The Subaru Forester is a solid vehicle for phone mounting overall, with one challenge that catches people off guard: the unusually wide dashboard pushes the windshield further from the driver than in most compact SUVs. Subaru’s narrow vertical vents also cause trouble for generic vent clips that aren’t designed around the slat configuration. Get those two things right and the rest is simple.
This guide covers all three recent Forester generations: the 4th gen (2014-2018), the 5th gen (2019-2024), and the 6th gen (2025 and newer), with the right custom-fit option called out for each one.
| Mount | Best For | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Course Motorsports DirectFit | Best custom fit, 2019-2024 | Dash (factory hardware) |
| Custom Vent Mount | Best custom fit, 2014-2018 | Vent |
| Fgtagtal Dashboard Mount | Dashboard panel, 2019-2024 | Dashboard panel (right) |
| wincar MagSafe Mount | iPhone MagSafe, 2025+ | Vent |
| iOttie Easy One Touch 6 | Best windshield mount (all years) | Windshield / Dash |
| WeatherTech CupFone | Best cup holder mount (all years) | Cup Holder |
Which Generation Is Your Forester?
The Forester has gone through meaningful interior changes across recent generations. The 4th gen (2014-2018) has wider horizontal vents and in many trims includes a CD slot, which opens up additional mounting options. The 5th gen (2019-2024) introduced a 6.5-inch or 8-inch screen depending on trim along with Subaru’s narrower vertical vent design, which requires a mount engineered around those slats. The 6th gen (2025 and newer) received a major interior overhaul with an 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen on most trims, the same format that debuted in the Outback in 2020. The base 6th gen trim retains a 7-inch screen and a more conventional layout.
Vehicle-specific mounts are generation-dependent. Universal picks like the iOttie and WeatherTech CupFone work across all years.
5th Gen Forester (2019-2024)
1. Course Motorsports DirectFit — Best Overall (2019-2024)
The most common complaint from Forester owners using generic mounts is that nothing stays put cleanly next to the infotainment screen. The Course Motorsports DirectFit Magnetic Mount solves that by bolting directly to the factory dash hardware, no drilling required. The bracket is CNC-cut, powder-coated, and built around the 5th gen’s specific interior geometry. It installs using existing fasteners in under five minutes and positions your phone right beside the center display, not in front of a vent or stuck to the glass.
The magnetic head accepts all phones via an included metal plate, and MagSafe-compatible variants are available in the listing. This is the cleanest installation available for the 2019-2024 Forester, and it also covers the Impreza (2017 and newer) and Crosstrek (2018-2023) on the same bracket.
2. Fgtagtal Dashboard Panel Mount — Best Adhesive Option (2019-2024)
If you want a custom-fit look without using factory hardware, the Fgtagtal Dashboard Panel Mount attaches to the right side of the center console dashboard panel via 3M tape. It’s built specifically for the Forester 2019-2024 and the XV/Forester 2018-2022 interior geometry, matching the panel contour so it doesn’t look like an afterthought. The cradle uses a telescoping arm and 360-degree rotation head, accommodating phones in any orientation.
Installation takes a few minutes: clean and dry the panel surface, warm the tape with a hair dryer to activate it, press and hold. No brackets, no fasteners. For drivers who prefer not to touch factory hardware, this is a solid second pick for the 5th gen.
4th Gen Forester (2014-2018)
3. Custom Vent Mount — Best Custom Fit (2014-2018)
The 4th gen Forester has a different vent layout from the 5th gen: wider horizontal slats in the center stack that generic clips can actually grip, but a custom-fit option still outperforms a universal clip in terms of hold quality and finish. The custom-fit vent mount for the 2014-2018 Forester is engineered around the specific vent profile of this generation, locking on without the wobble or slippage that affects generic clips over time.
It handles phones from slim cases to heavier cases equally and rotates for portrait or landscape viewing. For 4th gen owners who want something built for their specific interior, this is the pick.
6th Gen Forester (2025 and Newer)
4. wincar MagSafe Vent Mount — Best for iPhone (2025+)
The 6th gen Forester’s 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen takes up most of the center stack on non-base trims, leaving vent real estate limited. The wincar MagSafe mount for the 2025-present Forester is designed specifically for the 6th gen interior, with 15W fast wireless charging for MagSafe-compatible iPhones. It mounts to the vent without interfering with the large touchscreen and handles the narrower slat profile of the updated interior.
For Android users on the 6th gen, the windshield remains the cleanest option, using the iOttie Easy One Touch 6 below.
Universal Picks (All Forester Years)
5. iOttie Easy One Touch 6 — Best Windshield Mount (All Years)
The Forester’s wide dashboard creates more distance between the driver and the windshield glass than most compact SUVs. A short-arm mount ends up too far away to be practical. The iOttie Easy One Touch 6 handles this with a telescoping arm that extends enough to close the gap, plus a suction cup that locks firmly to the glass. The one-touch cradle opens with a single button press and rotates 225 degrees for portrait or landscape.
The windshield is also the go-to location for 6th gen Forester owners with Android phones, where the large center touchscreen makes vent placement harder. Mounting slightly toward the passenger side of center tends to work better than dead center on the Forester’s wide dash.
6. WeatherTech CupFone — Best Cup Holder Mount (All Years)
The Forester’s cup holders sit toward the rear of the center console, which works for taller drivers with the seat further back but puts the phone out of easy reach for shorter drivers with the seat pulled forward. If the position works for your driving position, the WeatherTech CupFone is the right pick here: adjustable base that fits virtually any cup holder, telescoping neck, and a fully adjustable tilt and rotation head. It’s American-made and comes with a lifetime limited warranty. The open design keeps your charging cable accessible the whole time.
Check your reach from your normal driving position before committing to this location. Most Forester owners end up on the windshield or dash.
What to Avoid
Seat bolt mounts: The Forester’s front seat bolts are covered with plastic trim on all recent generations and are not accessible without removing the covers.
CD slot mounts on 2019 and newer: Most 5th and 6th gen Foresters don’t have a CD player. If you have a 4th gen (2014-2018) with a CD slot, it remains an option, but the slot sits close to the infotainment display on trims where the screen is directly above it, which can obstruct the display.
Adhesive dash mounts: The Forester’s dashboard surface doesn’t give suction cups or adhesive pads a reliable bite. Use the windshield glass rather than the dash surface for suction-based mounts.
Cheap generic vent clips: The Forester’s narrow vertical vent slats cause spring-loaded generic clips to wobble and eventually lose grip. Either use a custom-fit mount engineered for Subaru’s slat configuration or choose a windshield option instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do vent mounts work on the Subaru Forester’s vertical vents?
With the right mount, yes. Generic spring-loaded clips often slip on Subaru’s narrow vertical slats. The custom-fit options for each generation are built around the Forester’s specific vent profile and hold cleanly where generic clips fail.
Why does the windshield feel so far away in the Forester?
The Forester has a notably wide dashboard for a compact SUV. The distance from the driver’s seat to the windshield glass is longer than average, so a telescoping-arm mount like the iOttie Easy One Touch 6 outperforms a short fixed-arm mount here.
Does the 2025 Forester have the same big screen as the Outback?
Yes. The 6th gen Forester (2025 and newer) added the 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen on most trims, the same format that debuted in the Outback in 2020. The base trim still uses a 7-inch screen. This affects center stack layout and restricts vent access 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 WeatherTech CupFone work across all years, but vehicle-specific mounts are generation-dependent.
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. Test your reach first. Most Forester owners end up on the windshield or using a dash-mounted option instead.
