2005 Subaru Forester Trims and Specs

The base model of the popular all-wheel drive compact SUV is the 2005 Subaru Forester 2.5 X, which features a 2.5-liter, 165-hp H4 engine and choice of 5-speed manual or a new 4-speed automatic transmission. Two rows of seats open onto a cargo area that expand from 32 to 64 cubic feet with the back seat down. A standard roof rack adds more cargo space. The all-wheel drive system combines with a limited slip center differential and 16-inch steel wheels. 4-wheel ABS and dual front and front-side airbags are standard. Skid plates and an auto-dimming rearview mirror are options.

Though the base model, the 2005 Forester 2.5 X does come with full power features, cruise control, a CD player, foglights, and intermittent front and rear wipers. Front and overhead consoles offer more storage, and the dash gets new illuminated controls. Add-ons include a security system, a remote garage opener, alloy wheels, leather trim, and a rear spoiler. A trailer hitch is also available for up to 2400 pounds of towing. For a small crossover SUV, the 23/30 mpg is appreciated, as are the solid 5-star crash ratings. Owners also like the SUV height with the car-like handling and the AWD system. More comfortable seats and more power are needed, say drivers.

The 2005 Subaru Forester 2.5 XS adds a few more comfort and convenience features to the base model, helping to make this small AWD crossover SUV one of the most popular vehicles in the Subaru lineup. The 5-star frontal crash ratings do their part as well. A 2.5-liter, 165-hp H4 engine with 166 lb-ft of torque comes with a standard 5-speed manual or a new electronically controlled 4-speed auto tran. A limited slip rear and center differential are also included. Like the X, the 2005 Forester 2.5 XS features 4-wheel ABS brakes, foglights, dual front and front-side airbags, and daytime running lights. An auto-dimming rearview mirror and skid plates are available. Body-colored bumpers and cladding are added this year.

What the 2005 Forester 2.5 XS adds is alloy wheels (16-inch), an 8-way power driver's seat, heated front seats and mirrors, leather trim, and automatic climate control. This is in addition to the full power features, intermittent front and rear wipers, CD changer, and cruise control. A roof rack is also standard, and the cargo area expands to 64 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. A trailer hitch can be added if you need to tow up to 2400 pounds. Other extras are a sunroof, security system, rear spoiler, and remote garage opener. Drivers seem to love the power and acceleration, but have minor complaints about the bland styling.

Adding a turbocharger to the 2.5-liter H4 Subaru engine boosts horsepower from 165 to 210 in the 2005 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT, the turbo version of the compact all-wheel drive SUV. With 235 lb-ft of torque, drivers enjoy the responsive acceleration, yet are surprised by the quiet engine and smooth handling. The 2005 Forester 2.5 XT does get less fuel economy than the non-turbo versions, only around 19/24 mpg. Aside from the turbo, the XT is much like the XS, with 4-wheel ABS, a rear and center limited slip differential, 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, daytime running lights, and dual front-side airbags. A 5-speed manual or new 4-speed automatic transmission are available.

Full power features, a new 8-way driver's seat, cruise control, heated front seats and mirrors, a CD changer, leather trim, tilt steering wheel, tachometer, and intermittent front and rear wipers are standard inside. Power switches are now illuminated. A roof rack is standard, and the cargo bed holds up to 64 cubic feet of storage with the back seats down. A trailer hitch is available, along with skid plates, a rear spoiler, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a remote garage opener. Leather upholstery and an expansive power sunroof are optional luxuries in the 2005 Forester 2.5 XT. The premium gas requirement is a disappointment for cost-conscious drivers, but the love the confident turbo power, AWD capability, and overall comfort.

Brand new this year is the 2005 Subaru Forester 2.5 XS L.L. Bean edition of the all-wheel drive compact SUV. Sold in conjunction with the Maine catalogue retailer, it focuses on an outdoor, woodsy lifestyle. In reality, what it adds to the regular XS is a standard security system, leather seats (not available on the XS) and a sunroof. A 2.5-liter H4 gets 165-hp and comes only with the new 4-speed electronically-controlled auto tran. The superb all-wheel drive features a center and rear limited slip differential and 16-inch alloy wheels. Foglights, 4-wheel ABS brakes, daytime running lights, and dual front-side airbags are standard. Skid plates and an auto-dimming rearview mirror are extra.

A new 8-way power driver's seat, heated front seats and mirrors, intermittent front and rear wipers, cruise control, a CD changer, and front and overhead storage consoles off all the convenience and creature comforts expected in cars these days. The 2005 Forester 2.5 XS L.L. Bean edition features folding rear seats, to expand the 32 cubic-foot trunk to 64 cubic feet, and a roof rack. A trailer hitch is optional, along with a remote garage opener and a rear spoiler. 22/28 mpg is not stellar, but not at all bad for an SUV, and drivers also like the smooth handling, AWD performance in bad weather, good visibility, safety and dependability, and the large sunroof.

The 2005 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Premium Package is basically the XT's version of the XS L.L. Bean edition. The all-wheel drive, four-seater compact SUV adds standard leather upholstery, a large sunroof, and a security system to what you already get on the regular XT, including an 8-way power driver's seat, heated seats and mirrors, a CD changer, cruise control, intermittent front and rear wipers, a tachometer, and various storage consoles. The 2005 Forester 2.5 XT Premium Package features a turbocharged 2.5-liter DOHC H4 that gets 210-hp and 235 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a standard 5-speed manual or new electronically-controlled 4-speed automatic.

The sporty SUV gets only 19/24 mpg and needs premium gas, but it can haul up to 2400 pounds with an optional trailer hitch, and a 32 cubic foot cargo area is expandable to 64 cubic feet and is supplemented by a standard roof rack. 4-wheel ABS, dual front-side airbags, foglights, 16-inch alloy wheels, and daytime running lights are standard, with skid plates and an auto-dimming rearview mirror optional. The AWD combines with limited slip rear and center differentials for better handling in rough conditions. A remote garage opener is optional on the 2005 Forester 2.5 XT Premium Package. Turbo power and smooth, quiet handling earn high marks from drivers, who really only complain about the high price of premium gas and the lack of a keyed entry for the trunk.