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2006 Subaru Forester Preview

A fresh face and more power

AS
by Autobytel Staff
March 25, 2005
3 min. Reading Time
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There may be no better place to extol the virtues of the Subaru Forester than at the 2005 New York International Auto Show, and that's just what Subaru executives did during the launch of the redesigned 2006 model.New York City and an all-wheel-drive wagon/truck? Think about it - as I sit here in the Big Apple, I hear the seemingly never ending whir of sirens, the almost incessant blare of horns, the banging of construction equipment, and the intermittent beeping of commercial trucks in reverse. Add in the inability to see through the skyscrapers and blinding illuminated billboards to anything even remotely resembling natural, and the head-for-the-hills, hug-a-tree 2006 Subaru Forester comes across as the stressed man's savior. And now that trip to serenity can be enjoyed with even more style and power. The base model Subaru Forester X and the upscale L.L. Bean Edition now offer 173 horsepower and a more conservative, clean look with revised front sheet metal and new headlights, accompanied by an updated rear fascia. Additionally, the L.L. Bean Edition receives a leather-wrapped interior and a new Momo leather and wood steering wheel. For those who can't get there quick enough, the 2006 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited has an added 20 horsepower for 2006, bumped to 230. Of course, they all come standard with Subaru's proven all-wheel-drive system.

Even if forests and dirt trails aren't part of the agenda, the refined and more powerful 2006 Subaru Forester has plenty to offer in terms of style and utility, all of which comes in handy regardless of the destination. Pricing has not yet been released. The 2006 Subaru Forester will begin arriving at dealerships early this summer.

What it is

Making its official debut at the 2005 New York Auto Show is the 2006 Subaru Forester, the brand's largest vehicle. Bill Cyphers, Vice President of Subaru sales, calls the redesigned Forester the "right sized vehicle in a world where many manufacturers supersize their vehicles." With its all-wheel-drive capability and more powerful engines for 2006, the Subaru Forester is able to take five people and their gear almost anywhere they wish to go, and still remains easy to park and relatively economical.

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Why it matters

With the exception of the WRX and STi models, Subaru buyers aren't interested in flashy vehicles that yell "Look at me!" Subaru vehicles sell because of their versatility and ease of use…and the recent #1 ranking for initial customer satisfaction surely won't hurt sales. Designers and engineers need to stay true to the utilitarian and conservative nature of the Forester, while still keeping the model competitive. With extra ponies under the hood, interior enhancements, and a freshened face and rear end, they have effectively achieved this goal.

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When you can buy it

Subaru's freshened 2006 Forester is due to arrive at dealerships beginning in the summer of 2005. The 2006 Subaru Forester debuts at the 2005 New York International Auto Show.

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How much it costs

Pricing has not been released, but given that the 2006 Subaru Forester is a freshened model and not a total redesign, prices should be in line with the 2005 model. The base price of the 2005 Subaru Forester ranges from about $22,000 to $27,000.

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How quick it is

Subaru Forester models equipped with both the naturally-aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinder motors should be quicker for the 2006 model year. The base model, the 2006 Subaru Forester X, and the upscale L.L. Bean Edition both use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder motor that is now good for 173 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, up from 165 horsepower in 2005 models. Torque is rated at 166 lb.-ft. at 4,500 rpm. Move up to the turbocharged 2.5 XT Limited model and enjoy 230 horsepower, up 20 from last year's 210 horsepower. The turbocharged motor also now qualifies for the LEV-II (Lower Emissions Vehicle II) emissions rating. Mated to either engine is a 5-speed manual transmission or an adaptive four-speed automatic.

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What it looks like

Despite revised front and rear ends, there will be no mistaking the 2006 Subaru Forester for anything else. All of the sheet metal forward of the windshield has been massaged, with the most obvious changes lying in the new headlight housings, which are a bit smaller. The lower foglights are less pronounced, and the bumper and grille surround are now one complete piece. The grille includes five horizontal slats rather than two.Less obvious are the changes to the rear. The taillights include white and red lenses in place of all red in the 2005 model, and Subaru lettering across the middle of the gate has been replaced by the brand's five-star badge.

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What it does best

All Subaru models impress with their all-around capability, from the shotgun WRX STi to the purposeful Baja. Not much has changed with the 2006 Subaru Forester, so it will continue soldiering on doing what it does best - taking drivers and their friends, their families, and their gear to places that many lesser vehicles (and even some supposedly more capable vehicles) wouldn't dream of going. But now it takes on the challenge wearing a face and butt lift and a little added muscle.

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What we think

Subaru has seen great success with the Forester, so it wasn't necessary, nor would it make a lot of sense, to mess too much with a winning vehicle. They can leave that challenge for the redesign. Changes to the 2006 Subaru Forester are indeed subtle, but we think it's a good move in updating the model enough to keep it competitive and fresh while not being so drastic as to alienate potential customers.

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Standard features

2006 Subaru Forester X standard features: --front/front-side airbags --antilock brakes --16-inch wheels --air conditioning --four-speaker AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player --power windows, mirrors and door locks --keyless entry system --60/40 split folding rear seat now includes a fold-down center armrest --vehicle security system 2006 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited standard features (in addition to or replacing those on the X model): --leather on seats, steering wheel, shift knob and parking brake handle --heated front seats and mirrors --power moonroof --rear disc brakes --electronic brake force distribution --wiper de-icer --automatic climate control --six-disc CD changer --power driver's seat The 2006 Subaru Forester L.L. Bean Edition adds: --Steel gray or platinum silver bumpers and side moldings --Self-leveling rear suspension --Beige leather with L.L. Bean on front seats --Momo leather and wood steering wheel --Leather and wood shift knob Photos by Erik Hanson

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