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2021 Subaru Forester consumer reviews

$24,795 starting MSRP
side view of 2021 Forester Subaru
(112 reviews)
98% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.9
  • Interior 4.8
  • Performance 4.8
  • Value 4.8
  • Exterior 4.8
  • Reliability 4.9
Explore the 2021 Subaru Forester
Shop the 2021 Subaru Forester

Purchased a 2024 Subaru Forester Sport in March of 2024

Purchased a 2024 Subaru Forester Sport in March of 2024 to commute from Phoenix to Flagstaff. All was okay till 2 days before Thanksgiving. Autonation Subaru has been okay to deal with. After 3 weeks said nothing wrong with it, got it back. Broke down again heading back from Flagstaff. All the lights came on in dash for second time and lost all power. It's back at dealer again. They couldn't diagnose it, and said the diagnostic code says bad fuel pump, but they said it's not. Suddenly now, after being on the phone with Subaru America it's the fuel pump. They've had it now another week, and supposedly it's now the fuel pump. The Service folks have been good to work with, but Subaru America hasn't returned my last 2 phone calls. I'm sorry I purchased this car. If it breaks down again, I'll be getting an attorney that specializes in the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, and asking Subaru for a Buyback. Subarus suck now. 26k miles.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 1.0
  • Performance 1.0
  • Value 1.0
  • Exterior 2.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Good cornering and visibility. Sportily boxy.

I like the solid feel of the car and the sturdy and high ride. Good acceleration. It would be a better SUV if the ground clearance was at least 10” or 12”, with the exhaust pipe properly tucked away!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
18 people out of 19 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Spontaneous windshield explosion!

Spontaneous windshield cracked to 2 1/2 feet in just seconds! No stones seen, without warning, bang. The part cost $850.00 more for eye-sight calibration! Subaru dealer said total cost, around $2000!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
27 people out of 33 found this review helpful. Did you?
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The BEST.

One of the best cars I have ever owned. It drives like a dream, has more get-up-and-go then I ever thought a 4 cyl. could have. I make a 3000 miles trip from Texas to Utah in may and averaged 34 miles per gallon. I would recommend them to everyone.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
20 people out of 21 found this review helpful. Did you?
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subaru forester i got this car from idealauto

[Most satisfied] All imported, all full-time four-wheel drive, horizontally opposed engine. [Most dissatisfied] The car system is too old. Without Carplay, Carlife is also more laggy. [Space] The wheelbase is 2670, and I sit at 1.78 in the front, so there is enough space in the back and plenty of space in the trunk. [Power] It is very easy to overtake within 0-100. [Control] The horizontally opposed engine is blessed with full-time four-wheel drive, and it drives like a car. Braking performance: The automatic brake is a bit sensitive, [fuel consumption] It has only driven more than 300 kilometers. At high speed, the fuel consumption is 12L. Everyone said that if it is within 10, it will fall off after going out for a self-driving tour and running at high speed in the later period.i got this car from idealauto last year ,that was a marvelous experience . that dealer so reliable .

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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20 MPG

This car is abysmal and Subaru LIED about the mpg. It's absolutely absurd. In mixed driving - cold weather, warm weather, whatever - is 20mpg. On the hwy it gets 21.5. It's disgusting. And it has ZERO pickup. It sounds like it's dying when I try to get up to speed on the hwy - much less up a hill. My previous car was an Alltrack. They claimed I woudl get 31/22. I got 33/28.5. Sure, it wasn't as good in the snow, but at least I could drive more than a week before filling up again. And I never feared for my life when trying to accelerate accross a street! So awful. But the seats are cushy!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 2.0
  • Value 2.0
  • Exterior 2.0
  • Reliability 3.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does not recommend this car
1 person out of 9 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Absolutely impressed!

I have only been leasing this car for a few weeks but I am in love! The handling, safety features, styling, and technology are all on point.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
5 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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First Time Subaru Owner

Did not answer Reliability as I just got it but the reviews are good. So far I really - really like it! The more i drive it the more it seems to fit me better. Not a fan of a CVT but this has pep without using the sport drive. Lots of nice soft surfaces in this vehicle which is really nice. Great stereo system. Handles really great! Gas mileage is really good for AWD.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
8 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Practical at our age!

We looked at Lexus, BMW, Volvo, and Mercedes SUV’s. This Forrester Touring has similar comfort but greater practicality and visibility. The other luxury cars are clearly more comfortable and refined but not for $25K-$40K more. We are in our mid 70’s and wanted safety and confidence in adverse weather situations. We believe this was a more intelligent choice. It also is attractive and rides quietly and nice.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
19 people out of 19 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Third Forester I’ve owned

Great car. Reliable. This is the third Forester and fourth Subaru we own. Won’t hesitate to continue with this make of vehicle. Staff was excellent to work with and very attentive to our needs.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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