2006 Subaru Forester Review

Subaru was ahead of its time when its first Forester arrived in 1997 as a vehicle now often referred to as a "crossover" -- or car-based sport-utility vehicle. The 2006 Forester officially is a compact SUV, but is based on Subaru's Impreza sedan and thus can be called a now-fashionable crossover.

Subaru once sold only small, cheap, economy cars, but has come up a lot in the world since the 1970s. The Forester was redone for 2003 with crisper styling and more room, refinement, comfort and safety features. An early 2004 version got a horsepower-increasing turbocharger and hood scoop to draw more young drivers.

The 2006 Forester also gets major revisions. It still looks rather innocuous but has revised styling, with a new grille, headlights, bumper, hood and fenders and new taillight clusters and rear body trim panel. There's added power, besides refined drivetrain, suspension and braking systems. The result is faster acceleration, sharper handling and a smoother ride.

Revisions to the five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions help improve performance. Ground clearance is up from 7.5 to 8.1 inches to enhance all-road, all-weather driving capability. And a strengthened rear crossmember increases lateral rigidity to help improve handling, as do revised coil spring rates and shock absorber valving.

Horsepower of the turbocharged four-cylinder engine jumps from 210 to 230 with higher compression and a redesigned intake/exhaust system. It makes the Forester a hot rod, able to zip to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds with the manual gearbox, although its functional, oversized hood scoop looks almost cartoonish. New emissions controls lets the engine meet a stricter Low Emissions Vehicle regulation.

The non-turbo base four-cylinder engine's horsepower is up from 165 to 173. That's not much of an increase, but this decent motor has a new variable valve lift system that makes it more responsive.

The base engine delivers an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 29 on highways with the manual transmission and 23 and 28 with the automatic. The turbo engine provides 19 and 25 with manual and 21 and 26 with automatic. The turbo engine calls for 91-octane fuel, the regular engine only 87-octane.

Prices go from $21,795 to $27,895. The base Forester 2.5 X has air conditioning, AM/FM/Weatherband stereo with CD player, power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry, split-folding rear seatbacks, anti-lock brakes -- and new body color bumpers and side cladding.

Move up to the 2.5X with the Premium Package and added are a huge power glass sunroof that covers part of the rear seat, automatic climate control, power driver's seat, alloy wheels, 6-disc CD changer and -- appropriate for Chicago winters -- heated front seats, windshield wiper de-icer and heated body color side mirrors with turn signals.

Move to the L.L. Bean Edition and extra equipment includes an automatic transmission (an $800 option for other models), new wood-and-leather steering wheel and unique alloy wheels. It's the only version with a self-leveling rear suspension.

The top-line XT Limited is the only model with the turbo engine, and it also adds leather upholstery and an upgraded audio system.

The Forester is fun to drive, especially with the turbo engine, and there's seemingly a model for everyone. It's among the most carlike, comfortable crossover vehicles, although the ride sometimes gets a little bouncy.

The steering is rather heavy, but also quick and accurate. Handling is carlike, with the low-set compact engines helping provide a low center of gravity and the standard all-wheel-drive system helping grip roads. The brake pedal initially feels too soft, but its linear action allows smooth stops.

The manual shifter provides fast gear changes, especially with the $345 short-throw unit, but works with a stiff, long-throw clutch. A downshift from fifth gear is needed for quick highway passing, and the engine registers a rather high 3,000 rpm at 70 mph, although cruising is no problem.

It's easy to get in the quiet, nicely designed interior, with its supportive seats, easily read gauges and large climate controls, thanks to large outside door handles and a low floor. Four occupants sit rather high and fit comfortably, although a tall rear passenger will want more leg room if a driver moves his seat back far.

Front cupholders are fine, but the pop-out dual rear ones are flimsy. Curiously, the front armrest swings back 180 degrees to provide two additional rear cupholders. Cost-cutting is shown by no lights for the sun visor mirrors and an awkward manual hood prop.

Front side air bags are standard, but side-curtain bags are unavailable -- although the Forester has gotten high crash-test ratings.

The spacious cargo area has a low, wide opening and can be enlarged by flipping the rear seatbacks forward, but the hatch has no separate-opening rear window.

The Forester no longer is ahead of its time, but is one of the better crossover vehicles. 

2006 SUBARU FORESTER 

PRICES 
$21,795-$27,895

LIKES
Carlike. Very fast turbo model. Good roadability. All-wheel drive.

DISLIKES
Average styling. Rather tight seating behind driver. Stiff clutch.