I Drove a Subaru Forester for a Year — Here’s What Owners Should Know
I drove a Subaru Forester for a year straight across suburbs trails and highways, feeling that boxer rumble daily kinda addictive or annoying depending. Owners jump in blind sometimes loving AWD grip right off but then head gaskets oil stars creep up whispering long term costs maybe. It’s solid family hauler mostly but quirks pile gentle reminding you it’s no Toyota tank always.
Boxer Engine Charm
Boxer engine sits low humming flat four growl on throttle feels sporty light sometimes too loud highway drone. Year in it sipped fuel highway okay city thirstier expected and cold starts rough occasional. Power fine families but pass slow hills doubts linger.
CVT Transmission Ho-Hum
CVT shifts smooth no jerks blending power quiet but acceleration linear dull like rubber band stretch. Owned a year no fails yet forums scare future paddles fun fake anyway. Gas engine pair works predictable mostly.
Visibility King
Boxer low hip roofline gives insane outward sightlines parking lots breeze blind spots tiny kids wave hi. Driving feels open air almost but boxy shape wind noise creeps speed up. Tall folks fit easy headroom endless.
Cargo Space Win
Cargo swallows strollers bikes folding seats flat easy weekend loads no sweat feeling organized chaos free. Roof rails heavy stuff occasional but gas mileage dips then yeah. Family trips gear vanishes inside mostly.
Tech Hits Misses
EyeSight cameras brakes alerts work slick highways saving bacon traffic but glitches freeze rare dash blackouts. Owned year updates fixed some infotainment lags phone pair spotty Android better iPhone fights. Buttons physical nice touchscreens flaky.
Fuel Thirst Reality
EPA numbers tempt real world 25-28 mixed drives okay but AWD weight CVT city 22 tops winter worse. Year tallied average expected mostly long trips shine short hops meh. Premium gas whispers no mostly regular fine.
Maintenance Traps
Oil changes head gaskets loom forums rust north salt belts CVT fluid pricey intervals short. Drove year dealer visits light tires wore even AWD torque. Warranty covers early but 100k whispers costs maybe.
Ride Comfort Okay
Suspension soaks bumps trails soft highways floaty sway corners mild family cruiser fine sport pass ho-hum. Seats supportive long hauls back thin kids complain. Noise cabin okay speed wind tires hum steady.
