anyone to comment on their 2021 or 2022 Forester ?

[axiomstudio]

Hi, i would like to know if there is any 2021 or 2022 Forester owners here and what are their experiences with them so far after a year or two on the road.

[Justin Time]

I think there are some issues with the hybrid Forester.

My own brief experience driving one for the day as a courtesy car while my Outback was being serviced; posted

I had a Forester hybrid (less than 1000 miles on the clock) for a whole day in December while my Outback was in for a service.  I agree, the Forester was ponderous when moving off from junctions and felt really heavy.  I also couldn't seem to find a way to permanently disable the lane centring assist, or the auto stop-start.  It was a Sport trim, and had a very dark interior compared to the sunroof lit Outback.  Fuel economy wasn't anything different either, and the small petrol tank limits the range.  I think Subaru hybrids might work in a city, but for rural driving I can't see the point of lugging all that heavy Battery equipment around for no extra benefit.  And why would you want one in a city anyway? Also, a major deal breaker for me is the lack of space to put a full-size spare, or any spare into. Ridiculous for a so-called 4x4.

James_AU replied 

Justin, 100%. I am very disappointed with my Forester. I have a sunroof in mine, so it is lighter inside, but everything else you are spot on with!

The size of the interior is great, much larger than my Outback (and I am 6ft4, so the extra head room in the Forester is GREAT!), lack of spare tire, horrible(!) fuel efficiency, automatic features that will not be quiet, yeah, all things that get to me too.

I am thinking about letting this Forester go, and see what else is on the market. I love the idea of EV/Hybrid, but not when it costs me so much to get this one.

 

 

However, that's just our opinion and bear in mind often people don't post if they're happy with their cars!  

[axiomstudio]

thank you james_AU and Justin !

[boblouden]

On 1/24/2023 at 12:06 PM, axiomstudio said:

Hi, i would like to know if there is any 2021 or 2022 Forester owners here and what are their experiences with them so far after a year or two on the road.

 

[boblouden]

I Have a September 2021 forester hybrid with  leather and sun roof it is a very nice driver plenty of room and lots of bells and whistles.  Great heated seats and steering wheel , no spare wheel and one costs an arm and leg. Only problem was the Battery went flat when we were sitting having chips with only the radio on, dealer replaced the Battery but could find nothing wrong. Did not use the car for 4 days at the new year and the car wouldn't start charged the Battery and started ok but all the warning lights are on. Went to the dealership and they had it for 2 days can't find anything wrong Subaru contacted but told a pack of lies still dealing with them. Like the car but not Subaru. 

[Justin Time]

2 hours ago, boblouden said:

I Have a September 2021 forester hybrid with  leather and sun roof it is a very nice driver plenty of room and lots of bells and whistles.  Great heated seats and steering wheel , no spare wheel and one costs an arm and leg. Only problem was the battery went flat when we were sitting having chips with only the radio on, dealer replaced the battery but could find nothing wrong. Did not use the car for 4 days at the new year and the car wouldn't start charged the battery and started ok but all the warning lights are on. Went to the dealership and they had it for 2 days can't find anything wrong Subaru contacted but told a pack of lies still dealing with them. Like the car but not Subaru. 

Sorry to hear you've had that hassle.  One thing I've learned with the OB, which may also apply to the Forrester hybrid, is that you need to 'force' the alternator to charge the Battery every time you drive the car, such as by always having the sidelights on (the aa, or anything that puts extra load on the Battery induces the charging algorithm to charge, when it would normally 'sleep' and flatter the mpg). I never have the lights set to auto.  This advice was given to me by the sales person at the dealership - so it's a known issue.  My old car, a 2016 Skoda Yeti diesel, allowed you to keep the radio on for 30 mins, before cutting off, and you could simply start the car for a moment, then switch off again for another 30 mins of radio time.  Never had any Battery issues in 76,000 miles and on the original Battery.

And yes, Subaru UK (IM Group) really suck, as I've very recent experience off.  For such a small car brand in the UK, you'd think they'd want to give 5 star customer service - but they don't!

[Judd]

16 hours ago, Justin Time said:

Sorry to hear you've had that hassle.  One thing I've learned with the OB, which may also apply to the Forrester hybrid, is that you need to 'force' the alternator to charge the battery every time you drive the car, such as by always having the sidelights on (the aa, or anything that puts extra load on the battery induces the charging algorithm to charge, when it would normally 'sleep' and flatter the mpg).

I cannot believe that in 2024 this is an issue.

When the rounded Escort was a thing, so early 90s? if we had a flat Battery in a car compound and jump started an Escort or similar, we could leave the thing running all day and not one bit of charge would go in, you had to turn something on to trigger charging, typically hazard lights wre used so a car half a mile up the compound wouldn't be left running for days on end...which has happened.

This wasn't an issue with Japanese cars as i recall at the time so why now with new Subarus must be infuriating when you've spent a serious wedge of dosh on a new one.

[Justin Time]

It's bonkers, isn't it!  

I'm not sure it's just limited to Subaru's though, as I've been told some of the VAG also have issues too, and the new Defender has a problem in that if (when stationary say for a few days camping in the outback), you open and close the doors too often, the Battery dies and you need specialist kit to sort it out.(see 4:42 mins 

It seems a lot of modern Subarus (like some other makes), never really 'go to sleep', when you lock them up and walk away, as various electronic bits of wizardry are, for example, always looking for the fob, or checking for an internet connection, or looking for upgrades of the software, etc., etc.)  The modern, auto boot door on the OB is  renowned for running the Battery to dead if you have the temerity of leaving the hatch open too long (there's a karabiner trick you can do to fool it that the hatch is closed when it's actually open).  Stories also abound of people leaving their cars at airport parking lots for a couple of week to got on their hols only to return to find the cars electronically dead. 

That's progress for you, innit!

[Judd]

Then you've got the issue with some engines where during an oil change you have to get the fresh oil back in the sump within 15 mins because the oil pump can't self prime.

Never hear anything so ridiculous in all my life.