2006 Subaru Forester User Reviews

Pros

Reliable competent transportation.

Cons

The car is too noisy-too much engine noise, too much road noise, too much outside noise coming in.

This car has been very reliable. While it handles quite well, does the ride have to be so rough and noisy on anything but the smoothest of road surfaces? Has subaru ever heard of sound absorbing materials?
Oh and yes the front seats are kind of small and I am only 5-6.
One other thing- I hope I am never in an accident as my knees will definitely will hit the bottom of the dash.

I first test drove the car when it came out 10 years ago. It was very noisey then and still is. Does Subaru do quality assurance with hearing impaired people only?...read morehide

Pros

4WD, price, city fuel economy

Cons

Handling near the limit, interior finish & comfort

I traded in my 2004 Subaru Outback Sportwagon for this in a game effort to get more cargo room for two small kids, but it was a mistake. The added carrying capacity didn't make up for the loss in performance and handling. My only major problem with the Outback was the dealer ducking a valid warranty claim for a lame clutch (it melted the first time the wheels touched sand - the dealer copped out on a misuse claim, even though the car was called an "Outback"). That was a decent car and a good value for handling and acceleration. The Forester was bearable in the acceleration category but not up to snuff in handling, including wet road handling (I can't say how it would do in snow, I never got there). Even on dry pavement near the limit it had some pretty nasty oversteer for a 4WD car. My rears were gone before I hit 25,000 miles and so was my Forester soon afterwards. I cashed in for my dream car, a 2007 VW GTI sedan (you're welcome to see my review for that). Now I'm living the Dream and the Forester is just a vague and undistinguished memory........read morehide

Pros

Comfortable ride, AWD

Cons

Not allot of features on base line

I'm an 19 year old female away at college, this car is very reliable. Its very comfortable and safe for my long drives home. My parents don't worry about me in this car because of all the advanced safety features. It doesn't have allot of features on the base line but is a good value. I love this car and if were to get another SUV I would get another Forrester....read morehide

Pros

Engine is powerful and responsive with little turbocharger lag time. The car is "surefooted".

Cons

If the auto transmission is taken out of drive to neutral , re-engaging drive will cause a "clunk"

Brakes needed doing at 25.000kms. My previous (7) Subarus all needed early/low milage brake work. Even when in top condition the brakes are only 2 stars.

This is my only significant complaint regarding Subarus.

Interior design/layout is ideal for the "do-it-yourselfer" for those trips to the Home Depot....read morehide

Pros

good handling, good fuel economy for a 4 wheel drive

Cons

short wheel base makes ride a little rough

I talked my wife into buying this car based on research. We have only had it a few months but have found it an excellent buy. All wheel drive that does not intrude and decent fuel mileage are great features. She bought it to carry video and other training equipment which it does nicely (low liftover). Mileage is not as good as Honda Accord it replaced, but good for a 4 wheel drive. Lights really light up the highway and warming seats are a bonus. Also, one of the few 4 wheel drive small suv's with a manual transmission (which we like). Has an excellent reputation for durability...we will see, we put about 20,000 miles per year. Might benefit from a 6th gear to improve gas mileage and reduce RPMs at freeway speeds....read morehide

Pros

Dependable, Economical, Excellent Crash Test Results and Standard All-Wheel Drive

Cons

No Automatic Locking Doors, No Glove Box Light and No Window Tint In Cargo Area

I've owned my 06 Forester Premier for a little more than a year now. It has almost 18,000 miles and I have had no problems. I looked at the competition but found the Forester to be the best choice. I was very impressed with the build quality and the list of standard equipment.
My wife thought the Forester was a little small compared to her Ford Explore, well she is now driving an 07 Forester LL Bean. This car will
sell it self....read morehide

Pros

AWD; crash-test ratings;nice-looking, I guess; my dogs like it

Cons

A bunch, involving ride, power, convenience, utility, quality

I don't like this car. The ride is rough; acceleration is sluggish (downright dangerous when A/C is on); shift points seem strange, with a second-gear blip that sounds troubling, regardless of what the dealer says, and a reluctance to downshift automatically into first gear when slowing to a stop; there are rattles I can't stop, or even pinpoint; cargo space has turned out to be less than I needed, though that's my fault for overestimating it; cubbyhole storage is too small and weirdly configured, with nearly useless, shallow cupholders; interior quality is having trouble standing up to an energetic West Highland white terrier; mileage isn't good, though it's no worse than advertised; window tint is lame (and what's with the puny sun visors?); automatic climate control is...well, I don't know what it is, but I can't get comfortable; same goes for the driving position, despite constant fiddling with the power seat and steering wheel; the heated seats are a joke....

The list goes on, because I find new things to dislike about this car every day. It's not that it's a terrible product, but it's a terrible fit for me. Makes me long for my '98 Accord, which ran more smoothly and quietly, even with 160,000 miles on it. My advice: Take a several-hundred-mile trip in a Forester before you buy one, if possible. Had I done that, I know I would have bought something else.

I REALLY don't like this car....read morehide

Pros

Excellent overall built quality; good performance from its 2.5 liter engine.

Cons

Original equipment tires very poor. Auto transmission is only 4-speed.

I have 18,000+ miles on my 2006 Forester XT Limited. Very good handling and ride with new (replacement) high quality tires. The turbocharged 2.5 liter engine gives good performance and reasonable economy in overall driving conditions. I like the roominess and flexibility, which allows multi-purpose use....read morehide

Pros

great fuel economy

Cons

light beige flooring- can get dirty

love the car- love the way it handles- this is my second subaru- i'm sure it won't be my last- i'm sold on the subaru

Pros

Safety, sunroof, stability

Cons

Quality

I have to say that I am dissapointed with this car so far. Coming from a family that has had Subarus, I expected more in terms of mechanical and interior quality. I have 7000 miles on it, it's never been offroad, and do date, it has been in the shop 4 times to repair interior door rattles, a sunroof problem, plus the Homelink mirror has been repaired. More importantly, the rear differential has already been replaced! I have never had a new car go through this nonsense, and I didn't expect it from a Subaru. I will say that the folks at Subaru of America have been good, but I still should have bought the Toyota....read morehide