Almost a year ago, I got my first brand-new car—a 2020 Subaru Forester Premium. It’s been my everyday ride, my adventure buddy, and my go-to for hauling stuff. Now that I’ve hit 10,000 miles, I wanted to share my experience for those thinking about getting one or fellow Forester owners.
The Good:
It feels big! Some might like that, some might not, but after driving a Civic Coupe for 10 years, I wanted something that actually felt like an SUV. The Forester sits higher, has great visibility, and feels roomier than the Outback, which I also considered.
Tons of space! This thing is comfortable for five people, has solid cargo space, and when you fold the seats down, it’s almost completely flat. At 6 feet tall, I can lay down in the back. I’m planning to set up a sleeping platform for camping. I’ve already moved some surprisingly large furniture pieces with no problem.
It’s practical and safe! The dashboard had a bit of a learning curve, but once I figured it out, everything made sense. The best thing about Subaru? Safety. I trust this car with my life. The safety features have actually helped me avoid accidents more than once.
It’s built for all kinds of terrain. I’ve taken it off-road a few times (nothing extreme), but it handled dirt, sand, snow, and mud like a champ. Even when chain control was in effect during a snow trip, CHP let me through without chains because of my Subaru’s AWD.
The Not-So-Good:
Gas mileage isn’t great. I’m averaging 25.4 MPG, which is way lower than I expected.
Towing capacity is only 1,500 lbs. Had I known that before buying, I might have reconsidered. It seriously limits trailer options.
It’s not very powerful. Going uphill? Feels sluggish. The 182 HP engine is just okay, but I wish it had more kick.
It’s not a Jeep or 4Runner. While it’s solid for light off-roading, the CVT isn’t built for extreme trails and can overheat.
The radio turns on by itself every time I start the car. Annoying.
Final Thoughts:
I love Subaru and what they stand for. The Forester is a solid all-around car—it’s reliable, safe, and capable. But it’s not the best at any one thing. If I could go back, I might get two used cars instead: a fuel-efficient daily driver and a more powerful adventure SUV. If Subaru had thrown in a turbo option, I’d be way happier.
For most people, this is a great car. But if you need serious towing power or hardcore off-road abilities, it might not check all the boxes. Still, Subaru never compromises on safety, and that alone makes it worth considering.
I just got a 2021 Forester, and your review makes me feel even better about it. None of the downsides bother me, and it’s perfect for my daily drives, taking the dogs to the park, and dealing with bad weather. Appreciate the review!
@AlexJordan1
It’s all about knowing what you need. The Forester works for most people, but a few things could be better. Glad it’s the right fit for you!
That radio issue bugged me too! Quick fix: set Sirius XM channel 0 as your first preset. The car will default to it when you start up, and since that channel is just static, no sound!
Bailey said:
That radio issue bugged me too! Quick fix: set Sirius XM channel 0 as your first preset. The car will default to it when you start up, and since that channel is just static, no sound!
Tried the long press on the power button, and it actually worked! No more radio auto-play.
Bailey said:
That radio issue bugged me too! Quick fix: set Sirius XM channel 0 as your first preset. The car will default to it when you start up, and since that channel is just static, no sound!
I’ll give your trick a shot too if the long-press method ever stops working.
Marin said:
Thanks for the review! Just got a 2021 Forester, and that radio thing drives me nuts too. Can’t wait to see how it handles everything else.
I get about 28 MPG in the summer, drops to 27 in winter. On long trips, I’ve hit 34 MPG.
That MPG bar on the dash stresses me out though. Feels like I have to drive ‘right’ to keep my mileage up. I like using Sport mode, but the second I see the MPG drop, I switch back.
TacomaTribe2 said:
Just bought my first Subaru, a 2020 Forester Premium. Trying to form my own opinion instead of letting others influence me too much.
As long as it fits your needs, you’ll love it. A few things I’d change, but overall, it’s solid.