Subaru Forester 2003 - 2008 review
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Overview
 Subaru Forester 2008, click for larger image |
 Subaru Forester, click for larger image |
 Subaru Forester interior, click for larger image |
Subaru Forester, click for larger image
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 Subaru Forester, click for larger image |
The 2003-2008 Forester is a solidly built small car-based SUV with good safety ratings, car-like ride and great all-weather handling thanks to advanced all-wheel drive system. The Forester has one of the best fuel economy among SUVs with 4WD.
Subaru Forester has rigid unibody construction with fully independent suspension with McPherson struts on all four wheels.
A continuous all-wheel drive system is standard.
The Forester offers two engine choices: the base 4-cylinder 2.5L SOHC engine or the turbo-charged 2.5L DOHC engine. Both engines have a flat horizontally opposed (Boxer) design where two pairs of cylinders are placed on opposite sides of each other. The transmission choices include a 5-speed manual with Hill Holder clutch system or 4-speed automatic. The Forester has disk brakes in front, drums or disks in the back. Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) are standard.
What makes Subaru special is an advanced AWD system. Subaru calls it Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
Models with manual transmission have an AWD system with a central limited slip differential.
In automatic transmission models the torque distribution between the front and rear axles is controlled electronically by a hydraulic transfer clutch. A viscous limited-slip rear differential is available on top models.
Although the Forester's AWD system is not designed for rock climbing or heavy off-roading, it works well on snowy roads or in moderate off-roading situations. During a test drive, I drove the Forester through foot-deep snow and it handled it easy.
The Forester interior is plain looking, but practical. Front seats are supportive and comfortable in a long trip. The rear seat space is fairly tight though. Controls are simple and easy to use. Available sunroof is huge; when open it feels like in a convertible. Large windows and side-view mirrors provide great visibility all around. Available front and rear wiper deicers along with heated seats and mirrors are a big plus in winter conditions.
On the road, the Forester is fun to drive. The Subaru's horizontally opposed engine design and drivetrain layout give the Forester low center of gravity. As a result, the Forester feels very stable on curves. At the same time the Forester's ground clearance is high enough not to worry about potholes or hitting the curb when parking.
Overall, the handling is comfortable. The steering is on the light side, but feels precise, with tight turning radius. Driving at low speeds over rough road feels a little harsh, but otherwise, the ride is fairly smooth. There is some wind and road noise at higher speeds, but not too intrusive. The base 2.5L 4-cylinder engine has plenty of power for everyday driving while the turbo-charged version is a blast to drive.
The 2003-2008 Subaru Forester received perfect five stars in the NHTSA frontal and side-impact crash tests.
The 2004-2008 Forester also received four stars in dynamic rollover tests. Check more details at Safercar.gov. In the IIHS offset front crash tests, the 2003-2008 Forester received 'Good' overall rating. In addition, the 2008 Forester received 2008 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.
The engine
The 2003-2008 Forester features the Subaru's trademark: a horizontally opposed 'Boxer' engine, where two pairs of horizontally-arranged cylinders are placed on opposite sides. |
Pros
- Good fuel economy for an SUV
- Great all-weather handling, car-like ride
- Tight turning radius
- Capable AWD system
- Good crash-test ratings
- Excellent all-around visibility
- Decent ground clearance, low center of gravity
- Standard integrated roof rails
Cons
- Plain interior design
- Road and wind noise
- Too small cup holders
- Tight rear seat space
- No telescopic adjustment on the steering column
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