2006 Subaru Forester 2.5X (Video Clip)

The little SUV that does


The Forester first poked its head out of Fuji Heavy Industries in 1998. This was one year after the arrival of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Although the Suzuki Sidekick / Chevrolet Tracker had already been around for quite a while, the birth of these compact SUVs spawned the creation of a new segment. This category of vehicles quickly became a favourite of those looking for an alternative to station wagons, minivans and larger SUVs. Over the next few years, other car makers landed in the war zone with heavy hitters like the Mazda Tribute, Ford Escape and most recently, the Nissan X-Trail.

Subaru is a manufacturer that is often overlooked. It offers some of the most versatile go-anywhere vehicles that most other makers can not even compete with. Recently, General Motors sold off its interests in Subaru to Toyota. Perhaps this will be the creation of a new era for this company. Their history is steeped in innovation and the last 15 years are covered in WRC podium finishes. Subaru has a reputation for longevity and robustness and that has not changed. Subaru is actually the only builder that includes Symmetrical AWD on all their vehicles.

The price range for the Forester begins at $27,995. The tested Forester X retails for that exact amount. A chart topping Forester XT Limited automatic reaches $39,895.

Styling

The Subaru Forester has always been regarded as a good looking truck. Its proportions are right, and the styling is reminiscent of a shrunken tough truck. In 2003, Subaru wisely revised both ends with a new grill and lights. For 2006, they repeated the manoeuvre although with much less success. As a side note, Subaru has now created a corporate grill for their line of new vehicles much like other manufactures have. The idea behind the new fascia is that it resembles a plane and hints back to Subaru's aviation past. The new B9 Tribeca was the first to receive the new front end. The redesigned Impreza was to be next. Somehow, the Forester slipped between the production and design cracks. If one thing is certain, the 2006 looks like it could have been introduced in 2003. This is because the 2003-05 looks more polished and thought out than my tester. Otherwise, the rest of the truck is nearly identical to what we first saw in 1998.

The cabin of the Forester is refreshingly simple and easy to comprehend.Only the single-din radio, with its small buttons, can pose as a minor inconvenience. Some of the materials are of the less expensive kind, however Subaru masterfully hides this fact with an interesting play with their textures. Fit and finish is generally quite good. The seats are snug and hold their occupants well in place. Interior volume is ideal for four adult passengers and will suffice for five occupants for a short period of time. Cargo volume is generous considering the Forester's outer dimensions.