Subaru Forester

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{{Infobox Automobile |image=Image:Subaru forrester.jpg |name=Subaru Forester |manufacturer=Fuji Heavy Industries |production=1998–present |class=Station Wagon |engine=2.5 L Flat-4
2.5 L Turbo Flat-4 |related=Subaru Impreza
Saab 9-2X |similar=Honda CR-V
Toyota RAV4
Ford Escape
Suzuki Grand Vitara }}

The Subaru Forester, released in the US in 1998, is a lightweight, small crossover SUV (or arguably a station wagon) based on the Subaru Impreza platform and drivetrain. As with all Subaru models marketed in the United States of America and other international markets since the early 1990s, the Forester is equipped with an all-wheel drive (AWD) transmission. Subaru advertising employed the slogan "SUV tough, Car Easy" to appeal to the SUV-oriented market; and to this end, the Forester has features associated with SUVs such as a large, boxy cargo area and more ground clearance than other Subaru models (although it employs a car-like unibody chassis, rather than the body-on-frame construction associated with trucks and larger SUVs). The Forester, up until recently was also sold in India as a Chevrolet alongside other Chevrolet models sold there, however since General Motors no longer holds an ownership stake in Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, this arrangement is in question. The Forester is produced at the Gunma Yajima plant in Japan.

In 2003, a turbocharged Forester, the XT, was released alongside the naturally-aspirated X and XS. The XT model features a 2.5 L turbocharged engine mated with the same Mitsubishi TD04 turbo charger used in the Subaru Impreza WRX. In fact, the engine in the 2004-2005 Forester XT is identical to the U.S.-market Subaru Impreza WRX STi except for using the smaller TD04 turbo from the WRX, a smaller intercooler, different exhaust system, and different engine management programming.

The 2003 model Forester features weight-saving refinements such as an aluminium hood, perforated rails, and a hydro-formed front frame. The Forester was Car and Driver magazine's Best Small SUV for 2004, 2005 and 2006.

1 2006 (Current Model)
- 1.1 US
- 1.2 Australia
2 Gallery
3 Awards
4 Trivia
5 External links

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2006 (Current Model)

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US

For 2006, the Forester exterior was updated with an arguably more upscale look. Just two models are produced:

2.5 X - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 173 hp (129 kW)
2.5 XT Limited - turbocharged 2.5 L flat-4, 230 hp (171 kW)

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Australia

The Forester has three main models available in Australia:

X - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 121 kW (162 hp)
XS - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 121 kW (162 hp)
XT - turbocharged 2.5 L flat-4, 169 kW (226 hp)

The difference between the X and the XS is the styling of the car through its accessories. Both the XS and the XT come with the option of having a "Luxury Pack" fitted - allowing for leather seats and a sunroof. Besides the difference in engine between the X or XS when compared to the XT, there are other minor styling differences like the addition of a MOMO steering wheel as standard on the XT model.

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