2006 Subaru Forester Review

Specifications

More Power and Refinement for Subarus Smallest SUV

Subaru has been a serious thorn in the side of the sport utility vehicle market ever since the introduction of its rough n tough Outbacks. Advertised by none other than Crocodile Dundee (Paul Hogan), these sedans and wagons spearheaded a new era of capable vehicles without the traditional excess or bulk that truck-based SUVs had. But the story of a small Japanese companys efforts to produce a smarter SUV came to fruit when Subaru introduced the compact Forester in 1997.

Classified as a compact sport utility vehicle, Subaru had effectively entered the SUV scene, but unlike its competition, the Nissan Xterra, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4, the Forester was the most car-like vehicle by a long, windy country mile. It showed the public that an SUV need not be overly tall to deliver the same versatility and off-road performance as a typical vehicle, and because of it, the Forester had the upper hand in many categories, including off-road performance, on-road performance, crash worthiness, interior space and fuel consumption.

In its nine years of production, the Forester has evolved once, with a major update back in late 2002. As an act of keeping up with the times, it became safer, more refined and a heck of a lot faster when it gained a turbocharger - the guts which helped back up its more stylish exterior. Though a turbo was always available on the first-generation Forester in other markets, it was the first time one was offered on the Forester in North America, and what an impression it made! The Forester XT was the WRX of the compact SUV range, producing 210-horsepower, with a tuned suspension and manual gearbox, transforming this tiny ute into a machine that could leave behind bigger, more powerful SUVs, and surprise quite a few sports car owners at stoplights.

With such an accomplished vehicle in its current state, it came as quite a surprise that Subaru unveiled an updated version of the Forester for 2006 at the New York International Auto Show in late March. So, why the update after just three years?

Fred Adcock, VP, Subaru of North America says, “Its popularity has steadily increased with each new accolade it achieves for its outright performance. Forester continues to surprise and delight customers.”

As far as the automotive industry is concerned, there is no better way to keep winning favorable comments in the press and surprising consumers than by introducing regular, meaningful updates and improvements.

With the update, the Forester has received a full frontal facelift. Subarus vehicles are hardly beautiful, but theyre practical and with that have a form that directly follows function. Visually, the current Forester is somewhat of an angry looking vehicle, with chiseled headlamps and a chrome-lined trapezoidal grille, the car comes across as if its frowning. Add that to a well defined front bumper, oversized fog lamps and a hood scoop (XT Turbo only), and it almost comes across as sinister.

To give the Forester a more family-friendly image, the new model has new, narrower four-lamp cluster headlamps, which cut into the hoods profile. Sandwiched between the lights is a new, larger grille with a deeper inset which keeps the upside-down trapezoid shape. Coincidentally, the grilles outline can be traced to the lower valance, which gives the Forester an Audi-esque appearance. Smaller projector-beam fog lamps replace massive, rally-style lamps which flow into rolled fender arches and the rest of the body-color cladding. Subaru coins the new facelift as elegant, but its hard to be convinced with the less than delicate shapes and sizes. One thing is for sure though, the Forester has lucked out and is unaffected by the controversial corporate face which has made its first North American appearance on the B9 Tribeca.

While the Foresters side profile will be carried over from the last update, there are a few changes made to the junior-sized ute for 2006. Reshaped tail lamps with jewel-like clear lenses accompany a chrome trim panel below the rear window. New badging, including the six-star Subaru logo replaces the corporate Subaru text. Other miner alterations were also made, including standard body-color bumpers for base models, and body-color mirrors with integrated turn signals (unavailable on base trim level). The range-topping L.L. Bean models will be the only Foresters available with a two-tone paint scheme, in either platinum silver, or steel gray.

If the appearance of the new Forester doesnt quite move you, the upgraded engines certainly will. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer (horizontally opposed) four-cylinder has received its first major boost in power since 1997. Since then, the 165-horsepower 2.5-liter H-4, featuring 162 lb-ft of torque, has been the staple engine for most North American Subarus, including the Legacy and the Impreza. In this update, the trusty and reliable DOHC 16-valve unit gains Active Valve Lift System (AVLS), which is Subaru-speak for variable valve timing. Horsepower has been bumped up to 173, but nevertheless fuel consumption and emissions have been improved. All Foresters equipped with this motor are badged as X models.

For 2006, the already powerful XT receives a bump in power too. The turbocharged and intercooled 2.5-liter H-4, which already features AVLS, now puts out 20 more horsepower thanks to an increased compression ratio and a high-flow intake manifold, for a total output of 230 horses. If this good news isnt enough, the more powerful engine is capable of sprinting to 60 mph in well under six seconds, while meeting Low Emissions II (LEV II) emissions regulations. As cliché as it sounds, the Forester XT really does let you have your cake and eat it too.

Linked to the upgraded engines are two slightly revised gearboxes. Both the five-speed manual and the four-speed automatic have new gear ratios in order to optimize performance and fuel economy, while the four-speed automatic now features adaptive shift points which adjust to the drivers input and vehicle load to improve performance. While Subaru has yet to upgrade the automatic gearbox to a five-speeder like most of its competitors, it has adjusted the symmetrical all-wheel drive system to provide better performance and handling, to counter for the lack of additional gears.

With its low center of gravity, car-like dimensions and powerful engines, the Forester is often considered one of the best driving vehicles in its class. To enforce its position as an SUV, Subaru has raised the ground clearance on all models from 7.50 inches to 8.07 inches, and 7.87 inches on XT models, for increased capability on all road surfaces. Other changes to the Forester include new springs and shock absorbers for a smoother ride and reduced body roll, as well as a lateral crossbeam to improve structural rigidity for better handling. As an added bonus, L.L. Bean models feature a self-leveling suspension to keep the car horizontal to the pavement even when fully loaded. A recalibrated brake booster has been added to improve pedal feel during hard braking.

According to the press release, Subaru claims that there are important changes to the Foresters interior, but on first glance its nearly impossible to find anything noticeable. The L.L. Bean models do get a wood and leather-wrapped Momo steering wheel plus suede-like Alcantara side bolsters for the seats, but other than that the dashboard and center stack layout is the same.

Options, such as automatic climate control, a premium sound system, heated mirrors and seats, and a power tilt and slide sunroof are all still available, grouped in Premium and Winter packages. But the changes that Subaru speaks of arent to improve ergonomics or the look of the ergonomic cockpit; they are present to make a difference in a collision.

To keep the Foresters passive safety rating pristine for years to come, Subaru has added “smart airbags” for driver and front seat passenger in addition to the two-stage front and side airbags currently available. Using sensors to monitor passenger weight and distance from the airbag, they deploy to adapt to the size and placement of front passenger, as well as the speed and type of impact. These kind of sensors, normally found in high-price luxury sedans, are available on Subarus entry level compact SUV. In addition, Subaru has also redesigned the Foresters headrests to minimize whiplash injury.

With so many compact sport utility vehicles on the market, its sometimes difficult to see the individual trees in the
forest, but the updated Forester does an excellent job of standing out. Its hard not to sound repetitive when speaking about its track record, but many feel that there really is nothing that can top it for on-road performance, in XT trim at least, overall capability, and passenger safety, not back in 1997 and certainly with these updates, not now.

Pricing, which has been higher than the compact SUV average and therefore one of the best arguments its rivals have against buying one, has yet to be adjusted for the 2006 model year, but it will be no doubt continue to be more expensive than the class average when sales begin in early summer.

To put its pricing in perspective, the base Forester currently sells for $21,295, which is more than even the $20,195 Honda CR-V, and when optioned out in XT trim with leather and the automatic transmission, its $31,510 fully loaded sticker might shock those looking for a compact SUV.

Pricey or not, the updated Forester will continue to attract buyers who appreciate its unique qualities, better than average performance and good build quality.

Preliminary