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2005 Subaru Forester
Date Published: 6/10/08

2005 Subaru Forester
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MSRP:
$21,295 - 27,395

Invoice:
$19,685 - 25,237

Class:
Compact Sport-utility Vehicle

CG Award: (What's This?)
2005 Subaru Forester
Expert Rating Summary
Category XS, man. Rating (See All
Ratings)
Compact Sport-utility Vehicle Average Rating
Acceleration 4 4.3
Fuel Economy 6 4.8
Ride Quality 5 4.5
Steering/Handling/Braking 6 4.7
Quietness 5 4
Controls 6 5.5
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 6 5.7
Room/Comfort (rear) 3 4.5
Cargo Room 7 6.7
Value within Class 7 6
Total Score: 55 50.7
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
2005 SUBARU FORESTER BUYING RESOURCES
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2005 Subaru Forester Review
Addition of an L.L. Bean-themed model highlights 2005 changes to Subaru's compact SUV. Forester is basically a tall wagon built around the platform and powertrain of Subaru's Impreza compact car. It offers four models: 2.5 X, 2.5 XS, 2.5 XT, and the new 2.5 XS L.L. Bean Edition. Every Forester has all-wheel drive and a horizontally opposed 2.5-liter 4-cyl engine. The 2.5 XT is turbocharged and has 210 hp; other models have 165 hp. Automatic transmission is standard on the L.L. Bean and optional in place of manual transmission in the others. The manual transmission includes Subaru's Hill Holder feature designed to prevent rolling on inclines with the clutch disengaged. Head-and-chest-protecting front side airbags are standard, as is ABS; all but the 2.5 X have 4-wheel disc brakes. All Foresters have 16-inch wheels. For '05, wheels are of a new 8-spoke design on the 2.5 XS and a new 10-spoke style on L.L. Bean. The Bean also includes beige leather upholstery embossed with the outdoor outfitter's logo, and is the only Forester with self-leveling rear suspension. Also for '05, all models get a new 3-spoke steering wheel. All but the 2.5 X gain a power driver seat. And the 2.5 XS now comes with monotone exterior appearance vs. contrasting-color cladding on others
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Among utility vehicles, Compact SUVs are the least costly and offer the best fuel economy. Most utilize a car-type chassis and are not designed for heavy-duty, off-road use. Nearly all are five-passenger vehicles.

Our Best Buys include the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda Tribute, and the Mercury Mariner. Our Recommended picks are the Honda Element, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Liberty, and Subaru Forester.
News
A redesigned Forester was said to be on for 2006, but sources now expect the model will only be freshened. The changes could be extensive, however. We'll know soon enough.

Also coming for '06 is the Tribeca, a high-profile crossover wagon with five- and/or seven-place seating, Subaru's 3.0-liter "boxer" 6-cyl and, of course, standard AWD. It's said to be priced above the more-conventional 6-cyl Outback wagons, likely in the high-$30,000s to start. Despite that, Subaru thinks it can move 40,000 a year. Tribeca will be built at Subaru's Indiana plant, which suggests much underskin sharing with the Legacy/Outback models that are built there, but the crossover is visibly larger. We've heard wheelbase will be about 108 inches on an overall length of some 195. Styling, previewed through several concepts the past few years, introduces a new face destined for other future Subarus, with a prominent triangular grille flanked by slim "wing" air intakes. The interior is said to be highly flexible, with 2nd- and 3rd-row seats that fold flat and can be rearranged several ways. We should have more details soon, so keep checking back with us.
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