Overview & Reviews

Subaru has made many small but significant changes to the Forester for 2006. Foresters with normally aspirated engines have a new variable valve-lift system that bumps horsepower from last year's 165 to 173, while turbo Foresters have a higher compression ratio and redesigned intake and exhaust components for a 20-hp boost to 230 and cleaner tailpipe emissions. The manual and automatic transmissions have also been updated for better performance, as has the suspension. Interested shoppers should also note that Subaru has simplified the Forester's trim levels, freshened up the exterior styling and added more thigh support to the rear seat.

• Standard all-wheel drive, two engine choices, availability of upscale features, class-leading crash test scores, rides and handles like a car.

• Costs more than many competitors, tight on legroom in the backseat.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 111.00

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  Fantastic car, but needs rear legroom - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Mike - June 28 - 6:40 pm

  We bought this car because we needed extra room for a new baby which would be born a few months later. When we bought it we loved just about everything about it. The ride is terrific, the moonroof is the biggest Ive seen, the climate control is great. Once we had our baby, we were in for a big surprise - the rear seats are terrible for infant car seats! I tried putting the new infant seat in behind the driver seat (our older daughters seat is behind the passenger) and the only way it would fit was if I moved the seat so far forward and so far upright that it was no longer comfortable to drive. So now the infant seat is behind the passenger so the passenger will have to suffer.

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  Great Toy! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By ASR - April 13 - 1:43 pm

  This car, with the turbo, has great acceleration. I drove both models and the turbo is a fun car to drive. The features I have are leather, AM/FM/6 CD entertainment, auto dimming mirror and compass, dual front airbags and side curtain airbags. The instrumentation layout is satisfactory and is ergonomically pleasing. The second row riders have room; I am 6 feet tall and had no problem getting in with the front seats at a reasonable set up for a driver. The only question you can ask yourself is about the over the shoulder seatbelt for the middle passenger. It can be somewhat difficult to use and has a tendency to curl. You really can push this car and have a ton of fun doing it!

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  Snow machine - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By ehibma - December 20 - 12:08 pm

  This is a solid machine, minus the head gasket issues. I did have to replace the head gaskets, but otherwise a great, reliable vehicle. This is my second Forester.

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  After 46K - still and awesome car!! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By KW - December 11 - 3:56 am

  After 46,000 miles - I still love this car! Down the road, there will be a another Subie purchased; that is for sure. I wanted to pass along some advice. When replacing your tires, do not put the Geolanders HTs (OE) back on, these are not good tires. Subaru recommends H-rated tires; however, I replaced them with Yokohama Avid TRz which are t-rated and seems to do better overall. They ride quiet, handle great in rain and snow, and seem to last. Subaru should have made the TRz the OE tire. I have been averaging 27 mpg overall; best I got was 30, the worst I got was 21. Not bad at all. I love this car, and recommend it to anyone. The 09s are bigger and ride a little quieter

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  Would buy another one - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Venator - August 23 - 11:43 pm

  Ive had my Forester for a little over 4 years now. It has served me well in the city and on back-country roads. It does an excellent job in ice and snow, is easy to park, and carries a lot of gear. With the XT package it has more than enough pick up and is a lot of fun to drive.

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  Subaru Forester X premium - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By maverick - March 11 - 1:40 am

  The car is a winner with great IIHS crash test ratings. For me it was a toss up between a Toyota RAV4 and this . When it comes to winter driving the Forester beats the RAV4 . During extreme driving conditions , the risk of driving is increased and my motive of buying the Forester was for times like these.

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  Nice car, but uncomfortable seats - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Katharine - October 28 - 10:13 pm

  This is my first Subaru, and I bought it because I moved to the Pocono Mountains in PA, and lots of my neighbors recommended it. I did read that the seats were uncomfortable, and they ARE! Short drives are okay, but after about an hour, my back and bottom start to hurt. Cant something be done to make these seats more comfortable? I love everything else about the car.

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  SOLID & RELIABLE ALL WEATHER COMMUTER - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Brian McCloskey - July 5 - 5:16 am

  Ive driven this car now for a year and a half. During that time Ive put on 35,000 miles. I should add I downsized from a Toyota Landcruiser. The biggest question any prospective buyer wants to know is: "would you buy it again?" My answer would be a resounding YES. This is a super little vehicle. I dont know where some of these reviewers learned to drive in inclement weather, but we live in New England and ours flys in the snow. Never a hint of slipping. Creature comforts are average. I wish the cloth seats werent so prone to wearing and staining. But ours has over 50K miles on it and weve done nothing but change the oil. This is a great AWD vehicle with very good mileage.

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  OK Overall, Great in snow! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Higgledy - June 21 - 1:33 am

  After driving this car for 14 months and 36,000 miles I am ready to trade on something more refined. In 36,000 miles I had one major repair--replaced the catalytic converter, covered under warranty. But the thing that bothers me most is the rattles, noise, and harshness that have developed in 14 months.