New car shopping… HMU with your favorite small SUV!

I have a Subaru Forester that I love so so much.
DS bought a Kia Sportage Hybrid last summer and he also loves it.
I do think the Subaru is the better car between the 2, but the Sportage Hybrid is a good car.

We're shopping for new cars as well. My top 3 are Subaru Forester, Honda CRV and Toyota Rav4. All three do well in crash tests. You would be surprised how many cars failed the side impact crash test.

I have a 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime and I love it. Next choice would probably be a Subaru Forester.


ETA I did not get the top-level package because it involved the all-glass roof which I didn’t want. But therefore I gave up a few other features I would have liked. Mostly I miss the memory seat position thing (forget what it’s called). People are always changing my seat distance (because I’m so short) and I have to figure it out each time. 

We have the BMW (older model). BMWs are somewhat notorious for oil leaks and this one is no exception. My dh is constantly fixing something on that car.

Another Subaru Forester owner here.  I am on my 2nd.  My parents are on their 5th.  And my brother (who has had Toyotas up until this point) just passed off his highlander to my nephew and got a Forester.

Subaru is changing up the style of the Forester and I know nothing about the 2024.  I have a 2021 and my parents and brother have a 2023, which does have a few things that I wish I had.

I have the middle package of the Premium.  So not base model but not all the bells and whistles either.  So I really can’t tell you what all of the packages and options Subaru has .  I have heated seats and my parents’ also has a heated steering wheel.  Not sure if it is cooled also?

The automatic lift hatch/back I don’t have or have a button and really wish I did.  I think my parents have a button. I would check on that option.

Apple car play…check.  We joke that that is the only reason my brother bought his and I don’t think it  is all a joke.  😆

Power moonroof.  Yup and it is big.  I love how much glass/light the forester has.  A big windshield and great visibility.

The seats also are Adjustable with lumbar support.

One of the best cars I have had for winter driving.  I also heard that the 2024 has backseats that fold flat. Not sure if that is true, but I would love that.  Now they have that little slope when folded down.  It turns on a dime and I really like my Subaru.  However, at least not mine 😄, they are not a luxury car so if that is what you are looking for I am not sure it is the best fit.  They are a great all around and all purpose vehicle, IMO.  

I hate buying cars. 😆. Good luck with your quest.  I hope you find exactly what you want.

ETA - I have alway purchased an add on/after market car starter for my cars and did not with this one as you can get the app on your phone and start it that way.  It is a pretty cheap deal (or something the dealer will often throw in for the first year and you can see how much you use it).  I live in New England, don’t have a garage and when I was having to go into work I was leaving at midnight and definitely wanted a warm car to get into on those frigid winter nights.  The remote start and the heated seats were my saving Grace.  😆

I loved my Mazda CX5. They now have the CX50.

One more addition from me, sorry my first post is so long.  As was discussed in a previous thread, if having a spare tire is important to you (many do not now I guess) the Forester does still have one. For me in Vermont and where I drive that is important and something I need to remember to check on in the future when buying a new car.

I have a 2022 BMW X5 which I love immensely and haven't had any issues with it. However, I had an X1 as a rental a few weeks ago when I was on a business trip. I thought the finishes were cheap-feeling compared to the X5. Acceleration was fine but braking was very abrupt-feeling (it was hard to brake smoothly). The road noise was way louder than the X5. As commented in another post, I'd look at the X3 if you're considering a BMW.

Edited to add:  I read another poster's comments about the Mazda CX vehicles.  That reminded me that I had a CX (I think it was the CX5) for a rental on a December business trip and I was impressed by its features, how it drove, etc.  I would consider buying a Mazda if I was in the market for a new vehicle.

I don't have the years you wanted but I do have a 2019 Forester Sport. My ODS has the 2018 Outback and DH has a 2015 Outback.

Mine has the moonroof, heated seats, Android Auto but I think it also has Apple Carplay? I'm not sure as ODS and I are both Android users. It seems that is an option on the infotainment screen. No wireless charging. Yes, I do have a power liftgate and I have a button that will shut and lock the car from the liftgate. DH and ODS do not have that button.

The driver seat is power adjustable with lumbar support. The passenger is manual. I can lay the back seat downs and they are almost flat. Off by maybe 2 degrees. I will say between my Forester and the Outback, there is just a tad bit more storage ability in the Outback.

I will most likely only have Subarus from here on out. May not be new when I buy them but they will be at the top of the list.

I just traded my 2017 Tucson in on a 2024 Subaru Forester. I’ve had it since January 2 and the more I drive it, the more I like it. I did like the Tucson, nothing wrong with it, I just wanted a brand new car that I will pay off before I decide to retire in the next few years. I did not care for the body style on the ‘24 Tucsons.

I bought the Premium level Forester in Autumn Green, it has black cloth seats. Power lift gate w/lock button, heated seats, heated mirrors, Apple CarPlay. And a bunch of other new technology that I am still learning, as with all new cars these days. Comfortable and responsive to drive. No turbo, but much zippier than the turbo Tucson.

As I said in the other car thread, I am hoping that this will be my last new car.

Yes to everything you said!! I had an X1 and loathed it. Very happy day when I traded it in for my Mini Countryman hybrid.

This is really timely because I'm in the exact same situation - getting ready to give my 2015 Santa Fe to my daughter and DH & I are going to the auto show tomorrow to see what is out there. I thought for a long time that I wanted the CrossTrek but I've decided it's too low to the ground so this thread is very helpful  I used to have a Forrester and loved it but for some reason, I haven't looked at them since. But it seems like I should do that tomorrow!