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2000 Subaru Forester Full Review
Date Published: 6/10/08
Also in the 2000 Subaru Forester Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
2000 Subaru Forester Review
A trimmed lineup is the main change to the 2000 Forester, a "hybrid" that blends attributes of passenger cars and sport-utility vehicles. Forester is based on Subaru's Impreza station wagon, but has a taller stance in the mode of a traditional SUV.
The base-trim model is dropped for 2000, leaving L and uplevel S models. Both retain a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine. Manual transmission is standard, automatic optional. Like all Subarus, Forester has standard all-wheel-drive designed to sense wheel slip and send power to the wheels with the most traction. Forester is not intended for serious off-road use, however, and its AWD system lacks low-range gearing.
Antilock brakes are standard on both models, but the S has 4-wheel discs, along with 16-inch alloy wheels instead of the L's 15-inch steel rims. The L gains standard cruise control for 2000, while the S adds a standard limited-slip differential.
The base-trim model is dropped for 2000, leaving L and uplevel S models. Both retain a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine. Manual transmission is standard, automatic optional. Like all Subarus, Forester has standard all-wheel-drive designed to sense wheel slip and send power to the wheels with the most traction. Forester is not intended for serious off-road use, however, and its AWD system lacks low-range gearing.
Antilock brakes are standard on both models, but the S has 4-wheel discs, along with 16-inch alloy wheels instead of the L's 15-inch steel rims. The L gains standard cruise control for 2000, while the S adds a standard limited-slip differential.
Competition
Ignored in the past, compact SUVs are now some of the hottest-selling vehicles around. The two current Best Buys are the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. Though they don't offer true off-road ability, they mix the best ride, cargo, and comfort characteristics with all-weather traction.
Toyota's RAV4 , which used to be a Best Buy, falls to Recommended based on its noisy engine and cramped rear seating area. Toyota hopes that will change when an all-new RAV arrives in 2001.
As immovable as Mt. Rushmore, the Jeep Wrangler continues as our Budget Buy in this segment. Though it has become a status symbol of late, it's most at home crawling over rocks and fording river beds.
Toyota's RAV4 , which used to be a Best Buy, falls to Recommended based on its noisy engine and cramped rear seating area. Toyota hopes that will change when an all-new RAV arrives in 2001.
As immovable as Mt. Rushmore, the Jeep Wrangler continues as our Budget Buy in this segment. Though it has become a status symbol of late, it's most at home crawling over rocks and fording river beds.
News
Forester has already started 2001, as lightly revised models reached showrooms this past spring. See 2001 Forester for more information.
2000 Subaru Forester Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Visibility | Instruments/controls |
| Maneuverability | Rear-seat room |
| Cargo room | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Our test '99 with automatic transmission went at 0-60 mph in 9.3 seconds, about par for a compact SUV.
| S, auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 2.9 |
Our test '99 with automatic transmission went at 0-60 mph in 9.3 seconds, about par for a compact SUV.
Fuel Economy
We averaged 22.1 mpg in tests of an automatic-equipped '99. That's similar to rival compact SUVs, but much better than a traditional sport-utility wagon.
| S, auto. | Class Average |
| 6 | 4.8 |
We averaged 22.1 mpg in tests of an automatic-equipped '99. That's similar to rival compact SUVs, but much better than a traditional sport-utility wagon.
Ride Quality
Stiff but not but uncomfortable; more absorbent and stable than truck-based SUVs.
| S, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 2.7 |
Stiff but not but uncomfortable; more absorbent and stable than truck-based SUVs.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Responds quickly to steering inputs, with only moderate body lean in fast turns.
| S, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 3.5 |
Responds quickly to steering inputs, with only moderate body lean in fast turns.
Quietness
Considerable road and wind noise, and the engine throbs under acceleration.
| S, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 2.4 |
Considerable road and wind noise, and the engine throbs under acceleration.
Controls
The audio controls are too small, but the dashboard layout is otherwise orderly and convenient.
| S, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 4.4 |
The audio controls are too small, but the dashboard layout is otherwise orderly and convenient.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Ample head room for 6-footers, but leg room is a little tight for taller passengers.
| S, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 4.4 |
Ample head room for 6-footers, but leg room is a little tight for taller passengers.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Good head room, but leg space is poor and entry/exit is hindered by the small doors. Also, the seat is too narrow for comfortable 3-across seating.
| S, auto. | Class Average |
| 3 | 2.9 |
Good head room, but leg space is poor and entry/exit is hindered by the small doors. Also, the seat is too narrow for comfortable 3-across seating.
Cargo Room
Split rear seatbacks fold fore and aft for a reclined seating position or a flat cargo floor. Load volume is generous for the exterior size.
| S, auto. | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.6 |
Split rear seatbacks fold fore and aft for a reclined seating position or a flat cargo floor. Load volume is generous for the exterior size.
Value within Class
Forester delivers AWD capability and carlike economy with a dash of SUV image. For many buyers, it's a smarter choice than a truck-based SUV, and shares Best Buy honors in this class with the Honda CR-V.
| S, auto. | Class Average |
| 7 | 3.8 |
Forester delivers AWD capability and carlike economy with a dash of SUV image. For many buyers, it's a smarter choice than a truck-based SUV, and shares Best Buy honors in this class with the Honda CR-V.
Total Score
| S, auto. | Class Average |
| 52 | 38.4 |
Scores for all Compact Sport-utility Vehicles
| Low Score | 27 | |
| Average Score | 38 | |
| High Score | 58 |
2000 Subaru Forester Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 08/19/1999
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| L 4-door wagon | $20,095 | $18,324 | $495 |
|
|
|||
| S 4-door wagon | $22,595 | $20,506 | $495 |
Price note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Subaru of North America. Prices may be higher in areas serviced by independent distributors.
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
L
Powertrain
2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, permanent all-wheel drive.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, variable-assist power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, reclining split folding rear seat, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/cassette, tachometer, overhead console (map lights, digital clock, and sunglasses storage), intermittent wipers, rear wiper/washer, rear defogger, automatic-off headlights, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, roof rack.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Trailer harness connector, full-size spare tire, 205/70HR15 white-letter tires.
S adds to L:
Powertrain
Limited-slip differential.
Safety
Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Heated front seats, heated mirrors, windshield wiper deicer, visor mirrors.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
215/60HR16 tires, alloy wheels.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
Feature Group 3/4
|
||
|
L, S
|
$596
|
$369
|
|
Remote keyless entry, woodgrain trim kit, cargo cover, tail pipe cover.
|
||
|
Feature Group 5
|
||
|
L, S
|
$386
|
$239
|
|
Remote keyless entry, cargo cover, tail pipe cover.
|
||
|
Feature Group 6
|
||
|
L, S
|
$221
|
$137
|
|
Armrest extension, cargo net, interior air filter.
|
||
|
Outdoor Pkg. 1
|
||
|
L, S
|
$1,208
|
$863
|
|
Brush guard, side under guard bar, differential protector, gauge pack (compass, altimeter, barometer, outside temperature indicator).
|
||
|
Outdoor Pkg. 2
|
||
|
L, S
|
$858
|
$635
|
|
Brush guard, differential protector, gauge pack (compass, altimeter, barometer, outside temperature indicator).
|
||
|
|
||
Powertrain |
||
|
4-speed automatic transmission
|
||
|
L, S
|
$800
|
$719
|
|
|
||
Comfort and Convenience Features |
||
|
Leather upholstery
|
||
|
L, S
|
$1,295
|
$975
|
|
CD player
|
||
|
L, S
|
$350
|
$264
|
|
Premium Sound Pkg. 1
|
||
|
L, S
|
$905
|
$625
|
|
CD player with upgraded sound system.
|
||
|
Security Group
|
||
|
L, S
|
$365
|
$225
|
|
Remote keyless entry, theft-deterrent system w/alarm.
|
||
|
|
||
Appearance and Miscellaneous |
||
|
Brush guard
|
||
|
L, S
|
$375
|
$282
|
|
|
||
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires |
||
|
Trailer hitch
|
||
|
L, S
|
$295
|
$192
|
|
Alloy wheels
|
||
|
L
|
$595
|
$447
|
|
|
||
2000 Subaru Forester Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Subaru Forester 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 99.4 |
| Overall Length, in. | 175.2 |
| Overall Width, in. | 68.3 |
| Overall Height, in. | 65.0 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3125 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 64.6 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 15.9 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.6 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 43.0 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.6 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 33.4 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| sohc H4 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.5 /150 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 165 @ 5600 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 166 @ 4000 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 5-speed manual | 21/27 |
| 4-speed automatic | 21/26 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Subaru Forester 4-door wagon |
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | 5/60,000 | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 5/unlimited | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
Japan
Drivewheels:
all-wheel drive
Also in the 2000 Subaru Forester Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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