The 2005 Subaru Forester is a compact SUV that blends rugged capability with everyday practicality. Known for its standard symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD), boxer engine design, and durable construction, this model delivers confident handling in all weather conditions.
Engine and Drivetrain
| Spec | Forester 2.5 X, XS, XS L and XT |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5-liter DOHC intercooled, turbocharged aluminum-alloy 16-valve 4-cylinder horizontally opposed Subaru Boxer engine with Active Valve Control System (AVCS). Iridium spark plugs. Sodium-filled exhaust valves. |
| Power | 165 hp @ 5,600 rpm, 210 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 166 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm, 235 lb.-ft. @ 3,600 rpm |
| Compression ratio | 10.0:1 8.2:1 |
| Bore and stroke | 99.5 x 79 mm, 99.5 x 79 mm |
| Intake system | Aluminum-alloy intake manifold. Turbocharger with intercooler. Maximum boost pressure: 11.6 psi. |
| Fuel and ignition system | Sequential multi-port fuel injection. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC). Engine management with integrated self-diagnostics. Engine Control Module (ECM) with adaptive driving habits capability. Distributorless electronic ignition – 2.5 X and 2.5 XS. Direct ignition – 2.5 XT. |
| Manual transmission | Standard fully synchronized 5-speed manual with system and clutch pedal-controlled starter interlock. Hill Holder system and clutch pedal-controlled starter interlock. |
| Automatic transmission | 4-speed electronic direct-control automatic with economy and power modes. direct control automatic with economy and power modes. |
Fuel and MPG
| Fuel economy (city/highway) | Forester 2 X, XS | 2.5 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic | Manual: 23/30 mpg | Manual: 19/24 mpg |
| Manual | Automatic: 22/28 mpg | Automatic: 20/23 mpg |
Chassis
| Steering | Engine-speed-sensing variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion. Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0. Turning circle: 34.8 ft. |
| Suspension | 4-wheel independent heavy-duty raised suspension. Front: Strut-type with internal rebound spring and lower L-arm. Antidive geometry. Front stabilizer bar. Rear: Strut-type with internal rebound spring and parallel link. Antilift geometry. Rear stabilizer bar. |
| Rear: Strut-type with internal rebound spring and | |
| Brakes | Front-wheel ventilated disc, rear-wheel drum. 4-wheel disc, ventilated front. 4-channel, 4-sensor ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). |
| Brake dimensions (in.) | 11.4 front /9.0 rear 11.4 front /10.3 rear |
Wheels
| Trim | Specification |
|---|---|
| 2.5X | 16 x 6.5-inch 5-spoke styled steel. |
| 2.5XS | 16 x 6.5-inch 8-spokealuminum-alloy. Silver finish |
| 2.5 XS L | 16 x 6.5-inch 5-twin-spoke aluminum-alloy. Silver finish |
| 2.5 XT | 16 x 6.5-inch cross-sport 6-spoke aluminum-alloy. Silver finish |
Dimensions
| Length | 175.2 in. |
| Height | 65.0 in. (includes roof rails and cross bars) |
| Width | 68.3 in. |
| Wheelbase | 99.4 in. |
| Track (front/rear) | 58.9 in./58.5 in |
| Ground clearance | 7.5 in. |
| Towing capacity (Class I) | 2,400 lbs. |
Seating and Trim
- 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat with manually adjustable lumbar support; 4-way manually adjustable front passenger seat
- 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with manually adjustable lumbar support; 4-way manually adjustable front passenger seat
- Sport-design front seats
- Dual-mode heated front seats
- Cloth upholstery
- Leather-trimmed upholstery
- 60/40-split flat-folding rear seatback
- 3-spoke steering wheel with manually adjustable tilt column
- Perforated leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel with manually adjustable tilt column
- Perforated leather-wrapped shifter and parking-brake handle
- Silver metallic trim on dash and console
- Aluminum front door sill plates with Forester logos
- Carpeted floor mats
Convenience Features
- Power front and rear windows with driver’s auto-down
- Power mirrors
- Electronically controlled cruise control
- Dual cupholders in center console; dual retractable rear cupholders
- Overhead console with dual maplights and sunglasses storage; sun visors with concealed vanity mirrors
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass
- In-dash storage compartment and illuminated glove box
- Center console with armrest and enclosed storage compartment
- 12-volt power outlets in center console storage compartment and cargo area
- Cargo-area concealed under-floor storage bucket
- Durable hard-surface cargo area
- Retractable/removable cargo-area cover; 4 tie-down hooks; 2 grocery bag hooks
2005 Subaru Forester Exterior Features
- Multi-reflector low-beam and high-beam halogen headlights
- Large multi-reflector halogen fog lights
- Aluminum-alloy hood
- Aluminum-alloy hood with functional hood scoop (feeds turbocharger intercooler)
- Textured Gray color front and rear bumpers
- Monochromatic or contrasting color painted front and rear bumpers (depending on model)
- Black side mirrors
- Gray painted side mirrors
- Black door handles
- Body-color door handles
- Textured Gray color protective side cladding
- Monochromatic or contrasting color painted protective side cladding (depending on model)
- Heated side mirrors and windshield wipers de-icer
- Two-speed windshield wipers with variable intermittent mode
- Single-speed rear window wiper with fixed intermittent mode and de-icer
- Black-finish raised roof rails with cross bars (150 lbs. capacity)
- Aluminum-finish raised roof rails with cross bars (150 lbs. capacity)
- Panoramic power sliding glass moonroof with auto-open/close feature
Audio Systems
- 100-watt 4-speaker audio system with Weatherband and single-disc in-dash CD player
- 120-watt 4-speaker audio system with Weatherband and 6-disc in-dash CD player
- 120-watt 7-speaker premium audio system with Weatherband, subwoofer and 6-disc in-dash CD player
2005 Subaru Forester Safety Features
- Dual-stage deployment driver and front passenger front air bags (SRS)
- Front seat-mounted head/chest side-impact airbags (SRS)
- Height-adjustable active front seat head restraints help reduce the potential for whiplash
- Three individual height-adjustable rear head restraints
- Height-adjustable 3-point front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters; 3-point rear seatbelts at all seating positions
- Rear child safety door locks
- LATCH system: Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
- Safety brake pedal system
- Energy-absorbing collapsible steering column
- Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame body structure with hydroformed front sub-frame structure
- Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Continuous All-Wheel Drive
Models equipped with 5-speed manual transmission utilize a viscous-type locking center differential with torque distribution configured at a 50/50-split front-to-rear. 2.5 XS and 2.5 XT models also feature a viscous-type limited-slip rear differential.
Active All-Wheel Drive
Models equipped with 4-speed automatic transmission utilize an electronically controlled variable multi-plate transfer clutch to distribute power to where traction is needed. Sensors monitor parameters such as wheel slippage, throttle position and braking to help determine torque distribution to the wheels with optimum traction. 2.5 XS and 2.5 XT models also include a viscous-type limited-slip rear differential.
