Comments on: 2009 Subaru Forester specifications

By: SteveXT

SteveXT — Sat, 14 May 2011 12:12:31 +0000

I currently have a 2011 XT Premium, And what a car, Though I agree with those who say it lacks storage inovation, What it has in power/performance and driving excelence you can easily deal with it. A few small items from the reject shop and auto shop and storage problems were solved.
I’ve gotta say, Those whingers about this vehicle, Instead of sitting and whining, get out there and take one for a drive, the new full sat nav system with dvd,cd,phone,etc etc, Sunroof and leather interior is very plush. I have owned many european vehicles with much larger price tags which might I add have much worse storage problems then the jap cars and this one holds it place with any vehicle I’ve owned prior.

By: Forester Toronto

Forester Toronto — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:13:59 +0000

A grown up Impreza!

By: Troye

Troye — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:07:29 +0000

I currently drive a 2004 model Forester XT and am very happy with it. Had a look at the new 2009 model the other day and while the exterior is easier on the eye, i am hugely disappointed with the interior.

My model has plenty of storage spaces which has disappeared in the new model. For starters, i have two glass/sunglass containers above the rearview mirror, now there’s only one. The big pop-up container above the dash is gone. The pop-out cupholder in the dash is gone, replaced by one or two (depending on manual/auto) fairly shallow square blocks in the centre console, what good is that!!?!? In addition to the standard enclosed container in the centre console (for CDs etc) i also have the optional centre console extender which doubles as an armrest and opens seperately to provide additional storage space for smaller items. This has been replaced by one gaping open hole in the new model, which i can only assume is for a woman’s handbag.

I therefore have no desire to get the new model as i believe that i will lose more than i will gain, plus i get the feeling that Subaru is now aiming at the female market. Good luck to them, i’ll be looking elsewhere for my next upgrade.

Oh and for heaven’s sake put a larger fuel tank in the thing, i hardly get 350km on a tank.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:57:46 +0000

Went for a drive in both a manual and auto xt. I think it’s the gear boxes that lets them down. It needs a six speed manual to provide even gate ratios and a decent overdrive gear (way too many revs at 100km/hr), as for the auto, it needs to be a 5 speed at least. The other issue for me is the storage, just not enough of it. Appart from those points, a very good car.

By: Allan

Allan — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:54:55 +0000

I currently drive a Liberty GT Spec B, Having recently bought a property I’m looking at the XT Auto, but to me there are a couple of concerns. No Dual Range is a negative. No Dual Range Auto is a Negative and 4 Speed Auto is a Negative. Positives – It’s a Suby so resale is excellent, safety is excellent, handling is superb, Power is ok and economy is ok. Still not decided, but I can’t keep driving through paddocks in the liberty ! I’m leaning towards the XT manual and compromising on the dual range ..

By: Frugal-One

Frugal-One — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:27:04 +0000

Yeah Terry, lucky u.

The WAGON-CAR-COMPANY vehicles have one word that comes to mind….U-G-L-Y!

Cheers

F-0

By: Terry

Terry — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:52:36 +0000

I bought a 2007 Forester run-out model(Columbia pack)in Jan08 and after 2 months,whilst parked at a set of traffic lights,it got rammed up the arse by an out-of-control 3 ton truck. Luckily for me it was declared a write-off and so I recently took possession of the latest 2008 MY09 model. The improvements compared to the out-going model are immense. Simply,it is brilliant!..the auto tranny is much smoother, the engine much more responsive, the suspension is damm near perfect, it has much more room, it is very much quieter and the upgrades to switch gear, dash, console, gear selector and steering wheel are very well designed.The wife and I couldn’t be happier…you could say that the dim-wit who ran into my “old” model did us a HUGE favour.

By: Red-Dirt-Country-Lover

Red-Dirt-Country-Lover — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:29:06 +0000

Looks good, especially higher clearance – will be interested to see how approach and departure angles altered off road. Disappointed that Subaru don’t listen to feedback re low profile tyres – thin walls are hopeless in arid country resulting in staking extraordinaire. How about an option for smaller rims allowing higher profile tyres with multiply walls? Come on diesel – in the meantime is 2008 Forester compliant with gas conversion?

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:21:37 +0000

I was going to buy a 08 CR-V until I test drove the 09 ForesterXT. I found the Forester a great car, and very fuel economic. Around town averaged 12-13lt/100km and on the highway got down to as low as 8.5lt/100km. Great interior and a real refreshing new look has got me ordering one.

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:17:38 +0000

Looks alright, but then again the styling is inoffensive. It now looks just the others in this segment (ie. RAV4, Outlander). The previous generation model had rather unique styling – it appeared to be smaller than the competition, which I believe added to its appeal.