2021 Subaru Forester Review: Subaru's Goldilocks | CarGurus

[@debbieomalley3451]

I bought a 2021 Forester Touring as an upgrade from my 2014 Forester Touring. My insurance cost was cut in half because of all of the safety features on this car. Amazing. I am loyal to Subaru.

[@paulk3451]

After countless test drives and hundreds of hrs of KZbin viewing I narrowed my choices to a OB XT & a Forester touring. After owning SUV’s the last 24 years, the Forester won. Wish it had the turbo but other than that, I’m looking forward to its awesome visibility, great fuel mileage and practicality.

[@debbieomalley3451]

@@paulk3451 Fabulous car. Great choice. Enjoy your Forester!!

[@petion2013]

How about reliability. Are Subaru reliable? how does the brand compared to Toyota, Mazda, Honda, and Nissan?

[@debbieomalley3451]

@@petion2013 Maintain the car as you should with any car and it is 100% reliable. Really such an awesome vehicle. Go take one for a test drive - I do think you'll be hooked.

[@jessicawang7165]

Which insurance was it?

[@TruthHasSpoken]

Care less about how fast the Forrester is. Love its utility and its unmatched visibility. Too many vehicles on the road where visibility is a secondary consideration.

[@Mi.MiEspacio.]

I bought my 2021 Forester Sport; and I am happy with All the features my car has! No complaints whatsoever.

[@SumAdl82]

It's been a month driving Forester Sport and loving it....

[@st293]

Sometimes it’s so reassuring to know what car reviewers actually drive in real life …. Great choice 👍🏻…. The cross shopping of Subarus was spot on 😁

[@lperry101]

This video is what helped me make the final decision to buy a 2021 Forester after selling my 2009 Outback. I have no regrets. Thank you!

[@mikefalb1620]

After 2 Honda CRV's (which I liked very much), I switched to the 2021 Forester. Definitely great visibility and safety features, but the maneuverability and the improved gas mileage are very good. The cargo area in back is well designed, and after about 8200,miles, I enjoy driving this vehicle every day.

[@Xyb3rTeCh]

I usually seldom hear that from a Honda owner. Usually most Honda owners are fucked up snobbish assholes.

[@chipblue2147]

@@Xyb3rTeCh 🤣

[@tombower3905]

I traded in my 2014 Impreza, for my 2021 Forester. My 4th Subaru in the last 25 years. I think I'm hooked. I would say your review is spot on. My likes and dislikes are very much inline. 2021 was rough on my Forester. A month after I brought it home one windy afternoon, and my neighbors patio umbrella caught a gust and did a number on the drivers side. 2 months later I found a chip in the windshield. To top off the year, I hit a 250# buck in December. This should be included in a review somewhere. I hit that deer while excellerating through 50 mph. Granted I got lucky and caught him just right. I didn't even feel it. He came at me from an angle that only for a fleating second let me catch his antler out of the corner of my eye. It sounded like a branch from a tree hit the hood. Outside of the body damage, it was still, running and driving just fine. My wife was riding shotgun and with her better view told me "you hit a deer". Had we been in the Impreza, that deer would have joined us in the front seat. I just got it back, thank goodness, I really didn't care for the rental I was driving during the repairs.

[@Mike_44]

The Forester is such an underrated car.. No one knows how capable they are until they try one. I miss my SF5.

[@jenoakborn]

I bought my 2021 Forester Sport w/ upgraded package (bigger touchscreen and a few other goodies) 3 months ago as an upgrade from my 2012 Hyundai Accent. So for all the folks saying, "it's not real powerful"... I'm kinda like "right... from my POV, this is like a freaking great leap forward"... and I loved my little Accent. Maxine (my Accent) was my reliable little friend for 10 years, but I have a new dream car in Agnetha (my Forester)... yes, she is named for one of the singers in ABBA.

[@JamesBuschell]

I have a 2019 Outback Premium, I regret not going for the Forester since I'm missing push button start and rear vents! I think you guys made a good choice.

[@michelemohr8586]

Count me in!. I had a used Legacy. The AWD changed my mind about safe driving anywhere looking for a Forester for 2022.

[@pinaybarrett3131]

the fact u bought one for urself made me feel peaceful with my choice, just ordered my subaru FORESTER 2022 model. the visibility, safefy features & BIG SUN/MOON ROOF made me chose it! it's so under rated 🎯

[@detroitj7475]

Hello I just got rid of my 2013 Outback because of a blown head gasket and turned turned around and brought a 2022 Subaru Forrester Limited I love it it’s great lots of leg and head room good gas mileage. I have the new dark green color I paid sticker price but I did get a $750 rebate coupon from Subaru of North America. My daughter just brought a RAV 4 I really didn’t realize how big the Forrester was until I parked it next to my daughter‘s RAV4 very similar in size but the Forester was better equipped

[@vstan9023]

Just got a rental Forester and I absolutely love it. My Audi Q5 lease it’s almost done and I will definitely get the forester in the wilderness trim, and it’s super affordable. Thanks for the review guys🥂

[@davidmahan4160]

I bought a 2021 Forester, the main reason was safety of me and my family. It has fantastic viability and I love the eye sight adaptive cruise control. It has leather trim, heated seats front and back with USB C chargers. I love the voice control of phone, messaging, sat nav, heating controls (temp & fan speed). It's not fast but fast enough, I love the mild hybrid system, it's quite eerie when gliding around a car park in total silence. It's comfortable and great for stress free on a long journey. Things I hate: no room for my phone & no charging pad; poor fuel economy, no front parking sensors, radar or camera; these are the things I would like to see on my next Subaru.

[@JerzeyCountry]

I have a 2015 Honda civic and am looking into getting a Subaru Forester now! This video sold me, not to mention, I test drove one and it was fantastic! Also I am now a Phish Fan. Never heard of em before this vid!

[@sjs1555]

I bought a 2021 Forester Touring. I was torn between an Outback and a Forester and chose the Forester because I found it was a little more fun to drive.

[@wingmanhoy3999]

I honestly love our Forester, looks and performance I personally think are excellent with incredible MPG, really like your review, but im honestly confused why some say poor performance and looks just ok, for what you get for the price and best AWD on the market, in my humble opinion its as good as it gets in my book here in New England.

[@jonathenschwartz3019]

Amazing review right to the point. Next to Saab, subaru boasts a loyal and a smart customer base / fan base, exactly for the points you listed out. Impressed and subscribed.

[@ralphtheisen6174]

My thumbs up came within the first couple of minutes of this video. Great presentation. I have a ‘21 Outback. Getting into and out of my car is not as easy as the same year Forrester. Should have gone with the Forrester. Live and learn. Great video you all.

[@lianedelacruz550]

Getting my first subaru forester end of this month❤️❤️❤️

[@FlowJunkie65]

Just purchased my new 2022 Forester Premium on Sept. 1st, my 2nd Subaru (owned a 1984 Subaru standard Hatchback). I'm all about utility and functionality, like many of us in here, and I really don't care that it lacks some of the bling and high tech gadgets that its competitors sport. And, yes, I noticed that my auto insurance rate for my new Forester was surprisingly low, compared to my previous car (Toyota Camry LE) -- a very nice surprise indeed. Honestly, if I outlive my Forester, my next car will be another Subaru.

[@ladykbear]

I absolutely love my 2021 Forester

[@BTC909]

Needs some Hybrid'ness since the Turbo is no longer offered.

[@AB-jk7tw]

Another 20+ horsepower and torque would make this significantly better to drive and reduce the current noisy, rough and underpowered engine.

[@greendg7]

love the addendum at the end, sometime difficult to discern if you like it or not.

[@Doc1855]

I love the Crimson Red but bc of our terrain I chose the Bronze with the Brown leather on my Forester Touring. It’s a classy color combination.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

I like the fact that "You can squeeze it in, anywhere."

[@bho6486]

We really liked the top trim Forester but decided for the Toyota Venza. In the end a hybrid and good mileage was more important to us. Hopefully Subaru will work on a hybrid system with their connection to Toyota.

[@BusterKitten]

if there were anything missing from your reviews, it would be showing the different color options we would have, but this is a small thing, your reviews are always top notch

[@saraaronzon4562]

How can the start stop option be disabled permanently, not everytime we start the car.

[@YoItsZed]

Some countries are just blessed to have the 2.5L that produces 189hp whereas in my county we got a 2.0L engine that produces about 150+hp. But in all honesty, it’s about the practicality and its features. All consumers of Subarus, especially the Forester knows that they’re buying for its practicality and not go nuts whenever you blast off a green light on traffic intersections.

[@andrewf5390]

I sold my 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300 and bought a base model Forester in 2021 when I took a new job at vastly less pay than my previous (but a major lifestyle upgrade). I expected the Forester to be something of a penalty box that I chose strictly based on price and ease of ingress/egress. Three years later and I just traded it in on a 2024 Forester Limited. My only real complaints about my last Forester were the lack of blind spot monitoring and the small that made it difficult to read the next exit/turn information on Apple Car Play navigation and the poor display quality for the backup camera feature. The stereo was weak and sounded tinny as well, but I found it adequate for what was a $27,000 car. In three years I put about 80,000 miles on that Forester, and with expensive maintenance items including new brakes and tires coming up quickly, I decided to just get a new car. My new Forester is exactly the same as my old one, only loaded. I compared the Rav4, CRV, Tucson, Tiguan and CX5, but when I added the features that were important to me (all wheel drive, larger display, and blind spot monitoring) those cars were all quite a bit more expensive. The Forester was an easy choice.

[@cricky101]

I have a 2021 premium and almost immediately shut off the beep alert for adaptive cruise control. Simple change in the car's menu.

[@PRO4XKEV]

I drive a 2018 Forester XT Touring I bought brand new in August 2017, currently 29k miles on it,, no issues. The salesman who sold me my XT told me a few months back Subaru was coming back with the Forester XT, I thought he said 2021 but maybe it was 2022.

[@ivojurkovic1276]

I have the 2019 Outback. This review nailed it, Subaru is just a better value in mid trim (especially in base trim nothing comes close). BUT. Subaru needs to source a regular automatic transmission. Their CVT ruins the experience. It’s sometimes good but most of the time you will notice the pure weirdness of it. It fake shifts at too low revs and way too often. It makes the car slower than it needs to be and it’s impossible to drive it smoothly. CVT is always ruining the acceleration by fake shifts. I can’t believe after all these years of production it’s still so bad. If you’re a relaxed and gentle driver it should serve you well. That CVT will make you hate your life if you like to drive a bit harder. The Outback has other flaws like all cars. The CVT is the main one and I don’t think I would buy another Subaru because of it. Decent solid car otherwise.

[@stickbrick8219]

I would get one of these when I go into witness protection in upstate New York in a college town

[@nongienong6900]

This review had me at “George Constanza’s sized wallet”.

[@Bluesphan]

And then the laugh track! Hahahaha!

[@ahkeen]

Nice! Good to hear you guys in MA. Wonder where you guys got your Forester. I just got one from Planet Subaru.

[@Nmarryat24]

Bought a 21 Crosstrek Limited in December... love how it drives down windy country roads and off-road (sand hills and light off-road), but hate that the leg room and cargo space aren't as large as the Forester. I truly plan to drive the car until it dies, and I'm just not loving it as much as I thought I would. Considering trading it in for a Forester Touring at the end of the year, when I can find dealerships offering a low APR.

[@kevans70]

I just sold my base level 2011 Forester so I could buy a 2021 Forester Limited. I tossed around the idea of an Outback or Crosstrek but came back to how much I loved my Forester and just wanted some features from this century. Haha.

[@jeffmorse645]

I wish my 2021 Legacy had that more reasonably sized touch screen with physical controls for the most used functions. Way too many functions buried in multiple menus on the 11.6" screen. Plus my ten year old iPad is quicker to respond.

[@saraaronzon4562]

My dream car

[@slobama]

I drove my new 2021 Forester from the dealership after telling the salesperson there was no need to test drive a new one since this would be my fourth Forester. Stopped at the first red light and the engine died. What? Light changes and I take my foot off the brake and unto the accelerator, engine restarts. Quick call to the dealership - Yeah that's the new stop start feature. Pain in the butt however it can be turned off every time you start the car. Now to remember to do that.

[@elliothaney]

yup, that's part of my ritual now. Push the ignition on and then push the auto start stop button off.

[@madmodem]

someone spit on the Subaru badge at the beginning. hahaha

[@osito1185]

Got this as my first Subaru and I’m loving it already. Was wondering if anyone thinks its worth getting the 8 year extended warranty?

[@debbieomalley3451]

I passed on the extended warranty.

[@bobrich1950]

They offer an extended warranty?? Dollars and term/coverage ??

[@debbieomalley3451]

@@bobrich1950 They do and it was pretty decent and fairly priced but unfortunately I do not remember the details to be of help to you. I bet you could call a Subaru dealership and they would be more than willing to answer any questions you may have.

[@Doc1855]

My wife loves her Outback as much as I love my Forester.

[@gregnote771]

How reliable is their CVT transmission? Another words, how many miles will it last?

[@rallysauruswrex]

If you take care of it, it'll last. I've seen quite a few Subarus w/ CVT with over 300-400k miles listed for sale.

[@Salaundre]

This good to hear since I ordered one.

[@Doc1855]

When my Rav wears out I’ll replace it with a Crimson Red with Brown leather interior on the Touring trim. If Subaru offered the Limited with the ivory leather interior, I would buy it instead. My wife’s Outback has the ivory interior and we Love the color. We both HATE depressing grey or death black interior colors that became popular in 1990.

[@maxt3590]

What gety sou the black window trim that Elliot has? I find that a bit more attractive than the chrome. Can that be retrofitted? I'm in the process of ordering one, cant decide between red, the jasper green or magnetite grey...

[@elliothaney]

The chrome window trim comes in with the 4th tier limited, which is what Matt was driving in the video, and then the top-trim touring has it as well. I totally agree with you though, I generally don’t like too much chrome. I really liked the sport trim’s black wheels and grill, but I don’t love the orange accents on that trim. My trim is the premium, which is only one up from the base, but honestly had almost everything I wanted (except for that nice 8 inch screen!) I’m clearly a fan of the grey too!!

[@maxt3590]

@@elliothaney Ah I see, I'm in Germany where I guess all that is defaulted in because the prices are higher from the get-go. I think all "levels" have the 8 inch screen and the window-trim chrome. Agree on the orange, not my favorite but the black grill and wheels do look nice. On reddit someone put on black sti wheels , they look incredible with that combo. Over here you can get different color leather options, too. So you can recreate the blue or red leather interiors at a price.

[@Jordan-we3eu]

I really appreciate your honest opinions at the end, I’m cross shopping between this and the Rav 4. However, the features I want in the Rav quickly add up. Any news on the 22 Forester refresh? I’m hoping they tone down the orange for the sport model.

[@rikkitaylor4115]

Hey 644-6991

[@anderacpharmd]

@CarGurus - could three kids (5,7,8 or bigger) fit in the back in a pinch?

[@fernandoherranz4095]

I really do like this car, having tested one out 3 years ago when we finally bought a Crosstrek for my wife. She didn't like the suspension on the Forester (the bounciness made her a little barfy) but I found it to be fun to drive. Aside from this, the lack of Forester hybrid or turbo options in 2022-23 models is just ridiculous, considering that Kia/Hyundai have several SUV models with both of these options. Yes they did that collab with Toyota (Solterra?) but it's pretty ugly and I wouldn't touch it because it's too sedan-like (and maybe too much like my Crosstrek visually). I also don't see much of difference between current 2023 models and the 2019-20 that I drove back then. Would I buy the Forester? Yup.

[@johneason6540]

Its a great disappointment that the 2022 forester wilderness does not come with the 2.4 turbo. I have a 2019 sport, love this car but a couple times off roading it just lacked power. Big miss Subaru

[@jordanfarnsworth8087]

If it is off-road power you want that would be lower gearing aka a higher crawl ratio you are looking for which the forester wilderness did address by increasing the final drive ratio. If it is speed you want so you can race to the next red light or accelerate super fast down the highway then it’s a turbo you are looking for

[@419rlanthony]

You were a little too nit-picky with small details. Tire rim design, the infotainment system, and other details that aren't truly a problem. Have a good day & God bless America.

[@micah6811]

My only complaint with the Subaru Forester is that cloth seats should be an option for all trim levels, not just the base and the premium! Leather seats are not durable for longevity!

[@pascalelzinga]

That there's-a-car-in-front-of-you beeb can be turned off through the car's settings. Turned it off on day 1.

[@jeannerountree952]

I love my 2021 forester!

[@cowboygeologist7772]

I just bought the '22 premium.

[@lordkosc]

Flip phone fits perfectly fine in the front storage area. :P

[@cw4623]

Too bad that EVERY single owner review complains about copious road noise and a stiff ride.

[@kingfisherphil]

17" means comfort! The tailgate open height is dreadful, so low that it is easy for people to hit heads on. Seats are for small people. In snow, rough terrain it is just superb. Oh the handbook is something like an encyclopedia and hardly intuitive.

[@user-mz5tf5pm7u]

So not for tall people?

[@kingfisherphil]

If you use tailgate a lot it might really offend some people! The car is different and the good points may well outweigh the bad. If off road is a priority it is a serious car, forget the Mercs and such.

[@alekswanson]

@@user-mz5tf5pm7u I'm 6 ft. Seats are plenty big and I have plenty of head room.

[@dallaslh7047]

I am a small person. It is very difficult to find a car that doesn't feel like you are going to die due to having to have the seat so far forward. I want a safe, efficiently spaced car with premium safety and reliability factors. I can stand up on a plane under the overhead bins. I am only 5" 2 and finding a comfortable fit in a car is very difficult, just as it is for much taller people to find a safe and comfortable fit for them. I would prefer they make all vehicles with adjustable brakes and gas peddles so I don't feel like I am sitting right on top of the stirring column.

[@kingfisherphil]

@@dallaslh7047 best go try then, it is well put together and equipped.

[@martinharrison7536]

These review are confusing. The ones where the car has been out for a year and not a 12,000.00 review , have had a hundred reviews already done, and the next model year is only a month away. Guess just trying to squeeze one in

[@jesseleeiii7266]

Just ordered the Outback XT

[@Fakingittilimakeit]

Spoilers just get in the way if you ever plan on using a roof box

[@jayanson4618]

Again why do reviewers constantly complain about power? How much does a Subaru need, really? 500hp? It's a flipping Subaru!!!! You take your dogs, your family to adventures NOT the track! Want more performance, get a damn Porsche Macan. It really does a huge diservice for those in the market and reviews such as this does not help. Get a clue. Besides if you need more power then maybe you shouldn't be put on the road .

[@sskumariyer]

exactly. not every car needs to compete with AMG / Panamera turbo lol.

[@raydavies3278]

lm being put off by the complaints of over-sensitivity of the systems,with reports of "just turn off the nagging". l had an over-sensitive nagging playmate/partner in past year's and l dont want to pay again for another, although the "off switch" is very appealing.

[@martinharrison7536]

I’ll say was a good review though !

[@poipoipoi090909]

i ta mela na znaczku :D

[@sarahsundstrom1425]

What about the bronco sport vs the Forrester??

[@dallaslh7047]

If you want the ultimate off-road vehicle, the bronco has very good performance. I don't need the offroad for myself. Forester is the better value. Just looked at the new bronco sport Outerbanks...I won't be buying that.

[@sarahsundstrom1425]

@@dallaslh7047 wow why not? Hard to beat the Subaru

[@East17A]

CVT transmission is the prime reason why. Subaru and Honda and Nissan out of my shopping list . some people will criticize me for me not trusting CVT transmission. my word to you if you buy these brand new you have factory warranty to cover the cheap poor engineering behind that CVT . but if you are a used car buyer my advice to you Do not buy a vehicle with that CVT. otherwise . warranty the hack out of it don't go cheap and make sure this Trans is literally covered. that is a very expensive repair. or just look for 6 speed transmission AWD Toyota

[@jeffmorse645]

Subaru's are chain driven instead of belt driven (like Jatco/Nissan). Makes me less worried about their long term durability.

[@East17A]

@@jeffmorse645 thank you for the info I honestly don't know the difference between them but you have mentioned a very important specs that will help who care.. Thank you for sharing your thoughts

[@raydavies3278]

Seems like its new or nothing.

[@sandralynch3059]

Subaru forrester

[@RJKK]

When will Chevrolet up it's game in Interior design ??

[@Inmate533]

Looks like a mommy wagon

[@Hermetic_]

Phish huh?

[@NehaJain-xo4uo]

So.... basically base model Subarus are no good unless you go all the way high model. There are tons of car far better and fancier than top trip Subarus. Gotta say.... Subaru doesn't offer much at base levels or one or two above base levels.

[@CharlieRogers50]

"If you pay for it, it comes standard" 🤔🤔

[@oliverohnemus1511]

The worthless auto cruise/lane departure “feature” is the reason I’ll never own a suburu…if your driving skills are so low that you need this crap you need a bus pass not a drivers license

[@CharlieRogers50]

So if you want to be like these dads then get a Forester. You're sure to pick the ladies in droves. Just start telling them about the safety features and they'll consider it foreplay Lol They look like the guys from those Progressive commercials who are worried about turning into their parents.

[@droid0311]

Lost me at the 2.4L engine and CVT. 2 huge pieces of crap

[@kevinsullivan7831]

Phish is horrible

[@mattsmith6329]

Yeah, well you know, that's just like, your opinion, man.

[@kevinsullivan7831]

@@mattsmith6329 dude, I know. Oh and thanks for responding.

[@esohealth7935]

I bought the 2021 Subaru Forester. Horrible decision. Gutless, can't climb, underpowered, family car, garbage. I should have bought the Mercedes I wanted. Don't buy this turd.

[@davidmurray5926]

Liar

[@TheDad777]

I own a 17XT and Subaru extended our factory CVT warranty to ten years. I’m four years in and 60km’s and I’ve only done oil changes.. knock ✊ on wood 🪵

[@Nateography]

How does he not know that you can turn off the sound for when a car enters or exits your lane?

[@robronnie1360]

I just bought a low mileage used 2021 Forester. The visibility and the all wheel drive are very impressive, and I live in Georgia where Subarus are more rare, and that makes them a cool cars. BUT I LMAO when you mentioned that lack of a place to put your cell phone. When you said it, I just realized that I have spent two days trying to fit my cell phone somewhere, moving it from here to there, trying to make a square peg fit in a round hole. Oh well. There are worse things

[@Thefilmyfamily786]

Very helpful review. I thought I was the only one who thought the Forester is bouncy on some surfaces but I guess that's just common on these. Overall, it's a great car.

[@ekimandersom4478]

A phone belongs in a phoneholder, there are thousands to choose from, even with wireless charging. And the warranty ? In Europe we get 5 years and for 450€ extra even 8 years warranty up to 200.000km. Thats the longest warranty of all the brands .