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Christopher Jackson | 9/6/2007 | Subaru
We've always had a hard time thinking of the Forester as an SUV thanks to its close relationship with the Subaru Impreza, but plenty of onlookers clearly had no problem seeing it for what it was. Subaru's little crossover sport-ute acquits itself as the most carlike vehicle in its class. The good news is that it doesn't sacrifice any of its go-anywhere ability in the name of comfort, either.
Obviously this isn't an off-roader; the Forester lacks a dual-range transmission and the suspension articulation required for serious dirt-bashing, but the 8.1 inches of ground clearance and sure-footed all-wheel drive enable it to go pretty much anywhere the average mortal is interested in going.
The jury is still out on the Forester's new face, which has developed a hint of Subaru's new family styling. The horizontal-bar grille is a bit wider and resembles aftermarket grilles that have been available for a while. The bulbous lower bumper looks strong from some angles and awkward from others, and the wider jeweled headlamps give the Forester a stronger glare. Turn signal repeaters in the side mirrors offer an upscale touch The taillights are clear-faced and also resemble aftermarket pieces. The Forester's boxy shape has been smoothed slightly, and character lines on the flanks denote fender flares and subtle speed lines, but this is still a square-rigged car. The Forester 2.5 XT Limited gets a big honkin' hood scoop, to feed the turbo, and an aluminum hood, to reduce weight. There's an L.L. Bean Forester, too, distinguished by two-tone paint.
Inside, ongoing tweaks to the Forester's interior have improved things. The seats are high off the floor, though lumbar support isn't perfect. The Forester offers comfortable seating for four, five adults can get in, but it'll be a squeeze. The tall roof ensures decent cargo room, with 32.0 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 57.7 with the rear seats folded. The rubber mat protecting the carpet in the rear practically begs for muddy things to haul. There's a dash-top cubby for carrying small items, and the Forester 2.5 XT adds automatic climate control, a six-disc CD changer and improved speakers to the standard equipment list.
The handing has a bit more waddle than you'll get in a car, thanks to the additional height, but the Forester is sure-footed and confident on all surfaces. For 2006, the rear crossmember improves the rigidity of the unibody to help sharpen handling. Changes to spring rates and shock valving have also tamed the Forester's worst pavement habits. Off-pavement, the Forester has enough suspension articulation and responsive enough steering for confident driving on rutted dirt roads. Four wheel anti-lock brakes are standard.
The 2.5 liter boxer four cylinder engine's gurgly engine note takes some getting used to, but it's a torquey little powerplant that's well suited to the Forester's size. The naturally-aspirated 2.5 makes 173 horsepower, an improvement over last year's model. The range-topping 2.5 XT that we drove is a few steps above that, at 230 horses. Both engines are comparatively quiet, even at high revs. Subaru uses electronic throttle control to improve throttle response and fuel economy, and active valve control broadens the torque curve. Our tester was a five-speed manual, and it exhibited the typical Subaru second-gear recalcitrance but was otherwise a good gearbox. Don't assume the turbocharged powerplant means the Forester XT is a street racer; there's a decent amount of urge when you get on the loud pedal, but we wouldn't advise challenging any serious sports cars at the stoplights. That said, the Forester XT will return grin-inducing launches under a heavy throttle foot. A four-speed automatic with adaptive shift control is also available. This "smart" automatic can adjust the shift points based on vehicle load and driving style.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard, as it has been in all Subarus since 1997. There are two AWD systems, one for the automatic transmission and one for the manual. Both the viscous coupling differential on the manual and the electronic unit in the automatic feel more or less the same on the road. The Forester shifts power front to rear in slippery situations without complaint. Thanks to the ground clearance and copious traction, the Forester is the fire-trail equal of just about any small SUV.
The Forester is a good successor to the Loyale, and buyers who liked and appreciated that car's Spartan sensibility will be happy with a Forester, if a bit surprised by the level of equipment. Standard equipment in the base Forester 2.5 X includes side airbags, sixteen-inch wheels and keyless entry, and for $21,795 that's not a bad deal. Our test car was a turbocharged Forester 2.5 XT, and went out the door for $27,985.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2006 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT.
Length: 176.6 in.
Width: 68.1 in.
Height: 62.6 in.
Wheelbase: 99.4 in.
Towing capacity: 2400 lb.
Cargo space: 32.0 cu.ft. (seats up); 57.7 cu.ft. (seats folded)
Base price: $21,795
Price as tested: $27,985
Engine: 2.5 liter horizontally-opposed SOHC turbocharged four-cylinder
Drivetrain: five-speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive
Horsepower: 230 @
Torque: 235 @ 3600
Fuel capacity: 15.9 gal.
Est. mileage: 20/26
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