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Key specifications
- Gas Flat 4-Cyl
- Engine Type
- 21 City / 28 Hwy
- MPG
- 165 hp
- Horsepower
- 5
- Seating Capacity
- 166 @ 4000
- SAE Net Torque @ RPM
- 165 @ 5600
- SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
- 2.5L/150
- Displacement
- Gas Flat 4-Cyl
- Engine Type
- w/Parallel Links
- Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
- w/Lower L-Arms
- Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
- HD Raised
- Suspension Type - Rear
- HD Raised
- Suspension Type - Front
- N/A
- Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
- 16 gal
- Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
- Not Available lbs
- Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
- Not Available lbs
- Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
- 90
- Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
- 356
- Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- Yes
- Drum - Rear (Yes or )
- Not Available in
- Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
- 11.4 x 0.94 in
- Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
- Not Available
- Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Notable features
New turbocharged 2.5 XT
AWD
Active-type AWD in new 2.5 XT
Manual or automatic transmission
Side-impact airbags
Engine
166 @ 4000 SAE Net Torque @ RPM
165 @ 5600 SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
2.5L/150 Displacement
Gas Flat 4-Cyl Engine Type
Suspension
w/Parallel Links Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Lower L-Arms Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
HD Raised Suspension Type - Rear
HD Raised Suspension Type - Front
Weight & Capacity
N/A Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
16 gal Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
Not Available lbs Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
Not Available lbs Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
176 lbs Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
2,400 lbs Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
3,090 lbs Base Curb Weight
Electrical
90 Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
356 Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
Brakes
Yes Drum - Rear (Yes or )
Not Available in Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
11.4 x 0.94 in Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
Not Available Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Disc - Front (Yes or )
N/A Brake ABS System (Second Line)
4-Wheel Brake ABS System
Power Brake Type
Photo & video gallery















Factory warranties
New car program benefits
Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Age / mileage
5 years / 80,000 miles
Basic
Coverage available for purchase
Dealer certification
152-point inspection
The good & the bad
The good
Ride comfort
Handling
Quietness
Easy to drive
Resale value
The bad
Moderate front-seat space
Limited rear-seat room
Undramatic performance
Most recent
Head gasket needed replaced at 135,000 miles.
Head gasket needed replaced at 135,000 miles. A/C compressor went bad at 140k. Seats uncomfortable. Lower control arm snapped when driving. Very dangerous. Recall was useless. Subaru would not reimburse. Very disappointed. Reliable? My experience NO.
- Purchased a New car
- Used for Transporting family
- Does not recommend this car
Insanely reliable.
Insanely reliable. Nothing needed to be replaced in the time I’ve had it, and its 20 years old! Currently at 146k miles. Hope to see my specific Forester reach up to the >250k miles mark like many others!
- Purchased a Used car
- Used for Having fun
- Does recommend this car
Safety review
Based on the 2004 Subaru Forester base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
- Frontal driver
-
5/5
- Frontal passenger
-
5/5
- Side driver
-
5/5
- Side rear passenger
-
5/5
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