I bought a 2024 Wilderness Forester in Dec 23. I was surprised it did not have crossbars like my previous Subarus always had since 2004. But while my 2016 Forester Limited was still in the dealer's parking lot, I quickly removed the old crossbars. The fit was not perfect, but I could make it work without issue. My wife traded her 2015 Limited in at the same time and I also took those. They were a better fit for her new Limited. The other surprise was three was no coin holder in the arm rest well. They "ran out' of them when they outfitted my car, new ones from stock would cost $15. But the salesman told me to go ahead and take the one from my old car. Actually, most times for transporting canoes, I will use my older Thule square bars because they have gunwale stops.
I Do love the new car with only two issues. The dumb “keyless’ key fob is a monster, uncomfortably bulky to regularly carry in my pocket. Also gone are the days when I could leave my older style smaller fob or a metal key in the car when it is in my attached garage. Apparently, as I am told by the dealer, that shortens the fob battery life, since it is always communicating with the car. Bring me back to the days of a simple flat metal key I could keep in my pocket or in a small leather folder with other keys in my back pocket. It must hang on a hook inside the house. Even with a sign posted outside the door “got key?” I can’t tell you how many cuss words have been emitted when I get in the car without it.
My only other complaint is the trailer light wiring connector, buried under the rear bumper. I have to get on my knees in stones and dirt to see to connect my small utility trailer.
Beyond those two items, I love the car, oh except that due to the wilderness gearing, it gets around 10% mpg less than my wife’s new limited forester. But at least I do not hit my head on the open rear hatch, siince it is slightly higher than on other and older models
