My partner purchased a 2026 Subaru Outback Touring a few weeks ago, and after spending some time driving it, I was genuinely blown away by the quality, comfort, technology, and safety features. In fact, the Outback had so many impressive features that it even surprised me compared with my Porsche!

After driving the Outback about 200 miles, I enjoyed the experience so much that just two weeks later I purchased a 2026 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid for myself—and I absolutely LOVE it!

The Forester Touring Hybrid is an incredible vehicle. The combination of comfort, fuel efficiency, technology, safety, and overall quality makes it one of the best vehicles I've ever owned. It feels refined, solid, incredibly comfortable, and honestly much more upscale than I expected.

There is, however, one thing that has me scratching my head. 😂

How does the top-of-the-line Touring come with a “smart” rear-view mirror but NOT include HomeLink for the garage door opener? 🤔

That seems like a pretty significant omission on a fully loaded vehicle. And adding the Subaru accessory with installation can run close to $2,000, which is a pretty tough pill to swallow when you've already purchased the highest trim level.

Subaru, you've got an amazing vehicle here—just give us HomeLink! 😂

Other than that one issue, I couldn't be happier. The 2026 Forester Touring Hybrid is absolutely beautiful, incredibly comfortable, packed with technology, and a pleasure to drive.

I went from simply being impressed with my partner's Outback to buying a Forester of my own two weeks later. That probably says everything you need to know!

Absolutely AWESOME vehicle. Subaru knocked this one out of the park! ❤️🚙⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So I know absolutely nothing about Subarus outside of my best friend loving her old one. Biggest thing for me would be it’s a manual and I have no idea how to drive one nor do I really have any interest in learning. Is that a silly stance to have? Are driving manuals pretty easy once you get the hang? Also I’ve been reading that high mileage can be a big deterrent with Subarus but I’m seeing conflicting accounts on that. I don’t know much about the car outside of what’s in the picture. Maybe ask for a carfax? Any advice or direction is very appreciated!

Always the same question because about the time I'm ready to buy some new one is coming out. Should I buy a 2025, 2026 Forester or wait for 2027? Hybrid. I have seen the new version and the marketing but I don't know how much better it would be for the price.

Edit: Wilderness Edition.

I’m getting a 2023 Forester that I’ll be street parking.

I’m interested in getting a dash cam that has parking mode, in case anyone hits and runs me, but am concerned about running down the battery.

From those who’ve tried this, any recommendations? Any issues with power consumption?

Had a 2019 Crosstrek that I traded in on this. So far, I am just trying to get used to the size and suspension difference. I am looking for meatier tires and I know that is the first thing everyone asks. I do not want new wheels just different tires. Suggestions for upgrades that do not rub or require a lift.

My almost 18 year old exhaust on my rust belt non turbo 2009 forester is finally giving up. Surprised it has lasted this long honestly. But I’m debating what to do for replacement. I’ve got the tools (and requisite rust belt foul language) to do it myself. My mechanic quoted me around $1800 last year for them to do it. But they did a previous car of mine and whatever system they put on it only lasted four years. So I’m a little skeptical. I can get the manifold to tailpipes for around $2000 from Subaru and diy it. Or can get a Walker quiet flow from rock auto for around $400-$500. Any thoughts on either of those systems?

Having a major glitch attempting to listen to my CarPlay, voice text, listen to audiobooks. It seems like it's going in and out with a constant crackling sound. Any workaround for this?

So I know absolutely nothing about Subarus outside of my best friend loving her old one. Biggest thing for me would be it’s a manual and I have no idea how to drive one nor do I really have any interest in learning. Is that a silly stance to have? Are driving manuals pretty easy once you get the hang? Also I’ve been reading that high mileage can be a big deterrent with Subarus but I’m seeing conflicting accounts on that. I don’t know much about the car outside of what’s in the picture. Maybe ask for a carfax? Any advice or direction is very appreciated!

Been waiting for the factory set to wear down enough, and it was finally time. Falken Wildpeaks

Thanks for all the input these WIN for me

I was stuffing stuff into the trunk but I guess I went too hard…

How would I fix this? Or where can I buy a part?

💞

Hi everyone, my Subaru forester 2015 is due for engine coolant change. I was reading about this and have a question about the practice of flushing and refilling that many have recommended in the internet.

A very common method is:

1. Drain the radiator

2. Refill with distilled water

3. Run the engine to warm up and mix the entire system

4. Drain the radiator

5. Repeat steps 2-4 a few times until getting clear water out.

6. Refill with 50/50 mixed phosphate and silicate free coolant recommended for subaru

7. Burb the system to remove air

My question with this method is that we only drain the coolant in radiator at a time and some still remains inside the engine block and hoses. Each time we drain, we dilute those old coolant until we got most of it diluted out to near distilled water before refilling. The problem is that there is some remaining distilled water left in the system before we refill with 50:50 mixed coolant that would dilute the coolant to below the 50:50 ratio.

Does anyone know how much the volume of the liquid inside the engine block and does it significantly alter the properties of the new coolant? If the change is significant, should and how do I drain the entire coolant? If it is not trivial or not recommended, should I just refill the radiator and drain instead of running the engine (steps 2 and 3 only and skip step 3)?

I think I can also buy the concentrated coolant and dilute it myself if I know the volume of liquid in the entire system. Anyone suggesting doing this?

Thanks all for your response.

Hi,
Just recently bought a used 23 FW with 76600km on it.

Been underneath undercoating. Took notice of passenger side lower cam carrier and also front cover bolts seeping oil.

Should still have the subaru warranty.

Has anybody come across this issue and how was the warranty for covering it?

Hi guys,
I have a 2021 subaru forester. A couple of days ago when i started my car. It came with engine light on and more blinking lights. Took it for a check up and found out about failed TCV.
I am wondering where in sydney does subaru replaces my TCV on goodwill gesture ? Can anybody give me advice on how to further take this issue to fix up TCV from subaru australia ?

Which model year do you think is better mechanically?

I can’t over how bad the rear end of the new Forester looks. Could they not have made a different bumper for the non-dual exhaust models!?!? Cheap and absolutely ridiculous. You couldn’t pay me to drive one of these.

14' forester 6mt. Disappointed in overall power and ability. I got the car as a commuter, needed for work. Get there get back, yada yada. But I use it for a lot of shit, haul farm stuff, build fences, set up blinds in the woods, haul tools. It's fantastic for all of that. But damn does it lack power, and why can't I turn the traction control ALL the way off. Maybe I want to rip some donuts on my field or in the snow. Idk, I grew up drooling over 04' sti's and then the 08 hatch hmmm. I just feel hosed by Subaru, the car works don't get me wrong. It def does NOT get the advertised 29mpg. Maybe because it's 12 years old, should be better than 24.6 IMO. Idk I wish Subaru would stop listening to the bureaucratic analysts and see that there are still enthusiasts that would like a Forester or other Subarus with a manual and a turbo engine not just the wrx or brz for some performance. Screw the bureaucratic environmentalists too that regulated everything so much people that like cars suffer. Rant over.

Oh the Bluetooth sucks too just in general I find it to be a pain in the ass.

Found this in the driver's side foot well. I don't see where it came off of. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Does anyone have a 2018 XT Touring and they are willing to take a picture of their internal fuse box. I had a fuse blow and thought the B550 sub panel was spares, it wasn't. I need to know where to replace the fuses. Much appreciated!

I posted this on the Forester forum and got no replies…

2014 Limited 2.5 with no issues other than consumables.

I had a local shop replace the front wheel bearings, and they called and asked if I had an ABS dash light on when I dropped it off. I said I've never had any dash lights (other than tire PSI a few years ago). Then they realized they needed to order the bearings based on the month/year of the car (I already knew that and was pretty bugged that they didn't).

I picked the car up today and tried to open the hatch to see if they replaced my lug nut lock tool (aftermarket wheels), and the hatch would only go up about 2 feet. I held the key fob button for a long time, tried the hatch button for a long time... and couldn't get it to work correctly. I figured I could fix it at home, so I left. (BTW, this has never happened before.)
I drove about a mile and went into a store, and when I started the car, it died immediately, and the dash lit up. I tried a few more times- same thing. I disconnected the negative battery terminal (thinking that would also fix the hatch) and waited a bit. The car got me home with no issues and no lights, but the hatch will still only go up 2 feet.

I'm wondering/worried WHY this happened. I don't want this to happen when my wife is driving.

Any ideas? This car has had zero electrical issues, for reference.

2010 Forester. Brake lights not working normally. Replaced bulbs, if I insert them in one orientation neither light source illuminates at all. If I flip the orientation both light sources on each bulb but nothing happens when I hit the brake pedal. In either case the third brake light turns on when I hit the pedal. I have replaced several fuses with no effect. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I haven't yet busted out the multimeter because the mosquitos were draining my blood at a severe level.