I was excited about the 2025 Forester until I saw it...

[Drtbk01]

Most people I know have used touch screen phones I pads so on for a very long time and don’t even think about it and my 2025 forester still has a few knobs haha. I’m in my 60,s and feel your pain but have adjusted.

 

[izzyman]

Drtbk01 said:


Most people I know have used touch screen phones I pads so on for a very long time and don’t even think about it and my 2025 forester still has a few knobs haha. I’m in my 60,s and feel your pain but have adjusted.

Your phone's touch screen requires you to look at it to know where to touch. That's why it's against the law in most states to look at your phone while driving.

But for some reason, car companies thought it was OK to put a huge touch sccreen in the car that has all the car controls. It's insane.

 

[bmart]

I agree, izzyman. I'd never own a car like that.

 

[Dick Foster]

I think that's exactly why there are so many controls on the sterreng wheels today.
If you think about it, you'd likly have to look with standard controls too.
The real reason for touch screens and LCD displays is reduced costs. All of those separate widgets, buttons and knobs costs real money. Plus the wear and tear factor adds up to.

 

[bmart]

"Give me knobs and switches...or give me death!"

 

[izzyman]

I think that's exactly why there are so many controls on the sterreng wheels today.
If you think about it, you'd likly have to look with standard controls too.
The real reason for touch screens and LCD displays is reduced costs. All of those separate widgets, buttons and knobs costs real money. Plus the wear and tear factor adds up to.

The available data shows most people can find the knobs without looking after using the car for a few weeks.

I've had 10 cars in my life. My weekend driver is a 67 Alfa. I have never had to replace a switch or a knob in decades of driving.

I am sure it is occasionally an issue, but I seriously doubt it is a common warranty item that the manufacturer has to deal with. My guess is that 99.9% of knobs would break/wear out many years after the warranty is long gone.

 

[D T]

I've had 4 Foresters now. Current model is a 2021 Sport, which is literally (chef's kiss) perfect.

I took at look at a '25 Forester and was shocked to see (essentially) an I-Max screen in the middle of the dash...

And no knobs. All you have is a massive touch screen for most controls -- which means you have to LOOK at the screen to change settings.

It seems to me a company that is so focused on driver safety would not change core interior controls so you have to take your eyes off the road to use them. Currently, I can -- without looking -- reach for a knob and turn the temp up or down, fan control up or down, volume, reboot the radio, etc -- all without looking at the console.

Some of this is available on the steering wheel too, but what is Subaru thinking putting everything in touch screen?

Far less than ideal. I am very disappointed.

Absolutely agree. I had no idea how useless and distracting the screen would be. If I had had more than 15 minutes of test drive time, I would have understood how dangerous it would be. If I had had a day or two to test drive it, I would NOT have bought the 2025 Subaru Forester. Seriously considering trading it in for something less dangerous for my family to drive.

 

[D T]

Your phone's touch screen requires you to look at it to know where to touch. That's why it's against the law in most states to look at your phone while driving.

But for some reason, car companies thought it was OK to put a huge touch sccreen in the car that has all the car controls. It's insane.

Agree, The 2025 Subaru Forester touch screen is just plain dangerous. I deeply regret buying it.

 

[Gordon Cash]

I wanted to get a Forester for my daughter before she went off to college out of state. After researching the 2025, I bought a ‘24 for her three months earlier than I had planned, because the 2025’s were starting to appear on dealer lots in mid-May.

I think the trend towards big touch screens by manufacturers isn’t driven by consumer demand. I think they are just cheaper to produce.

I read somewhere that a typical car touch screen costs about $50 to produce, and the software is essentially free once it’s written. I rest my case.

 

[Dr. Mandrill Balanitis]

I've had 4 Foresters now. Current model is a 2021 Sport, which is literally (chef's kiss) perfect.

I took at look at a '25 Forester and was shocked to see (essentially) an I-Max screen in the middle of the dash...

And no knobs. All you have is a massive touch screen for most controls -- which means you have to LOOK at the screen to change settings.

It seems to me a company that is so focused on driver safety would not change core interior controls so you have to take your eyes off the road to use them. Currently, I can -- without looking -- reach for a knob and turn the temp up or down, fan control up or down, volume, reboot the radio, etc -- all without looking at the console.

Some of this is available on the steering wheel too, but what is Subaru thinking putting everything in touch screen?

Far less than ideal. I am very disappointed.

The big screen is easier for the dog family drivers (in the T.V. adv.) to use because they can see a target button and tap it with their nose. For that reason and the fact that most manufacturers want to charge for the costly software subscriptions that are not needed with real tactile controls - that's my opinion. I cherish my 2000 and 2003 Foresters because they are not married to the manufacturer and its software coders, and they cannot assume control of the vehicle or collect data about me.