Subaru Forester STI rear passenger space

[ss1977]

Hello all,

Just wondering if anyone who has a Subaru Forester STI would be kind enough to do me a favour? I'm interested in the distance measurement between the seat back of the front seat backrest and the rear passenger seat backrest (to accommodate a rear-facing car seat). With the front seat adjusted to allow a passenger of average height to sit comfortably, is the distance at least 76cm? Any info would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Simon

[MDMA .]

if no-one else replies this morning, I will do it later this afternoon when I get home for you.

[vxr2010]

hi i'm 5 foot 9 inches , the front seat moved forward and knees not touching the dash but close then there is about 70 cm from the back of the front passenger seat to the front of the rear passenger seat depending on where you measure from , but where my seat was there was always more than 67 cm in distance , if the front seat is all the way forward and not sit able then it's about 80 cm , if i raised the back of the passenger seat then even more room and still comfy , so in simple terms 76 would be fine but will probably need to move front passenger seat forward and the front seat would still be use able

[MDMA .]

on a side note, is the seat 76cm total length? if it is, this isn't the distance you will need clearance as the seat measurement is angled so you will gain a few inches by it sloping upwards.

[Ved]

Rear facing seats fit only when the front seat is almost to the front of the car. You need a bigger car to fit those in. We went with a 3.0 Outback which fits fine. DM me if you want to have a chat about it.

[ss1977]

Thanks for all the helpful replies everyone. From the sounds of things, it seems like it's going to be a bit tight back there. The car seat in question is a Kiddy Evo-lunafix, which has a lie flat position making it rather long.

I see what you mean MDMA about the slope of the seat back allowing more clearance (76cm is the total length I measured in the store). I think I'm just going to try and find somewhere with a 2002-2008(?) Forester for sale and see if the seat might fit, otherwise it's back to the drawing board!

Thanks for the suggestion of the Outback Ved, I'll have a look into them.

[PomBstard]

If its of any use, we had a 2007 Forester for nearly 10 years, and used it whilst all three of our kids went through the rear-facing seat phase. Yes, the front was a bit tight, but I'm 6'2" and could still fit in OK for journeys of about an hour. Can't remember what the kid seat was - a Britax of some sort.

[macky17]

Don't forget the rear bench slides forwards and backwards a few cm. Check it's all the way back.

[vxr2010]

based on the size given for the seat , i would expect it to fit

[paul n]

I have just gone from a 2002 impreza wagon to a 2005 forester xt and also have a vw passat estate as a work car. The forster is a lot easier for the car seat mainly as the doors are really square and high so easy to get it in and out. Also it being a bit higher is nice as you don't have to bend! Lots of other family friendly features such as big boot which is easy to load up (flat floor) and lots of cubby holes and cup holders! Best family car I have ever had! .....also nice to have heated seats and the big moon roof for

[ss1977]

Thanks again for all the advice. I've managed to find a place closeby who have a couple Forester STIs in stock so will pop down there with the car seat and check the fitment. Sounds like it should fit, fingers crossed!

[macky17]

macky17 said:

Don't forget the rear bench slides forwards and backwards a few cm. Check it's all the way back.

I was sure someone was going to say "The rear bench slides???" It took me 6 months to realise it

[vxr2010]

a benefit of having an fsti your rear passengers can be more comfortable being more reclined

[BrownPantsRacing]

OK. I give in. 1 year on ownership of my FSTI and I didn't know the rear bench moved. lol. How do I slide it? Is there a lever somewhere I'm missing?

[MDMA .]

BrownPantsRacing said:

OK. I give in. 1 year on ownership of my FSTI and I didn't know the rear bench moved. lol. How do I slide it? Is there a lever somewhere I'm missing?

look at the front of the bench. there is a little lever that you turn that releases the lock mechanism. you can then pull the seat base forward then lock the lever back in place.

Edited by MDMA . on Monday 13th February 16:35

[DJFish]

I know this will go down as one of the saddest PH posts ever but, one of the best features of the Forester is the ratchet rear seat belts.
If you pull them all the way out they activate a ratchet so they'll only rewind, the addition of a bulldog clip makes fitting a car seat an absolute doddle.

Op, we've got a rear facing Klippan Triofix in our '06 XT, it leaves (just) enough room for me (at 6'4") to sit in the passenger seat although daughter no.2 does sit quite upright due to the slope of the rear seat.

Edited by DJFish on Monday 13th February 15:29

[BrownPantsRacing]

MDMA . said:

look at the front of the bench. there is a little lever that you turn that releases the lock mechanism. you can then pull the seat base forward then lock the lever back in place.

Edited by MDMA . on Monday 13th February 16:35

Fantastic. Thank you. Can't believe I hadn't noticed that before. 10 years of Impreza ownership before that so I just assumed they were the same as the Impreza. lol. Turns out mine were already pushed fully back for max legroom. Oh well.

Thanks for the tip!