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2003 Subaru Forester Review
New design brings more room, better handling.
2003 Forester Review Summary & Specifications
The 2003 Subaru Forester has been greatly improved over last year's model, which was a capable, versatile vehicle. Neither the sexiest nor the most functional car on the dealer lot, the Forester matches Subaru engineering with the best features of the economy car, wagon, and SUV to make a vehicle that has the best of all worlds, but belongs to none. We appreciated the Premium Package with its leather interior trim and moonroof.
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| Vehicle Category | Sport Utility Vehicles |
| Editor | Sue Mead |
| Model Lineup | 2.5X ($21,070); 2.5XS ($22,895) |
| Engines (standard) | 2.5-liter inline-4 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 4-speed automatic |
| Engines (optional) | 2.5-liter inline-4 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 4-speed automatic; 5-speed manual |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | ABS, height-adjustable front head restraints; 5-mph impact-absorbing bumpers; child seat safety tethers; daytime running lights, dual stage front airbags and front seat head and chest side airbags |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Gunma, Japan |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-WANT-AWD |
| Manufacturer URL | www.subaru.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 22895 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Subaru Forester 2.5 XS ($22,895) |
| Standard Equipment | automatic climate control; sport design reclining front bucket seats with height-adjustable head restraints; driver's seat height and lumbar adjustments; 60/40 split fold-down rear seats; perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, shifter handle and parking brake handle; rear seat headrest for all three seating positions; tilt-adjustable steering column; off-delay dome light; overhead console with dual sunglasses storage bin and dual map lights; 12-volt center console power outlet; upper dash storage pocket with lid and digital clock; four cup holders; power door locks; remote keyless entry system; power windows with driver's side one-touch auto-down feature; cruise control; AM/FM/Weatherband stereo with logic control cassette, 6-Disc in-dash CD changer and four speakers; in-glass antenna; cargo area: dual storage pockets, 3 under-floor storage compartments, under-floor storage bucket, 4 cargo tie-downs and 2 grocery bag hooks; cargo area cover; 12-volt cargo power outlet and cargo area light; All-Weather Package with dual-mode heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer and a limited-slip rear differential |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Premium Package ($1,000) includes power moonroof, montone body color |
| Destination Charge | 525 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Layout | 4-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 24420 |
| Horse Power | 165 @ 5600 |
| Torque | 166 @ 4000 |
| Fuel Economy | 21/27 |
| Wheelbase | 99.4 |
| Length/Width/Height | 175.2/68.1/62.6 |
| Track Front/Rear | 58.9/58.5 |
| Turning Radius | 34.8 |
| Seating Capacity | |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.0/51.6/43.7 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.0/51.6/33.7 |
| Trunk Volume | 62.7 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | 2,000 |
| Front Suspension | struts with internal rebound springs, lower L-arms, liquid-filled L-arm brushings, coil springs and stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | struts with internal rebound springs, trailing arms, twin parallel links, coil springs and stabilizer bar |
| Ground Clearance | 7.5 |
| Curb Weight | 3185 |
| Stock Tires | 215/60HR16 Yokohama Geolander G900 RWL M+S all-season |
| Brakes Front/Rear | disc/disc with EBD and 4-channel 4-sensor ABS |
| Fuel Capacity | 15.9 |
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