the driveway without the annoying chime. The blindspot monitor is in the mirror, it does not beep but the warning light is very noticeable. The backup camera has a warning chime if you get too close to an object behind you, our 24 crosstrek does not.
I agree in a lot of ways. Subaru leaves a lot to be desired as far as their backup camera, detection and warning system is concerned. My 2015 Ford Transit Connect has a much more effective and intuitive backup system. My wife's 22 Outback premium has no bumper sensors or warning system at all, unless the object in your rear is moving. My 24 OBXT Onyx has sensors and warnings but you have to be within inches before it warns you and almost always goes into red alert even after you completely stop. With the less than stellar camera resolution even on the huge screen, the entire system lacks nuance and helpfulness. R.A.B. is way too sensitive as far as detection and way to aggressive with the braking, mine is turned off completely. The seatbelt chime can be turned off completely on you Subaru. It's kind of a whacky fix (pull seatbelt in and out 20X in 30 sec.) but it is effective. The A.S.S. is ass and should have a permanent on/off switch. That being said, I do love both of my Outbacks and the features are fairly customizable. However they do have a lot of complex features I don't want and lack a few basic features that I do want.
I have a 21 Forester Touring and we have over 45.000 miles on it. We love it. It is comfortable, well-equipped, handles very well, we like the heated seats front and rear, the heated steering wheel, the power rear hatch is great, as well. I think you are b*itching just to be b*itching about things that most people don’t find to be a significant issue. If you dislike Subarus so much, why do you own 3? Get a life.
I have a 2016 premium Forester. I have 77k on it and no issues. This guy complains about the power of the engine. People who buy Subaru know they are not race cars, that boxer engine is more stable in cornering because it sits lower. We also buy Subaru for the all wheel drive system second to none. I love my Forester and wouldn't buy anything else.❤
I don’t know if the same is true for cars, but with motorcycles, sometimes adding a bit more power actually helps with fuel efficiency. If Subaru went to 200hp, or maybe played with the gear ratios a bit, they might see a slight boost in fuel economy via reduced effort on the engine.
In some cases it is! For example when Subaru released the 2.5 Boxer in the Crosstrek those were originally rated for 34mph highway, whereas the longstanding 2.0 Boxer was only rated at 33mpg highway. Subtle differences but cool none the less
Concerning power, and purely as an aside: in 1970 my parents, my aunt and uncle, we five kids and a cat traveled in a severely underpowered air-cooled '69 VW microbus up the switchbacks of the Italian Alps (mostly alternating between first and second gear I would guess). But we made it. And I guess it just goes to show if there's a will there's a way, as long as you're not in a hurry! 😂
I would say, a sizeable number of buyers of the 25 Forester will be previous Forester owners. Think a good Hybrid version will attract more buyers away from other manufacturers. Power for this car will be ok for the majority. Forester seems to be a vehicle that does everything above average, not one or two things extremely well and the rest below par.
You’re probably exactly right! I imagine it’s probably tough for the someone to understand how much worse NA engines feel at even 5-7.5k+ feet of density altitude until you experience it for yourself. I’m sure if I was at sea level this thing would feel somewhat peppy lol. But up here unloaded it probably feels as powerful as a loaded down one at sea level. 🤷♂️😅
I would not call the auto-start stop feature in my '21 Outback inconsistent. What I noticed is that it will not automatically shut off when I first get in and drive away. I have two stop signs when I exit my street and neighborhood. The second one is to a busy main road so sitting a minute or more is common. It usually takes about 3-4 stops before the feature begins to work. I suspect it is programmed this way. It gives the a/c in summer and heat in winter a chance to do its job before the car shuts off. I feel an immediate difference in cooling when the engine is off and when it is on. If sitting at a light and it shuts off and then comes back on while your foot is still on the break then I suspect it does this to power another feature such as the a/c or heat. See if you notiice this when you are out driving the Forester and maybe test it on your own Outback. See if there is a difference between the two.
Great insight!! I also wonder if the delay in needing a few stops before it starts engaging could be to recover the energy lost on start up, since the old school 12V system hardly keeps up with the modern electronics.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 If I remember right, at least for Calfornia, the auto start/stop might be tuned to ensure that the catalytic converter is warmed up, so it won't kick in until later in the drive. At least that's how the one in my Odyssey works.
I have a 2024 Forester Wilderness. I am satisfied with its power. One of the reason I bought a Forester is I wanted a gas-powered, non-Turbo engine. I think Subaru discontinued the Turbo in the Forester because they didn’t sell well. So maybe Subaru knows their buyers. I do dislike the auto-stop/start. I usually turn it off.
@@bmat3289 I have the 2024 Subaru Forester Premium. I too am more than satisfied with the power, and wouldn't have purchased a turbo even if one was available. The Auto start/stop I could do without.....and turn this feature off.
Thanks for your review. It's nice to hear an honest opinion about things that may turn off potential buyers. I still own a 2011 Outback 2.5L and expect delivery on a 25 Forester Sport later this Summer. Having looked closely at the 2025 models in showrooms, I must say that while the Forester has more features, some of the materials in the Outback are better. Some of the issues you pointed out ( Auto start stop, temp. spare tire, power trunk, ) are issues common to most cars. Car makers are stuck having to please Govt safety regulations, consumer taste, competition, so we end up with so many more questionable features in new cars. I personally could do without some of the new features of the new Forester, BUT, all cars brands now come with similar features.
Great non biased review. They are already discounting them $2-$3.5k, depending on the trim in my area (Dallas, TX). Apparently they aren’t selling well. I can get a discounted Outback Onyx XT or Outback Wilderness for about the same price of a non discounted Sport, Limited or Touring Forester. The turbo power alone would sway me to the Outback.
@@Doc1855 you’d be surprised at how many Subarus you see in Dallas. I see Foresters, Outbacks or Crosstreks daily on my drive. My wife has a Forester XT. In fact I see as many of them here as I did in Seattle or Minneapolis. Surprisingly they are hardly discounting the WRXs or Crosstrek Wilderness models. I have 4 Subarus dealerships within a 20mile radius of where I live so Subarus are obviously popular here. Just because consumers don’t “need “ a feature doesn’t mean they won’t buy it. I am a prior owner of a 2003 and 2012 WRX as well.
@@daveg6530 Thanks for the reply. I would have never guessed that there was any need for a Subaru in hot climates. About 30-35% of the vehicles in our area are Subaru’s. Three years ago I bought my wife an Outback for her birthday. She absolutely loves it. I finally broke down and bought a new 23 Tacoma TRD Off Road. I had driven my last truck for 13 years.
I agree with the heated seats. I see that everyone else is complaining as well. Apparently they heat to abut 90 degrees F. I hope they have a fix for it.
Just got my 2nd forester. A 2025 touring top of the line version. I love it. I guess everything is great because I upgraded from a 10 year old 2015 premium. So much cool stuff. I think you are way too picky. I didn’t want a hybrid. I knew what I was getting powertrain wise. All the little gadgets work and going from an older car that had none of these, I am happy. I will give you the phone charger but I have a thick case so I just choose 6:49 to plug it in. It’s a Subaru. Not an extravagant luxury car. Enjoy it and stop complaining about the small stuff.
Glad to hear when all is said and done that you like your Forester, and have no regrets. No vehicle is perfect, even the most expensive, so to me you’re just keeping it real, and that certainly doesn’t mean the Forester is a bad vehicle. Most people when they purchase something expensive refuse to say anything deleterious. Maybe because you’re a reviewer and you know that no vehicle is perfect. 😎🤙
Haha yeah, it’s a blessing and a curse. I try not to regularly sound to cynical of the potential issues because everything has them (Chevy truck transmissions and lifter failures, ford ecoboost cam phasers, dodge electronics, Subarus CVT, Toyotas pathetic AWD system, etc). Ignorance is bliss, and chances are these issues only affect 1-3% of the total cars, but negative experiences are often more frequently shared. And we shouldn’t live in fear and preparation of what is more likely to fail on a vehicle so o don’t often mention these thoughts in full review videos. Also, I think a lot of my pros and cons thought process comes from my PT back ground of deciphering what is most likely the best option to move forward with when there’s a variety of similar but different options or routes you can go. What am I saying, I don’t even know, it’s getting late lol. 🤪🤷♂️
It seems to stay connected decently well so far! We’re about to take it on a few hour each way trip and I’ll intentionally pay attention that your question for a day trip video update on it soon.
2 of those 7 I particularly concur. MPG on my ‘24 is 27.4 now, though in reality maybe 26. I try to drive conservatively but it doesn’t seem to matter much. Mud flaps instead of splash guards so I don’t know if that affects it all, one place I found says 1-1.5 MPG less. Anyway, the Auto Stop bothers me, not because the car shakes at Auto Start, but because it’s so finicky with the exact correct pressure on the brake, and if you decrease foot pressure ever so slightly - or even increase !! - it starts back up 😔
It’s pretty decent, but it’s an assistance system. The vehicle can’t drive itself. Although on a closed course it sometimes can stay going straight down the road following the painted lines for 10s-several minutes depending on feedback from the road. This new Forester is more sensitive than my 2022 Outback and it will beep at me after less time of me testing it hands free on the closed course.
As I view your videos on your 2025 Forester I appreciate more and more the fact that I went with a 2024 Forester. The blind spot monitor change was a mistake on Subaru’s part. I prefer the large lighted display as opposed to the small notch. As to the Auto/Start stop I have grown accustomed to it. I leave my foot on the pedal and when traffic begins to move or the light changes I gently do a quick tap and it engages much more smoothly. It sounds as though the heated seats are better on the 2024 and I do prefer the toggle switch especially in the cold weather months as we cannot get the Subaru Star Link system because of the ridiculous right to repair law in Massachusetts. Subaru needs to give the owner the option to opt in or out and not cut off the decision to the customer. Are you listening Subaru! It's also the reason I am thankful to have the traditional remote starter. I am happy with this decision and also have peace of mind going forward knowing I invested in the 8 year/ 80,000 mile extended gold plan service contract. With today's repair bills it good to know the most it will cost for a covered repair is $100. Keep up the updates on your Forester experience. It helps out the community looking at Subaru's for their next car.
I’m glad my videos helped you solidify your confidence in the 2024! Thanks for sharing your experiences with it. There’s definitely a lot of peace of mind that comes from an extended Subaru Warranty. 🙂
Thank you for your video and honest opinion. We have a 24 crosstrek premium that replaced my wife’s 12 chevy camaro with 63,000 miles that someone t-boned her and totaled out the car last July. We need a car quickly so she could transport grandkids to school in September. We dislike no power or heated seats, the auto start stop feature should be able to permanently disable. No rear hatch motor. No window tinting, it is like being in a sunroom. The audible annoying seat belt chime should have a two minute time delay before beeping. My wife thinks the passenger seat is very uncomfortable. I do my own oil changes and Costco does tire rotations since we purchased Michelin cross climates at 1800 miles after the geolander oem tires put the car sliding out of control after our first good snow storm. If Subaru does not give me a hard time with warranty on the crosstrek I may purchase a outback.
My wife and I test drove a 2024 Crosstrek Sport immediately after testing driving a 2025 Forester Premium. I can confirm the Forester front seats are more comfortable than the Crosstrek.
Did you not sit in the car??? Did you ask the sales person for heated seats .... you went without because you did not want to pay for the next level up.
It definitely could be! But also it may just be what Subaru can offer at that price point. Those items mentioned work well enough (minus the heated seats) but aren’t the best. And since the Foresters main focus is safety both in avoiding accidents and holding up in accidents I shouldn’t complain too much about the things that are of less importance lol.
You can adjust the height of the rear hatch ... just read the D instructions. Better go to the salesman and chew him out for not showing you how to make the adjustment.
1: full size matching spare wheel and tire. Bring back 5 tire rotation. 2: 10 mpg lower then sum other suv's. 3: Locking differential. 4: Tow hooks 5: Forced to get a worthless sun roof unless you wait the base model with a WORTHLESS RADIO
Yeah, I get you on the less than full-size spare, but given how many brands offer NO SPARE (looking at you, CRV Hybrid and some others), I guess we should be thankful. Honda gives you a lame "tire repair kit". Good luck with that if you get anything worse than a small clean puncture. So much for "rugged, all-weather, SUV". It's annoying. Yeah, I frequently activate my BRZ remote just moving the "wrong" way with a key in my pocket. Fortunately it just locks my doors. (The other super annoying issue with my '17 BRZ is that the trunk requires a lot of attention to ensure that the trunk is actually closed. It will LOOK closed, but not be closed. I've had several dead batteries due to the trunk being left "open". I try to remember to check (by lifting up on the spoiler) to ensure latching has happened, every time I close it. (You can close "normally" hard, and it doesn't always latch.) Seems a little venting could help, even into the passenger compartment. Having a dead battery when trunk releases, etc are electric is fun.
Thanks for the update on Forester 2025 year! I have already test drove the touring and sports trim. Seats in each trim aren't the same.( I was obsessed with 360 camera ) the seats on touring was beautiful but hurts after 1hrs plus driving my right glute was killing me. I not a fan how low the hp/ torque is but it was zippy. I haven't tested the 2024 Forester due none available. They had one nasty recall with their coolant which I am weary of. Theres two different engines in their 2024 182hp what I preferred. I do love the visibility that forester has and awesome for tall driver seats go way far back. I would think this SUV is difficult to park in tight parking spaces. I am glad your letting everyone know about the 2025 people comments are only on the 2024 & down this isn't 2024. If they really own a Forester 2024 they can tell right away how different the infortainment system and hp/ torq. 😂Thanks again! I am still looking for next SUV. I dislike the futuristic interior infortainment system. I don't do any off road driving but live in Northern Eastern area where plenty of off-road and winter. Subaru are very popular here and northern. I have been following you since you introduced your wife car when you first bought it. My brother-in-law is obsessed with the Forester because tall like himself 6ft ( he owns 150 ford truck ) he wanted his wife to buy one but she doesn't want the new ones. She ❤ her 2017 outback her hp/torq way better than forester. I have actually driven it. My other sister own base 2021 forester she ❤ her & yes i drove hers. Takes getting use to a wide hood / raise in these forester. Have to get use to high ground clearance.
My 2025 Forester has been in the shop for the last 2 weeks because of a part on back order that’s not expected to be in until end of August. In the short time I had it the only thing I noticed is the glove box is a big hole and doesn’t have the extra shelf my 2017 Legacy had. Seems the plastic by the console is softer that can scratch easier.
The dealer gave me a 2024 Forester loaner to use until mine gets fixed and Subaru is going cover the car payment and insurance while I don’t have it and pay the cost to have it detailed at place of my choosing when I get it back. Hate that it’s just sitting in the back of lot. That might be better than some other manufacturers might do.
Haha, I know that seems like such a silly issue (and not a Subaru specific issue you’re right), but how we park in the garage this is now a concern of mine with where the Forester sits in relation to the garage door and stuff. 😅🤷♂️
While I appreciate your publishing your thoughts, and certainly not everything about a car can be 100% wonderful, I do question why anybody would buy a Subaru, especially a family touring car like a Forester, for power and acceleration. You want comfort, and as much sound isolation as you can get. It's nice that they've incorporated a number of features that bring up the level of that comfort, and also increase safety. I guess if you really want acceleration, a RAV4 Prime would be the way to go. But that's an average of at least $10K more expensive. With regard to certain issues like the heated seats, I had a defective seat heater in my 2020 Forester which had to be replaced, and since then it's been okay. With other Subarus I have noticed that it can be a bit of Hit or Miss as there is some sort of processor controlled circuit that periodically switches the heater on and off independently of the manual switch.
Absolutely! No vehicle is perfect and these are just some of my thoughts. The Forester we will mostly drive around town or the occasional road trip, and it does well with all of that. I do really appreciate having the extra power in my Outback for my daily highway/interstate commuting and regular passing of Semi’s/farm equipment in this area. The Prime would be super cool, but like you said very expensive. And also it’s AWD system isn’t quite what we wanted. I’m sorry to hear about your heated seat needing to be worked on, but thank you for sharing that it was fixed! I’ll look into that shortly.
I filmed this before starting a short road trip that I’ll share soon. It actually is getting a much more impressive MPG result at 80mph, and drastically better than my turbo Outback. Unlike the around town and country mileage it had as of filming this. 🤦♂️😅
Take your new Forester back to your dealership and tell them that the windows are painfully slow, so they will “lube” the window track. You’ll notice an improvement. You’ll Not save enough fuel to pay the a new starter that you’ll have to replace before you should because of the start stop BS.
Subaru has been asleep at the switch on the drivetrains. Exactly right - same powertrain as the 90's. I'm trying to find something suitable to replace my '14XT, and this drivetrain doesn't cut it. We very nearly pulled the trigger on a '24 Touring, but after the "sleep on it" test, I just couldn't warm up to living with this drivetrain for the next 8-12 years. I drove the Outback XT, and found it disappointing. Whereas my Forester XT has bigger wheels, tires, brakes, and an upgraded suspension, the Outback XT just threw in the 2.4 turbo. Further, they hid the drive modes (sport and sport sharp on my XT) in the stupid giant screen, where the single setting resides in the second layer of a menu. Hardly practical. I regularly use my mode buttons, and IMO, sport sharp is good enough where I don't need to paddle shift. The Outback XT feels laggy, even after paddle shifting down a gear or two. Maybe I'd get used to it, but remember the Outback is carrying 300-400 lbs more too. So, I'm off looking hard at other brands. Feels like Subaru turned their backs on clients like me. Guess I'm in the minority. I don't blindly buy on brand loyalty if they don't make what I want/need and right now, they've missed the mark.
I love my 2 new Subarus but I do agree with some of your points and I would even argue that the powertrain from the 90's (which was exactly the same deep into the 2010s) was even better. I got used to the stupid giant screen pretty quickly and enjoyed dialing mine in through all the settings. Of course I'd like a few more physical buttons but the info flow on the infotainment system is more than acceptable. The lack of Sport and Sport # modes even on an XT system is a huge oversight. I'd gladly trade 1 or even both of my X-Modes for a Sport mode. Despite having 5 Subarus in a row in my family I don't buy on brand loyalty either. I feel like it's the other brands that don't make what I want/need right now forcing me back to Subaru. They are missing a hybrid option but I think they'll have plenty of those in the next generation.
I really like the CX-5, the 50 not so much but that’s more just based off of preferences. I think Mazdas are really good, but the back seats are smaller than the Forester, and I don’t think their customer service line is as good as Subarus based off of my own experience. Best of luck in whatever you decide!
Not sure, but that’s interesting! Maybe Subarus slower to produce those because of some of the added electronics the their inventory on the 360 cam features. 🤷♂️😅
I just recently left Subaru after owning nothing but Subies since 2005. I grew tired of the 2.4T being mated to the CVT and the poor off-the-line performance of the CVT. It almost felt as if the torque curve was de-tuned in high-inertia, low-momentum states in order to reduce the chance of CVT slippage. The more I noticed it, the more it irritated me.
I get that! Now that we have the Forester in the family I may be going to another brand when I replace the Wilderness in a couple years. What vehicle do you drive now? If you’ve mentioned it before I’m sorry I don’t remember.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 No problem at all. I surprised myself by not only buying a truck, but buying a Chevrolet truck. I've owned Subarus for nearly 20 years, and never had a Chevy... but the Colorado ZR2 checked all the right boxes. Very capable and looks great. I kinda get a little sad when I see the OBW still on the dealer lot (traded 2 months ago), but I'm happy with the change.
Oh yeah a ZR2, that’s sweet!!! I finally drove one, a ZR2 Bison that I’ll make public soon. Also to make public soon is the Silverado EV, the absolute worst driving truck I have ever experienced lol. 😂
Lol, none of these issues are ultimately very legitimate. But they are the inconveniences of this vehicle (in my opinion). Every vehicle has its pros and cons. 😅🤷♂️
Bummer, now it makes me want to buy something else. As far as a full spare tire, car makers haven't had full spare tires for years!! Some auto makers don't have spare tires. They have a fix-a-flat kit instead.
I think the title of the video is a bit harsh. Lol. I don’t think these issues “ruin” Subarus. And people, as you always mention in your videos, should always, always do their research before buying a vehicle. If they do, all of these issues will be known before making the purchase and if someone decides to go ahead and make the purchase, then that’s a “ maybe they shouldn’t have bought it ” type of situation. I’m not a Subaru fanboy by any means, but I have owned several of them over the years, but also vehicles from pretty much every other mainstream manufacturer you can think of. I currently own a 22 Crosstrek Ltd. And it’s a nice little car. I actually disagree about the BSM light. My CT has the huge pill shaped light for the BSM. And I personally think it’s a bit much. Especially at night in heavy traffic it’s highly annoying because of the brightness. I would love to have the little nub light instead. People should really be turning their heads to properly clear a lane before changing anyway and not relying on these safety systems . Power wise, Foresters with the NA engines are just slow, they always have been. Again research will keep people from buying these if they are that worried about power. My CT isn’t fast either but I knew that going in and wasn’t expecting it to be a sports car. It’s plenty adequate for what I expected. Granted I live at sea level so that helps. Spare tire wise, fewer and fewer new cars even include a spare at all anyway, so I’ll take a donut over nothing any day of the week. The fix-a-flat kits that a lot of manufacturers are including now instead of a spare are all but useless. Anyway it’s good that you did this video because maybe people who are considering buying one of these will see it and decide whether these issues are deal breakers or not. So you’re helping people with their research. 😁 Good video as always. I always enjoy watching them!
I appreciate your perspective and insight, such as your experience with the pill shaped BSM light at night! Are your front windows tinted at all? That might help, but it’s not a legit enough reason to justify tint if you don’t enjoy it for the other reasons. Haha I sometimes have trouble titling things, so for familiarity I’ll sometimes go a similar route to something I’ve done in the past that’s faired overall well. Thanks for watching! I’m glad you find value in the videos I put out, they’re a lot of fun to make. 🙂
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 I have 35% tint on the front. And it did actually help reduce the brightness of the lights. Still just a little too bright for me though. But in all fairness, they do their job very well in getting your attention for sure. Doesn’t make me not like the car or anything just one of those minor annoyances that most cars have in one form or another.
As a previous owner of 2 legacy cars, I have no idea what people see in Subarus. Aesthetically, they are ugly, they have the technology that has been in their cars for years, CVT is such a turn off...... I sold my first (1992) legacy within a year and the second one (2022) in 8 months.
I’m curious to know if you had much time driving them in snowy climates? If we didn’t need a competent AWD system I would likely be more interested in some of the other well balanced practical vehicles currently for sale.
Haha no, unless something happens to it we’ll probably keep it until it’s out of the 10 year / 100k mile warranty we purchased for it. My OBW on the other hand, probably only 1-2 more years. 🤷♂️😅
Haha, no. I’d have more important issues with most other comparable vehicles. No vehicle is perfect, you just got to pick the one that serves you the best.
I test drove a 2025 premium last week. I'm at 1,000-ft altitude. I can't get past the CVT under heavy throttle. RPM jumps past peak engine torque output and kills power. The engine would be up to the task but the CVT isn't programmed correctly.
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For me, you are really stretching things. Not concerned about any of your 'issues'. Others might see things differently. That is fine. Ruin? Makes for higher views I guess.
I do agree about it being underpowered, as I have the turbo in my Ascent. Wife has Outback 3.6, great running cars!
My favorite thing about Subaru's boxer... Basically no vibration into the cabin. It's so well balanced.
Very true! It’s a very refined engine platform, especially for being such a unique engine style.
Mine 2020 engine burrs. Love it.
My baby’s always asking is the car running?
I have the 2025 forester and a new built construction house. I went to open my trunk and it hit the top of my garage door once it hit it and immediately closed on its own (I think that it might have a sensor that if the door taps something while lifting it closes so it doesn’t force its way up causing damage) well thankfully it did not damage my vehicle or my garage door. I park it backwards and I have enough space to open the trunk it doesn’t hit the roof of my actual garage. That other stuff mentioned doesn’t bother me so I would say one issue not 7 … My husband said it looked like a ford explorer 😂
Update: you can customize the height the trunk opens so it won’t it my garage door just open the trunk pull down to the desired level then hold and press the close door icon until it beeps. (On the premium with the automatic trunk close add on)
I’m sorry that happened, but now you know first hand it’s not too bad of a problem! Thanks for sharing this experience and for watching!!
You can adjust the height of the rear hatch ... just read the D instructions. Better go to the salesman and chew him out for not showing you how to make the adjustment.
I like the feedback as an owner. As an owner myself and a part of both the outback and forester forums. I agree with most of what you are saying.
First power is fine for me, but I live at sea level. When I'm in the mountains I use manual mode and the shifters. I'm not sure why Subaru didn't keep the shifters on the Premium model for 25.
No problem with the window or heated seats, but maybe they downgraded the heating element on the fabric seats? I have Startex on the Sport.
Steering wheel leather is cheaper, maybe pigskin vs cow leather like on my Outback.
Wireless charging, no issues but I have a S21 in a Otterbox Defender case, so it doesn't slide around.
Blind spot is definitely small compared to the Outback, but better than other models with it in the glass.
A temp spare tire for me was expected. What wasn't expected is that I can't fit a 19" If I want to buy a full size spare myself.
I opted out of the powerlift gate option. I want to use a hitch for a bike rack later on.
Last, Start stop is fine for me, I actually prefer it over the Outback which is a lot more active (especially in the city). Plus I turn it off pretty often since 30 stops in 3 miles can't be good for the starter.
I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts on each of these points! 🙂
Maybe you should have driven one first ...
Great criticisms.
I have a 2017 Forester that I routinely drive at a mile above sea level. There is quite a difference between sea level performance and my altitude of nearly 50 percent; but as had always been an owner of underpowered vehicles such as Prius, Sentra, Suzuki, and the original air-cooled Beetle; it still seems to have plenty of power and one, as a driver does compensate for the power of the vehicle.
My biggest concern for the newest Subaru Forester is the switch to Direct Fuel injection from the older but more simple and reliable Port Fuel injection --- this only has a slight improvement for fuel economy and it adds unnecessary complexity and maintenance such as decarbonization that may have to be done, maybe every 40,000 miles, negating any fuel saving cost.. And the addition of yet another piece of technology to an already overly complex accumulation of mechanical parts and computers will hasten obsolescence. Maybe it's time for electric vehicles... but NOT the ghastly Solitara or BZ4X that is raw and half-baked by Toyota for Subaru.
I find it interesting that almost every youtuber points out the so-called lack of engine performance from the Forester.
The Forester has a greater power-to-weight ratio than any other vehicle I've owned, yet I've never heard of anyone criticising those vehicles for it.
I wish i had more power from the Yaris i used to own, but i never pointed that out to others as a drawback.
I have mixed feelings about the power level. For most people especially those who don’t load it down or tow and are at sea level I think it’s totally adequate. For the rest of us, it’s questionable and that starts to interfere with its ability to safely manage itself on the road. My intention about the powertrain issue was more about the uncertainty of the hybrid system, which some people are waiting on before deciding to buy one or not. Thanks for watching and sharing your insight!!
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208For 15 years, I lived in Montana at 6,020 ft. I owned two Foresters and NEVER had a problem on the 80MPH Interstates or back roads. I am not a dragster.
Dude, you have no idea what you're whining about. I have a 2014 Forester XT and it doesn't have a full size spare......nothing new there. Foresters, and other Subaru models, have been underpowered for a while now with their base engines. Again, nothing new. Really, you are complaining about how far the rear hatch swings open if you have your garage door down. It would seem to be a common issue for all SUVs with a rear hatch not just a 2025 Subaru Forester. I will give you credit though for the heated seats. I noticed my 2014 heated seats not getting as warm as the heated seats got in my 2004 Forester. Probably someone sued Subaru because their butt got a little toasty on a very cold winter morning and then Subaru had to dial down the power to the heating coils in the seats. I also think that heated seats only reach full power below a certain temperature so if you are trying those in the middle of summer you may think they are not working properly. Let us know how they work in the middle of winter.
Have you ever tried to find the spare .... it is there ... pull up the carpet and then pull up the tool container and there by magic is the spare and jack. Again .... the hatch height is adjustable (at 6'4" I have mine all the way up. As I said .... chew out the sales person for not showing you.
I have a 2024 Subaru Forester. Over 5,000 miles with zero problems. I have no problem with the power from the Boxer engine. I personally find your review BS.
I have a 22 and a 24 Outback. Over 25,000 miles with zero problems. The 2.5 is sufficient for most commuters but nothing more. It does however feel more smooth and better mated to the CVT than the 2.4 turbo. The points in this video are valid but easy to look past if you're not picky or much of an automotive enthusiast.
2025 engine isn't the same as yours. Depending on which engine you have. 2 different engines sport, limited and up have the higher HP 182 torq: 176 base and 152 hp/145 torq premium has the lowest. 2025 have one engine 180 HP less than your 2024 and the torque is 178 all the trims including sports, limited and touring. So it's not BS. Your infortainment system nothing like the new 2025. Looks more like the outback and Crosstrek 2024 upgraded their infortainment system.
@@heatherwright4082 I realize all your points are valid. That said I personally I find the Subaru Forester a good quality vehicle....and did not care for the disparaging remark that the Subaru Forester is "ruined". Yes my 2024 Forester has a whopping 2 HP advantage....yet the 2025 has more torque. I have the Premium Forester and the only item I not fond of is the Auto start/stop. However I can turn this feature off.
Agree. Pretty weak video.
@@randolphwilson211I spent 1.5 seconds and turn off the switch each time I drive. No biggie
Spare tires - CRV Hybrid and others have fully ditched spare tires. You get a fix kit. So, anything with a compact spare makes my list. Thanks for your review.
That’s a good point! But I still wish every car came with a full size spare. 😅 Thanks for watching!
There is a spear !
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 What do you mean by full size spare? You mean one that includes the same fancy heavy rim as the others? Not only would that be pricey, but I can't imagine what it would do to gas mileage. What would even be the point of a full size one anyway? So you can wait a year to fix it and not have a spare? The idea when you get a flat is to immediately get it fixed. Only positive for a full-size spare is maybe if you wanted to take it off road for a long distance.
My 2016 lincoln mkx which may be replaced by a Outback in the future has fantastic heated and comfortable seats. The leather on the seats and heated steering wheel still look brand new. The rear hatch motor can be programmed to the max height that you want the hatch to open. The seat belt warning chime has a time delay so that if you get the mail out of the mailbox, you can back up the driveway without the annoying chime. The blindspot monitor is in the mirror, it does not beep but the warning light is very noticeable. The backup camera has a warning chime if you get too close to an object behind you, our 24 crosstrek does not.
I agree in a lot of ways. Subaru leaves a lot to be desired as far as their backup camera, detection and warning system is concerned. My 2015 Ford Transit Connect has a much more effective and intuitive backup system. My wife's 22 Outback premium has no bumper sensors or warning system at all, unless the object in your rear is moving. My 24 OBXT Onyx has sensors and warnings but you have to be within inches before it warns you and almost always goes into red alert even after you completely stop. With the less than stellar camera resolution even on the huge screen, the entire system lacks nuance and helpfulness.
R.A.B. is way too sensitive as far as detection and way to aggressive with the braking, mine is turned off completely. The seatbelt chime can be turned off completely on you Subaru. It's kind of a whacky fix (pull seatbelt in and out 20X in 30 sec.) but it is effective. The A.S.S. is ass and should have a permanent on/off switch. That being said, I do love both of my Outbacks and the features are fairly customizable. However they do have a lot of complex features I don't want and lack a few basic features that I do want.
I have a 21 Forester Touring and we have over 45.000 miles on it. We love it. It is comfortable, well-equipped, handles very well, we like the heated seats front and rear, the heated steering wheel, the power rear hatch is great, as well. I think you are b*itching just to be b*itching about things that most people don’t find to be a significant issue. If you dislike Subarus so much, why do you own 3? Get a life.
My 2023 Forester will STOP its-self if I don't stop after the warning .... I can over ride it if I wish.
I have a 2016 premium Forester.
I have 77k on it and no issues.
This guy complains about the power of the engine. People who buy Subaru know they are not race cars, that boxer engine is more stable in cornering because it sits lower.
We also buy Subaru for the all wheel drive system second to none.
I love my Forester and wouldn't buy anything else.❤
Well put!
I don’t know if the same is true for cars, but with motorcycles, sometimes adding a bit more power actually helps with fuel efficiency. If Subaru went to 200hp, or maybe played with the gear ratios a bit, they might see a slight boost in fuel economy via reduced effort on the engine.
In some cases it is! For example when Subaru released the 2.5 Boxer in the Crosstrek those were originally rated for 34mph highway, whereas the longstanding 2.0 Boxer was only rated at 33mpg highway. Subtle differences but cool none the less
Concerning power, and purely as an aside: in 1970 my parents, my aunt and uncle, we five kids and a cat traveled in a severely underpowered air-cooled '69 VW microbus up the switchbacks of the Italian Alps (mostly alternating between first and second gear I would guess). But we made it. And I guess it just goes to show if there's a will there's a way, as long as you're not in a hurry! 😂
Haha that’s an awesome story, thank you for sharing it!!
I would say, a sizeable number of buyers of the 25 Forester will be previous Forester owners.
Think a good Hybrid version will attract more buyers away from other manufacturers.
Power for this car will be ok for the majority.
Forester seems to be a vehicle that does everything above average, not one or two things extremely well and the rest below par.
You’re probably exactly right! I imagine it’s probably tough for the someone to understand how much worse NA engines feel at even 5-7.5k+ feet of density altitude until you experience it for yourself. I’m sure if I was at sea level this thing would feel somewhat peppy lol. But up here unloaded it probably feels as powerful as a loaded down one at sea level. 🤷♂️😅
I would not call the auto-start stop feature in my '21 Outback inconsistent. What I noticed is that it will not automatically shut off when I first get in and drive away. I have two stop signs when I exit my street and neighborhood. The second one is to a busy main road so sitting a minute or more is common. It usually takes about 3-4 stops before the feature begins to work. I suspect it is programmed this way. It gives the a/c in summer and heat in winter a chance to do its job before the car shuts off. I feel an immediate difference in cooling when the engine is off and when it is on. If sitting at a light and it shuts off and then comes back on while your foot is still on the break then I suspect it does this to power another feature such as the a/c or heat. See if you notiice this when you are out driving the Forester and maybe test it on your own Outback. See if there is a difference between the two.
Great insight!! I also wonder if the delay in needing a few stops before it starts engaging could be to recover the energy lost on start up, since the old school 12V system hardly keeps up with the modern electronics.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 If I remember right, at least for Calfornia, the auto start/stop might be tuned to ensure that the catalytic converter is warmed up, so it won't kick in until later in the drive. At least that's how the one in my Odyssey works.
I have a 2024 Forester Wilderness. I am satisfied with its power. One of the reason I bought a Forester is I wanted a gas-powered, non-Turbo engine. I think Subaru discontinued the Turbo in the Forester because they didn’t sell well. So maybe Subaru knows their buyers. I do dislike the auto-stop/start. I usually turn it off.
@@bmat3289 I have the 2024 Subaru Forester Premium. I too am more than satisfied with the power, and wouldn't have purchased a turbo even if one was available. The Auto start/stop I could do without.....and turn this feature off.
WHO.... in a family car wants a gas eating super hot low mileage life ... a Turbo. Thank-you Subaru for keeping the non-turbo !
@@bmat3289 I have a 2024 Forester, Premium, and I have no problem with the power. I would not purchase a turbo Forester, even if it was available,
5hank you so very much for the review. Its very helpful to hear an honest review.
I’m glad you found it helpful!!
Thanks for your review. It's nice to hear an honest opinion about things that may turn off potential buyers.
I still own a 2011 Outback 2.5L and expect delivery on a 25 Forester Sport later this Summer.
Having looked closely at the 2025 models in showrooms, I must say that while the Forester has more features, some of the materials in the Outback are better.
Some of the issues you pointed out ( Auto start stop, temp. spare tire, power trunk, ) are issues common to most cars. Car makers are stuck having to please Govt safety regulations, consumer taste, competition, so we end up with so many more questionable features in new cars.
I personally could do without some of the new features of the new Forester, BUT, all cars brands now come with similar features.
My pleasure, the more insight and experiences out there the better. Thanks for sharing your observations! I bet you’re excited for it to come. 🙂
Great non biased review. They are already discounting them $2-$3.5k, depending on the trim in my area (Dallas, TX). Apparently they aren’t selling well. I can get a discounted Outback Onyx XT or Outback Wilderness for about the same price of a non discounted Sport, Limited or Touring Forester. The turbo power alone would sway me to the Outback.
People in Dallas don’t need an AWD.
Here in north central Washington state we definitely need an AWD or 4WD, as we get 5-7 feet of snow every year
@@Doc1855 you’d be surprised at how many Subarus you see in Dallas. I see Foresters, Outbacks or Crosstreks daily on my drive. My wife has a Forester XT. In fact I see as many of them here as I did in Seattle or Minneapolis. Surprisingly they are hardly discounting the WRXs or Crosstrek Wilderness models. I have 4 Subarus dealerships within a 20mile radius of where I live so Subarus are obviously popular here. Just because consumers don’t “need “ a feature doesn’t mean they won’t buy it. I am a prior owner of a 2003 and 2012 WRX as well.
@@daveg6530 Thanks for the reply.
I would have never guessed that there was any need for a Subaru in hot climates.
About 30-35% of the vehicles in our area are Subaru’s.
Three years ago I bought my wife an Outback for her birthday. She absolutely loves it.
I finally broke down and bought a new 23 Tacoma TRD Off Road.
I had driven my last truck for 13 years.
It’s still helpful in north TX having AWD..ex storm of Feb 21, road trips throughout the state and out of state.
@@Doc1855 it blows my mind as well at how popular they are here! Good to know about the Outback. Thanks.
I have a 2015 Forester XT 44k on odometer. Only problem, replaced all tires for nicer ones. Best auto I’ve ever had.
FYI On my '21 and now '24 Outback XT, pushing brake petal to floor will cause auto-stopped engine to restart.
Great insight, thanks for sharing! I’ve used it so rarely I’m not extremely familiar with its activation characteristics. 😅
My biggest gripe is that multifunction info panel. I'm on my third Subaru and will not buy another it that thing is revamped.
Yeah, it’s not the best lol. Subaru should have stuck with a more simplistic system like the last generation.
Very helpful information.
I’m glad you got something out of it! Thanks for watching. 🙂
I agree with the heated seats. I see that everyone else is complaining as well. Apparently they heat to abut 90 degrees F. I hope they have a fix for it.
Just got my 2nd forester. A 2025 touring top of the line version. I love it. I guess everything is great because I upgraded from a 10 year old 2015 premium. So much cool stuff. I think you are way too picky. I didn’t want a hybrid. I knew what I was getting powertrain wise. All the little gadgets work and going from an older car that had none of these, I am happy. I will give you the phone charger but I have a thick case so I just choose 6:49 to plug it in. It’s a Subaru. Not an extravagant luxury car. Enjoy it and stop complaining about the small stuff.
Glad to hear when all is said and done that you like your Forester, and have no regrets. No vehicle is perfect, even the most expensive, so to me you’re just keeping it real, and that certainly doesn’t mean the Forester is a bad vehicle. Most people when they purchase something expensive refuse to say anything deleterious. Maybe because you’re a reviewer and you know that no vehicle is perfect.
😎🤙
Haha yeah, it’s a blessing and a curse. I try not to regularly sound to cynical of the potential issues because everything has them (Chevy truck transmissions and lifter failures, ford ecoboost cam phasers, dodge electronics, Subarus CVT, Toyotas pathetic AWD system, etc). Ignorance is bliss, and chances are these issues only affect 1-3% of the total cars, but negative experiences are often more frequently shared. And we shouldn’t live in fear and preparation of what is more likely to fail on a vehicle so o don’t often mention these thoughts in full review videos. Also, I think a lot of my pros and cons thought process comes from my PT back ground of deciphering what is most likely the best option to move forward with when there’s a variety of similar but different options or routes you can go. What am I saying, I don’t even know, it’s getting late lol. 🤪🤷♂️
Hi, thanks for the owner review! By the way, did you have any problems with the wireless CarPlay feature? Did I’d stay connected? Thanks!
It seems to stay connected decently well so far! We’re about to take it on a few hour each way trip and I’ll intentionally pay attention that your question for a day trip video update on it soon.
I've had pretty solid results through and through with the Android Auto experience in my 24 Outback.
My Apple works just fine.
2 of those 7 I particularly concur. MPG on my ‘24 is 27.4 now, though in reality maybe 26. I try to drive conservatively but it doesn’t seem to matter much. Mud flaps instead of splash guards so I don’t know if that affects it all, one place I found says 1-1.5 MPG less. Anyway, the Auto Stop bothers me, not because the car shakes at Auto Start, but because it’s so finicky with the exact correct pressure on the brake, and if you decrease foot pressure ever so slightly - or even increase !! - it starts back up 😔
FULL SIZE SPARE WOULD REQUIRE A NEW FOAM INSERT TO SUPPORT THE COVER.
YOU WOULD LOSE SOME STORAGE JUST LIKE THE WILDERNESS MODEL
I’m between this touring model
And a wilderness Crosstrek. I can’t decide if the cross is big enough.
We had the same dilemma and bought the forrestor.
If you really like it .... keep it ...
My 11 Rav 4WD Limited with the 3.5L, 268 horsepower V6 had a LOT more power, torque and got 28mpg at 85mph on Montana on I-90.
How is the driver assist? Can 2025 forester drive itself on the highway??
It’s pretty decent, but it’s an assistance system. The vehicle can’t drive itself. Although on a closed course it sometimes can stay going straight down the road following the painted lines for 10s-several minutes depending on feedback from the road. This new Forester is more sensitive than my 2022 Outback and it will beep at me after less time of me testing it hands free on the closed course.
Set the rear gate memory. There is a setting on the screen menu to do that.
As I view your videos on your 2025 Forester I appreciate more and more the fact that I went with a 2024 Forester. The blind spot monitor change was a mistake on Subaru’s part. I prefer the large lighted display as opposed to the small notch. As to the Auto/Start stop I have grown accustomed to it. I leave my foot on the pedal and when traffic begins to move or the light changes I gently do a quick tap and it engages much more smoothly. It sounds as though the heated seats are better on the 2024 and I do prefer the toggle switch especially in the cold weather months as we cannot get the Subaru Star Link system because of the ridiculous right to repair law in Massachusetts. Subaru needs to give the owner the option to opt in or out and not cut off the decision to the customer. Are you listening Subaru! It's also the reason I am thankful to have the traditional remote starter. I am happy with this decision and also have peace of mind going forward knowing I invested in the 8 year/ 80,000 mile extended gold plan service contract. With today's repair bills it good to know the most it will cost for a covered repair is $100. Keep up the updates on your Forester experience. It helps out the community looking at Subaru's for their next car.
I’m glad my videos helped you solidify your confidence in the 2024! Thanks for sharing your experiences with it. There’s definitely a lot of peace of mind that comes from an extended Subaru Warranty. 🙂
Thank you for your video and honest opinion. We have a 24 crosstrek premium that replaced my wife’s 12 chevy camaro with 63,000 miles that someone t-boned her and totaled out the car last July. We need a car quickly so she could transport grandkids to school in September. We dislike no power or heated seats, the auto start stop feature should be able to permanently disable. No rear hatch motor. No window tinting, it is like being in a sunroom. The audible annoying seat belt chime should have a two minute time delay before beeping. My wife thinks the passenger seat is very uncomfortable. I do my own oil changes and Costco does tire rotations since we purchased Michelin cross climates at 1800 miles after the geolander oem tires put the car sliding out of control after our first good snow storm. If Subaru does not give me a hard time with warranty on the crosstrek I may purchase a outback.
My wife and I test drove a 2024 Crosstrek Sport immediately after testing driving a 2025 Forester Premium. I can confirm the Forester front seats are more comfortable than the Crosstrek.
Did you not sit in the car??? Did you ask the sales person for heated seats .... you went without because you did not want to pay for the next level up.
Would you say the issues like the heated seats, power window movement, and steering wheel feel mentioned are a 1st year of a new generation problem?
It definitely could be! But also it may just be what Subaru can offer at that price point. Those items mentioned work well enough (minus the heated seats) but aren’t the best. And since the Foresters main focus is safety both in avoiding accidents and holding up in accidents I shouldn’t complain too much about the things that are of less importance lol.
Name a car that is perfect? I never did and had many cars going back to 1957.
There isn’t one lol. You just need to choose the vehicle that best suits your wants and needs. 🙂
Great feedback..!
At least you have a spare tire. The ‘24 Impreza only has an inflator kit.
The last gen Impreza had a spare, Subaru, come on!!
You can adjust the height of the rear hatch ... just read the D instructions. Better go to the salesman and chew him out for not showing you how to make the adjustment.
1: full size matching spare wheel and tire. Bring back 5 tire rotation.
2: 10 mpg lower then sum other suv's.
3: Locking differential.
4: Tow hooks
5: Forced to get a worthless sun roof unless you wait the base model with a WORTHLESS RADIO
If you do 5 tire rotation, you have to buy 5 new tires at replacement time right? What's the benefit in that?
@@chuckwalla2967 There is no reason you can't have the computer calibrate for tire wear. So you don't have to buy all new tires.
Whats with the "locking differential" ???? This is a full time and only full time all-wheel drive. Buy a truck if you want a locking differential.
Disliked this review. I have this exact car.
Yeah, I get you on the less than full-size spare, but given how many brands offer NO SPARE (looking at you, CRV Hybrid and some others), I guess we should be thankful. Honda gives you a lame "tire repair kit". Good luck with that if you get anything worse than a small clean puncture. So much for "rugged, all-weather, SUV". It's annoying. Yeah, I frequently activate my BRZ remote just moving the "wrong" way with a key in my pocket. Fortunately it just locks my doors. (The other super annoying issue with my '17 BRZ is that the trunk requires a lot of attention to ensure that the trunk is actually closed. It will LOOK closed, but not be closed. I've had several dead batteries due to the trunk being left "open". I try to remember to check (by lifting up on the spoiler) to ensure latching has happened, every time I close it. (You can close "normally" hard, and it doesn't always latch.) Seems a little venting could help, even into the passenger compartment. Having a dead battery when trunk releases, etc are electric is fun.
Great insight!! Thanks for sharing all of this, especially your BRZ experience. What a dumb reoccurring issue to have lol.
You can disable the auto start/stop permanently using the Autostop Eliminator.
What do you think the dealer maintenance shop will say when find that out ?
It’s not just a temporary spare, it’s a diagonal spare. At least give is a radial spare so we can drive normally on the highway.
It states not to drive fast .... they are all the same. Its a temporary tire not to be used much. It just a crutch !
Thanks for the update on Forester 2025 year! I have already test drove the touring and sports trim. Seats in each trim aren't the same.( I was obsessed with 360 camera ) the seats on touring was beautiful but hurts after 1hrs plus driving my right glute was killing me. I not a fan how low the hp/ torque is but it was zippy. I haven't tested the 2024 Forester due none available. They had one nasty recall with their coolant which I am weary of. Theres two different engines in their 2024 182hp what I preferred. I do love the visibility that forester has and awesome for tall driver seats go way far back. I would think this SUV is difficult to park in tight parking spaces. I am glad your letting everyone know about the 2025 people comments are only on the 2024 & down this isn't 2024. If they really own a Forester 2024 they can tell right away how different the infortainment system and hp/ torq. 😂Thanks again! I am still looking for next SUV. I dislike the futuristic interior infortainment system. I don't do any off road driving but live in Northern Eastern area where plenty of off-road and winter. Subaru are very popular here and northern. I have been following you since you introduced your wife car when you first bought it. My brother-in-law is obsessed with the Forester because tall like himself 6ft ( he owns 150 ford truck ) he wanted his wife to buy one but she doesn't want the new ones. She ❤ her 2017 outback her hp/torq way better than forester. I have actually driven it. My other sister own base 2021 forester she ❤ her & yes i drove hers. Takes getting use to a wide hood / raise in these forester. Have to get use to high ground clearance.
My 2025 Forester has been in the shop for the last 2 weeks because of a part on back order that’s not expected to be in until end of August. In the short time I had it the only thing I noticed is the glove box is a big hole and doesn’t have the extra shelf my 2017 Legacy had. Seems the plastic by the console is softer that can scratch easier.
I’m sorry to hear that, thank you for sharing the experience you’ve had!
The dealer gave me a 2024 Forester loaner to use until mine gets fixed and Subaru is going cover the car payment and insurance while I don’t have it and pay the cost to have it detailed at place of my choosing when I get it back. Hate that it’s just sitting in the back of lot. That might be better than some other manufacturers might do.
@@Motortiger05 You complain? I've had cars with back orders and told tough.
Subaru had better step up its products OR they shall be history with the competition out there today.
So your garage is not big enough. Neither is mine. Not sure that's a subaru issue. 😊
Haha, I know that seems like such a silly issue (and not a Subaru specific issue you’re right), but how we park in the garage this is now a concern of mine with where the Forester sits in relation to the garage door and stuff. 😅🤷♂️
EUROPE GOT THE E-BOXER
THE NEW HYBRID IS JUST A "BEEFED UP" VERSION OF THE E-BOXER
While I appreciate your publishing your thoughts, and certainly not everything about a car can be 100% wonderful, I do question why anybody would buy a Subaru, especially a family touring car like a Forester, for power and acceleration. You want comfort, and as much sound isolation as you can get. It's nice that they've incorporated a number of features that bring up the level of that comfort, and also increase safety. I guess if you really want acceleration, a RAV4 Prime would be the way to go. But that's an average of at least $10K more expensive. With regard to certain issues like the heated seats, I had a defective seat heater in my 2020 Forester which had to be replaced, and since then it's been okay. With other Subarus I have noticed that it can be a bit of Hit or Miss as there is some sort of processor controlled circuit that periodically switches the heater on and off independently of the manual switch.
Absolutely! No vehicle is perfect and these are just some of my thoughts. The Forester we will mostly drive around town or the occasional road trip, and it does well with all of that. I do really appreciate having the extra power in my Outback for my daily highway/interstate commuting and regular passing of Semi’s/farm equipment in this area. The Prime would be super cool, but like you said very expensive. And also it’s AWD system isn’t quite what we wanted. I’m sorry to hear about your heated seat needing to be worked on, but thank you for sharing that it was fixed! I’ll look into that shortly.
Wow, I am glad to know that I am not the only one that purchased a not perfect vehicle.
glad your happy.
I don't get the complaints about mpg with the 2.5/CVT. My gen 5 Outback gets 30mpg in a rural setting... The newer models w/ DI should do even better.
I filmed this before starting a short road trip that I’ll share soon. It actually is getting a much more impressive MPG result at 80mph, and drastically better than my turbo Outback. Unlike the around town and country mileage it had as of filming this. 🤦♂️😅
Take your new Forester back to your dealership and tell them that the windows are painfully slow, so they will “lube” the window track. You’ll notice an improvement.
You’ll Not save enough fuel to pay the a new starter that you’ll have to replace before you should because of the start stop BS.
Subaru has been asleep at the switch on the drivetrains. Exactly right - same powertrain as the 90's. I'm trying to find something suitable to replace my '14XT, and this drivetrain doesn't cut it. We very nearly pulled the trigger on a '24 Touring, but after the "sleep on it" test, I just couldn't warm up to living with this drivetrain for the next 8-12 years. I drove the Outback XT, and found it disappointing. Whereas my Forester XT has bigger wheels, tires, brakes, and an upgraded suspension, the Outback XT just threw in the 2.4 turbo. Further, they hid the drive modes (sport and sport sharp on my XT) in the stupid giant screen, where the single setting resides in the second layer of a menu. Hardly practical. I regularly use my mode buttons, and IMO, sport sharp is good enough where I don't need to paddle shift. The Outback XT feels laggy, even after paddle shifting down a gear or two. Maybe I'd get used to it, but remember the Outback is carrying 300-400 lbs more too. So, I'm off looking hard at other brands. Feels like Subaru turned their backs on clients like me. Guess I'm in the minority. I don't blindly buy on brand loyalty if they don't make what I want/need and right now, they've missed the mark.
I love my 2 new Subarus but I do agree with some of your points and I would even argue that the powertrain from the 90's (which was exactly the same deep into the 2010s) was even better. I got used to the stupid giant screen pretty quickly and enjoyed dialing mine in through all the settings. Of course I'd like a few more physical buttons but the info flow on the infotainment system is more than acceptable. The lack of Sport and Sport # modes even on an XT system is a huge oversight. I'd gladly trade 1 or even both of my X-Modes for a Sport mode. Despite having 5 Subarus in a row in my family I don't buy on brand loyalty either. I feel like it's the other brands that don't make what I want/need right now forcing me back to Subaru. They are missing a hybrid option but I think they'll have plenty of those in the next generation.
Sounds like you like the Subaru line-up .... soooo don't buy one.
@@TC1Z2L3 I keep looking at a lot of other brands and ALWAYS come back to the Forester. At 80 I have owned a lot of brands from Corvette on down.
if they get the hybrid right this is a best seller
How do you think the 25 stacks up to a Mazda CX 5 or 50?
I really like the CX-5, the 50 not so much but that’s more just based off of preferences. I think Mazdas are really good, but the back seats are smaller than the Forester, and I don’t think their customer service line is as good as Subarus based off of my own experience. Best of luck in whatever you decide!
Dealers in MN do not seem to any many of the Forester Touring trim level at all,… I can’t imagine why?
Not sure, but that’s interesting! Maybe Subarus slower to produce those because of some of the added electronics the their inventory on the 360 cam features. 🤷♂️😅
Hardly anyone would spend $40K on a compact Subaru. That's why.
I just recently left Subaru after owning nothing but Subies since 2005. I grew tired of the 2.4T being mated to the CVT and the poor off-the-line performance of the CVT. It almost felt as if the torque curve was de-tuned in high-inertia, low-momentum states in order to reduce the chance of CVT slippage. The more I noticed it, the more it irritated me.
I get that! Now that we have the Forester in the family I may be going to another brand when I replace the Wilderness in a couple years. What vehicle do you drive now? If you’ve mentioned it before I’m sorry I don’t remember.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 No problem at all. I surprised myself by not only buying a truck, but buying a Chevrolet truck. I've owned Subarus for nearly 20 years, and never had a Chevy... but the Colorado ZR2 checked all the right boxes. Very capable and looks great. I kinda get a little sad when I see the OBW still on the dealer lot (traded 2 months ago), but I'm happy with the change.
Oh yeah a ZR2, that’s sweet!!! I finally drove one, a ZR2 Bison that I’ll make public soon. Also to make public soon is the Silverado EV, the absolute worst driving truck I have ever experienced lol. 😂
Is ot true that different size tires on awd cars messes up the differential?
Supposedly AWD systems are fairly sensitive to that and the tires should all be within a few 32ths of an inch of each other.
don't try it.
Didn't have to read the comments to know what was coming based on the headline! 🤣
Lol, none of these issues are ultimately very legitimate. But they are the inconveniences of this vehicle (in my opinion). Every vehicle has its pros and cons. 😅🤷♂️
what tint did you put on the front windows?
35% 3M Color Stable!
looks good! 👍
Bummer, now it makes me want to buy something else. As far as a full spare tire, car makers haven't had full spare tires for years!! Some auto makers don't have spare tires. They have a fix-a-flat kit instead.
I think the title of the video is a bit harsh. Lol. I don’t think these issues “ruin” Subarus. And people, as you always mention in your videos, should always, always do their research before buying a vehicle. If they do, all of these issues will be known before making the purchase and if someone decides to go ahead and make the purchase, then that’s a “ maybe they shouldn’t have bought it ” type of situation. I’m not a Subaru fanboy by any means, but I have owned several of them over the years, but also vehicles from pretty much every other mainstream manufacturer you can think of. I currently own a 22 Crosstrek Ltd. And it’s a nice little car. I actually disagree about the BSM light. My CT has the huge pill shaped light for the BSM. And I personally think it’s a bit much. Especially at night in heavy traffic it’s highly annoying because of the brightness. I would love to have the little nub light instead. People should really be turning their heads to properly clear a lane before changing anyway and not relying on these safety systems . Power wise, Foresters with the NA engines are just slow, they always have been. Again research will keep people from buying these if they are that worried about power. My CT isn’t fast either but I knew that going in and wasn’t expecting it to be a sports car. It’s plenty adequate for what I expected. Granted I live at sea level so that helps. Spare tire wise, fewer and fewer new cars even include a spare at all anyway, so I’ll take a donut over nothing any day of the week. The fix-a-flat kits that a lot of manufacturers are including now instead of a spare are all but useless. Anyway it’s good that you did this video because maybe people who are considering buying one of these will see it and decide whether these issues are deal breakers or not. So you’re helping people with their research. 😁 Good video as always. I always enjoy watching them!
I appreciate your perspective and insight, such as your experience with the pill shaped BSM light at night! Are your front windows tinted at all? That might help, but it’s not a legit enough reason to justify tint if you don’t enjoy it for the other reasons. Haha I sometimes have trouble titling things, so for familiarity I’ll sometimes go a similar route to something I’ve done in the past that’s faired overall well. Thanks for watching! I’m glad you find value in the videos I put out, they’re a lot of fun to make. 🙂
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 I have 35% tint on the front. And it did actually help reduce the brightness of the lights. Still just a little too bright for me though. But in all fairness, they do their job very well in getting your attention for sure. Doesn’t make me not like the car or anything just one of those minor annoyances that most cars have in one form or another.
Toyota knows Hybrids!!! I cant stomach the Subaru's gas mileage.
Then buy a Toyota.
YOU CAN GET AUTO/STOP START DEFEATS
JUST SEARCH
The new Honda CR-V does NOT have a spare of any kind!
A LOT of vehicles Don’t have a spare of any kind.
As a previous owner of 2 legacy cars, I have no idea what people see in Subarus. Aesthetically, they are ugly, they have the technology that has been in their cars for years, CVT is such a turn off......
I sold my first (1992) legacy within a year and the second one (2022) in 8 months.
I’m curious to know if you had much time driving them in snowy climates? If we didn’t need a competent AWD system I would likely be more interested in some of the other well balanced practical vehicles currently for sale.
U suck for calling Subarus ugly u must have been driving some clapped out legacy
So you’ll be selling this soon I’m thinking!
Buyer's remorse?
Haha no, unless something happens to it we’ll probably keep it until it’s out of the 10 year / 100k mile warranty we purchased for it. My OBW on the other hand, probably only 1-2 more years. 🤷♂️😅
Sounds like you bought a piece of crap
Haha, no. I’d have more important issues with most other comparable vehicles. No vehicle is perfect, you just got to pick the one that serves you the best.
I test drove a 2025 premium last week. I'm at 1,000-ft altitude. I can't get past the CVT under heavy throttle. RPM jumps past peak engine torque output and kills power. The engine would be up to the task but the CVT isn't programmed correctly.
Then don't buy it.