2006 Subaru Forester Philadelphia

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2006 Subaru Forester Overview

Forester has amassed a good reliability record since its introduction eight years ago. It has performed very well in laboratory crash tests and it comes with a high level of standard safety equipment. It can tow up to 2400 pounds. In short, the Forester still offers a combination of SUV capability, fuel-efficiency, on-road performance and versatility that's tough to beat.

The 2006 Forester has been restyled front and rear, creating a slightly more serious, less cutesy look. Inside, subtle changes add comfort and convenience, particularly in the back seat. An alarm and security system are now standard. The suspension has been revised in an effort to improve ride comfort, adding a bit more ground clearance for off-road forays

The 2006 Subaru Forester benefits from what those in the car business call a mid-cycle refresh, which means changes are fairly extensive but it isn't a ground-up redesign. All Foresters get at least a modest increase in horsepower, thanks to internal changes in their unusual horizontally opposed engines. The turbocharged Forester 2.5XT Limited gets the biggest boost, making it one of the more exhilarating vehicles of its type to drive. Forester still offers either a manual or automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is standard on all models.

2006 Subaru Forester Lineup

All Foresters come with antilock brakes. All but the 2.5X also have electronic brake-force distribution, which evenly proportions brake force as grip under the tires changes. All are equipped with dual-stage front-impact airbags, front-passenger side-impact airbags and active front head restraints designed to minimize whiplash injuries.

The turbocharged 2.5XT Limited gets even more power for 2006. It's high-performance engine has dual overhead cams, with variable valve timing and lift for a smooth, even power band. Improvements to the intercooler, among other things, increase peak horsepower by 20 to 230. In addition to equipment offered in the 2.5X Premium, the 2.5XT Limited adds leather-trimmed seats, a seven-speaker audio system with sub-woofer and a sport gauge package.

The Forester L.L. Bean Edition remains the top normally aspirated model and the only Forester with a standard automatic transmission (so keep that in mind when comparing prices). Additional functional items, compared to the 2.5X Premium, include an auto-dimming rearview mirror with built-in compass, a shock sensor in the security system and a self-leveling rear suspension. Yet the L.L. Bean's big draw may be the appearance package, with its unique wheels and colors and contrasting metallic lower-body cladding. Inside, it features beige seats trimmed with leather and Alcantara fabric, a Momo wood-and-leather steering wheel, hard, water-resistant material in the cargo hold and stitched L.L Bean logos on the front seats and floor mats.

The Forester 2.5X Premium adds a 120-watt stereo with six-disc in-dash CD changer and better speakers, 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, automatic climate control, a leather- wrapped-steering wheel and shift knob and a power moonroof.

Interior of the 2006 Subaru Forester

he Forester has great cargo capacity for its size. Lowering the 60/40 split rear seat increases that capacity from 32 cubic feet to 56.4 cubic feet. That's comparable or slightly less than compact SUVs, and those who put a premium on cargo space should note: The lower headliner on Foresters equipped with the moonroof robs more than a cubic foot of cargo volume.

The optional leather interior looks and feels stylish. The Forester L.L. Bean added a new MOMO wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel and matching shifter handle. The water-resistant surface on its cargo area floor and rear seatback has been expanded to the cargo area sidewalls. All these touches are nice, but Forester's interior materials are good in all cases, and we'd rather put the extra money for the L.L. Bean package toward the higher-performance XT turbo.

Rear-seat passengers get good leg and head room, even with the optional moonroof, and now they get even more thigh support. The bottom rear cushion has been extended forward two inches, without reducing leg room, and Subaru has added a fold-down armrest with storage in the rear seatback

Handling of the 2006 Subaru Forester

The standard Forester engine delivers decent acceleration, to be sure. It can't match the exhilaration underfoot with the turbo, but a driver will never pound the steering wheel shouting faster! while merging onto a crowded freeway. Subaru's horizontally opposed engines (called boxers because the pistons repeatedly punch outward) share their design concept with Porsche's highly regarded boxer engines. The advantage is good power in a compact package, and a low block-height that helps lower the center of mass in the car. Subaru has perfected this design. Subaru's four-cylinder engine isn't as smooth as some, but company engineers have done a good job insulating the Forester's interior from the vibration.

Simply put, the Forester XT Limited is very fast, and the power is so steady and even that there's almost no clue it's a turbocharged engine. It's so much fun that you'll want to floor the gas pedal at every opportunity, just to feel the exhilarating rush of acceleration.

Conclusion

Even as crossover vehicles proliferate, few can match the versatility built into the Subaru Forester. Forester brings it all, or almost all: great all-weather, all-road capability, solid dynamic performance on pavement, passenger/cargo flexibility, lots of useful features, fuel economy, lots of safety equipment and good crash-test scores at a reasonable price. It can even be fun to drive. The turbocharged XT Limited delivers acceleration that's a visceral rush.

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com