The Subaru Forester is a solid vehicle for phone mounting — mostly. The windshield sits at a workable angle and the interior is conventional enough that most mounts behave predictably. The main challenges are the unusually wide dashboard, which pushes the windshield further from the driver than most cars, and Subaru’s narrow vertical vents, which can be tricky for generic vent clips to grip without wobbling.
This guide covers the 5th generation Forester (2019–2024) and 6th generation (2025+), with notes on the older 4th gen (2014–2018) where relevant.
| Mount | Best For | Location |
|---|---|---|
| szyuchen Subaru Vent Mount | Custom fit for Subaru vents | Vent |
| iOttie Easy One Touch 5 | Best windshield mount | Windshield / Dash |
| Andobil Air Vent Mount | Universal vent option | Vent |
| Andobil MagSafe Vent Mount | iPhone MagSafe users | Vent |
| iOttie Easy One Touch 5 | No windshield preferred | Cup Holder |
Which Generation Is Your Forester?
The Forester has had meaningfully different interiors across recent generations. The 5th gen (2019–2024) has a conventional center stack with a 6.5-inch or 8-inch screen depending on trim, a deep dashboard, and Subaru’s narrow vertical vents. The 6th gen (2025+) received a significant interior update with an 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen on most trims — the same tall-screen format that’s been in the Outback since 2020. The 4th gen (2014–2018) has a wider vent design and often includes a CD player, which opens up additional mount options.
5th Gen Forester (2019–2024)
1. szyuchen Subaru Vent Mount — Best Custom Fit (2014–2024)
If there’s one complaint Forester owners have with generic vent mounts, it’s that they don’t grip Subaru’s narrow vertical vents cleanly. The szyuchen Subaru Vent Mount addresses this with a V-shaped clip engineered around Subaru’s vent slat configuration. Instead of a generic spring clip that slips and wobbles, this one locks onto the vents properly.
It covers the Forester from 2014 through 2025 as well as most other current Subaru models including the Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, Impreza, and Legacy. The cradle fits phones from 4 to 7.1 inches with or without a case, has a one-touch release button, and rotates 360 degrees.
2. iOttie Easy One Touch 5 — Best Windshield Mount (All Years)
The windshield is a reliable location on the Forester, but the wide dashboard means the glass is further from the driver than most vehicles. The iOttie Easy One Touch 5 handles this well with a telescoping arm that extends enough to close the gap. The suction cup locks firmly to glass and smooth dash surfaces, and the one-touch cradle opens with a single button press. The cradle holds phones up to 3.5 inches wide and rotates 225 degrees for portrait or landscape.
For drivers who find the vent too close to the infotainment screen on upper 5th gen trims, the windshield is often the cleaner option. Placing the mount slightly toward the passenger side of center tends to work better than dead center on the Forester’s wide dash.
3. Andobil Air Vent Mount — Best Universal Vent Option (All Years)
If you prefer a universal vent mount, the Andobil Air Vent Mount is the pick. Its locking clip handles both horizontal and vertical vents and holds more securely than most in its price range. The cradle opens to 3.75 inches and rotates 360 degrees on a ball-and-socket joint. For drivers who find the windshield too far away due to the wide dash, a vent mount brings the phone closer and keeps it within easier reach.
iPhone owners with MagSafe should use the Andobil MagSafe Air Vent Mount — same clip, magnetic plate instead of a cradle. See our Andobil air vent mount review for a full breakdown of both versions.
6th Gen Forester (2025+)
4. iOttie Easy One Touch 5 — Best Overall (2025+)
The 6th gen Forester’s 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen dominates the center stack on most trims, making vent mount placement more cramped than on the 5th gen. The windshield is the cleanest solution here. The iOttie Easy One Touch 5 remains the pick for the same reasons — telescoping arm, one-touch release, reliable suction.
Works on All Forester Years
5. iOttie Easy One Touch 5 Cup Holder Mount — Best Cup Holder Option
The Forester’s cup holders sit toward the rear of the center console — accessible for taller drivers with the seat further back, harder to reach for shorter drivers with the seat pulled forward. If the position works for you, the iOttie Easy One Touch 5 Cup Holder Mount is the pick: weighted base, telescoping neck, same one-touch cradle. Check your reach before committing to this location.
What to Avoid
Seat bolt mounts: The Forester’s front seat bolts are covered with plastic trim on all recent generations — not accessible without removing the covers.
CD slot mounts on 2019+ models: Most 5th and 6th gen Foresters do not have a CD player. If you have a 4th gen (2014–2018) with a CD slot, it remains an option — but note that it will partially block the infotainment display on trims where the screen sits directly above it.
Dash surface adhesive mounts: The Forester’s dash texture doesn’t give suction cups or adhesive mounts a reliable grip. Use the windshield glass instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do vent mounts work on the Subaru Forester’s vertical vents?
Yes, but generic vent clips often struggle with Subaru’s narrow vertical slats. The szyuchen mount is purpose-built for Subaru’s vent configuration and grips far more securely. The Andobil is also designed for vertical vents and works well on the Forester.
Why does the windshield feel so far away in the Forester?
The Forester has a notably wide dashboard compared to most compact SUVs. The distance from the driver’s seat to the windshield glass is longer than average — which is why a mount with a telescoping arm works better than a short fixed-arm mount here.
Does the 2025 Forester have the same big screen as the Outback?
Yes — the 6th gen Forester (2025+) added the 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen on most trims, the same format the Outback has used since 2020. The base trim still uses a 7-inch screen. This affects center stack layout and can restrict vent mount placement on non-base trims.
Will a 4th gen Forester mount work in a 5th gen?
Not for custom-fit mounts. The 4th gen (2014–2018) and 5th gen (2019–2024) have different dashboard and vent designs. Universal mounts like the iOttie and Andobil work across all years, but vehicle-specific mounts are generation-dependent — always verify compatibility before buying.
Can I use a cup holder mount in the Forester?
You can, but the cup holders sit further back in the console than ideal for shorter drivers. Try the vent or windshield first — most Forester owners end up there anyway.
