AFTER selling more than 105,000 Foresters in Australia since 1997, Subaru has given its (self-proclaimed) “most iconic model” a makeover that is designed to address the consumer resistance issues of the outgoing versions – namely, the lack of interior space and too utilitarian styling. This time around, the Forester is also larger, and almost proper SUV-like in fact, with more ground clearance. But refinement, safety, and value aspects have also been looked at, and all should give the Impreza-based Subaru a very strong presence in the hot compact SUV segment.

Subaru Forester
Released: July 2005
Ended: March 2008
Family Tree: ForesterThe second-generation Forester’s mid-life makeover saw a new nose, improved performance, better gearboxes and a host of other minor changes to keep it competitive against the ever-improving competition. The ‘atmo’ non-turbo 2.5-litre boxer four-cylinder petrol engine’s power and torque outputs rose to 121kW and 226Nm, while the hot-performing XT now registered 169kW and 320Nm. Model nomenclature remained – in ascending order – X, XS and XT, while the transmission choices were a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic with a new sequential-shift function.
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