Description: Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: $21,795 - $27,895
Invoice Price Range: $20,452 - $26,005
Where built: Japan
The chassis of a sporty coupe -- Subaru's Impreza -- underpins agile Forester the sport-utility vehicle. It was rebuilt in 2003 and earned optional turbo-charged power in 2004, with 2006 models showing revised exterior designs, more equipment aboard and power boosts to the turbo-charged and naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engines.
Entry issue Forester 2.5 X offers a new Premium Package plus power moonroof, while Forester 2.5 XT Limited is the sole turbo model as rigged with leather upholstery and a power moonroof. Subaru's 2.5-liter boxer four climbs to 173 hp with new i-AVCS controls aboard, but applying a turbo-charger and inter-cooler pushes points up to 230 hp.
Trims cap at the deluxe Forester 2.5 XS L. L. Bean edition with a new MOMO steering wheel added plus premium features. Further, Forester's optional four-speed electronic automatic transmission gains a revised adaptive shift controller.