Auto Shows

2005 New York Auto Show

 

Advertisement

More in Auto Shows

Auto Shows Main Page
New York Main Landing
2005 New York Landing
Straightline from New York
2005 New York Photo Gallery
Auto Shows Site Map

Pictures

A new front fascia, including grille and headlamps, provides a sporty, new look to the popular Subaru Forester.
Ground clearance under the Forester 2.5 XT has been increased by nearly half an inch.
You won't find a hood scoop on the Forester L.L. Bean, its 2.5-liter engine is naturally aspirated.
Momo accessories, including a leather and wood steering wheel and shifter knob, dress up the Forester L.L. Bean cabin.

2006 Subaru Forester

STORY TOOLS
Print thisPrint this Save thisSave this Digg this storyDigg this
Email thisEmail this Most PopularMost popular del.icio.usdel.icio.us

What Is It?
2006 Subaru Forester

What's Special About It?
The Subaru Forester was one of the original crossover vehicles when it made its debut back in 1998. Now with growing competition, Subaru wants to retain its piece of the pie, so the 2006 Subaru Forester is receiving a notable update, including an across-the-board boost in power.

Bill Cyphers, Subaru's vice president of sales, said "The success of the WRX has led Subaru to add more power to our other vehicles, a premium which is typically only found in luxury SUVs."

The 2.5-liter boxer engine in the base Forester 2.5 X models gains an Active Valve Lift System (AVLS) variable valve lift technology, which increases output to 173 horsepower (up from 165 in the 2005 models).

The more powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter Forester 2.5 XT Limited gets 230 horsepower, an increase of 20 hp due to a higher compression ratio and a redesigned intake manifold. Subaru says it will post a 0-60 time under 6 seconds.

Despite the increase in power, the turbo engine now meets the more stringent Low Emissions Vehicle II (LEV II) regulation and Subaru says transmission revisions have increased fuel mileage, although EPA numbers have not yet been released.

All Foresters receive a more sophisticated front fascia design, including a new grille, four-lamp headlight cluster, bumper, hood and fenders. In the back, new taillamps flank a body-color trim panel. On base models, body color replaces the textured gray protective cladding, and all but entry-level models get new larger body-color side mirrors with integrated turn signals.

The top-of-the-line non-turbo Forester L.L. Bean Edition is distinguished by a two-tone appearance using steel gray metallic or platinum silver metallic bumpers and side cladding.

The interior is covered in beige leather-trimmed upholstery with L.L. Bean logos embossed on the front seatbacks above new Alcantara side bolsters. A self-leveling rear suspension is now standard on the Bean, and the coil springs and shocks on other models have been revised to provide a smoother ride.

The 2006 Subaru Forester goes on sale in June.

What's Edmunds' Take?
Although the design updates aren't ground-breaking, Subaru has taken a solid step forward by backing the slightly new look with considerably more power. We'll take improved driving dynamics over aesthetics any day. — Kelly Toepke